Oglala sioux tribe (reservation vulnerability assessment) under protect

The Oglala Sioux Tribe of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation received a $248,000 Project Grant award dated September 16, 2025, from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205). This award, designated as a Reservation Vulnerability Assessment under the PROTECT (Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation) Program, is scheduled for completion by November 30, 2029. The grant supports the tribe's efforts to assess and address climate resilience and natural hazard mitigation risks to tribal transportation infrastructure and communities on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

The funding enables the Oglala Sioux Tribe to conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of transportation systems and infrastructure on the reservation, identifying exposure to climate-related hazards and natural disasters that threaten critical access routes and community connectivity. This assessment work aligns with federal priorities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to enhance transportation infrastructure resilience in underserved communities, particularly tribal lands. The project deliverables will inform the tribe's strategic planning and investment decisions for future infrastructure improvements and adaptation measures to protect transportation networks serving the 46,000+ enrolled tribal members across the 3,450-square-mile reservation.