Cooperative Agreement 03D07624

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $816,600 FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) TO THE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS. THE SOLID WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RECYCLING (SWIFR) GRANTS FOR TRIBES AND INTERTRIBAL CONSORTIA WILL FUND PROJECTS THAT FOCUS ON ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND POST-CONSUMER MATERIALS MANAGEMENT, FUND PROJECTS THAT WILL RESULT IN A DECREASE IN THE GENERATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE AND/OR AN INCREASE IN THE DIVERSION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE FROM LANDFILLS AND INCINERATION; AND/OR FUND PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE OR EXPAND ACCESS TO SOURCE REDUCTION, REUSE, RECYCLING, BACKHAUL, ANAEROBIC DIGESTION, AND COMPOSTING FOR TRIBES AND TRIBAL MEMBERS OF INTERTRIBAL CONSORTIA. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO ENHANCE THE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW'S EFFORTS TO MEET THE SWIFR GRANTS ELEMENTS. ACTIVITIES:THE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS (MBCI) WILL BE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: 1.) BIODIESEL RECYCLING AND INFRASTRUCTURE A. MBCI WILL BUILD A BIODIESEL PROCESSING FACILITY TO HOUSE THEIR BIODIESEL CONVERSION PLANT. B. MBCI WILL PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR THE COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION, AND STORAGE OF USED COOKING OIL AND PROCESSED BIODIESEL. 2.) INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING A. MBCI WILL HIRE ONE ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN FOR THE DURATION OF THE GRANT TO WORK WITH THE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY ILLEGAL DUMP SITES, ASSESS THE RISK OF THE SITES, AND PRIORITIZE CLEANUP OF THE SITES BASED ON THAT RISK. B. MBCI WILL PROCURE A COMPACT TRACK LOADER/SKID STEER, SEMI-DEBRIS TRAILER, AND A LOWBOY TO EXECUTE CLEAN UPS. C. MBCI SWR WILL GIVE QUARTERLY REPORTS ON AREAS NEEDING CLEANUP, DATE SCHEDULED FOR CLEANUP, WASTE CHARACTERIZATION STUDY ON EACH SITE, DIFFICULTIES FACED, AND ITEMS PROCESSED DURING CLEANUP. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES: 1. CONSTRUCT BIODIESEL INFRASTRUCTURE 2. ESTABLISH COOKING OIL COLLECTION POINTS 3. PRODUCE BIODIESEL 4. DISTRIBUTE BIODIESEL BLEND TO TRIBAL ENTITIES EXPECTED OUTCOMES: 1. INSTALL THE BIODIESEL PLANT AND ACTIVELY PRODUCE BIODIESEL 2. COLLECT COOKING OIL TO PROCESS AS BIODIESEL 3. USE BIODIESEL BLEND TO POWER EQUIPMENT 4. REDUCE DIESEL CONSUMPTION AND GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS THE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS (MBCI) WILL CONSTRUCT BIODIESEL INFRASTRUCTURE, COLLECT COOKING OIL, AND INITIATE THE PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL. MBCI EXPECTS THE OUTCOME TO BE A REDUCTION GREENHOUSE GASSES AND DIESEL CONSUMPTION BY 20%. MBCI SWR WILL PROVIDE QUARTERLY REPORTS ON THE AMOUNT OF USED COOKING OIL RECAPTURED, AMOUNT OF BIODIESEL PRODUCED, CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS