Indian Affairs announces $10 million in funding opportunity for ecosystem restoration of previously mined Tribal lands

Press Release

WASHINGTON – The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs today announced that $10 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will be made available to support the restoration of ecosystems located in previously mined Tribal lands.

The funding advances the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative and is part of the Department’s Restoration and Resilience Framework, guiding $2 billion in investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to restore lands and waters and advance community resilience to climate change.

“This investment supports our efforts to revitalize Tribal communities by helping to conserve and restore important ecosystems they depend on for their cultural, spiritual, and public health needs,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “This effort exemplifies the Biden-Harris administration's dedication to building a more ecologically resilient and sustainable future for Tribal nations and all Americans.”

Previously mined lands present a serious threat to the environment and to human health and safety due to soil, air and water pollution; and abandoned mining machinery and infrastructure. These lands also threaten wildlife by putting them at risk of entrapment and from habitat loss and fragmentation. Restoring previously mined federal lands, however, allows these lands to be returned to public use for recreation, cultural practices and enjoyment.

Funds will be offered in two funding cycles with $6 million to support projects in Fiscal Year 2025 and $4 million to support projects in Fiscal Year 2026. The funding is being offered to advance re-vegetating lands that have been mined as well as mitigating or removing environmental hazards on such lands. For questions or assistance with application materials, please contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Agriculture and Rangeland Development.

Today’s announcement also advances the Biden-Harris administration’s respect for Tribal sovereignty and commitment to ushering in the next era of federal policies that support Tribal self-determination, as reaffirmed in President Biden’s Executive Order 14112, “Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination.”

The Bureau of Indian Affairs directly administers and funds Tribally operated infrastructure, law enforcement and justice, social services, Tribal governance, and trust land and natural and energy resources management programs for the Nation’s federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes through four offices: Indian Services, Justice Services, Trust Services and Field Operations.

The BIA Office of Trust Services’ Branch of Agriculture and Rangeland Development supports BIA agencies providing services to American Indian farmers and ranchers to evaluate, develop and make improvements on their trust lands. BARD supports these services by providing policy, oversight and technical assistance. It also administers the restoration of previously mined Tribal lands funding opportunity announced today.

####