EPA Tribal Consultation and Coordination Policy

On July 8, 2010, EPA’s Michelle J. DePass, Assistant Administrator, Office of International and Tribal Affairs, announced an extension to the comment period for the Proposed EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (15pp, 976K, About PDF Files). The new deadline for comments is September 16, 2010. Assistant Administrator DePass made the announcement while participating on EPA’s first of two scheduled government-to-government national consultation policy conference calls. EPA’s second government-to-government national consultation conference call is scheduled for July 19, 2010, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EDT.

On June 9, 2010, EPA's Michelle J. DePass, Assistant Administrator, Office of International and Tribal Affairs, released the Proposed EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (PDF) (15pp, 976K, About PDF Files) to tribes. EPA invites comments from tribes on the proposed policy. EPA plans to release a subsequent proposed policy after consideration of tribal input.

Tribes may comment on the proposed policy by visiting the Consultation Comments page, or consult government-to-government with EPA by participating in one of the two scheduled national consultation conference calls on July 8 and July 19, 2010.

Tribal Consultation Conference Call for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) on Metal Mining Rule

The tribal consultation call for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) metal mining rule is scheduled for Thursday, July 22nd at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The call-in number is (866) 299-3188, conference code 2025660964. The call will be hosted by Rick Martin, Acting Director for the Office of Information Analysis and Access. To RSVP or request additional information, please contact Daniel Teitelbaum at 202-566-0964 or by email at teitelbaum.daniel@epa.gov, Additional information can also be found at http://www.epa.gov/tri/programs/mining/index.htm.

Highlighted Information

EPA Releases Rulemaking Guidance on Environmental Justice

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing an interim guidance document to help agency staff incorporate environmental justice into the agency’s rulemaking process.  The rulemaking guidance is an important and positive step toward meeting EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priority to work for environmental justice and protect the health and safety of communities who have been disproportionally impacted by pollution.

"Historically, the low-income and minority communities that carry the greatest environmental burdens haven't had a voice in our policy development or rulemaking.  We want to expand the conversation to the places where EPA's work can make a real difference for health and the economy," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  "This plan is part of my ongoing commitment to give all communities a seat at the decision-making table.  Making environmental justice a consideration in our rulemaking changes both the perception and practice of how we work with overburdened communities, and opens this conversation up to new voices."

The document, Interim Guidance on Considering Environmental Justice During the Development of an Action http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/policy/ej-rulemaking.html, seeks to advance environmental justice for low-income, minority and indigenous communities and tribal governments who have been historically underrepresented in the regulatory decision-making process. The guidance also outlines the multiple steps that every EPA program office can take to incorporate the needs of overburdened neighborhoods into the agency’s decision-making, scientific analysis, and rule development. EPA staff is encouraged to become familiar with environmental justice concepts and the many ways they should inform agency decision-making. more...

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EPA Announces Public Information Meetings for the Proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule

EPA is holding four public information meetings to provide information on the proposed revisions to the Total Coliform Rule (TCR). The proposed revisions are contained in the proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) which was published in the Federal Register on July 14, 2010. During the public meetings, EPA will discuss the major provisions of the current TCR, the history of the development of the proposed RTCR, the core elements of the proposed RTCR, the comparison between the current TCR and the proposed RTCR, and specific areas where EPA is requesting comment. Additional topics that will be discussed include the cost and benefit information of the proposed rule and the planned guidance manuals that will be developed to support the implementation of the final rule.

August 3, 2010, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Eastern Time (EDT), the first public meeting will be held, at the EPA East Building, Room 1153, 1201 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460. To register, contact Cesar Cordero at (202)564-3716 or at cordero.cesar@epa.gov.

August 6, 2010, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Central Time (CT), the second public meeting will be held, at the EPA Ralph Metcalfe Federal Bldg, 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604. On-site registration. On the day of the meeting, please bring an ID with you to get into the building.  For more information about the meeting, please contact Sean Conley at conley.sean@epa.gov or at 202-564-1781.  For visitors’ information about EPA Region 5, please visit http://www.epa.gov/region5/visitor/index.htm

August 20, 2010, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM Pacific Time, EPA Region 9 Conference Rooms, 75 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105
To register for the meeting, please contact Cesar Cordero at cordero.cesar@epa.gov or at 202-564-3716.  On the day of the meeting, please bring an ID with you to get into the building.  For more information about the meeting, please contact Sean Conley at conley.sean@epa.gov or at 202-564-1781. For visitors’ information about EPA Region 9, please visit http://www.epa.gov/region9/visitor.html.

