Emergency Drought Relief for Tribes

EDRT provides assistance to eligible Tribes that are impacted by the operation of Reclamation water projects with near-term drought relief projects and activities and assists eligible Tribes to develop, manage and protect their water and related reso

With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (Act) of 2022, Reclamation was authorized to provide emergency drought relief for federally recognized Indian Tribes in the 17 western states for near-term drought relief actions to mitigate drought impacts for federal recognized tribes that are impacted by the operation of a Reclamation water project. Reclamation's Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program implements the Emergency Drought Relief for Tribes Program authorized under the Act.

To be considered for this program, applicants will meet all the following eligibility requirements: • The Tribe must be a federally recognized Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C. Section 5304, Federally recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304. Located in the 17 Western States identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. • The Tribe must be located in one or more of the 17 western states identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented, and • The proposed project must provide near-term drought relief actions to mitigate drought impacts for Indian Tribes that are impacted by the operation of a Reclamation water.

Natural Resources (mineral, water, wildlife, land) Proposals should meet one or more of the following objectives: Mitigate drought impacts; Increase drought resiliency; Reduce reliance on declining water sources; Increase the efficiency of water deliveries; Mitigate the loss of water and related Tribal trust resources; or Address drinking water shortages.

Projects are generally awarded for 1 to 2 years Projects should be completed within 2 years from the project start date.

Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Environmental compliance for this program may be required depending on the scope of the specific project funded. This may result in the need for an environmental impact assessment or environmental impact statement prior to the commencement of project activities.

Proposed projects must provide near-term drought relief actions (within 2 year of project start date) to mitigate drought impacts for federal recognized tribes impacted by a the operation of a Bureau of Reclamation water project.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the notification to tribes and the notice of funding opportunity. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by a proposal evaluation panel comprised of Bureau of Reclamation Native American Affairs Program managers who are knowledgeable in the program area. Applications will be reviewed against the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Reclamation will notify successful applicants as soon as possible after proposals have been reviewed and approved for award.

Varies depending on number of proposals received and complexity of proposals. Notifications are typically distributed to all applicants within 2-5 months after notice of funding opportunity closing date.