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OWEB Drought Relief Grant Program

Source: Content.GovDelivery.com

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) is accepting applications for the Drought Relief–Statewide Irrigation Modernization grant program. This funding provides matching grants to irrigation districts to support investments in irrigation modernization projects throughout Oregon. These grants are supported by General Funds from the Oregon Legislature. At its January 2022 meeting, the OWEB Board approved receipt of the General Funds for multiple Drought Relief grant programs to be offered during the 2021-2023 biennium.

The grant cycle deadline for the OWEB Drought Relief–Statewide Irrigation Modernization Grant Program is 5 pm on September 29, 2022.

Who can Apply? Irrigation districts throughout the state of Oregon.

Eligibility Requirements
Legislative funding provides matching grants to irrigation districts to support investments in irrigation modernization projects. The funding will support on-the-ground projects that protect or restore natural watershed or ecosystem functions in order to improve stream flows.

Actions Eligible for Funding
Eligible activities are divided into two categories. Your project must first propose to implement one of the Required Activities below in order for the Secondary Activities to be eligible for funding.

Required Activities:
Piping irrigation canals, ditches, or laterals
Lining irrigation canals, ditches or laterals
Upgrading existing infrastructure such as flumes or pipes

Secondary activities include but are not limited to:
Pump installation/replacement
Realignment of conveyance systems
Diversion consolidation
Installation of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems
Installation of flow measurement devices
Installation of pressure-relief values and/or hydropower
Turn-out upgrades
Contracted services such as cultural resource surveys, construction services and late-stage design

Important Considerations for this Grant Program
Please review the OWEB Drought Relief Program–Statewide Irrigation Modernization Grant Overview and Guidance document. This document outlines important information about the grant program structure and provides guidance to potential applicants that will help determine if proposed projects are appropriate for the OWEB Statewide Irrigation Modernization Grant Program. Important considerations, in addition to the eligibility requirements described above per the legislative intent, include, but are not limited to:

  • Coordination of activities among local partners to leverage strengths of the partner organizations and maximize efficiency and effectiveness of on-the-ground work; and
  • Demonstrated capacity of the applicant and project partners to plan and implement successful actions during a short timeframe (i.e., by June 30, 2023).

Questions?
OWEB will hold an informational webinar about the Statewide Irrigation Modernization Grant Program on Monday, August 8, 2022 at 10:00 am.

Register in advance for this webinar.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

During the webinar OWEB staff will review the Statewide Irrigation Modernization Grant Program guidance and invite participants to ask questions and submit feedback. OWEB staff will use the feedback received to create additional program materials, such as a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document, as needed.

If you have questions about applying to OWEB’s Statewide Irrigation Modernization Grant Program, visit the Drought Relief Grant Program webpage or contact Heidi Hartman at 971-707-0226, heidi.hartman@oweb.oregon.gov OR Amy Charette at 971-719-3100, amy.charette@oweb.oregon.gov.

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