Grant Awarded To Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe For Infrastructure

By Isaac White

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, announced a significant $1.2 million grant awarded to the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in Tokeland, Washington. This grant, provided by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), aims to bolster local infrastructure against natural disasters.

This initiative will support the creation of a Master Community Relocation Plan. The plan focuses on relocating Tribal facilities to safer locations, away from the imminent threats of natural disasters, thereby securing the Tribe’s economic future.

Secretary Raimondo emphasized that this grant aligns with President Biden’s “Investing In America” agenda, which seeks to provide all communities, including tribal ones, with necessary opportunities and resources. This investment is a step towards enhancing the resilience of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe against natural calamities and improving their economic security.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Y. Castillo, remarked on EDA’s commitment to assisting communities in mitigating disaster impacts through locally developed strategies. Castillo remarked, “The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally developed strategies to help communities mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. EDA is pleased to help prepare the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe for continued economic growth following natural disasters.”

Senator Patty Murray highlighted the Tribe’s vulnerability to climate change effects and noted the federal support’s importance in ensuring infrastructure resilience. She also referenced a substantial $25 million RAISE Grant secured earlier for the Tribe’s relocation project, further supported by this EDA grant.

“The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is on the frontlines of some of the most serious effects of climate change. These federal dollars will play an important role in making sure the Tribe’s local infrastructure is resilient in the face of natural disasters as their relocation efforts continue—which is critical to community preparedness and economic growth,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I was proud to secure a nearly $25 million RAISE Grant for the Shoalwater Bay Tribe’s upland relocation project over the summer—this EDA grant supports those efforts and shows yet again President Biden’s steadfast commitment to supporting Tribal communities.”

Senator Maria Cantwell pointed out the critical situation faced by the Shoalwater Bay Tribe due to sea-level rise and the urgency of relocating vital community facilities to safer ground.

“Located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, sea-level rise is causing the Shoalwater Bay Tribe’s low-lying land to disappear. This investment in the Tribe’s Master Relocation Plan brings the Shoalwater Bay community one-step closer to moving their vital community facilities out of harm’s way and up to higher ground,” said Senator Maria Cantwell.

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) stressed the necessity of support for the Tribe as they confront erosion and flooding. She acknowledged this funding as a pivotal step in safeguarding the community’s livelihood and economic stability.

“As the Shoalwater Bay Tribe faces devastating erosion and flooding caused by sea level rise, it’s essential they have the support necessary to relocate vital community infrastructure,” said Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). “I visited the Tribe this past summer to discuss their ongoing climate resiliency efforts, and this federal funding is another important step in the right direction toward protecting folks’ livelihoods and economic stability.”

The funding for this project comes from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023. This Act allocated $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds to the EDA for disaster relief and recovery in areas affected by natural disasters like Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, and floods in 2021 and 2022.