ERIF Tribal Assistance Program

In 2024, the Permitting Council leveraged Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds to launch a first-of-its-kind financial assistance program for tribes.

The new Environmental Review Improvement Fund Tribal Assistance Program (ERIF TAP) aims to build and support tribal capacity to enable them to meaningfully participate in the environmental review process for FAST-41 covered projects.  The Permitting Council created the program  in response to requests from Tribes for resources to help them meet increased demand for tribal consultations.

Increasing Tribal capacity in the environmental review process is essential to ensuring we can quickly build infrastructure in this country. When Tribes have the tools that they need to engage in the environmental review of projects where Tribal interests may be affected, everyone wins because we can protect cultural resources, mitigate environmental impacts, and make sure that critical infrastructure projects are completed swiftly without undue delays.

Eric Beightel, Permitting Council Executive Director.

Helping You: the ERIF Tribal Assistance Program

The ERIF Tribal Assistance Program provides funding and support to Tribal Governments to enhance their participation in the federal environmental review process for infrastructure projects. The Permitting Council has designated $5 million from the ERIF to aid Tribal Governments through the program. ERIF TAP supports tribal involvement in the environmental reviews for projects covered under FAST-41, providing tribes with resources to support their meaningful engagement in consultations and reviews necessary for project approvals.

Need for Funding

The Permitting Council recognizes the capacity issues that Tribes face when participating in the Federal environmental review and authorization process for infrastructure projects, including FAST-41 covered projects. Providing funding to support capacity building for Tribal Governments to meaningfully participate in environmental reviews such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and consultations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act will help make the environmental review and authorization process for FAST-41 covered projects more timely and efficient.

Apply Now

The Permitting Council  is now accepting applications from Tribal Governments engaged in the environmental review and authorization process for FAST-41 covered projects listed as “in progress” on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.

To submit your application, download the Environmental Review Improvement Fund Tribal Assistance Program (ERIF TAP) application template and follow the ERIF TAP application instructions. Please submit one application package per Tribe to ERIF@permitting.gov.

As you review the materials and identify initial questions, please review the Tribal Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), which is updated regularly as questions are received. If additional assistance is needed, please email ERIF@permitting.gov, and Permitting Council staff will respond and provide additional technical assistance as necessary.

All requested funding must be used to support or enhance Tribal engagement in the Federal environmental review and authorization process for FAST-41 covered project(s), supporting more timely and efficient authorization decisions of the project(s). Tribal Governments can use the funding for activities, including:

• Equipment, supplies, and materials

• Technical training

• Transportation costs

• Per diem

• Contractors, consultants, and staff

• Contract support costs

The total funding requested should support Tribal activities on covered projects for up to three years and cannot exceed the levels identified in the table below:

Additional Application Information:

• Applicants must be a Federally recognized Indian Tribe listed on the most recent notice of the Federal Register under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 USC § 5130 et seq.

• This funding is non-competitive and project-specific. The Permitting Council will consider applications based on the availability of funds and until funding is expended. The Permitting Council encourages Tribal Governments to submit applications as soon as possible.

• The Permitting Council has partnered with the Department of Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to utilize BIA’s Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) Title 1 Self-Determination Contracts or Title 4 Self-Governance Compacts as the mechanisms to distribute the ERIF TAP.

• ERIF TAP funds will be provided incrementally. The application should be submitted with work proposed in phases. After the application is accepted, Permitting Council staff will work with applicants to finalize phases for incremental funding.

For More Information

If you have questions or need assistance completing your application, please email ERIF@permitting.gov.