The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced selections under two Clean Water Act (CWA) grant programs to support leadership of Tribes in protecting and restoring water resources. The agency anticipates awarding approximately $3 million to 18 Tribal nations and one Intertribal organisation under the Tribal Wetland Program Development Grant competition and an additional $3 million in CWA Section 319 Tribal Competitive Grants to 32 Tribal nations to support projects to manage nonpoint source pollution.
EPA’s Office of Water’s Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Radhika Fox said: “Strong Tribal water quality programs are the building blocks for safeguarding sources of drinking water, supporting healthy ecosystems, and ensuring safe recreational, economic, and subsistence activities. These grants help build strong equitable Tribal government programs to protect, preserve, and restore water resources while complementing existing Federal Clean Water Act programs.”
EPA’s American Indian Environmental Office’s Director, JoAnn Chase said: “Investments to improve water quality begins at the local level, and EPA is pleased to support the development and implementation of Tribal programs to protect wetland resources and reduce non-point source contamination to our waterways. Actions through these programs will contribute to improved health for Tribal communities, improved ecologic function, and the safe practice of Tribal cultural tradition.”
Projects selected under the Tribal Wetland Program Development Grant competition would support development of wetland monitoring and assessment, restoration, regulatory, and management programs. You can learn which programs are being awarded here.
In addition to competitive grants, each year EPA’s Nonpoint Source Program awards approximately $5 million in base grants to eligible Tribes to support staffing and program work.
Grant awards under both programs will be made once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.
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