Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John Keys today announced that the Request for Proposals for the Water 2025 Challenge Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2006 is now available online at www.grants.gov (keyword search: Water 2025). Proposals are being sought for cooperative projects from irrigation and water districts and western states.

"The Water 2025 initiative recognizes that state and local governments should have a leading role in meeting water supply challenges," Keys said. "The Challenge Grant Program provides cost-shared funding on a competitive basis that will assist state and local governments in responding to this challenge."

The program is focused on achieving the goals identified in Secretary Norton's Water 2025 initiative to avoid crises and conflict in the West. Proposals should result in a measurable increase in water use efficiency, conservation, and/or should include water marketing.

Funding will be awarded in five categories: Water Banks and Water Markets; New Technologies for Improved Water Management; Canal Lining; Measuring Devices; and, Development of Analytical Tools. Only state governmental entities with water management authority will be eligible to apply for projects to develop analytical tools.

Entities that may submit proposals are irrigation and/or water districts, state governmental entities with water management authority, and other entities with water delivery authority, located in the Western United States, as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902.

The deadline for submitting proposals is May 5, 2006, at 3:00 pm MST. It is anticipated that awards will be made during August and September, 2006, with an estimated project start date of October 1, 2006. Depending on the number and type of proposals received, funding for some proposals selected in Fiscal Year 2006 may be awarded in the beginning of Fiscal Year 2007, to ensure the efficient administration of all Challenge Grant projects.