August 4 deadline: Tribal water infrastructure projects funding

• Funding: $320 million available for Tribal domestic water infrastructure projects.
• Eligibility: Open to federally recognized Tribes in the 17 western states.
• Project Types: Funding covers planning, design, and construction.
• Support: Aligns with Biden’s Investing in America agenda and Justice40 Initiative.

The Bureau of Reclamation has announced a significant funding allocation designed to support Tribal water infrastructure throughout the Western United States. As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, $320 million will be made available to assist federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations with the planning, designing, and constructing of domestic water infrastructure projects.

This new initiative recognizes the critical need for investment in clean, reliable water access and infrastructure in Indigenous communities. “Investing in water infrastructure projects is crucial to ensuring the health, safety and prosperity of Indigenous communities,” said Secretary Deb Haaland.

Federally recognized Tribes located within the 17 western states served by the Bureau of Reclamation are eligible to apply:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Projects eligible for funding include those focusing on planning, design, or construction, with maximum funding limits for each category. This program also supports President Biden’s Justice 40 Initiative, aiming to ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from federal investments.

“Reclamation is working hard on projects that support water conservation and infrastructure improvements across Indigenous communities,” said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton.

Interested Tribes have until August 4, 2024, to submit a proposal to the Bureau of Reclamation’s Native American Affairs Office.