WASHINGTON — Today, Aug. 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of approximately $3.48 million for two, five-year cooperative agreements to build the capacity of Tribal governments to restore land for productive use and healthy communities, reduce waste, prevent environmental contamination and prepare for and respond to environmental emergencies in Indian country.

“These cooperative agreements will help bring together Tribes to share their experience and expertise in managing land cleanup and emergency response challenges,” said Clifford Villa, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. “We are building the partnerships and capacity that will benefit Tribes for years to come as we collectively work to revitalize Tribal communities and protect the environment.”

Through the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), EPA anticipates awarding two cooperative agreements to one recipient. The awardee will provide training, technical assistance, research, and tools to Tribal environmental staff to build capacity on waste management, cleanup, pollution prevention, and emergency response programs in Indian country.

Funded activities will promote collaboration, discussion, engagement and strengthen partnership among Tribes and between Tribes and federal agency representatives. Activities include:

• Hosting the annual Tribal Lands and Environment Forum – a large, national conference that brings together Tribal, EPA, federal/state/local government, academic, nonprofits, consultants and other professionals from across the country to provide Tribal environmental professionals with the tools to implement successful environmental programs in their communities.
• Supporting the Tribal Waste and Response Steering Committee – a Tribal partnership group made up of 10 Tribal environmental professionals with experience in waste management, land cleanup and emergency response program areas.
• Providing in-person and/or virtual trainings, online resources and networking and engagement opportunities for Tribal environmental staff. 
• Assisting the Tribal Superfund Working Group – a network of Tribal, federal and other professionals with an interest in and expertise with the Superfund program.
• Facilitating inter-Tribal networking opportunities and providing research to Tribal participants to discuss policy issues and technical matters relating to sites contaminated with hazardous substances.
• Fostering the participation of Tribes in the Superfund process, building Tribes’ capacity to manage and respond to emergencies, and increasing engagement with Tribal partners on legacy hard-rock mining response actions.

Eligible entities for the NOFO include federally recognized Tribes and inter-Tribal consortia, public and private non-profit universities, and colleges, and other public or private non-profit organizations.

Eligible applicants must submit applications for both projects (Project One and Project Two). The total estimated funding available under this competitive opportunity is $3,480,000 over 5 years.

The deadline to apply for the Notice of Funding Opportunity is October 10, 2024.

Potential applicants are encouraged to register and attend an informational EPA webinar on September 11, 2024 at 3:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time to hear about the funding opportunity, key sections of the application, and the application process.

To view this Funding Opportunity.

Learn more about EPA’s Tribal Land Program on EPA’s Tribal Lands webpage.