Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP)

 

EPA provides Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) financial and technical assistance to tribal governments and intertribal consortia to assist tribes in planning, developing, and establishing the capacity to implement federal environmental programs administered by the EPA and to assist in implementation of tribal solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with applicable provisions of law, including the Solid Waste Disposal Act (commonly known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA). See the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4368b). EPA administers this program in accordance with the statute, applicable federal regulations, including 40 CFR part 35, subpart B (Environmental Program Grants for Tribes), and national guidance, including the 2022 Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) Guidance on Financial Assistance Agreements (referred to as GAP Guidance). EPAs 2022 GAP Guidance provides a consistent national framework for building tribal environmental program capacity under GAP and is designed to improve the management of GAP resources. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: The 2022 Guidance incorporates, with amendments, and supersedes the 2017 GAP Guiding Principles.

Active 66.926 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Funding awards will not be finalized nationally before the end of Fiscal Year 2016. GAP resources should support a) Developing and maintaining core environmental program capacities (administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, and technical/ analytic); b) Engaging with the EPA to negotiate joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans (ETEPs) that reflect intermediate and long-term goals for developing, establishing, and implementing environmental protection programs; Linking GAP-funded assistance agreement work plans to the ETEPs; c) Developing baseline capacities for media-specific environmental protection programs that are related to the needs of the recipient and to EPA statutory programs (e.g.,ambient and indoor air quality; water quality; managing wastes; managing asbestos, lead-based paint, pesticides, toxics, and pollution prevention programs); and d) Implementing waste management programs. GAP resources supported a) Developing and maintaining core environmental program capacities (administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, and technical/ analytic); b) Engaging with the EPA to negotiate joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans (ETEPs) that reflect intermediate and long-term goals for developing, establishing, and implementing environmental protection programs; Linking GAP-funded assistance agreement work plans to the ETEPs; c) Developing baseline capacities for media-specific environmental protection programs that are related to the needs of the recipient and to EPA statutory programs (e.g.,ambient and indoor air quality; water quality; managing wastes; managing asbestos, lead-based paint, pesticides, toxics, and pollution prevention programs); and d) Implementing waste management programs.
Fiscal Year 2018 GAP resources supported a) Developing and maintaining core environmental program capacities (administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, and technical/ analytic); b) Engaging with the EPA to negotiate joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans (ETEPs) that reflect intermediate and long-term goals for developing, establishing, and implementing environmental protection programs; Linking GAP-funded assistance agreement work plans to the ETEPs; c) Developing baseline capacities for media-specific environmental protection programs that are related to the needs of the recipient and to EPA statutory programs (e.g.,ambient and indoor air quality; water quality; managing wastes; managing asbestos, lead-based paint, pesticides, toxics, and pollution prevention programs); and d) Implementing waste management programs.
Fiscal Year 2020 GAP resources supported a) Developing and maintaining core environmental program capacities (administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, and technical/ analytic); b) Engaging with the EPA to negotiate joint EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans (ETEPs) that reflect intermediate and long-term goals for developing, establishing, and implementing environmental protection programs; Linking GAP-funded assistance agreement work plans to the ETEPs; c) Developing baseline capacities for media-specific environmental protection programs that are related to the needs of the recipient and to EPA statutory programs (e.g.,ambient and indoor air quality; water quality; managing wastes; managing asbestos, lead-based paint, pesticides, toxics, and pollution prevention programs); and d) Implementing waste management programs. For information on accomplishments under this assistance listing, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-highlights-success-stories-indian-environment-general-assistance-program.
