Successes in 2004: EPA and Tribal Environmental Results

Safe Water

30% of Navajo families haul water.

In 2004, many tribes continue to lack basic water infrastructure, endangering the health of their members. For example, 19% of tribal homes lacked access to safe drinking water in 2004, compared to less than 1% of homes nation-wide.

Nevertheless, tribes are working in partnership with EPA to provide safe water for all members. In 2004, EPA was able to provide $9 Million to improve drinking water for 4,411 homes. An additional $8.6M was provided for wastewater infrastructure projects serving 2,000 tribal homes.

Construction of surface water intake structure, Hoopa Valley

Since 1989, EPA Region 9 has provided funding to improve water infrastructure for over 33,000 tribal homes.

Protecting water quality

Much of Indian country is arid, and water is a very precious resource. Bays, rivers, streams and lakes support critical fisheries and habitats that are essential to the way of life for many tribes. In 2004, the EPA Pacific Southwest office provided $12 Million to 85 tribes through 130 grants for protection of their rivers, streams, and wetlands through the Clean Water Act.

Here are some examples of the many successful water projects of 2004:

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, completed two phases of an important Nonpoint Source Pollution Control project to improve the Salt River’s water quality and riparian habitat by the creation of a wetland. This wetland provides for the removal of pollutants associated with agricultural and urban runoff that would otherwise discharge into the Salt River. In addition, the wetland provides an ideal habitat for wildlife, since 90 percent of these species are found in the lush greenery of streams and wetlands, even though the surrounding desert area is dry.

Using Water Pollution Control funds, the Gila River Indian Community has been able to drill wells and monitor groundwater to determine the location, level, migration and source of a tri-chloroetheylene (TCE) plume.

Photo of: Gila River Indian Community Monitoring groundwater

Gila River Indian Community staff monitoring groundwater.

Photo of: Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community - Before Wetland Creation

Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community before and after wetland creation

Photo of: Results of Salt River wetland restoration

In 2004, EPA awarded more than $1 Million to five tribes in the Klamath Basin. This funding supports water quality monitoring and participation in processes and decisions that impact Klamath River water quality.

Milkweed Springs of Hualapai Reservation

EPA approved the Hualapai Tribe’s Water Quality Standards Program, which provides the Hualapai, who have lived near the Grand Canyon for centuries, with the authority and the criteria for regulating discharges into tribal waters. This will ensure that the Tribe, located in the remote, environmentally and culturally significant Grand Canyon, is able to protect and preserve the quality of its water resources for future generations.

Drinking Water - 2005 Goals

Increase compliance with 1986 drinking water rules from 87% to 95%.
Compliance with new microbial rules (20 workshops per year).
Implement Tribal Arsenic Strategy

Water Quality Protection - 2005 Goals

Assist over 90 tribes in protecting water resources
58 tribes restoring watersheds
60 tribes with approved monitoring programs

Water Program Authorization Goals

EPA will review proposed water quality standards from the Navajo Nation, Hopi, Bishop, Pyramid Lake, and Big Pine Tribes, who are working toward treatment as a state.
EPA will also review the Navajo Nation’s application to run its own Underground Injection Control program.
EPA will increase tribal inspections.

Tribal Inspection Goals

	1st Qtr	2nd Qtr	3rd Qtr	4th Qtr	Total
Drinking water	20	20	20	13	73
Clean Water Act	8	13	2	0	23
Underground Injection Control	14	28	24	24	90

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