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- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Energy | Environment
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $25.5 million in grants through its new Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program to support drinking water systems in underserved and disadvantaged communities.
The funding, awarded under the new Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program, marks the first time such grants have been allocated, with 16 projects selected across the United States, including several that directly impact Native American tribes.
Among the selected recipients, four Native American communities have been awarded nearly $6.8 million to improve and protect their drinking water systems against the effects of climate change, including:
- Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in Northern California will receive $331,769 for infrastructure and control improvements to mitigate wildfire impacts.
- Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Southern Montana will be awarded $570,000 to upgrade their water supply system against natural hazards such as drought and wildfires.
- Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in Coastal Washington is granted $600,000 to develop a comprehensive water resources management plan to combat earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, and tsunamis.
- Newtok Village, a small Native village of about 350 in western Alaska, will receive the largest single award of $5,255,974 to support the relocation and construction of drinking water infrastructure to address severe erosion and flooding threats.
“These grants are a step towards addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on small and disadvantaged communities,” Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott said in a statement. “By investing in resilient water infrastructure, we are not only protecting public health but also supporting environmental justice.”
The new grant program is part of a broader Biden administration effort to address environmental justice concerns and ensure historically marginalized communities receive the resources needed to combat the effects of climate change.
This funding is provided under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, which aims to improve drinking water quality, deepen infrastructure investments, and enhance public health across the country. The EPA anticipates finalizing the awards once the selected recipients satisfy the necessary legal and administrative requirements, according to the EPA statement.
