Press Release
☷Biden Harris Administration Announces Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments for Irrigation and Power Projects Across Indian Country
U.S. Department of the Interior ( By Press Release office)
May 04,2022
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Date: Wednesday , May 4 , 2022 Contact: Interior_Press@ios . doi . govWASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced the allocation of nearly $10 million in fiscal year 2022 funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for irrigation projects and power utilities owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs ( BIA ) . The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , which invests more than $13 billion directly in Tribal communities across the country , provides approximately $50 million over five years to address critical infrastructure rehabilitation in Indian Country and BIA’s water and power asset portfolio . “Investing in irrigation and power is central to addressing climate change impacts and expanding economic opportunity in Indian Country , ” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland . “President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes historic investments in Tribal communities that will help bolster community resilience , replace aging infrastructure , and provide support needed for climate - related community - driven relocation and adaptation . ” “This important funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help support farmers , ranchers and communities that rely on BIA infrastructure for economic livelihood and day - to - day services such as delivery of irrigation water or electricity , ” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland . The funding announced today will augment new and on - going infrastructure projects at Indian Irrigation projects at: Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington ( Wapato Irrigation Project ) : $3 . 74 million Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation in Arizona ( Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project ) : $1 . 85 million Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana ( Fort Peck Irrigation Project ) : $1 . 25 millionAssistant Secretary Newland will highlight the funding today during a visit to the Wapato irrigation project on the Yakama Reservation in Washington state . The Wapato Irrigation Project is the largest irrigation project in the Yakima River Basin , with construction starting in 1905 . It provides irrigation water to more than 135 , 500 acres with an estimated direct harvest benefit of $560 million . The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will be used to fund a portion of the Wapato Main Diversion rehabilitation to update the diversion dam and assist with improving the fish passage for adult and juvenile salmon and steelhead , and to pass Pacific lamprey more efficiently . Additional investments of $1 million each will bolster ongoing infrastructure projects at BIA - owned power utilities at: Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation in Arizona ( Colorado River Agency Electrical Services ) Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana ( Mission Valley Power - Repairs and upgrades to several power substations ) San Carlos Indian Reservation and Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona ( San Carlos Irrigation Project - Power Division ) Over the next five years , approximately $35 million will be invested in key infrastructure at BIA - owned Indian irrigation projects while $15 million will be invested in key infrastructure at BIA - owned power utilities . BIA will target funding to structures and features that reduce the risk of system failure and reduce deferred maintenance . The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a total of $466 million to the Bureau of Indian Affairs over five years , including $250 million to support construction , repair , improvement and maintenance of irrigation and power systems , safety of dams and public health and safety compliance issues at water sanitation systems . ### Was this page helpful Yes No This page was not helpful because the content: Has too little information Has too much information Is confusing Is out - of - date Leave this field blank
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