Department of Defense Appropriation Act of 2003

Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program
CFDA 12.116 Active Cooperative Agreement
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$9.8M FY2026
$11.8M
FY24
$16.1M
FY25
$9.8M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 NALEMP FY 2025 Accomplishments obligated approximately $10 Million with Twenty-Seven (27) Federally Recognized Tribes in Alaska, New Mexico, Washington, Maine, New York and Arizona to mitigate Department of War environmental impacts on Tribal lands.

Program Objective

For developing a system for prioritization of mitigation and cost to complete estimates for mitigation, on Indian lands resulting from Department of Defense activities. For the mitigation of environmental impacts, including training and technical assistance to tribes, related administrative support, the gathering of information, documenting of environmental damage, and developing a system for prioritization of mitigation and cost to complete estimates for mitigation, on Indian lands resulting from Department of Defense activities.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Federally Recognized Tribal Government
  • State
  • U.S. State Government

The 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marinas, Palau Island, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Federally recognized Indian tribes.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Under NALEMP, USACE enters into Cooperative Agreements with tribal governments to address problems attributable to past DoD activities. The appropriate Division Engineer reviews and approves federally recognized Tribe requests. The Office of the Chief of Engineers allocates funds to the appropriate Corps field office.

Program details & compliance

Description

In recognition of the need to address tribal concerns in the Department of Defense (DoD) environmental programs, Congress has, since 1993, inserted a provision in the DoD Appropriations Act requiring the DoD to devote funds annually to mitigate environmental impacts to Indian lands and Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)-conveyed properties.

Most environmental programs use site evaluation and assessment processes that are consistent with national environmental regulatory requirements, but do not consider the potential effects past military operations may have on traditional cultures, such as risks to subsistence activities. Some remnants of DoD activities, such as abandoned buildings and debris, typically rank lower or are not eligible for assistance under current cleanup priority systems. In addition, because many Indian lands and ANCSA-conveyed properties are located in remote areas with low population densities, impacts on these lands are often considered to be lower priority sites. The DoD created the Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP) to address environmental impacts on Indian lands and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)-conveyed properties from former DoD activities and facilities.

Mission Categories

Primary: American Indian or Alaskan Native Reservation

Other categories:
Promotion of the Humanities

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Funds, as appropriated by Congress, may be used by the State and Tribes for the mitigation of environmental impacts, including training and technical assistance to tribes, related administrative support, the gathering of information, documenting of environmental damage, and developing a system for prioritization of mitigation and cost to complete estimates for mitigation, on Indian lands resulting from Department of Defense activities.

Restrictions

Exemptions:

-Impacts already addressed under another DoD environmental program;
-Impacts on active installations or closing bases;
Civil Works projects;
-Lands conveyed under ANCSA and reconveyed to a non-native entity or enterprise;
-Lands acquired by an Alaska Native Corporation outside of ANCSA.

Required Documentation

Applicants must furnish evidence in sufficient detail to establish eligibility for the NALEMP program.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Annual
Records Retention
5 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Shamron Richardson
202-316-0638
441 G. Street. NW , Washington, DC 20314
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-05. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:33:38.