WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved nearly $800,000 in grant funding to support environmental protection by American Indian tribal governments.

“This funding will support the ongoing environmental protection efforts of Maine’s tribal governments in concert with the federal government,” said U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in a joint statement announcing the grant.

Grants awarded by the EPA to the tribal governments are:

. Penobscot Nation in Old Town: $375,000 in funding under the performance partnership program and $167,000 in funding under the air pollution control program.

. Aroostook Band of Micmacs in Presque Isle: $175,800 in funding under the performance partnership program and $50,000 under the state lead control program.

. Houlton Band of Maliseets in Littleton: $26,500 in funding under the Indian environmental protection program to conduct a survey of composting and other manure waste management resources within the Meduxnekeag watershed farming community.