CONTAMINATED ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT LANDS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS
Open Opportunities (1)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- CONTAMINATED ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT LANDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Deadline: Dec 31, 2027 · up to $3M
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 66.965 (USAspending.gov).
- Ounalashka Corporation 2 awards $6,000,000
- The Tyonek Native Corporation $3,000,000
- Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Counc 2 awards $2,999,059
- Native Village Of Unalakleet $2,974,275
- Kawerak, Inc. $2,806,491
- The Aleut Corporation $1,971,162
- Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation $947,298
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium $913,002
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
The military constructed massive fuel tanks during World War II. In 1943, Japanese bombing directly hit the 3,000-ton S. S. Northwestern (a beached vessel serving as housing and power plant) and destroyed transformers around Building 551, releasing millions of gallons of petroleum products throughout Amaknak Island. Project work occurred in summer of 2024 with the removal of 78 supersacks equaling over 500-tons of PCB contaminated soils. Upon final report, EPA approved to continue investigation of other adjacent areas of concern. Sample results will determine to decide on next course of action.
Iniskin Peninsula Initial Drum Removal Project
Before ANCSA conveyance, the Iniskin Peninsula experienced oil exploration activities under federal ownership that ceased in the 1960s, leaving environmental impacts. Today, the site contains an estimated 500-2,000 deteriorating 55-gallon drums, scattered among distressed vegetation and potentially contaminated soils and water. The scope is to remove the deteriorating drums and characterize contamination. Approximately 10% of the estimated drums have been removed, thus far.
Old Powerhouse Hazardous Materials Building Survey and Powerhouse Fuel Spill Site Characterization Project
The Old Powerhouse at the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL) in Utqiagvik was part of the original World War II-era military infrastructure. This Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance project involves a comprehensive hazardous materials building survey of the Old Powerhouse Building and site characterization of extensive fuel contamination resulting from spills during naval occupancy. All required environmental samples have been collected from both the powerhouse structure and surrounding contaminated areas. Sample analysis is underway to determine the extent and nature of hazardous materials and fuel contamination.
Public Works Building T1470 Monofill Project
Building T1470 was part of the extensive military infrastructure established on Adak Island during World War II. This Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance funded project, built an engineered monofill disposal system to contain demolition waste from the previously demolished Public Works Building T1470. Monofil construction was completed, successfully containing all T1470 demolition debris. The project is in final monitoring phase with groundwater monitoring wells operational. Project completion anticipated upon satisfactory completion of required groundwater monitoring period.
For more details about these and other Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance projects underway, view the EPA and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Contaminated ANCSA Lands Program story map.
Program Objective
Congress appropriated funding starting in fiscal year 2023 for EPA to establish and implement a grant program to assist Tribal entities in Alaska with addressing contamination on Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act lands that were contaminated prior to the time of conveyance. Grants may be used for site assessment and remediation, as well as related community outreach and involvement. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) included the transfer of 44 million acres to Alaska Native regional and village corporations. Some of these lands were contaminated prior to conveyance (transfer) to Alaska Native corporations from a variety of past activities such as fuel storage, power generation, waste handling practices, mining, and other activities. These contaminants can pose health concerns to Alaska Native communities, impact subsistence resources, and impair cultural or economic activities.
The contaminated sites are on lands formerly managed by federal government agencies within the United States (U.S) and then conveyed by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, to Alaska Native Corporations pursuant to ANCSA. These sites were conveyed with pre- existing contamination. EPA is maintaining an inventory of such sites on its Contaminated ANCSA Sites Common Operating Picture.
The objectives of EPA’s Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance Agreements are to provide funding to: (1) characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement activities related to these lands; and (2) carry out cleanup activities at contaminated ANCSA sites.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Other
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Issuing office will provide location of application procedure details as appropriate.
Award Procedure
EPA will review each application to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to EPA’s grant regulations (2 CFR 200 and 1500), and applicable program regulations and guidance.
Applications are reviewed by the appropriate Regional Office and, if approved, financial assistance is awarded by the Regional Administrator or his/her delegated official.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 120 to 180 days
120–180 days from the receipt of applications
Program details & compliance
Description
The Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance Program supports eligible Alaska Native organizations with addressing lands that were contaminated at the time they were conveyed to Alaska Native Regional and Village Corporations.
Mission Categories
Primary: Rural Community Development
Other categories:
Water Pollution ControlAir Pollution ControlSolid Waste ManagementLand and Forest Conservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA.
For site-specific projects, the site must have been conveyed under ANCSA and contaminated at the time of conveyance. As part of the application process, EPA will provide guidance to assist applicants in determining whether sites meet this definition.
(1) The assistance funding may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum).
(2) An assistance recipient may use its funds to award subawards to other eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, for cleanups on sites owned by the sub-recipient or sites for which the sub-recipient can demonstrate that it has been granted access by the site owner for the purpose of conducting assessment and cleanup activities.
(3) Assessment funds may be used to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to conveyed ANCSA lands that were contaminated prior to conveyance and that are owned by the assistance funding recipient or for which the recipient can demonstrate it has been granted access by the site owner for the purpose of conducting cleanup activities.
(4) Cleanup assistance agreement funds must be used to carry out cleanup activities at sites conveyed under ANCSA that were contaminated at the time of conveyance and that are owned by the assistance recipient or for which the recipient can demonstrate it has been granted access by the site owner for the purpose of conducting cleanup activities.
Required Documentation
EPA may require applicants to provide documentation that they are an eligible entity. EPA may also require that applicants provide site specific information to determine whether a site: (1) was conveyed pursuant to ANCSA; (2) was contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, or petroleum at the time of conveyance, and (3) the site is on the EPA Contaminated ANCSA Sites Inventory. If the applicant is not the owner of the contaminated site(s) to be addressed, EPA will require proof that the landowner will provide access to the site and supports taking action to address contamination.
Reporting & Compliance
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