The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has recently declared an investment of $10 million for tribal communities. This funding is intended to upgrade and modernize irrigation projects and power utilities owned by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which serve these communities. The allocation forms part of a larger, $50 million investment spread over five years, facilitated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
This investment is part of a broader financial commitment to tribal communities, amounting to $250 million over five years. The funds are earmarked for improvements in irrigation, dam systems and safety, water sanitation, and power systems under the Investing in America Agenda. The $50 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a 5-year plan that includes the recently announced $10 million.
"The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an important provider of water and electricity to the Tribal communities where it operates irrigation and power systems. President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is allowing us to continue fulfilling our trust responsibility for Tribal public health and safety by ensuring that BIA-owned and operated irrigation projects and power utilities are well-maintained and functioning properly," said Bryan Newland, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs, in a news release on February 16.
Three BIA-owned utilities across three states will receive funding to assist with ongoing projects. These include the Colorado River Agency Electrical Services, based at the Colorado River Indian Reservation in California and Arizona; it will receive $1 million to help overhaul its power generating units at its plant. Similarly, Arizona's San Carlos Irrigation Project – Power Division will receive $1 million for repairs, replacements, and upgrades to power substations as well as electrical transmission infrastructure. Lastly, Mission Valley Power at Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation will also be granted $1 million to make repairs and upgrades to the Charlo substation while relocating and upgrading the Finley substation. These allocations were announced in a news release on February 16.
One irrigation project on Idaho’s Fort Hall Indian Reservation will receive $7 million to update and repair the Bannock Pump Station. The Fort Hall Indian Irrigation Project, which supplies water to over 72,000 acres of land, will use this investment to ensure long-term functionality of the pump house and improve irrigation efficiency. This project has previously received $1.5 million, as stated in a recent DOI news release.
