OWEB Water Acquisition Grant Offering

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) is now accepting grant applications for the Water Acquisition program. The purpose of this program is to increase the amount of water instream to address the conservation needs of habitats and species and to improve water quality. For more information about this program, please visit OWEB’s Water Acquisition webpage.

Applications are due at 5 pm on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Applications must be submitted via OWEB's online grant application system.

Eligibility Requirements

Proposals eligible for funding consideration will a) increase the amount of water instream to improve fish and wildlife habitat and b) voluntarily limit the use of a water right. These proposals could be through Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) voluntary reduction or transfer programs, OWRD Instream programs or other mechanisms.

Projects must result in Legally or Contractually Protected Instream Flows to address either:

• Identified conservation needs of fish and wildlife or their habitats as determined by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW).
• Improving water quality in an area designated as Water-Quality-Limited waterways by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).

 Actions Eligible for Funding

The Water Acquisition grant program supports the planning and implementation of transactions involving an interest in a water right from a willing seller. Water acquisition grants can support a range of project activities from:

• Permanent water right transfers.
• Temporary water right leases.
• Other voluntary strategies by irrigators to keep water instream.

For more examples of eligible project types, please see the Water Acquisitions Program Guidance.

Questions?

If you have questions about the OWEB Water Acquisition grant offering, please review the Water Acquisitions Program Guidance or contact:

Brian Wolcott, Water Acquisitions and Capacity Program Coordinator 971.345.7010 Brian.R.WOLCOTT@oweb.oregon.gov