For information about the proposed rule and the other public meetings, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/disinfection/tcr/regulation_revisions.html

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United States Review of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The Department of State has created a new website to enable public input during the U.S. review of its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On April 20, 2010, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan E. Rice announced at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that the United States has decided to review the U.S. position on the Declaration.

The Administration recognizes that, for many around the world, this Declaration provides a framework for addressing indigenous issues. During President Obama's first year in office, tribal leaders and interested non-governmental organizations (NGOs) encouraged the United States to reexamine its position on the Declaration - an important recommendation that directly complements our commitment to work together with the international community on the many challenges that indigenous peoples face.

As part of the U.S. government’s review, the U.S. Department of State, together with other Federal agencies, will be hosting consultations with federally-recognized tribes and dialogues with interested NGOs and other stakeholders. The consultation and meeting schedules will be listed on the website located at http://www.state.gov/s/tribalconsultation/declaration/index.htm. Tribal leaders, NGOs, and others are encouraged to contribute to the review by emailing us at Declaration@state.gov, or by submitting comments via mail to the Department of State at: S/SR Global Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street N.W., Suite 1317, Washington, D.C. 20520. Written comments are requested by July 15, 2010 to ensure that they can be given due consideration in the review.

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PDF) (12 pp, 230K)

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EPA Seeks Public Comment on Strategic Plan to Move Forward on Agency Priorities: Draft plan will help advance Administrator Jackson’s seven priorities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on its draft FY 2011-2015 strategic plan, which helps advance Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priorities and the mission to protect human health and the environment. Administrator Jackson’s seven priorities are; taking action on climate change, improving air quality, protecting America’s waters, cleaning up our communities, assuring the safety of chemicals, expanding the conversation on environmentalism and working for environmental justice, and building strong state and tribal partnerships.

The draft plan identifies the measurable environmental and human health benefits the public can expect over the next five years and describes how EPA intends to achieve those results. The draft plan proposes five strategic goals and five cross-cutting fundamental strategies that aim to foster a renewed commitment to accountability, transparency and inclusion. The plan is prepared in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. more...

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EPA Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
Since the British Petroleum Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico on April 22, 2010, EPA has provided full support to the U.S. Coast Guard and is monitoring and responding to potential public health and environmental concerns. EPA continues to closely coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies as well. Environmental data, including air quality and water samples, will be posted and frequently updated on this site as it is collected and validated by EPA’s response teams along the impacted coastlines. This data is meant to determine potential risks to public health and the environment. http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/

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EPA Announces the New Office of International and Tribal Affairs
Action part of Administrator’s priority to build strong tribal partnerships
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, who has highlighted strengthening tribal partnerships as a top priority during her tenure, today announced an internal restructuring that brings EPA’s international and tribal programs together under one umbrella organization called the Office of International & Tribal Affairs (OITA). This restructuring was initiated in response to a request from the tribes to reconsider the proper location of the American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO).
"This change ensures that we approach our relationship with the sovereign tribal nations within our own country in the same way we approach our relationship with sovereign nations beyond U.S. borders," said Administrator Jackson, "I am confident this move will result in new and positive directions for the EPA-Tribal partnership." more...

Top Stories

Exchange Network Tribal Capacity Baseline Survey Now Available
In 2008, the Exchange Network (EN) leadership recognized the need to better understand the information capacity in Indian country as pivotal in increasing tribal participation in the Exchange Network. Our EN partner, the National Congress of American Indians has distributed the survey widely to their membership and other federally-recognized tribes. Please respond to this survey, if you haven't already done so, and distribute the survey link below to tribal environmental program contacts. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XQCLNYW

more...

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Administrator Jackson Announces $2 Million in Brownfields Job Training Funds to Clean up Our Communities
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced that EPA is awarding more than $2 million in job training grants for environmental cleanups in communities across the country. The agency’s Brownfields Job Training Program helps train people for jobs in the assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields properties, including abandoned gas stations, old textile mills, closed smelters, and other abandoned industrial and commercial properties. These investments target under-served and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods – places where environmental cleanups and new jobs are most needed.
“By recruiting, training and employing local residents to clean up the community, we get the best of both worlds: new jobs and a cleaner community,” said EPA Administrator Jackson. “Transforming abandoned and contaminated sites sets the stage for bustling business centers, new parks and other developments. It shows that the right thing to do for the environment is the right thing to do for the economy.” more...

