WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that 11 Tribes in nine Western states will receive $4 million to bolster opportunities to develop, manage, and protect their water and related resources. This funding will support Tribal water infrastructure development and technology projects and is made available through Reclamation’s Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program.
“Reclamation is honored to work with our Tribal partners in their investment of sustainable, long-term solutions to secure and manage water for their communities." said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. "This funding will help Tribal nations manage and develop their water resources within Tribal communities as they also seek to minimize the impacts of climate change.”
The 11 Tribes to receive technical assistance funding in Fiscal Year 2023 include:
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation (Arizona), $398,730, for the replacement of irrigation wells, lift station pumps, and motors to secure water access and improve system-wide efficiency and productivity.
Quechan Indian Tribe (Arizona), $400,000, for irrigation infrastructure construction including pump station, pipeline, structures, solar panel installation for a system power supply to provide increased water accessibility and reliability.
Big Pine Paiute Tribe (California), $367,249 to replace deteriorated structures integral to irrigation water distribution systems for gardens, pastures, yards, and stock watering.
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (California), $358,411, to guide restoration for hydrologic functions within riparian corridors and evaluate groundwater production capacity to support future housing.
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley (Idaho), $262,992, to rehabilitate stock-ponds structures, replanting of native plant stocks and improving the riparian habitat in the surrounding areas to benefit livestock and wildlife.
Fort Belknap Indian Community (Montana), $382,838, to drill stock water wells on Tribal range land to secure a source of fresh water and prioritize water quality.
Winnemucca Indian Colony (Nevada), $400,000, for technical assistance to guide future planning for agriculture and economic development, housing community facilities, tourism, and recreation.
Pueblo of Isleta (New Mexico), $399,773, for surveying and engineering design for irrigation infrastructure and practical improvements to maximize water efficiency and availability.
Osage Nation (Oklahoma), $399,302, for the replacement and installation of fire hydrants to provide reliable firefighting infrastructure in the Hominy Indian Village.
Rosebud Sioux Tribe (South Dakota), $398,895, for the implementation of climate-smart irrigation technology on the Rosebud Reservation and to conduct in-depth monitoring of water usage, soil moisture, and crop health.
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (Washington), $293,643, for hydrologic modeling to inform and improve groundwater recharge and flood control activities in Toppenish Creek Watershed.
Reclamation's Native American Affairs Program funding efforts support the implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities to increase opportunities for Tribes to develop, manage, and protect their water and related resources as outlined in Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Undeserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
The Native American and International Affairs Office in the Commissioner's Office serves as the central coordination point for the Native American Affairs Program and lead for policy guidance for Native American issues in Reclamation. To learn more, visit www.usbr.gov/native.
