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

The Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence Reservation, California received a $120,000 Project Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 under the "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" program (CFDA 66.038). The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, supports the tribe's capacity-building efforts in air quality assessment and environmental protection.

The grant funds the tribe's implementation of activities including strategic planning and evaluation, compliance assistance, reservation-wide air emissions monitoring, development of an air regulatory program, and community education and outreach regarding air quality. Deliverables include the collection and submission of air quality data to EPA's National Air Quality Database, establishment of programs to address National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) attainment and maintenance, and identification of immediate and emerging air pollution threats to public health. No subawards are included in this agreement. The intended beneficiaries are tribal residents who will experience reduced exposure to criteria and hazardous air pollutants through these environmental protection initiatives.

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 agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $120,000. 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.