Solid Waste Management on Tribal Lands

Nevada Tribal Interagency Solid Waste Workgroup Meeting

Location:

Office of the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Inc.

680 Greenbrae Drive, Suite 265

Sparks, Nevada 89431

Agenda:

Time	Agenda Item	Who	Outcome
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm	Registration
1:00 pm - 1:15 pm	Opening and Prayer
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm	Roundtable of solid waste needs, issues and barriers	Tribes	Information sharing
2:15 pm – 2:30pm	Break
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm	Solid waste funding and technical assistance availability	Agencies	Information sharing
3:15 pm - 4:30 pm	Discuss: ways to coordinate better, leverage funding and from new partnerships action items next meeting(s) and follow up leads	All	Action items

Attendees:

Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation:  Ed Naranjo

Duckwater Shoshone Tribe:  Rex Mike

Elko Band:  Alfreida Jake and Delvin Tom

Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe:  Richard Black

Pyramid Lake Pauite Tribe:  Missy Whitebird and Torey Byington

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony:  Jeffrey Erwin and Russell Brigham

South Fork Band Environmental:  Emiliano McLane

Summit Lake Paiute Tribe:  Ron Johnny

Washoe Tribe:  Marie Barry

Yerington Paiute Tribe:  Duane Masters Sr.

Yomba Shoshone Tribe:  Teresa M. Beck

Indian Health Service:  John Riegel

Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Inc.:  Tansey Anderson

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection:  Eric Noack

Nevada Rural Water Association:  Dave Willard

Rural Community Assistance Corporation:  Preston Kinne

U.S. EPA Region 9:  Erica Yelensky, Greg Phillips, Heather White, Michelle Baker and Nancy Sockabasin

Tribal Challenges and Successes:

Elko Bank: Elko is recycling abandoned cars. They need help recycling plastics. They work with Walmart, the city of Elko, and have an EPA vehicle to haul away big stuff. Currently there are no big problems that Elko has with solid waste.

Washoe: They have been doing a lot of solid waste planning. Washoe has a recycling program and purchased compost bins with EPA funding.  They have trash pick-up for tribal businesses, recycling, removal of white goods and dispose of needles (hazardous materials) from the health clinic, do bio-recycling, and recycle trees by putting them through a chipper and using the mulch for erosion control. They also recycle abandoned cars. When the car crusher comes they combine cars and white goods.  Last year they crushed approximately 2000 white good items.

Washoe did plan to open a transfer recycling station; however, location (siting) is an issue. They have a hotline that people can call to have white goods hauled away.

A waste source analysis would be useful in helping determine how much recyclables are being thrown away.

Pyramid Lake: Pyramid Lake wants to clean up open dumps and is doing strategic planning to abate this issue. They are currently working on an integrated solid waste management plan. They have 3 transfer stations. However, outsiders dump C&D and other waste illegally at the stations. They want to stop people from illegally dumping at the transfer stations. They also want to start composting and have a reuse center for things like left over household produces like paints and used furniture etc. In order to achieve this they need funding and the man-power to operate the reuse center. Pyramid Lake needs to shred used tires and is looking to partner with other tribes to achieve this. They are also interested in salvaging/selling scrap metals. They want to do more outreach to encourage “reduce, reuse, and recycle” behavior within the community. The biggest problems are illegal dumping and abuse of the transfer stations. Also, the oil changing station is near a river which could be potentially problematic.

South Fork: A transfer station is being built nearby and should be completed next year. One issue South Fork has is that people don’t recycle because they don’t believe it benefits anything. Past recycling programs have failed. All wood/recycling keeps going into the landfill. Even when open dumps are cleaned up, everything gets taken to the landfill and nothing is recycled.

South Fork wants to combine recycling with the transfer station being built. Another goal is to clean up solid waste in irrigation ditches. This problem tends to go more unnoticed but it’s still an issue.  They also want to have clean up days.

