Grant application period open

The Idaho Water Resource Board is actively inviting applications for the 2024 State Flood Management Grant program. Applications are due by Friday, June 7.

The State Flood Management Grant program is open to flood control districts, drainage districts, irrigation districts, canal companies, municipalities, counties, and other public entities that may have incurred flood damage in recent times. The Idaho Legislature has made the Flood Management Grant program a permanent program with about $1 million in funding available statewide.

The maximum budget for projects is $200,000; a 50% local match is required with non-state dollars. Eligible projects include repairing stream channels damaged by floods; stream-channel improvement; flood-risk reduction; and flood-prevention projects.

In July 2023, the Idaho Water Resource Board approved 10 flood management grants statewide at a cost of about $1 million. New grant applications will be scored by staff, and projects will be recommended for consideration at the board's July 2024 meeting.

Board officials are encouraging applications from new water entities and communities in the 2024 grant program. New applicants will receive five extra points in the scoring of proposals. Projects are scored on the basis of readiness, urgency, benefits, cost-share funding, and more. Projects that are shovel-ready are preferred.

The board's intent is to distribute grant funds to projects around the state. No more than 50% of the total budget can be spent in any board region of Idaho.

Information: bit.ly/3GJzI06