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Water Project Grants and Loans

Public Comment Opportunity

Water Project Grants and Loans

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites written public comment on the Technical Review Team (TRT) funding recommendations for the 2023 cycle of Water Project Grants and Loans. After reviewing public comments, OWRD will present a funding recommendation for consideration and approval by the Water Resources Commission. The tentative date for the Commission to make its funding decision is November 16-17, 2023.

Written comments on the funding recommendations will be accepted until 5 p.m., Monday, October 2, 2023.

Please submit comments to: OWRD.Grants@water.oregon.gov or Oregon Water Resources Department, Grant Coordinator, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, Oregon 97301.


Eligibility

This program provides grants for water projects to evaluate, plan, and develop instream and out-of-stream water projects that have economic, environmental and social/cultural benefits. Projects must provide benefits in each of these three categories to be eligible for funding. This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects. Eligible projects include: conservation, reuse, above-ground storage, below-ground storage, streamflow protection or restoration, water distribution, conveyance or delivery systems, and other water resource development projects that result in economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits. Grants require a 25% cost match. Any local government, Indian tribe, or person may apply for funding. If an applicant is required to have a Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP), the plan must be submitted to the Water Resources Department and receive approval prior to the application due date.


Available Funding

Funding for Water Project Grants and Loans is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $13.9 million available for the 2023 funding cycle.


How to Apply

OWRD anticipates the next Water Project Grants and Loans funding cycle will be announced in early 2024 and applications will be due in spring 2024. Application materials and guidance from the 2023 funding cycle are available for review on the Applications, Forms and Guidance page. OWRD strongly encourages prospective applicants to participate in a Pre-Application Conference prior to submitting an application for funding. The purpose of a Pre-Application Conference is to answer questions, identify additional information needed or issues with project eligibility, and connect applicants to other resources. To discuss a project with OWRD or to schedule a pre-application conference please contact the Grant Coordinator.


Timeline and Review Process

Timeline of the Grants and Loans process

More Information

The Department has been funding Water Project Grants and Loans since 2016. It has awarded $42.9 million in grants.