Build the tribe's capacity to assess air quality conditions and to develop strategies to address air quality issues

The Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians received a Formula Grant award of $115,859 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 under CFDA 66.038, "Training, Investigations, and Special Purpose Activities of Federally-Recognized Indian Tribes Consistent With the Clean Air Act (CAA), Tribal Sovereignty and the Protection and Management of Air Quality," effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The award provides full federal funding to build the Tribe's air quality assessment and management capacity on the Cabazon Reservation in Coachella Valley, California. The program encompasses strategic planning and evaluation, compliance assistance, reservation-wide air emissions monitoring, development of an air regulatory program, community education and outreach, and participation in regional and national air quality improvement initiatives.

The anticipated deliverables and outcomes include collection and submission of air quality data to EPA's National Air Quality Database, increased community awareness of air quality issues, and establishment of programs to achieve and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The award directly benefits tribal residents through reduced exposure to criteria and hazardous air pollutants. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement, and the program supports the Tribe's broader goal to protect the health of its community through comprehensive air quality protection and management activities.

Description

The purpose of this project is to build the tribe's capacity to assess air quality conditions and to develop strategies to address air quality issues. The tribe will continue strategic planning and evaluation, compliance assistance, monitoring air emissions, rulemaking, and other program activities. These activities are to improve and maintain the tribe's air quality. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $115,859. See terms and conditions.activities:the recipient will implement activities within the scope of the section 103 program including: strategic planning and evaluation, compliance assistance, monitoring reservation-wide air emissions, developing an air regulatory program, providing community education and outreach, and participating in regional and national initiatives to improve air quality. These activities support the tribe's goal to protect the health of the tribal community.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:expected deliverables include collecting air quality data and submitting results to EPA's national air quality database. Outcomes include a broadened awareness of air quality issues and establish programs to address the attainment and maintenance of national ambient air quality standards (naaqs) as well as immediate and emerging threats to public health and welfare from air pollution.

Intended beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries of this program include tribal residents who will have decreased exposure to criteria and hazardous air pollutants.