EPA grant supports Pueblo of Laguna projects

• The Pueblo of Laguna received $195,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency.
• The funding will support environmental and waste management programs.
• Tribal officials plan to strengthen local environmental oversight.
• The grant is part of a long-running federal tribal assistance program.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on May 8, 2026, that the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico will receive $195,000 in federal funding to support environmental protection efforts on tribal lands.

The funding comes through the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program, often called GAP. The program provides grants to federally recognized tribes to help develop environmental programs, improve planning, and address issues involving solid and hazardous waste.

The Pueblo of Laguna is located in west-central New Mexico, west of Albuquerque. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Pueblo has about 8,500 enrolled members.

Building Local Environmental Programs.

Federal officials said the grant will help the Pueblo strengthen its environmental programs and improve administrative capacity.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the funding will support oversight of tribal environmental projects, outreach efforts, enforcement of solid waste regulations, and work involving hazardous and solid waste management.

Regional Administrator Scott Mason said the program continues to give tribes tools to address environmental concerns within their own communities.

“GAP continues to be a useful resource that allows Tribes to plan and develop their own environmental programs while addressing specific priorities within their territory,” Mason said in the agency announcement.

Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator Usha Turner described the funding as a long-term investment in tribal environmental management.

“GAP funding is a foundational investment that enables Tribes like the Pueblo of Laguna to build and sustain environmental programs at the local level,” Turner said.

Waste and Water Concerns Often Intersect.

While the May 8 announcement focused heavily on waste management and environmental oversight, programs like these can also affect water quality protection in the broader Southwest.

Improper disposal of hazardous materials and unmanaged waste sites can create long-term risks for groundwater supplies, especially in dry regions where communities often depend heavily on aquifers and limited surface water resources.

The Environmental Protection Agency said the grant is intended to help tribes build long-term environmental capacity while addressing local priorities identified by tribal governments themselves.

Pictured:  Photograph of the Indian pueblo of Laguna (San Jose de Laguna), New Mexico, ca.1900. Situated on a gentle slope, the pueblo consists of interconnected cube-shaped dwellings with exterior ladders. A wagon can be seen at left, while a horse is visible at right standing on the adjacent dirt road. A distant mesa is visible in the background. Photographer: James, George Wharton.
Part of collection: California Historical Society Collection, 1860-1960

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