# Water Project Navigators Act: What It Does

This bill creates a new federal program that funds "water project navigators"—essentially specialized staff members who help communities develop and implement water projects. Think of these navigators as expert guides who assist local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and water agencies in planning and building water infrastructure projects that address multiple challenges at once.

The program focuses on what the bill calls "multi-benefit water projects," which are designed to tackle water problems while also helping the environment and communities. These projects might include things like improving water efficiency, recycling water, managing groundwater better, protecting fish habitats, improving water quality, or helping communities adapt to drought and climate change. The key is that they're supposed to solve more than one problem simultaneously—for example, a project might both conserve water and restore a river ecosystem.

The bill gives priority funding to applications that help Indian tribes, low-income communities, and areas experiencing severe drought. It also prioritizes projects that have support from multiple stakeholders and can coordinate with other federal water programs. The federal government would cover up to 75 percent of the costs, though this requirement can be reduced or waived for tribes, disadvantaged communities, and similar groups. Each navigator position would be funded for up to three years initially, with the possibility of extending for two more years if the program shows good results. The bill authorizes $15 million per year for the program from 2024 through 2029.

Essentially, this bill aims to remove a major barrier that many communities face: they have good water project ideas but lack the staff expertise and capacity to navigate the complex process of planning, designing, and securing funding for these projects. By funding dedicated navigators, the bill hopes to accelerate the development of water solutions across western states, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.