![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Top Stories
Stormwater pollution prevention outreach to tribal communities
Construction activities are expected to increase on Indian lands in the coming months.
Construction and development activities typically involve excavating and grading the soil in the area, which when improperly managed can be easily washed off site during storms. The resulting stormwater runoff can adversely impact the quality of nearby waterways.
Pollution prevention can be achieved with a stormwater management program that puts into place effective best management practices. To help the Tribes develop such a program, EPA is working with Tribal staff to familiarize them with the stormwater permitting and enforcement process for Indian lands.
Two of the cornerstones of a sound stormwater pollution prevention program are proper training and public education and outreach. Future training workshops are being planned with the Tribes and will focus on how to inspect construction and industrial sites, how to identify pollutants and monitor water quality, among other topics.
One of the first training workshops will be offered during the Region 6 Tribal Summit in New Mexico December 2009. More details will be available once a site is selected. A multi-day stormwater workshop is also planned for early 2010.