v=,EPA Investing in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants Tribes and Intertribal Consortia Fact Sheet Cherokee Nation Selected Grant Recipient Name: Cherokee Nation Project Location: Tahlequah, OK Project Title: Cherokee Nation Sanitary Landfill Brush/Vegetation/Wood Waste Diversion & Recycling Project EPA Information Region: EPA Region 6 Grant Funding: $1,492,425 The Cherokee Nation will divert brush, miscellaneous vegetation, and woody wastes from the Tribally owned and operated landfill, then recycle the material. To achieve these objectives, the Cherokee Nation will buy material handling and processing equipment; amend operations to divert brush, vegetation, and wood waste; process these materials into a mulch and use mulched material for erosion control, dust control, and temporary alternative daily cover. These activities aim to divert materials from landfills, limit landfill greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce soil erosion into surface water. SWIFR Grants to Tribes and Intertribal Consortia The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides the largest EPA investment in recycling in 30 years to support National Recycling Strategy implementation and build a circular economy for all. As part of the Investing in America agenda, this funding supports improvements to waste management systems and programs, allowing resources to be used more efficiently and reducing the impact on the climate. SWIFR Tribal grant funding can be used to develop or update post-consumer materials management plans; establish or optimize collection and management of materials; fund infrastructure, technology, or other improvements to reduce contamination; enhance markets for recycled commodities; and increase the diversion, recycling rate, and quality of materials collected. These grants also advance the Justice^ Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to communities that have historically been underserved and overburdened by pollution. EPA will make the award to the Cherokee Nation once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Highlights • Processes organic matter into erosion control mulch. • Collects and reports diversion data. • Limits greenhouse gas emissions from landfills https://www.ppa.gov/infrastructurp/SWIFR EPA 530-F-24-005-CNI August 2024 ------- |