Upper Colorado River Basin 

IRA Drought Mitigation Programs 

Program Overview – January 2024 

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IRA Authorization Language 

PUBLIC LAW 117–169—AUG. 16, 2022 136 STAT. 2053 

PART 3—DROUGHT RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS

SEC. 50233. DROUGHT MITIGATION IN THE RECLAMATION STATES.

a) DEFINITION OF RECLAMATION STATE.—In this section, the term ‘‘Reclamation State’’ means a State or territory described in the first section of the Act of June 17, 

1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093; 43 U.S.C. 391). 

b) APPROPRIATION.—In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary (acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation), for fiscal 

year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $4,000,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2026, for grants, contracts, or 

financial assistance agreements, in accordance with the reclamation laws, to or with public entities and Indian Tribes, that provide for the conduct of the following

activities to mitigate the impacts of drought in the Reclamation States, with priority given to the Colorado River Basin and other basins experiencing comparable 

levels of long-term drought, to be implemented in compliance with applicable environmental law: 

1. Compensation for a temporary or multiyear voluntary reduction in diversion of water or consumptive water use. 

2. Voluntary system conservation projects that achieve verifiable reductions in use of or demand for water supplies environmental benefits in the Lower Basin 

or Upper of the Colorado River. 

3. Ecosystem and habitat restoration projects to address issues directly caused by drought in a river basin or inland water body. 

c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes 

any expenditures under this section. 

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IRA Program – Bucket 2 (Water Conservation) 

”Voluntary system conservation projects that achieve verifiable reductions in use of or demand for 

water supplies environmental benefits in the Lower Basin or Upper of the Colorado River.”

Program Facts

• Funding Level - $375 Million (plus unused funds from Bucket 1) 

• All funds must be obligated by end of FY 26

• Pays for long-term durable water conservation measures

• Administered by Reclamation with support from UCRC and States

• Currently working Upper Division States and UCRC on MOU

• Solicitation for proposals anticipated Summer 2024 

• Contract with public entities or tribes only

• States 

• Closest to project 

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IRA Program – Bucket 2 (Environmental) ”Ecosystem and habitat restoration projects to address issues directly caused by drought in a river

basin or inland water body.” 

• Funding Level – Shares the $375 Million with Water Conservation

• All funds must be obligated by end of FY 26

• Pays for Ecosystem and Habitat projects

• Administered solely by Reclamation 

• Solicitation for proposals anticipated Spring 2024 

• Contract with public entity or tribe who sponsor project

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IRA Program – Bucket 2 

Example Projects

Conservation Projects 

• Agricultural upgrades and innovations 

• Projects that rehab aging or functionally 

compromised water conveyance systems, 

like canal linings 

• Urban water efficiency projects 

• Non-functional turf replacement 

• Crop rotation, split season fallowing 

• Water conservation optimization tools 

• Water storage projects 

Environmental Projects 

• Wetland Creation 

• River channel, floodplain, and upland 

watershed improvements 

• Comprehensive River Management Plan 

• Cooperative Watershed Management 

Plan 

• Diversion structure improvements 

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Bucket 2 – Stakeholder Letters Received 

Non-Governmental 

Organizations Governmental 

Organizations 

Wyoming Water 

Development Office 6 
Thank you for joining us 

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