The Idaho Water Resource Board has dedicated $2 million dollars to promote water conservation efforts throughout the Eastern Snake River Plain (ESPA). This program is focused on helping irrigators throughout the ESPA with the costs of purchasing telemetry and monitoring equipment for ground and surface water diversions.
Contact
IWRB Grants Team:
Applications are due the last Friday of March
Eligible Projects
Projects considered under this program are for the purchase of monitoring and telemetry equipment for both surface and groundwater diversions within the ESPA. Projects that are completed by the application deadline are not eligible for this program.
Projects are limited to diversions within the Eastern Snake River Plain Common Groundwater Boundary
Grant Award Limit
Funding under this program will be limited to 50% up to a maximum of $250,000
Eligible Entities
Groundwater Districts, Irrigation Districts, Irrigation Boards of Control, Canal Companies. Individuals must apply through one of the eligible entities.
Grant Application Requirements
Grant applications will require the applicant to provide:
- Project background (infrastructure description, repair, rehabilitation, improvement needs/objectives/benefits)
- Project sponsor description (organization type, background, revenue sources, current operations)
- Project description (narrative, map, conceptual plan and design, land entitlements at project location, description of any known environmental issues).
- Equipment cost estimate and project budget
- Project funding sources (IWRB grant, other state and federal grants, sponsor’s contribution)
- Project implementation schedule
- Proof of cost share at the time of application
Budgets for each proposal will be reviewed by staff to ensure the costs and capabilities of the equipment are reasonable for the proposed project and that the budget line items provided would be reasonably necessary for the proposal to be accomplished. Staff will also review the proposed budget line items for allowability per 2 CFR 200.403
Project Criteria
Proposals for the purchase of automation and/or telemetry equipment will be scored on the following criteria:
Description of Equipment Installed
- 5 points can be awarded if the Sponsor is able to provide a description of the equipment being installed
Telemetry Equipment
- Up to 50 points can be awarded if the project proposes to install telemetry equipment on the Sponsor’s diversion works
Monitoring Equipment
- Up to 30 points can be awarded if the project proposes to install monitoring equipment on the Sponsor’s diversion works
Initial Equipment Installation
- Up to 10 points can be awarded if this is the first installation of telemetry and/or monitoring equipment on the Sponsor’s diversion works
Diversion Rate Monitored and/or Telemetered
- Up to 20 Points will be awarded based on the proposed Project’s total diversion rate to be monitored and/or telemetered.
- Diversions monitored and/or telemetered for each project will be used to create a per round scoring system
Each application will then be scored based on where the proposal falls within that scoring system
Project Proposal & Clarity
- Up to 10 points can be awarded if the Sponsor provides a description of the Project and identifies the Project’s need, proposed budget, and public interest
- Up to 5 points can be awarded if the Sponsor can provide plans, timeline, and drawings for the Project