Money will motivate people to recycle. For example someone recycled 500 lbs copper/electrical wire and 100lbs aluminum for cash. They will be using money from IHS to get a scale to weigh materials. Note: In Elko people can get paid $2 per recycled battery.

Summit Lake: During two recent workshops, the Summit Lake community expressed that they want the temporary outhouses in the area cleaned up or removed because these structures get washed onto the reservation. They also want an assessment of unexploded ordinance (UOX) and contaminates from Fort McGeary. There is also a pit they want fenced off. They currently do education for tribal members. They want educate people more about “hauling out” whatever they haul in to the area, especially at Summit Lake. They also want to remove the burnt and rusted vehicles, dump trucks etc. that are leaking in/on to the Mahogany Creek flood plain. Not having the resources, including money, is an issue for everything.

Fallon: Fallon is expanding their recycling of plastics, cardboard and aluminum. They purchased a recycling baler and are in the process of relocating it. They have one dump that needs closing.  They did a junk-car analysis and are planning a recycling center for oil and other things near the reservation. They get a lot of volunteers to help clean up around the reservation and their own homes. Waste Management was providing trash pick-up service on the reservation but not anymore. Someone else is picking up the trash now but not sure if everyone is receiving the service. (Richard’s not sure who).

Yerington:  The homeowners use curbside pickup and are financially responsible.  The Spring and Fall clean-up days are paid for by the Tribe and one bin is placed at the Campbell Ranch Reservation and another is located at the Yerington Colony.  In 2006 we discovered an illegal dump, contacted IHS and discussed reimbursement potentials.  The Tribe moved forward and cleaned the site and posted no dumping signs.  The tribe was reimbursed in 2007.  It was also discussed that the only issue that Yerington has is that Tribal members may dump on BLM lands nearby, where the tribe has no jurisdiction.

Goshute:  Back in 2005, the Tribe had 100 vehicles removed and the County removed another 200 vehicles. Community members don’t want to get rid of vehicles.  One way to get people to get rid of their vehicles has been to pay them $100 per vehicle. The Tribe purchased a dump truck and uses it to remove trash from the reservation twice a week. The trash gets taken to a transfer station. The Tribe also purchased a honey wagon to clean up sewage lagoons but they can’t find the lagoons because they are covered with sagebrush etc, (not managed properly). There is an opportunity for Goshute to take over the operations of a local county landfill. However, the BIA does not want the Tribe to take over (in trust) County land to operate landfill. Goshute is still looking into this opportunity.

To control litter on the reservation, the Tribe employs kids to pick it up. (beer cans and rubbish). The kids where also involved in painting 55-gallon containers that have been strategically placed along roads so people can dispose of their trash. People are using these trash containers. 

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC): RSIC collects trash once a week but they do not have recycling. They may start recycling with a drop off center for glass, plastic, cardboard etc. Waste Management is interested in doing large commercial recycling but they need more time to develop the plan. RSIC has been successful with their motor oil recycling program. They are also thinking about the idea of partnering with Walmart to develop a community recycling program. There may be issues that arise with photo chemicals with the new Walmart that is being built. 

Yomba: Yomba’s biggest solid waste issue is recycling, they have none. Also, the State Parks are dumping in the community’s bins. The community is small and it’s difficult for the Tribe to pay for landfill dumping fees. Aside from this, all the illegal dumps in Yomba have been closed. They are looking to get spill tanks for motor oil and they need to get members to get rid of their non-operating vehicles.

Duckwater: Duckwater has a transfer station but no one ever throws anything away. There are no more open dumps. They do not have recycling, but they are working to change this. Duckwater has curbside pick up for trash which is working well. The payment for curbside service comes out of people’s paychecks automatically.

Agency Resources:

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP):  Grant program has been suspended.  NDEP doesn’t get any money from EPA for the State’s solid waste program - all of the money is from the tire fee.  Last year there was not enough money to fund the grant program, but the State might have funding in the future (currently uncertain).  Will wait until June 30^th to determine if the grant will be available next year.  State has no regulatory jurisdiction on tribal lands but tribes can call for technical assistance (through Tansey).

