The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is seeking feedback and recommendations from Tribal Leaders on a draft document titled "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Sec. 40601 Orphaned Well Program, Tribal Grant Guidance, Fiscal Year 2023." DOI's Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (OEPC) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are hosting Tribal Consultations to receive input on the draft Tribal Grant guidance. The guidance will be used in the administration and distribution of the first round of funding, with up to $50 million available for Tribal projects in FY 2023. Section 40601(d) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) creates an orphaned well plugging, remediation, and reclamation grant program within the DOI to address orphaned wells and well sites on Tribal lands.
Specific questions on which we invite feedback are listed below:
- What recommendations do you have for partnering with Tribes to conduct activities described in the BIL and this grant program?
- How might DOI improve communication with Tribes regarding orphaned well plugging, remediation, and reclamation?
- What BIL Section 40601 appropriation for Tribal grants totals $150 million. Allocation of not more than $50 million, total, in year one, and note more than $1 million per Tribe for capacity-building in year one are recommended to make sure that Tribes are able to conduct orphaned well inventories and plan a plugging program over a period of time. Do these recommended caps support your Tribe's needs?
Please submit written remarks to ECRP@ios.doi.gov or by mail to:
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance
1849 C Street NW, Room 2624 Washington, DC 20240
On your correspondence, please note your Tribal affiliation and include "Tribal Orphaned Well Grant Guidance" in the header or subject line to identify the subject matter.
Invitation
Consultation Materials
Close-out Report
Sessions
Comment Deadline
Please submit written remarks to ECRP@ios.doi.gov or by mail to:
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance
1849 C Street NW, Room 2624 Washington, DC 20240
On your correspondence, please note your Tribal affiliation and include "Tribal Orphaned Well Grant Guidance" in the header or subject line to identify the subject matter.
