Local tribes get $4.9M for climate change work

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has been awarded $2.8 million in three grants by the state's Department of Commerce. The Samish Indian Nation will get $1.4 million and the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe $750,000. In total Commerce awarded $52 million in grant funding to support climate resilience for 28 federally recognized tribes within Washington, as well as four federally recognized tribes with lands within the state. The funding is from Washington's Climate Commitment Act.Tribes co-designed the process to target funds to their highest and best use.

The Swinomish Tribe received a $2 million Competitive Funding award for two projects: installing a solar battery at the police department/social services building and for climate hazard risk assessments and renewable energy planning. Ten tribes were awarded $12.9 million, including $655,000 to the Samish for solar storage for a community warming center.

The three tribes received $750,000 Formula Grant awards out of a $24 million pool provided to 32 of 33 eligible tribes. The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe did not claim funding.

"This CCA funding will help nearly all of the tribes within Washington prepare for the climate risks ahead," said Washington Governor Jay Inslee in the Commerce press release. "Environmental justice is foundational to the CCA and tribes know best how to protect their land and people. I appreciate that Commerce co-designed this grant in a way that honors tribal sovereignty and knowledge."

The $52 million was appropriated by the state Legislature for tribal climate resilience in the 2023-2025 biennium. In response to tribal input, it is being administered as direct appropriations, formula grants and competitive grant funding.

The Quinault Indian Nation and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe received direct appropriations totaling $14.45 million. The 12.05 million to the Quinault Indian Nation is for their plan to move their two main villages, Taholah and Queets, out of the Olympic Coast's flooding and tsunami zone.

The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe receives $2.4 million for phase three of their shoreline restoration project.

"Tribal citizens are crucial, forward-thinking leaders in addressing climate resilience," Commerce Director Mike Fong said in the release. "These tribal nations are leaders in green energy and economies."

The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by using cap-and-invest dollars to reduce climate pollution, create jobs and improve public health.

Information: climate.wa.gov.

Source: Department of ­Commerce