FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450; Public Law 97-394, 96 Stat. 1976, 28 U.S.C. 2415; Indian Claims Limitation Act of 1982; Public Law 98-250; Public Law 96-487, 94 Stat. 2371, 16 U.S.C. 3101; Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act; Public Law 92-203, 106 Stat. 2112-2125, 43 U.S.C. 1601; Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.; National Environmental Policy Act; Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Public Law 94-580; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9601- 9675; 16 U.S.C. 470; National Historic Preservation Act.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine environmental impacts of Federal projects on Indian lands; to conduct surveys of Bureau of Indian Affairs controlled Federal lands and facilities, and of Indian lands, in order to identify hazardous waste sites, evaluate the potential threat to health and the environment, and develop the necessary remedial actions; to train area, agency and tribal staff in waste management principles; and to respond to emergencies and alleviate adverse health or environmental impacts.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Use of these funds are two-fold. One, they facilitate the Bureau's fulfilling statutory responsibilities: they are used to prepare Environmental Assessments (EA's); advise agency superintendents on environmental quality, waste disposal and cultural resource management; assist area offices in gathering information for EA's and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS's); review proposed actions to determine compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); and assist area offices in obtaining information for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Archeological Resources Protection Act. Two, they are used for individual tribal projects that enhance or protect the local environment.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations authorized by the Tribes.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian tribes.

Credentials/Documentation:   Initial application must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.

Pre-application Coordination:   Informal preapplication conference is recommended. Technical assistance in preparing the application is available upon request. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Initial applications must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local BIA agency office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedure:   The award is approved by the Director, Office of Trust Responsibilities.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Applications will be processed within 90 days.

Appeals:   An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official or may appeal the denial of the application directly to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.

Renewals:   For continuing, funded projects, awards may be renewed upon satisfactory performance by the contractor/grantee. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current award.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  
Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of payments will be negotiated with the grantee.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required. The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.

Audits:   For awards made under this program, grantees/contractors are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et.seq.).

Records:   Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-2100-0-1-452.

Obligations:   (Total Amount of Awards) FY 01 $2,863,000; FY 02 est $5,868,690; and FY 03 est $6,429,450.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$5,000 to $250,000; Average: $25,000.

Each year more than 3,000 compliance issues on Indian lands are addressed under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. Over the past several years, cleanup and compliance activities have been initiated on over 100 sites, including underground storage tanks, solid waste disposal facilities, and oil wells. An average of 50 emergencies that have the potential to adversely impact trust resources and health and safety are responded to annually.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

36 CFR 800 and 40 CFR 1500-1508.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Judy Wilson, Division of Environmental and Cultural Resources Management, Indian Affairs, 2051 Mercator Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191 Phone: (703) 390-6524, Fax: (703) 390-6325.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.bia.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Projects include on-site inspections, site testing and environmental data collection, closure of municipal waste dumps, asbestos abatement, removal of leaking underground storage tanks, and report preparation.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Proposals must provide the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the tribes with assistance on a current compliance issue; work must be consistent with conservation of trust resources; and applicant must have the experience and qualifications necessary to complete the technical aspects of the work.