Overview
Place-Based Water Planning Grants support place-based initiatives to bring interested parties together, develop and update place-based water plans, and coordinate implementation of state-recognized plans. More information on Place-Based Water Planning can be found
here.
Place-Based Water Planning Grants support four different phases of planning:
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Planning Readiness Evaluation and Preparation (PREP)
Grants support the preparation for or assessment of a community's readiness to engage in place-based integrated water resources planning.
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Plan Development Grants support the development of place-based integrated water resources plans.
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Post-Plan Coordination Grants support implementation coordination of state-recognized place-based integrated water resources plans.
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Plan Update Grants support updates to state-recognized place-based integrated water resources plans.
Public Comment Opportunity
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites written public comment on 2026 grant applications for Place-Based Water Planning (PBWP) Funding. OWRD received seven complete PBWP grant applications requesting a total of $1,193,743 in funding.
A multi-agency Application Review Team (ART) will consider public comments submitted in their evaluation of applications. The ART will evaluate applications and make a funding recommendation to the OWRD Director. OWRD will post the ART funding recommendation for an additional public comment period in the fall. Awards will be announced in late 2026.
Written comments on the applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on September 14, 2026.
Please submit comments to:
PBWP@water.oregon.gov or Planning Coordinator, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, Oregon 97301.
Funding Levels and Match Requirements
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Prep Grants: Up to $100,000 (10% match required)
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Plan Development Grants: Up to $450,000 (25% match required)
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Post-Plan Coordination Grants: Up to $150,000 (25% match required)
Place-Based Water Planning Handbook
The
Place-Based Water Planning (PBWP) Handbook provides guidance for Place-Based Water Planning in Oregon. It is an essential resource for communities considering PBWP and for Planning Collaboratives engaged in developing and implementing Place-Based Water Plans. The Handbook describes why PBWP is important, identifies best practices, and outlines the process, content, and structure required to receive OWRD grant funding for PBWP and to gain state recognition of a completed Plan. It reflects the evolution of Oregon’s Place-Based Water Planning program and incorporates lessons learned from past planning efforts, agency collaboration, and public engagement. The Handbook is grounded in Oregon Revised Statutes 537.872–537.873 and Oregon Administrative Rules 690-602. It was developed with input from state natural resource agencies, Tribes, and the public.
Applicant Eligibility
Any public body, Indian Tribe, nonprofit organization, or person, as defined by ORS 536.007, may apply for funding.
Timeline and Review Process
Additional Resources
Funded Planning EffortsOWRD has been a funding partner for various water planning efforts across Oregon.
OWRD has provided more than $2.3 million in financial assistance to four places that are taking a place-based, collaborative, and integrated approach to water planning.
OWRD has provided significant non-federal cost-share to conduct basin studies with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers.
In 2008 OWRD provided small planning grants totaling $200,000 to 16 communities as a part of the Oregon Water Supply and Conservation Initiative (OWSCI).