Oklahoma Secretary of Energy & Environment

PROJECT PURPOSE

This Project request is to leverage $20 Million ARP dollars with co-investment from three separate tribes ($20 Million) and 20% local match to create $50 Million worth of rural water and regionalization infrastructure. This would create approximately 2 or 3 separate infrastructure projects within the counties comprising the Choctaw Nation, Cherokee Nation and the Chickasaw Nation. The funds would be used to create new water infrastructure in rural Oklahoma communities in dire need of system upgrades to provide safe and reliable drinking water and waste water systems in some of Oklahoma's most poor areas who, without assistance, could not afford these essential public health upgrades. These projects are exactly why the ARPA fund were created.

EVIDENCE

My office, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Water Resources Board have extensive experience in completing projects of this nature and scope. in fact, we have won the prestigious Aquarius Award from US EPA two consecutive years for similar projects

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

These projects will directly benefit some of the most vulnerable populations within Eastern and South Central Oklahoma in the footprints of the Choctaw Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Chickisaw Nation. More importantly, this will be an example for other partnerships to follow with the state to leverage investment in water infrastructure.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

There would be collaboration between the state of Oklahoma (ODEQ and OWRB) and the particular tribe in deciding which projects would benefit the most Oklahomans. It is believed that in addition to the match from the tribes that there will be additional federal funds and grants available to further leverage the infrastructure dollars from Oklahoma.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma