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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

15.504:  Reclamation and Water Reuse Program

Objectives:  This Title gives Reclamation general authority to conduct appraisal and feasibility studies on water reclamation and reuse projects. It also provides general authority for research and demonstration programs to test water reclamation and reuse technologies. Reclamation may also participate in construction of reuse projects after congressional authorization of the project. The original Act provided authority to participate in the design and construction of five specific projects in California and Arizona. The 1996 Act authorized 16 additional recycling projects and 2 desalination demonstration projects, and the 1998 Act authorized one additional recycling project. Examples of potential sources of water for recycling and reuse are agricultural drainage, municipal and industrial wastewater, brackish surface and groundwater, and sources that contain toxins and/or other contaminants.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

15.504 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  A legally organized nonfederal entity to sponsor the project is required, such as an irrigation district or a municipality. The applicant must be able to furnish the nonfederal cost share and be able to assume the operation and maintenance of the project upon completion of construction. Research projects may also be undertaken by colleges and universities and architectural and engineering firms.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  A legally organized nonfederal entity such as an irrigation district or an organization within a municipality, such as the water department.

Credentials/Documentation:  A feasibility report must be completed, either by the nonfederal sponsor alone or with the assistance of the Federal government. A statement of financial capability by the nonfederal sponsor must be provided to Reclamation. This statement demonstrates the capability of the sponsor to fund its portion of the feasibility report, its share of construction costs and the ability to fund and assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the completed project. A cost-share agreement must be completed with Reclamation before funds can be requested for appropriation for construction.

15.504 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  An environmental impact assessment or environmental impact statement may be required. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. If a nonfederal entity desires to participate in this program, it is recommended it contact the appropriate Reclamation Office to discuss the processes and procedures for participation.

Application Procedure:  The standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C through F, must be used for this program. The required documents must be furnished to Reclamation prior to authorization for construction. Upon satisfactory completion of these documents, Reclamation may seek authorization for the project and initiate appropriation requests. Reclamation has limited funding authority for this program, therefore requests for project construction may be delayed until the funding request can be made that is within the request limit.

Award Procedure:  After funds are appropriated, Reclamation will complete the necessary paperwork to transfer funds.

Deadlines:  None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Authorization of a project and appropriation of funds for its construction are dictated by the schedule of Congress with respect to appropriating funds. Because of the limitation on the ability of Reclamation to request funding for this program, delay can be anticipated in requesting funds for construction. Depending on the number of requests for funding, this delay could be several years.

Appeals:  Not applicable.

Renewals:  Continuation of funding from one fiscal year to the next to complete a project is at the discretion of the Congress.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Reclamation will place priority on funding projects that are (1) economically justified and environmentally acceptable in a watershed context, (2) not eligible for funding under another Federal program, and (3) directly address Administration priorities for the Reclamation program such as providing instream flows for Federally endangered or threatened species, meeting the needs of Native American communities, and meeting international commitments.

Examples of Funded Projects:  San Diego Area Water Reclamation Program, CA; San Gabriel Basin Project, CA; Los Angeles Area Reclamation and Reuse Project, CA; San Jose Area Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, CA; Tooele Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Project, UT; Las Vegas Area Shallow Aquifer Desalination Research and Development Project, NV; and Northwest El Paso Water Reclamation and Reuse Project, TX.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Construction funding is limited to 25 percent of the construction cost or $20 million per project.

15.504 RELATED PROGRAMS:

15.504 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

15.504 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Type of Assistance:  Formula Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $39,100,000; FY 00 est $34,500,000, and FY 01 est $22,000,000.

Budget Account Number:  14-1680-0-1-301.

Authorization:  Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act, Title XVI, Public Law 102-575, as amended by the Reclamation Recycling and Water Conservation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-266, and the Oregon Public Lands Transfer and Protection Act of 1998, Public Law 105-321.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Brochure containing guidelines for nonfederal sponsors to participate in program. No charge.

15.504 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation. For addresses, see Catalog Appendix IV of the catalog.

Headquarters Office:  Office of the Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington DC 20240-0001. Contact: Richard Martin. Phone: (202) 208-4157.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

15.504 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Appraisal level studies are nonreimbursable, that is, if the Federal government either completes or participates in an appraisal study, its funding requirements are nonreimbursable. Reclamation can cost share up to 50 percent of the cost of a feasibility study with the nonfederal sponsor supplying the balance. Environmental compliance costs are considered to be part of the planning costs and are cost shared accordingly. If the project proceeds to construction, the Federal share becomes part of the project cost. Reclamation may furnish up to 25 percent of the construction cost up to a maximum of $20 million per project. The balance of the construction cost must be furnished by the nonfederal sponsor. The entire O&M cost for the project must be borne by the nonfederal sponsor. Ownership of the completed facilities is with the sponsor.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  There are no time restrictions placed on the use of the funds and the funds have generally been made available periodically throughout the year on a reimbursable basis. A schedule is planned between Reclamation and the recipient when the cost share agreement is arranged. However, this schedule can be impacted by funds availability during the year.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  The nonfederal sponsor must complete a feasibility study, including NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) compliance, complete a cost-share agreement with Reclamation, and furnish a statement of financial capability of the project sponsor to fund the nonfederal share to Reclamation prior to requesting construction appropriations from Congress for the Federal cost share. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs for the constructed project must be furnished by the nonfederal sponsor. Federal contributions for demonstration projects that exceed 25 percent of the cost cannot be made unless the Secretary (of the Interior) determines that the project is not feasible without such Federal contribution. Although the Act provides that Reclamation may furnish up to 50 percent of O&M costs for demonstration projects, it is Reclamation policy not to provide funds for this purpose. Reclamation is restricted by law to activities in the 17 Western States, unless authorized by Congress.

15.504 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Reporting requirements are as prescribed by 43 CFR 12, Subparts C through F.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:  The required records will be specified as part of the audit procedure discussed above.