The Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC) has issued a Request for Proposals to invite users of the Colorado River System water in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming to submit proposals for Pilot Program water conservation projects.
Projects are meant to test methods for saving water that could be part of a drought contingency plan in the Upper Basin of the Colorado River. The Program aims to explore the effectiveness of temporary, voluntary, and compensated measures that could be used, if needed, to maintain water levels, protect compact entitlements, and maintain hydroelectric power production.
Pilot projects could include temporary fallowing or deficit irrigation of agricultural crops, reuse of industrial water, recycling of municipal supplies, and the improvement of distribution system efficiency to reduce consumptive use, among other methods that result in water conservation.
This funding cycle marks the fourth year of the Program. Funding for chosen projects comes from UCRC, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Souther Nevada Water Authority, Denver Water, the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's website features projects funded in past funding cycles. The average cost paid to participants for projects funded in Phase 2 (2016 / 2017) is approximately $171 / acre foot.
To be considered, proposals are due by December 1, 2017. The full RFP can be downloaded from the button below.
For more information, contact one of the following:
- For the UCRC: Brian Hard, Program Manager, bhart@ucrcommission.com, (801) 592-0888
- For Colorado: Michelle Garrison, michelle.garrison@state.co.us, (303) 866-3441 Ext: 3213
- For New Mexico: Kristin Green, KristinN.Green@state.nm.us, (505) 827-6145
- For Utah: Robert King, Robertking@utah.gov, (801) 538-7259, and Scott McGettigan, Scottmcgettigan@utah.gov, (801) 538-7254
- For Wyoming: Charlie Ferrantelli, charlie.ferrantelli@wyo.gov, (307) 777-6151