USDA loan helps move flood-prone tribe city

10/13/2011

The San Carlos Apache Tribe, located in San Carlos, Arizona, recently received a combination grant and USDA loan to assist in the relocation of one of its flood-prone communities, Arizona Silver Belt reports.

USDA Rural Development state director Alan Stephens presented SCA tribal chairman Terry Rambler with a $6,822,660 loan/grant combination to move the city of Bylas from its current high-risk location.

The news source notes that Bylas has experienced residential and commercial damage to due flooding over the years, causing structural deterioration of tribal offices. Most of the area is uninhabitable.

With funds from the USDA, SCAT can now move the city to a new, less flood-prone location, which will include residential and commercial buildings, health services, tribal administrative offices, an elementary school, parks, churches, open spaces, public services and agricultural areas.

Stephens explained that $2,768,000 of the funds represents a 40-year USDA loan to the tribe, while the remaining money comes in the form of grants.

SCAT recently sent a letter to President Barack Obama after it took offense to the use of the code name "Geronimo" to represent Osama bin Laden, Indian Country reports. They requested a formal apology and an executive order to never use the Apache leader's name in association with a known enemy of the United States again.