WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of the Interior announced a $10 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to upgrade and modernize Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)-owned irrigation projects and power utilities serving tribal communities. The funding for fiscal year 2024 is part of a five-year, $50 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The President’s Investing in America agenda is deploying record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitations systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, good paying jobs and economic development in every tribal community. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law alone invests $13 billion directly to tribes throughout the United States, including $250 million over five years to address irrigation, power systems, dam safety and water sanitation.
“The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an important provider of water and electricity to the tribal communities where it operates irrigation and power systems,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “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.”
Projects receiving funding include:
Irrigation
The Fort Hall Indian Irrigation Project on the Fort Hall Indian reservation in Idaho will receive $7 million to rehabilitate and modernize the Bannock Pump Station, which will improve water delivery and modernize its electrical and structural components.
The project provides irrigation water to over 72,000 acres with an estimated direct harvest benefit of over $100 million. The investment will improve efficiency and ensure long-term functionality of the pumping facility and build on previously announced funding of $1.5 million.
Power
The funding announced will augment ongoing infrastructure projects at the following BIA-owned power utilities:
- Colorado River Agency Electrical Services on the Colorado River Indian reservation in Arizona and California will receive a combined $1 million in a continuation of funding to support the overhaul of power plant generating units.
- San Carlos Irrigation Project – Power Division in Arizona will receive $1 million to continue upgrades, repairs and replacements of substation and electrical transmission infrastructure.
- Mission Valley Power on the Flathead Indian reservation in Montana will receive $1 million to support repairs and upgrades to its Charlo substation, as well as upgrade and relocate its Finley substation. This investment will reduce the risk of failure while also increasing efficiency and safety.
These investments build on $2 million that each of these power projects have already received from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over the past two years.