Funding Opportunities for Early March

Echo Lake, near Mt. Evans. Mt. Evans can be accessed through Bergen Park (Evergreen) or by Hwy 103 out of Idaho Springs, Division of Wildlife, David Hannigan, 2009

Echo Lake, near Mt. Evans. Mt. Evans can be accessed through Bergen Park (Evergreen) or by Hwy 103 out of Idaho Springs, Division of Wildlife, David Hannigan, 2009

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Nonpoint Source Program is accepting applications for the development of watershed plans that will restore and protect waterbodies impacted by nonpoint sources of pollution. Watershed plan projects must address nonpoint source water quality impairments and/or other nonpoint source water quality priorities and target meeting Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) nine elements of watershed-based plans to maximize future funding opportunities for implementing plans. Visit npscolorado.com and look for “NEW- 2017 Watershed Plans Funding Announcement. Applications must be submitted by March 31st. 

LOWER GUNNISON IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENTS. Funding is available to support irrigation efficiency projects in the Bostwick Park, Paonia, SmithFork and Uncompahgre areas of the Lower Gunnison Basin. March 17th, 2017 is the final application deadline. Details here.    

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking applications for a new WaterSMART water marketing strategy funding opportunity. Reclamation is making approximately $3 million available for implementing water marketing strategy grants under this funding opportunity. CLICK HERE to learn more by searching for funding opportunity announcements. Applications are due by April 19, 2017 at 4:00 PM MDT.

New EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program Provides $1 Billion in Loans for Water Infrastructure Projects (Details here). The program will provide long-term, low-cost credit assistance in the form of direct loans and loan guarantees to creditworthy water projects. Example projects include: drinking water treatment and distribution, wastewater conveyance and treatment, enhanced energy efficiency projects at drinking water and wastewater facilities, desalination, aquifer recharge, alternative water supply, and water recycling projects, and drought prevention, reduction, or mitigation projects. WIFIA is available to state, local, and tribal governments; private entities; partnerships; and State Revolving Fund programs.

The US Department of Agriculture has announced that $252 million will be made available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program for "innovative, workable and cost-effective approaches to benefit farming, ranching and forest operations; local economies; and the communities and resources in a watershed or other geographic area." Pre-proposals are due April 21st, 2017. Details here.

Outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia provides grants to nonprofit organizations engaged in environmental work. The company's environmental grant program supports small grassroots activist organizations that have provocative direct-action agendas and are working on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect the environment. Grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded in support of projects that are action-oriented, build public involvement and support, are focused on root causes, and demonstrate a commitment to long-term change. There are two annual deadlines for this process - April 30th (all applications received in April will receive a response by the end of August) and August 31st (all applications received in August will receive a response by the end of January). Click HERE for grant guidelines and application.