WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Commerce last week announced that the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe was a recipient of $1.2 million in federal funding to better prepare the tribe against natural disasters.

The funds, awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, will support the development of a Master Community Relocation Plan to move the tribe’s facilities away from sea level rise and other coastal threats.

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally developed strategies to help communities mitigate the impacts of natural disasters,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo in a statement announcing the funds. “EDA is pleased to help prepare the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe for continued economic growth following natural disasters.”

The tribe was awarded $25 million in federal grant dollars last June for the construction of a nearly 4-mile loop road that will serve as an access road to support the planned development of their upland village, which would move housing and critical community facilities out of the way of rising seas, storm surges and potential tsunamis. Tribal officials told the Observer at the time that they hoped to have the access road completed by the end of 2026.

Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez touted the funds in statements released last week, with Murray saying the Shoalwaters are “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,” Murray added.

Cantwell, who visited and met with tribal members in August 2022 following the construction of their vertical tsunami evacuation tower, noted that sea level rise is resulting in the loss of the Shoalwaters’ low-lying land. “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.”

Perez visited the tribe last summer to discuss their climate resiliency efforts in the face of erosion and flooding that is caused by sea level rise, and said this funding “is another important step in the right direction toward protecting folks’ livelihoods and economic stability.”

EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance Program provides disaster relief and recovery funds for areas that have received a major disaster declaration.