Deadline: 02-Jul-21
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is now accepting Water Optimization Grant Applications for FY 2022 funding. The goal is to reduce agricultural consumptive water use, while maintaining or improving agriculture production and profitability, and providing increased operational flexibility for agriculture water users moving forward.
The 2021 Legislative secession added an additional $3,000,000 in funding to the program. All projects must include real-time metering and document water saved.
The purpose of this grant is to effectuate the following goals:
- Improve Water Optimization by the following methods: reduce consumptive water use while maintaining or improving agriculture production and profitability, and provide increased operational flexibility for agriculture water users moving forward.
- Improve Water Quantification: show accurate, real time measurement of diverted water to demonstrate actual water savings in CFS or acre foot.
Funding Information & Criteria
- $250,000 cap: special consideration may be given for projects which are located within areas showing increased pressure on water resources, or provide exceptional optimization benefits.
- 50/50 cost share: Other funds may be used to match Water Optimization grant funds including in-kind match (in-kind match will be valued on NRCS EQIP cost list).
- Cultural Resource (SHPO) review is required on all projects that are funded: The applicant will provide a SHPO report prior to beginning work on the project, and no payment reimbursement will be processed until UDAF has received the SHPO report. Any invoices with dates prior to the SHPO date will not be paid.
- 20% of the total grant funding will be withheld until: (1) the final project report has been submitted, reviewed; (2) the project determined to be complete by onsite inspection; and (3) all grant requirements have been met.
Eligibility Criteria
- Funding is for agricultural water projects only. Secondary water projects are not eligible.
For more information, visit https://ag.utah.gov/farmers/conservation-division/water-optimization-program/