Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID MN_2025_ClarkeSather

Barriers and Opportunities for Tribal Participation in the Clean Water Act's TAS Program

Institute: Minnesota
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $9,455 Total Non-Federal Funds: $5,106

Principal Investigators: Afton Clarke-Sather

Project Summary: This study explores the challenges Native American Tribes face when trying to manage their water resources through the Treatment as a State (TAS) program, which gives Tribes the authority to manage water quality like states. Many Tribes face barriers such as lack of funding, technical resources, and jurisdictional issues, preventing full participation in the program. The study focuses on Tribes in the Lake Superior basin, examining how federal grants impact Tribal decision-making in relation to the TAS program. Through interviews with Tribal leaders and environmental managers, along with document analysis, the research identifies key factors influencing Tribal participation. The findings aim to offer strategies to improve access to grants and enhance Tribal capacity for managing water resources, ultimately strengthening Tribal sovereignty and self-determination in environmental governance.