Nevada Rural Water Association (NvRWA):  Solid waste program just reinstated and is funded by a USDA grant.  NvRWA is primarily a technical assistance organization, and is not affiliated with the state.  Can assist tribes to develop solid waste management plans, develop public education, provide technical assistance, help with recycling program development, and solid waste training (1/2 day MOLO class).  NvRWA is also a member of the Elko illegal dumping task force.  Working on the development of a recycling program in the state.  Currently conducting a solid waste survey on rates being charged for collection/disposal.

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC):  Nonprofit organization funded through USDA and EPA (among others).  Some examples of assistance provided to other tribes are: conducted a community waste assessment; helped close open dumps; developed solid waste management plans, solid waste collection services, solid waste codes, landfill ordinances, and recycling programs; can help write grants through workshops.  All non-fee based programs – call Preston (775-323-8882) for more information.

Indian Health Service (IHS):  Provides sanitation systems for tribes.  Funding can provide actual facilities and some for studies.  Two sources of funds:  regular and housing.  Sanitary Deficiency System (SDS) list is updated annually.  Need to ensure that all solid waste projects are on the SDS list since that is how funding is allocated.  Keep in mind that solid waste projects don’t usually rate as highly as water projects but solid waste projects are funded, may just take a few years.  IHS can provide technical assistance for solid waste projects and works to ensure new housing projects have solid waste addressed.  IHS can fund capital equipment for solid waste. Most projects currently on SDS are open dump closures or transfer station development projects.

EPA:  Technical assistance on all solid waste projects.  Funding – Resource Conservation Funds (RCF) open now, can fund planning such as SWMP development, education/outreach, etc.  National interagency grant which is much more competitive but can fund dump closures, equipment purchases, planning, etc.  That solicitation should be available soon.  GAP deadline has passed but this funding can be used for solid waste implementation.  Brownfields grant – one grant closes at the end of January for emergency response, dump cleanup, and program development. Contact Glenn Kistner (kistner.glenn@epa.gov, or 415-972-3004) for more information.  EPA can also provide technical assistance, trainings, networking, circuit riders, dump inventory, outreach/education, etc. Contact Nancy Sockabasin (sockabasin.nancy@epa.gov, or 415-972-3772) for more information or to discuss project ideas.  Other potential opportunities are for tribes to become nonprofits – Michelle Baker will provide information.

Coordination and Opportunities:

Car removal – You may need to broker with the company to get them to come out and the tribe can get paid for the material.  Scrap metal prices are very high and if you have enough material you should get paid.  Washoe got $8,000 last year for vehicle removal.  Suggestion:  Make sure you specify that fluids will be removed and how spills will be handled.  Dave Willard from NV Rural Water Association is available to provide assistance with finding companies.

Pro Group Recycling will pick up tires for free or for payment from Nevada.  Want to work with rural communities that aren’t being serviced by other companies.  Dave Willard will send information on how to contact this company to Nancy Sockabasin, who will send it out to the group. 

Washoe has a company who will pay for catalytic converters.

Lamp Tracker for CFL disposal (www.wmlamptracker.com).  The company will send you a bucket to fill and then send back for proper disposal.  They will also send you a certificate proving disposal.

Future Meetings:

Solid waste is a common problem and there is agreement that meetings should continue.  Twice per year was identified as useful.  May need to have a meeting in southern Nevada in order to have the southern Nevada tribes attend.  EPA can help coordinate the next meeting with the Washoe Tribe.  Marie will look into having the next meeting at Lake Tahoe in July. 

Ideas for topics – recycling, how to maintain a program – especially given small communities and high costs, enforcement.  EPA will make sure BIA and USDA are invited.  NDEP recycling coordinators (Chet and Kathryn) will also be invited.  Possibly DoD or DoE (Erica will send Nancy contact information for Lizanna at DoE as well as list serv information)

Trainings needed:  Possibly transfer station training, conversion technologies and how they could work on tribal lands.