The upper columbia united tribes (UCUT) will develop and facilitate a portfolio of on-the-ground projects addressing pathways that source and transfer toxins into and through the upper columbia…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $3,003,536 Project Grant under the Columbia River Basin Restoration (CRBRP) Program (CFDA 66.962) to the Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) to develop and implement a portfolio of on-the-ground projects that address pathways for toxins entering the Upper Columbia River Basin. Key activities and deliverables include:

• Identifying sources and pathways of toxins, and evaluating alternatives to reduce or eliminate these sources through a strategic planning process
• Installing over 50 feet of agricultural buffers to reduce pesticide impacts
• Inventorying historic mine locations, tailings storage areas, and legacy mining contamination
• Issuing subawards for lead removal, agricultural best management practices, and public education/outreach

The intended outcomes are cleaner tribal waters, increased public understanding, and reduction of lifetime contaminants for communities in the Kootenai, Spokane, Colville, Kalispel, and Coeur d'Alene tribal areas of the Upper Columbia River Basin. The grant period runs from September 2023 through August 2029.

The upper columbia united tribes (UCUT) will develop and facilitate a portfolio of on-the-ground projects addressing pathways that source and transfer toxins into and through the upper columbia river basin. The environmental benefits of this project include healthier river systems and waterbodies, and the reduction of toxic impacts on fish and wildlife. This agreement will be funded under the infrastructure investment and jobs act. Activities:UCUT plans on identifying both where and how toxins enter the watershed as well as evaluate the best available alternatives to reduce or eliminate those sources and then provide recommendations. The completion of this project will be done through the issuance of subawards. Subrecipient:UCUT will issue subawards to address agriculture buffers and best practices, the toxics reduction strategic plan, lead removal, and community education and outreach. UCUT will develop subaward request for proposals that will be advertised on the UCUT website and shared with regional partners and entities for extensive distribution throughout the upper columbia basin. The UCUT toxics reduction committee will determine the scope and goals of the subawards and monitor subaward activities on a semi-annual basis. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include a strategic plan for reducing toxics in the upper columbia river basin, 50+ feet of agricultural buffers to reduce pesticide impact, inventory of historic mine locations, tailing storage areas, and legacy mining contamination, and subawards for lead removal and education, agricultural best management practices, and education and outreach. Intended outcomes include cleaner tribal waters, increased public understanding, and the reduction of lifetime contaminants. The intended beneficiaries of the project are the communities of the kootenai tribe of idaho, spokane tribe of indians, confederated tribes of colville reservation, kalispel tribe, and coeur D'alene indian tribe and the wider upper columbia river basin.