TERRA Packet

The TERRA Act

The Tribal Emergency Response Resources Act (TERRA Act) (H.R.3654) is a bill that would streamline and coordinate federal programs to help Tribal Nations prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and related threats. Despite federal trust and treaty obligations, federal resources for preparing for and mitigating these threats are often complicated and inaccessible to Tribal Nations. Specifically, Tribes must often navigate a complex web of programs scattered among dozens of federal agencies. Even if federal resources are gathered, red tape makes it difficult to utilize them to their fullest extent, given their burdensome, inconsistent, and duplicative program requirements. Ultimately, needed projects are often delayed, carried out inefficiently, or do not take place at all.

The TERRA Act would  address these issues by:

  • creating a central hub within the Department of the Interior to help Tribes navigate federal disaster programs;
  • allowing Tribes to combine resources from multiple federal agencies into one consolidated funding stream;
  • reducing paperwork, with only one annual report required;
  • streamlining federal requirements, such as cost-shares, deadlines, funding rules, and environmental reviews;
  • giving Tribes more flexibility to meet their unique disaster preparedness and response needs; and
  • reducing bureaucracy so Tribes can focus on protecting their communities.

The bill was introduced by Representative Emily Randall (D-WA) and is co-sponsored by thirteen bipartisan lawmakers. Draft letters and resolutions of support are linked here:

Please let us know if you would like our assistance in drafting a letter to your member of Congress or a resolution in support of the TERRA Act.

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