02J92801

Description: This agreement provides funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to Metlakatla Indian Community.

Specifically, the project will: (1) implement seaweed farming as a nature-based solution, (2) reduce local air pollution through improved municipal waste management, (3) localize economic returns from seaweed farming and processing within the Metlakatla community, and (4) implement strategies that protect native community access to ancestral waters near native villages in the project area, protecting native rights and native equity in the fledgling ocean farming industry.

Activities: The activities include establishing ten new seaweed farms within the Metlakatla Indian Community; immersion training for new seaweed farmers; construction of a new waste transfer station; and closing a municipal landfill site.

Subrecipient: Through this project, Metlakatla Indian Community will establish a subaward with Native Conservancy.

Native Conservancy will be responsible for all activities that work towards establishing the new seaweed farms.

This includes all permitting; data collection for seaweed monitoring activities; immersion training for new seaweed farmers; and the creation of a processing and marketing cooperative for seaweed farmers.

Outcomes: The anticipated deliverables include ten new seaweed farms established within the 3-year project period; completed construction of a seaweed processing facility and seed nursery; completed construction of a waste transfer station; and completed closure of a municipal landfill site.

The expected outcomes include enhanced local food security through the availability of nutritious seaweed products; improved ocean and biodiversity health through sustainable seaweed farming practices; increased income for seaweed farmers and overall economic upliftment for the community; significant decrease in emissions from burning waste; fewer respiratory and health issues related to smoke inhalation; and increased community awareness and education regarding waste management practices.

The intended beneficiaries are disadvantaged communities.

Metlakatla Indian Community

2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING 6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.1 - CLEAN UP AND RESTORE LAND FOR PRODUCTIVE USES AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS 4 - ENSURE CLEAN AND HEALTHY AIR FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 4.1 - IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE LOCALIZED POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 5.2 - PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERBODIES AND WATERSHEDS 6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.2 - REDUCE WASTE AND PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.2 - EMBED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS INTO EPA’S PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ACTIVITIES 5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SCIENCE-BASED DECISION MAKING S - CROSS AGENCY STRATEGY S.1 - ENSURE SCIENTIFIC INT

66.616 - Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program

EPA Region 10: Seattle [EPA - RO]

Metlakatla Indian Community Census Subarea, Alaska United States

City-Wide

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (EPA-R-OEJECR-OCS-23-04)

Termination This project grant was reported as terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in July 2025. See All
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 01/31/28 to 05/02/25.