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 resources to mitigate the adverse impacts of drought meeting one or more of the following: 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.

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.

Tribes can apply for this funding opportunity through www.grants.gov and simpler.grants.gov, under funding announcement R25AS0029, and can submit email applications to dronofo@usbr.gov or paper copy applications, see NOFO for details www.usbr.gov/native/programs/TAPprogram.

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.