WaterSMART Initiative collaborative effort to target EQIP funding for water quantity

That Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Initiatives Program-WaterSMART Initiative (EQIP-WSI) is a collaborative effort to target EQIP funding for water quantity and related resource concerns in a way that complements Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) investments. 

EQIP-WSI is implemented in priority areas as proposed by NRCS District Conservationists working with local partners and selected by the NRCS State Conservationist. The State Conservationist’s selection or selections are then submitted to agency leadership as part of a competitive process.  Priority areas are approved at the national level.  The deadline for Washington proposals is April 10, 2025. 

“We want to encourage our partners and stakeholders to work with their local NRCS District Conservationist about their ideas for EQIP-WSI areas and work through the process together,” said Keith Griswold, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs. “Proposals have a number of requirements they have to meet before the application will be considered, so working with your local District Conservationist is key.” 

To learn where your local District Conservationist is with NRCS, visit your local USDA service center. 

Each EQIP-WSI priority area proposal must:

• Submitted by the NRCS District Conservationist.
• Summarize the priority area and proposed activities in one brief paragraph.
• Provide a map and a GIS Shapefile of the entire priority area, describe the overall water resource problem or opportunities in it, and identify the priority resource concerns addressable by EQIP-WSI assistance.
• Identify the specific BOR WaterSMART Program project and describe how it will be complemented by EQIP-WSI activities.
• Identify the type and extent of conservation practices proposed for implementation in the priority area.
• Describe any special environmental concerns, risks, or significant barriers that may impact delivery of EQIP-WSI assistance.
• Describe how EQIP-WSI assistance will leverage community partnerships and inclusive approaches to benefit disadvantaged communities.
• Estimate the number of contracts, contract acres, and EQIP-WSI funds needed annually for up to five years.
• Define the anticipated benefits for the priority area and related communities of water users and identify key measures and target thresholds that will be used to indicate a successful outcome;
• Describe how success or lessons learned will be shared with others; and
• Be on the appropriate NRCS template and follow NRCS guidelines related to submissions.

Previous awarded areas in Washington state can be viewed in the new interactive map showing the location of active WaterSMART funding projects on the landing page and the status of multiyear funding on the project descriptions page.

All EQIP-WSI priority area proposals must be submitted by the local District Conservationist to the Assistant State Conservationist for Programs by April 10, 2025.