Federal navigators program targets water planning gaps in western states

What does this do?

S 3792 establishes the Water Project Navigators Program under the Department of the Interior, providing grants to hire dedicated staff who help communities plan and carry out multi-purpose water projects. Eligible projects must serve more than one goal, such as improving water supply, reducing drought risk, improving water quality, protecting wildlife habitat, or addressing climate-related water challenges.

Who does it affect?

Eligible recipients include states, tribes, local governments, water districts, and nonprofit organizations. The program prioritizes Native American tribes, rural communities, and lower-income communities when awarding funding.

Why does it matter?

Many smaller communities lack the staff, funding, or technical expertise to develop water projects independently, leaving critical infrastructure and planning work undone. Navigators would assist with grant writing, project management, and early engineering or environmental reviews that are often beyond the capacity of smaller organizations.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Up to $15M per year authorized
• Fed pays up to 75% of costs
• Cost-share waivable for tribes