xvEPA Investing in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants Tribes and Intertribal Consortia Fact Sheet Nelson Island Consortium Selected Grant Recipient Name: Nelson Island Consortium Project Locations: Chefornak Nightmute, Kipnuk, Tununak, Newtok, Umkumiut, and Toksook Bay, AK Project Title: Nelson Island Consortium Backhaul of Hazardous Waste Material EPA Information Region: EPA Region 10 Grant Funding: $1,500,000 The Nelson Island Consortium will backhaul waste materials from each of the seven communities in the Consortium. To achieve this objective, Nelson Island Consortium will build capacity through training and engaging community members, buying equipment for backhaul shipping, and establishing recycling sheds for the recycling system. This project will solve local challenges around the collection of materials; coordinate regional source reduction; and increase recycling to reduce the climate, environmental and social impacts of materials use. 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% 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 Nelson Island Consortium once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Highlights • Benefits seven rural Tribal communities. • Facilitates the backhaul of stockpiled waste from the island, preventing contamination. • Protects a watershed and traditional shared-land use area encompassing Nelson Island. https://www.ppa.gov/infrastructurp/SWIFR EPA 530-F-24-005-NIC August 2024 ------- |