This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) to mille lacs band of ojibwe

This $430,000 federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5, under the Non-State Member Support for the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan program (CFDA 66.487), will support the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota to implement their Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Key activities include hiring dedicated staff, conducting water quality assessments, updating the tribe's Non-Point Source Management Plan and obtaining Treatment as a State status for the Clean Water Act Section 319 program. The funding will also enable the tribe to implement demonstration nutrient reduction projects and enhance collaboration with watershed partners. The project period runs from January 15, 2024 through September 30, 2028. No subawards are included under this assistance agreement.

Specifically, the purpose of this agreement is to support and advance the gulf hypoxia action plan through implementation of mille lacs band of ojibwe nutrient reduction strategy. The mille lacs band of ojibwe (mlbo) will use gulf hypoxia grant funding to support FY 2022-2026 EPA strategic plan goal 5: ensure clean and safe water for all communities, objective 5.2: protect and restore waterbodies and watersheds by providing the necessary resources to build programmatic capacity to manage non-point source (NPS) pollution and support implementation of activities within the action plan through tribal nutrient reduction projects and collaboration with partners across the basin with the ultimate goal to reduce nutrient loads within the mississippi river/atchafalaya (marb) and the gulf. The mlbo is currently engaged with various multiagency watershed-based planning efforts in the upper mississippi basin and funds through this program will enable the band to enhance these efforts. Grant funds will also be used to build capacity to manage NP sources of pollution by updating and completing the elements necessary for the clean water act section 319 program including treatment in a manner similar to a state (TAS). The mlbo NPS watershed assessment report (npsar) was originally provided to EPA back in 2012 and revisions were incorporated; the mlbo NPS management plan (npsmpp) was also submitted in 2012 to EPA for review. GHP funds will allow the mlbo to update these draft documents and complete the necessary steps and requirements for the NPS 319 program.activities:the activities include: - hire and strategically deploy a staff person to accomplish the goals of the GHP - implement nutrient reduction demonstration projects - implement NPS management programs - developing and conducting a water quality assessment for baseline conditions as well as a long-term monitoring plan for the big sandy lake and lake minnewawa community in the grand rapids - mississippi watershed.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: - GHP staff person - NPS TAS, management plan, assessment report, 319 program authorization - complete soils certification workshop - a copy of the respective 1W1P plans that the mlbo formally adopts and/or becomes party to the partnership - a summary of activities will be provided in GHP progress and yearend reports the expected outcomes include: - enhance mlbo environmental programs capacity by addition of staff to execute GHP grant activities and augment existing water quality efforts as well as address existing gaps due to staff shortages. - implement nutrient reduction demonstration projects that are in the planning stages or have already been identified through current and future watershed planning partnership efforts. - complete requirements for the 319 NPS program by updating the mlbo draft assessment report and draft management plan as well obtaining TAS. - implement new tribal NPS management programs activities and continue or begin partnerships with relevant agencies and stakeholders. - collection of data and development of water quality assessment plans for the mlbo reservation and trustland waters where current data is lacking and work towards water quality standards. The intended beneficiaries include: - mille lacs residents