Proposed FY 2011 Indian Affairs Budget Highlights

President Obama’s proposed FY 2011 budget includes $2.6 billion for Indian Affairs, a net decrease of $3.6 million from the 2010 enacted level.

But, as stated in a press release issued yesterday by the Interior Department, the budget targets more than $70 million in program increases to strengthen tribal management of federally funded programs and to enhance energy, education and public safety programs that will bring jobs to Indian Country.

FY 2011 Proposed Budget Highlights:

Operation of Indian Programs gets $2.4 billion, $58.7 million (2.5 percent) more than the 2010 enacted level.

Includes $115.7 million for Construction, $51.6 million less than the 2010 level: $52.9 million for Education Construction; $11.4 million for Public Safety and Justice Construction; $42.2 million for Resource Management Construction; $3.8 million for the Safety of Dams program; and $9.3 million for Other Program Construction.

Includes program increases of $21.5 million for contract support and the Indian Self-Determination Fund. (So, now is the time to ensure your proposals are in on time and crafted to maximize contract support recoveries. Mark your calendar for Falmouth’s IDC Summit next month).

Tribal Priority Allocations gets a net increase of $28.0 million, 3.4 percent more than the 2010 enacted level.

DOI’s New Energy Frontier Initiative has an increase of $2.5 million for Indian Affairs to help tribes explore and develop lands that have active and potential energy resources.

Nearly $47 million goes to Resolving Land and Water Claims.