Fiscal Year 2023 For accomplishments under this assistance listing, please visit the following website: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/indian-environmental-general-assistance-program-gap. Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act of 1992, 42 U.S.C. 4368b, as amended Indian tribal governments (tribes) and intertribal consortia are eligible to receive funds under this program. These terms are defined in 40 CFR 35.502 as follows: An Indian tribal government (tribe), except as otherwise defined in statute or applicable program specific regulation, is any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village, which is recognized as eligible by the U.S. Department of the Interior for the special services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. An intertribal consortium is a partnership between two or more tribes authorized by the governing bodies of those tribes to apply for and receive assistance under GAP. Under EPA's tribal grant regulations (40 CFR 35.504), an intertribal consortium is eligible to receive GAP financial assistance when the consortium can adequately document compliance with the following requirements: 1. A majority of its members are eligible to receive GAP grants; 2. All member tribes that meet GAP eligibility requirements authorize the consortium to apply for and receive the award; and 3. Adequate accounting controls are in place to ensure that only members that meet the eligibility requirements will benefit directly from the award and the consortium agrees to an award condition to that effect. This means that a consortium may receive a GAP grant even if the consortium includes members that are not federally recognized tribes, so long as the consortium meets the three regulatory requirements specified above. Authorization of the consortia to apply for and receive the GAP award is required from all GAP-eligible member tribes. For purposes of determining intertribal consortia eligibility, a "GAP-eligible tribe" is any tribe that meets the definition of Indian tribal government (tribe) in 40 CFR 35.502. With each new or supplemental GAP grant application, an intertribal consortium must provide EPA with "adequate documentation" of: (1) the existence of the partnership between eligible tribal governments; and (2) authorization by all GAP-eligible member tribes for the consortium to apply for and receive the new or supplemental GAP grant. This documentation ensures clear communication between consortia and member tribes so that EPA is able to appropriately consider individual tribal needs and priorities when awarding GAP funds to intertribal consortia. As an example, tribal authorization may be provided by a tribal council resolution or other written certification from a duly authorized representative of each GAP-eligible member tribe. Applications that do not contain adequate documentation from all GAP-eligible tribes are incomplete. EPA will award GAP funds to help tribes accomplish their tribal environmental program development goals as outlined in their EPA-Tribal Environmental Plan (ETEP). To further this principle, intertribal consortia are advised to describe how their grant proposals support the program development goals outlined in the ETEPs developed by their GAP-eligible member tribes. Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and eligible Intertribal Consortia. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. EPA will work with tribes and intertribal consortia to develop work plans consistent with program guidance and any regulations that govern the implementation of the relevant Federal environmental program. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts". Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all applications for funding through Grants.gov. EPA will review each application to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to EPA's grant regulations (2 CFR 200 and 1500), and applicable program regulations and guidance. Applications are reviewed by the appropriate Regional Office and, if approved, financial assistance is awarded by the Regional Administrator or his/her delegated official. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 60 to 90 days. This varies by EPA region, but the typical timeframe is approximately 60 to 90 days after deadline for application submission. Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. In order to receive renewals, significant progress must be demonstrated. Renewals are subject to approval of EPA. Applications are approved by the individual EPA regional offices according to applicant's ability to achieve the objectives outlined in Public Law 102-497; 40 CFR 35 Sub Part B (Environmental Program Grants for Tribes); 2022 Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) Guidance on Financial Assistance Agreements; the availability of funding; and a review of the applicant's proposed work plan and past performance. All prospective applicants should refer to the applicable program guidance for the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program, "2022 Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) Guidance on Financial Assistance Agreements, available at https://www.epa.gov/tribal/gap-guidance-financial-assistance-agreements, for detailed information on allowable activities and restrictions for use of GAP funds. The 2022 GAP Guidance provides criteria for the award and administration of GAP grants and applies to the work plans and budgets for all GAP assistance agreements. It reflects statutory and policy guidelines and contains binding requirements that govern the management and use of GAP funds. Activities eligible for funding under this program are those for planning, developing, and establishing capacity to implement federal environmental programs administered by the EPA and to assist in implementation of tribal solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with applicable provisions of law, including RCRA. GAP financial support promotes tribal government efforts to develop core environmental program capacities (administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, and technical/analytical) and capacities for media-specific programs (e.g., ambient air quality, water quality, managing waste, and other EPA-administered statutory programs). These assistance agreements provide the opportunity for the tribes to define and develop administrative and legal infrastructures; to conduct assessments, monitoring, planning, and other actions; and to undertake additional activities within a simplified administrative framework. GAP supports development of tribal environmental programs that foster compliance with Federal environmental statutes, thereby improving environmental and public health protection in tribal communities, and establish tribes’ communications capability to work with Federal, State, local and other tribal environmental officials. As with many of EPA's grants to states and tribes, GAP grants may be combined with one or more other eligible EPA grant(s) into a Performance Partnership Grant for administrative savings and, with EPA concurrence, programmatic flexibility. