Native American Affairs: Emergency Drought Relief for Tribes Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Section 80004

Background
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is authorized to provide emergency drought relief for Tribes through the Inflation Reduction Act (Act) of 2022. This funding opportunity is aimed at federally recognized Indian Tribes in the 17 western states, with the goal of assisting these Tribes in developing, managing, and protecting their water resources to mitigate adverse impacts of drought.

The program's objectives include mitigating drought impacts, increasing drought resiliency, reducing reliance on declining water sources, increasing efficiency of water deliveries, mitigating loss of water and related Tribal trust resources, and addressing drinking water shortages.

Grant Details
The Emergency Drought Relief for Tribes Program will fund near-term drought relief actions that mitigate drought impacts for Tribes affected by Reclamation water projects. Eligible activities must align with one or more program objectives:
1) Mitigate drought impacts;
2) Increase drought resiliency;
3) Reduce reliance on declining water sources;
4) Increase efficiency of water deliveries;
5) Mitigate loss of Tribal trust resources;
6) Address drinking water shortages.

The total estimated program funding is $9,000,000 with an expected number of awards being 10. The award ceiling is $2,000,000 and the award floor is $50,000. Cost sharing is not required.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are federally recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations located in the 17 western states identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements including being a federally recognized Indian Tribe or Tribal organization as defined in 25 U.S.C. Section 5304 and proposing projects that provide near-term drought relief actions.

Period of Performance
The anticipated project start date is March 10, 2026, and the anticipated project end date is March 10, 2028.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant program is estimated at $9,000,000 with individual grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed in federally recognized Indian Tribes located within the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.