WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019

The objective of this FOA is to invite states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on Drought Resiliency Projects that will increase the reliability of water supplies; improve water management; and provide benefits for fish, wildlife, and the environment to mitigate impacts caused by drought

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Projects carried out through Drought Resiliency Project Grants can increase water management flexibility, making our water supply more resilient. This helps to prepare for and address the impacts of drought. Proposals submitted under this FOA must demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by an existing drought planning effort. It is a well-established principle that proactively identifying resiliency projects through drought planning, in advance of a crisis, is far more cost effective than emergency response. As stated on the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) website, drought.unl.edu:

One frequently cited estimate from FEMA1 is that “mitigation”

—taking steps ahead of time to prevent known impacts from a

natural disaster—saves $4 for every $1 expended. Planning

ahead is generally seen as more efficient and more effective than

measures taken in crisis mode. Drought researchers have found

that after-the-fact assistance to farmers, for example, is

expensive and doesn’t necessarily reach the right people.

Proposed projects that are supported by an existing drought plan are prioritized. This prioritization will help ensure that projects funded under this FOA are well thought out, have public support, and have been identified as the best way to address vulnerabilities to drought.