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EPA Accepting Applications for National Environmental Education Training Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting grant applications to help manage the National Environmental Education Training Program over the next five years. EPA will award one cooperative agreement, worth approximately $10 million over five years, that will provide teachers and other education professionals with resources and support to enable them to teach about environmental issues more effectively. EPA will accept applications until July 26, 2010. more...

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EPA Releases Handbook for Clean Water Act Section 319 Tribal Program
EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds recently released the Handbook for Developing and Managing Tribal Nonpoint Source Pollution Programs Under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. EPA developed the Handbook to support the continued growth and sophistication of Tribal participation in the Clean Water Act Section 319 program.
In the Handbook, all aspects of the grants funding process are clearly explained, demonstrating how Tribes can use Section 319 program funds to implement programs and projects to reduce pollution and restore water quality. It also provides a great deal of technical information regarding nonpoint source pollution; how to develop and assess available data to develop a plan of action; and how to implement activities to solve the problem. The Handbook is posted on the Tribal Nonpoint Source Web site at: www.epa.gov/nps/tribal/

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SAVE THE DATE - The 2010 National Training Conference on the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and Environmental Conditions in Communities (known formerly as the TRI National Training Conference) will be held November 1-4, 2010 in Washington, DC. This year's conference expands on previous TRI National Training conferences to include sessions on sources of other environmental data and on conditions and trends in ecological and human health that collectively help to support environmental-related decision making in communities, as the new title suggests. See Web site www.chemicalright2know.org . more...

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EPA's Budget Proposal Aligned with Administrator Jackson’s Key Priorities

The Obama Administration today proposed a budget of $10 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This budget heeds the president’s call to streamline and find efficiencies in the agency’s operations while supporting the seven priority areas EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson outlined to guide EPA’s work. more...

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EPA Administrator Outlines Top Seven Priorities
Almost one year ago, I began my work as Administrator. It has been a deeply fulfilling 12 months and a wonderful homecoming for me. As our first year together draws to a close, we must now look to the tasks ahead. more...

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EPA National Tribal Caucus Executive Committee Annual Election
The EPA National Tribal Caucus held their fall meeting and annual elections November 16-19, 2009.
Here are the official results:

• Chairman - Mr. Clay Bravo, Natural Resources Assistant Director, Hualapai Tribe, Region 9
• Vice Chairman - Mr. Don Aragon, Executive Director for Environmental Quality, Shoshone & Northern Arapaho Tribes, Region 8
• Secretary - Mr. Stephen B. Etsitty, Executive Director, Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9

The National Tribal Caucus (NTC) is comprised of 19 tribal members of the Environmental Protection Agency's Tribal Operations Committee (TOC). This committee was formed in February 1993. The NTC works with EPA as co-regulators in identifying national environmental policies and issues for discussion and providing input on the manner in which EPA can improve program delivery and implementation. The NTC works on a regular basis with the EPA American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO). The NTC identifies issues to be placed on meeting agendas, and develops issue papers of concern to the Tribes.

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EPA Study Reveals Widespread Contamination of Fish in U.S. Lakes and Reservoirs
A new EPA study shows concentrations of toxic chemicals in fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs in nearly all 50 U.S. states. For the first time, EPA is able to estimate the percentage of lakes and reservoirs nationwide that have fish containing potentially harmful levels of chemicals such as mercury and PCBs. more...

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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Related Websites
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). more...

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Clean Water Act (CWA) Tribal Training

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Tribal Infrastructure Memoranda of Understanding
EPA - along with four other federal agencies including the Department of Interior, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development - have signed two tribal infrastructure Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). More about the MOUs

Standard link to the American Indian Tribal Portal

If you would like to link to the tribal portal from your own page, please copy and paste this code into your HTML page:

<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; width: 120px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.epa.gov/indian"><img src="http://www.epa.gov/indian/images/turtlelink.jpg" alt="Link to American Indian Tribal Portal">American Indian<br />Tribal Portal</a> </div>

Which will look like this: