Region 1: EPA New England

Tribal Environmental Programs and Accomplishments

Tribal News

Penobscot River Restoration Project Receives National Award The Penobscot River
Restoration Project has been nationally recognized for its outstanding work to restore endangered wild Atlantic salmon and other native migratory sea-run fish while balancing the need for hydroelectric power on the river.

First Anniversary of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe recognition.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe achieved formal recognition on May 23, 2007, as the 10th federally recognized tribe in New England under the rules set forth by the Department of Interior. The Tribe owns land in Mashpee and Middleborough and intends to have these lands placed in Federal trust under Bureau of Indian Affairs rules. The tribe also has a Natural Resources Environmental Protection Department to manage and protect Tribal land and resources. EPA New England is beginning to work with the Tribe in the same government to government manner as we do with every federally recognized Tribe in New England.

Native American History Month
Native American History Month will again be observed during the entire month of November with events to be announced in the early fall.

Fall 2008 Tribal Meeting
Last year, the tribes suggested they should sponsor a conference at the end of the year, and EPA should sponsor one in the off years. 2008 will be the first year in the series of EPA-sponsored conferences. We are currently discussing the theme for this fall’s conference.

Capacity Development of the New England Tribal Environmental Program
The key to our success as a program is that our agenda is developed in close cooperation with the tribes, including daily communication on various subjects. Over the last ten years, support for the Regional Program has grown from $55 thousand to $3 million. Tribal program evolution was multimedia; GAP DW, CWA 104, PWSS, CWA 106, CWA 319, Lead, Radon, EJ, Air 103. (See chart for explanation of the acronyms).

Below is a chart depicting the Tribal Environmental Programs that the New England Tribes are developing for protection of human health and the environment.

TRIBE	GAP	106 **	104 B3	319 **	AIR	PEST	Radon	SW	ENF	TEA/PPG
Narragansett	X	X	X		X				X	98
Mashantucket Pequot*					X				X
Penobscot Nation	X	X	X	X	X				X	99
Wampanoag Tribe	X	X	X	X	X		X		X
Passamaquoddy Indian Township	X	X	X	X	X				X	99
Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point	X		X	X	X	X	X	X	X	99
Houlton Band of Maliseets	X	X	X	X	X	X		X	X	99
Mohegan Nation*			X		X				X
Aroostook Band of Micmacs	X				X		X		X	98
Mashpee Wampanoag	X				X

* The two Connecticut tribes do not accept federal funds for environmental programs due to the economy.

** Requires TAS treatment similar to a state.

Acronyms and Definitions

GAP: General Assistance Program
106: Clean Water Act; Water Quality
104B3: Wetlands
319: Non-Point Source Pollution
TAS: Treatment as a State
TEA/PPG: Tribal-EPA Agreement