Indian Tribal Water Resources Development, Management, and Protection (15.519)
Indian Tribal Water Resources Development, Management, and Protection (Assistance Listing 15.519) is run by the Bureau of Reclamation, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $145 million in 144 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $1.0 million per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $251,650. Half of the 144 awards fell between $138,436 and $400,000, and they ranged from $10,000 to $83.2 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$145 million
- Grant awards144
- Typical award$251,650
- Awarded in FY 2025$22.3 million
- Size rank698 of 1824
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements (discretionary grants), direct payments for specified use
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $1.4 million in fiscal 2021 to $22.3 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 698th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 84% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 13 states and territories.
What the program funds
To increase opportunities for federally recognized tribes to develop, manage, and protect their water and water related resources.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, national Indian organizations, and tribal organizations, Native American Organizations pursuant to 25 USC 5304(e), that are located in the 17 western States identified in the Act of June 17, 1902, as amended; specifically, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Increase opportunities for Indian tribes to develop, manage, and protect their water resources. Tribes may contract under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et. seq.) or enter into a financial assistance agreement as provided under the authority of 31 U.S.C. 63 et. seq.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range $400,000 to $2,000,000 Average $500,000
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to: Water need and water infrastructure assessments, Water management plans and studies, Short-term water quality or water measurement data collection and assessment to inform new management approaches, Training for Tribal staff and managers in areas of water resources’ development, management and protection, Drilling domestic or stock watering wells, On-the-ground activities related to riparian and aquatic habitat with the goal to maintain or improve water quantity or water quality, Restoring wetlands, Controlling erosion, Stabilizing streambanks, and Constructing ponds. Developing water basin plans, Distinct, stand-alone water related activities that are part of a larger project.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Indian Tribal Water Resources Development, Management, and Protection (15.519) awarded$145 million across 144 grant awards, an average of $1.0 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gila River Indian Community | Arizona | 5 | $91.3 million |
| Tolowa Dee-Ni Nation | California | 2 | $8.1 million |
| The Klamath Tribes | Oregon | 3 | $3.1 million |
| Ute Mountain Farm and Ranch Enterprise | Colorado | 1 | $2.2 million |
| Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe | Nevada | 1 | $2.0 million |
| Santa Clara Pueblo | New Mexico | 1 | $1.3 million |
| The Hoopa Valley Tribe | California | 2 | $1.3 million |
| Pueblo of Laguna | New Mexico | 3 | $1.3 million |
| Colorado River Indian Tribes | Arizona | 1 | $1.1 million |
| Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians | California | 3 | $1.0 million |
| Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation | Washington | 3 | $1.0 million |
| Yurok Tribe | California | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Nambe Pueblo Governor's Office | New Mexico | 3 | $992,293 |
| Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation | Arizona | 3 | $942,710 |
| Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation | Oregon | 4 | $933,920 |
| Bishop Paiute Tribe | California | 2 | $899,967 |
| Fort Belknap Indian Community | Montana | 3 | $898,389 |
| Pueblo of Santa Ana | New Mexico | 3 | $856,230 |
| Pueblo of Acoma | New Mexico | 2 | $846,742 |
| Santo Domingo Pueblo | New Mexico | 1 | $845,741 |
Who usually wins
Almost all of the money went to tribes.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribal governments and organizations | 139 | $144 million | 100% |
| Nonprofits | 1 | $398,895 | 0.3% |
| State and local governments | 1 | $169,080 | 0.1% |
By state
9 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 18 | $96.4 million |
| California | 44 | $20.7 million |
| New Mexico | 28 | $9.2 million |
| Nevada | 9 | $4.4 million |
| Oregon | 8 | $4.2 million |
| Oklahoma | 13 | $2.9 million |
| Colorado | 1 | $2.2 million |
| Washington | 8 | $2.1 million |
| Idaho | 8 | $1.3 million |
| Montana | 3 | $898,389 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $398,895 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $197,778 |
| Utah | 2 | $100,000 |