Special funding for implementing the Indian Self-Determination Act in fiscal year 1977 has been requested by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson said today.
A request for $32.9 million for self-determination services is included in the Bureau's budget request submitted January 21 to Congress by President Ford.
Commissioner Thompson said that "funds to provide grants to tribes under section 104 of the Act, to offer technical assistance and meet tribal overhead costs for contracted programs are absolutely essential for carrying out the Administration's Indian policy and making Indian self-determination a reality."
Fiscal year 1977 will be the first full year of implementation for the Act, designed to strengthen tribal governments and give Indian communities control of reservation programs.
The $589.5 million requested for the operation of Indian programs represents an increase of $19.8 million. This includes $243.8 million for Indian education programs; $155 million for Indian Services, including the $32.9 million for se1f- determination; $88.7 million for tribal resources development; $24 million for trust responsibilities; $76.1 million for general management and facilities operation, and $2 million for Navajo-Hopi settlement programs.
With the exception of the self-determination services the increases requested for Indian program operations will not permit, due to inflationary factors, expansion of old programs nor development of new ones.
Other appropriations requested are $46.3 million-construction of irrigation systems-, buildings and utilities; $74 million for road construction; $30 million for Alaska Native Claims payments and $20 million for the Loan Guaranty and Insurance Funds authorized by the Indian Financing Act of 1974.
Of the construction funds requested, $20.5 million will be used to keep the Navajo Irrigation Project on schedule for the opening of Block III in calendar 1978. Apart from this, construction funds were requested only to meet emergency needs. Funds previously appropriated for public school construction assistance near reservations have been scheduled for deferral until fiscal year 1978.