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Geospatial information is information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features or boundaries on the earth, or applications, tools, and hardware associated with the generation, maintenance, or distribution of such information. This information may be derived from, among other things, GPS, remote sensing, mapping, charting, and surveying technologies, or statistical data. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial). Performance Reports: Reporting requirements shall be determined at the time of grant award. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Award amount remains available until expended in accordance with the term of the award. The term of an award may exceed one year, but may not exceed four years. The term of the grant shall be determined at the time of the grant award. The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award. For Headquarters and Regional contact information, visit: the EPA Tribal Program Managers website at: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/tribal-program-managers. Lisa Berrios
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Indian Environmental Office, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460 US
berrios.lisa@epa.gov
Phone: 202-564-1739
Fax: 202-564-0298 https://www.epa.gov/tribal/indian-environmental-general-assistance-program-gap 68-0103-0-1-304 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$66,250,000.00; FY 23 est $74,750,000.00; FY 24 est $85,000,000.00; FY 21$66,250,000.00; FY 20$65,243,641.00; FY 19$63,033,997.00; FY 18$63,981,000.00; FY 17$64,880,000.00; FY 16$64,880,000.00; - The minimum award for the first year of the grant is $75,000/fiscal year; max. $400,000/fiscal year; avg. $110,000/fiscal year. 2 CFR 200 and 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); 40 CFR Part 35 SubPart B (Environmental Program Grants for Tribes). The program guidance for the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program, titled: "2022 Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) Guidance on Financial Assistance Agreements is available at: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/gap-guidance-financial-assistance-agreements. Fiscal Year 2016 Information on FY 2016 projects are not yet available
Fiscal Year 2017 Example #1: Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley’s Reservation used their GAP funding to build additional capacities for a Tribal Air Program. In their EPA-Tribal Environmental Plan (ETEP), the tribe identified capacity indicators that included: completing appropriate training; completing a report analyzing air quality; developing an air monitoring strategy and associated QAPP and establishing a staffing plan for an air quality program coordinator. Example #2: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians expanded its solid waste recycling program by focusing on growth of the recycling program and to grow into other recycling streams. In just four years, from 2014 to 2017, the number of participants increased from 70 to nearly 190 as a result of the Tribe’s community outreach and education. The tribe is also going to host a waste characterization training for the other federally recognized tribes in Region 4.
Fiscal Year 2018 Example #1: Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma requested funding to attend training courses through Tribal Air Monitoring Service (TAMS) Center or Inter-Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) on Air Quality. Example #2: Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove developed an Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan to promote an effective waste management program. They worked with community members to develop a mechanism for a self-sustaining solid waste/recycling program – as part of this, they are planning to develop a Reuse & Exchange Program.
Fiscal Year 2020 Examples of past projects funded under this assistance listing include, but are not limited to: 1) establishing a Tribal Air Program to fill a gap in air quality data within the Great Basin Air District monitoring network, helping to identify and address emissions near tribal lands, and enhancing the ability of the tribe to more quickly respond to toxic dust storms of PM10; 2) a partnership to conduct CWA 106 monitoring and draft a report on water purification techniques. The project was expanded to include an interdisciplinary effort to design and evaluate options for sustainable water sources; 3) teaching owners and operators to recognize potential non-compliance issues and correct them prior to federal inspection, training staff and securing the federal credentials necessary for conducting UST Bootcamp classes that provide training to a broader spectrum of tribal environmental and business staff; 4) creation of a youth-led group help empower interested tribal and other local youth to become engaged and informed citizens regarding environmental and climate change issues at the reservation, state, regional, national and global levels. The project created, developed and supported student-led groups that are actively involved with their communities, schools, tribal leaders and elders in learning about and addressing environmental issues; and 5) capacity to train tribal staff in the evaluation of properties for potential lead exposure issues, education of potentially effected tribal populations, and detailed processes for other tribal entities to use to protect tribal youth.
Fiscal Year 2023 For examples on the types of projects funded under this assistance listing, please visit the following website: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/indian-environmental-general-assistance-program-gap.