The Department of the Interior announced the availability of $120 million in funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help tribal communities plan for the most severe climate-related environmental threats to their homelands.
Record Investments in Tribal Communities
Tribal communities can use this funding to proactively plan to adapt to these threats and safely relocate critical community infrastructure. This is one of the largest amounts of tribal funding in the history of the Tribal Climate Annual Awards Program.
These record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges. The funding also supports modern wastewater and sanitations systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good paying jobs in every tribal community. This tribal funding is part of a nearly $440 million investment for tribal climate resilience programs. In addition, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriations are supporting this funding.
“Devastating storms, increased drought and rapid sea-level rise disproportionately impact Indigenous communities. Helping these communities remain on their homelands in the midst of these challenges is one of the most important climate related investments we could make in Indian Country,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are making transformational commitments to assist Tribal communities to plan for and implement climate resilience measures, upholding our trust and treaty responsibilities, and safeguarding these places for generations to come.”
Tribal Funding to Help Safeguard Communities
Tribal communities have partnered with the private sector to deal with impacts of the climate crisis, and this new funding will bring more needed investment. The tribal funding announcement also includes $23 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In addition, $72 million comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and $25 million from fiscal year 2023 annual appropriations. With this transformational funding, tribes and tribal organizations will be eligible to apply for grants to help safeguard communities.
Grants will be available in planning and adaptation categories. These categories include a range of activities affecting every tribe. These include climate adaptation planning, drought measures, wildland fire mitigation, and community-driven relocation. Also, tribes can use the funds for managed retreat, protect-in-place efforts, and ocean and coastal management.
Register for Grant Writing Workshop and Webinar
The BIA will host a grant writing workshop on July 26 at 12:30 pm EDT. They are also offering an educational webinar on August 2 at 1 pm EDT. During this webinar for the tribal funding, the BIA will discuss the funding opportunity and explain how to apply for the grants. To register online for the webinars, visit the Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program website.
