CONTAMINATED ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT LANDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 included the transfer of 44 million acres to Alaska Native regional and village corporations. Some of these lands became contaminated prior to conveyance (transfer) from a variety of past activities such as fuel storage, power generation, waste handling practices, mining, and other activities. These contaminants can pose health concerns to Alaska Native communities, impact subsistence resources, and impair economic activity. In the fiscal year 2023 omnibus bill, Congress appropriated $20 million for EPA to establish and implement a grant program to assist Alaska tribal entities with addressing contamination on ANCSA lands that were contaminated prior to the time of conveyance. Grants may be used for site assessment and remediation, as well as related community outreach and involvement. Eligible entities include Alaska Native regional and village corporations, federally recognized Tribes in Alaska, Alaska Native nonprofit associations, and inter-tribal consortia comprised of Alaskan tribal entities. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. As long as funds remain available, EPA expects to extend the closing date for this funding opportunity. Before submitting a proposal, please contact Contaminated ANCSA Assistance Program project managers to indicate interest. Details on how to apply are provided in the Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance Program Guidance.

See Section II of the Assistance Agreement Program Guidance for eligibility information.

EPA�s Contaminated ANCSA Lands Assistance Program is administered non-competitively.

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Fiscal Year2023: Example projects from FY23 include the following: Assessment of lands impacted by a fuel spill, as well as lead and asbestos testing and abatement at the former Naval Research Laboratory. Conducted an inventory, characterization and decommissioning of abandoned drums; and clean-up of remaining petroleum and other surface contaminants. Removal of soils contaminated with PCB's and conducted an initial round of soil and groundwater sampling at a WWII-era warehouse.Fiscal Year2024: Example projects include the following: Fuel spill assessment and Hazardous Material Building survey of a powerhouse, as well as abatement and removal of asbestos contamination which will be repurposed for critical limited indoor office space. Cleanup of an old vault of contaminated sludge and soil, which will also address the physical risks of having an open 12-foot deep vault with an 18-foot vertical culvert in close proximity to a river relied upon for subsistence and drinking water. Removal of tar barrels and debris exposed from erosion, that were discarded from runway construction in the 1950�s. Inventory, characterization and removal of abandoned drums. Once drums are...