United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(OS-305)
EPA530-N-93-003
Issue #4
Summer/Fall 1993
Native American Network
A RCRA Information Exchange
AROUND THE REGIONS
The Solid Waste Network:
Creative Assistance for Tribal Governments
Indian reservations faced with the chal-
lenges of complying with the new mu-
nicipal solid waste provisions of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) now have greater access to
valuable technical assistance through a
promising new program now underway
in Region 10. Called the Solid Waste Net-
work, the program is building an alli-
ance of federal and private sector
advisors to aid tribes in their efforts to
manage solid waste.
HIGHLIGHTS
+ The Solid Waste Network
+ ITCA and the Multi-Media
Assistance Program
+ The Circuit Riders
+ Region 6 Tribes Meet the
Feds
+ The General Assistance
Program
+ Information Sources:
indianNet
+ Bulletin Board
EPA Region 10 developed the network
in 1992 as an efficient means of deliver-
ing solid waste management expertise
to tribes. Currently, staff from the De-
partment of Housing and Urban Devel-
opment (HUD), Indian Health Services
(IHS), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and
the Northwest Renewable Resources
Center (NRRC) participate with Regional
solid waste staff in network activities.
EPA also provides contractual support.
One of the network's first projects was
assisting the Confederated Tribes of
Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) in
developing a solid waste management
plan, a necessary first step in exploring
viable alternatives to the tribes' cur-
rent waste disposal method. The plan
provides information on closing the ex-
isting landfill and has interim and long
range options for waste management.
IHS and HUD have entered into a
$150,000 cooperative agreement with
the Umatillas for the plan's develop-
ment.
In the next year, the Network will ex-
pand to respond to requests for assis-
tance in at least three other areas. In
addition to providing experts in waste
management planning, the Region's
solid waste staff has offered its assis-
tance in source reduction, recycling,
and composting strategies. Region 10's
Office of Regional Counsel will provide
assistance to the Network for tribes
that want to develop reservation-wide
solid waste ordinances.
The Solid Waste Network offers a pre-
viously unavailable innovative, cooperative
approach-and an unusual mix of creative
energies and technical assistance-to tribes
in solid waste management.
Contact: Fran Stefan, Region 10 Solid
Waste Program, 206-553-6639.
ITCA:
Responding To
Tribal Solid Waste
Needs
The Phoenix-based Intertribal Council of
Arizona (ITCA) recognized that the 21 Na-
tive American tribes in the states faced
a tremendous solid waste management
burden, a burden that took on more ur-
gency with more stringent federal rules
for solid waste disposal facilities on the
horizon. Taking the initiative, ITCA ap^
preached Congressional representatives
and committees for a special appropriation
for Arizona tribal solid waste management
Recycled/Recyclable
1 Printed on paper that contains at least 50% recycled fiber.
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NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
AROUND THE REGIONS
ITCA: Responding to
Tribal Solid Waste Needs
ITCA's initiative certainly paid off. In
1992, Congress allocated $500,000 to
the organization through EPA's Multi-
Media Assistance Program (see re-
lated item, p. 4). ITCA, in turn, entered
into cooperative agreements with
eight individual Arizona tribes to sup-
port their solid waste planning activi-
ties. ITCA also used a portion of the
funds to provide the tribes with tech-
nical and administrative assistance
and to sponsor workshops on solid
waste management. An additional $1
million appropriated to EPA for ITCA
in 1993 will allow the organization's
solid waste management planning ef-
forts to reach more tribes. And, ITCA
intends to request a third year of
funding in 1994!
ITCA's effort under the Multi-Media As-
sistance Program is an excellent exam-
ple of how tribes can confront a
problem that they have identified as
one of their most pressing environ-
mental needs. ITCA has benefitted as
well. Environmental staff have devel-
oped a sound expertise in solid waste
management that will prove invalu-
able in the years ahead.
Contact: Julian Appel, Region 9 Solid
Waste Program, 415-744-2103.
Region 6 Tribes Meet the Feds —
And Each Other
Following the example of tribes in EPA
Regions 4 and 8, Region 6 tribes recently
met in two locations (Oklahoma and Al-
buquerque). Representatives from EPA,
BIA, IHS, HUD, and the states discussed
environmental issues, their respective
agencies' roles in Indian country and the
necessity for cooperative efforts if we are
to effectively address tribal environmental
concerns. The Oklahoma session was ait-
tended by 46 tribal representatives; ap-
proximately 140 were at the Albuquerque
two-day meeting, some of whom were
from as far away as Montana.
The Region 6 Solid Waste Section, in
conjunction with EPA Headquarters'
(HQ) Office of Solid Waste, sponsored
the Oklahoma meeting and worked
closely with the All Indian Pueblo
Council in sponsoring the Albuquerque
meeting. The agendas covered a vari-
ety of topics, including presentations
by staff from a number of EPA program
offices. At each meeting, tribal repre-
sentatives made presentations on the
"state of the environment" on their re-
spective reservations, and shared in-
valuable insight on how they were
tackling specific issues and concerns.
Region 6 'also led an open forum dis-
cussion on environmental issues,
which, at times, was quite lively as well
as informative.
A highlight of each meeting was training
on the requirements of the solid waste
landfill regulations, and how they will af-
fect solid waste disposal on tribal lands.
Participants learned how to apply for
and obtain EPA approval of their solid
waste permitting programs; to plan solid
waste management activities; and to de-
velop tribal environmental programs. At-
tendees received an extensive package
of training materials.
Presentations by EPA staff were, ex-
tremely well received, and audience par-
ticipation was outstanding. Region 6
solid waste staff have already seen posi-
tive results from the meetings. First
drafts of rules and ordinances from the
Wyandotte and the Cherokee (OK) sub-
mitted for review and applications for
permit program approval are expected
from several tribes in Oklahoma and
New Mexico.
Contact: Will Lemmond, Region 6
Solid Waste Program, 214-655-6752.
[Ed/tor Note.- Similar meetings have been
held in Regions 5 and 9 and are planned
for Regions 4 and. 10. Contact your regional
solid waste staff for more information.]
Riding the Circuit:
Meet the Solid Waste Circuit Riders
{ft 1992>the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) initiated the Solid Waste Circuit Rider program in an effort to
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provide hands-on, technical assistance and training to tribes on solid waste management issues. This team of
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UCRi\-trained Senior Environmental Employees (SEES) work for EPA through a grant to the National
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oMndl of Senior Citizens and are directed and monitored by EPA Regional staff. Currently, Regions 4,
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, 7, and W have SEES "rising the circuit." We thought that you might like to find out what they 've
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keen doing.
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NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
I
BULLETIN BOARD
Trash Management Guide
Small communities might be interested in ob-
taining a copy of the Trash Management Guide,
developed by the Alaska Health Project with a
grant from the Alaska Department of Environ-
mental Conservation. Designed for small, rural
communities with populations of less than 1,000
(and off the road systems), the Guide provides in-
formation for developing solid waste manage- '
ment plans, without needing expensive, outside
assistance.
The Guide explains the importance of develop-
ing a plan to manage solid waste; explains man-
agement alternatives and forms to complete a
solid waste management plan; provides refer-
ences for further help in solid waste manage-
ment planning, from technical assistance to
grant sources; and briefly outlines the require-
ments for solid waste disposal, including the
new federal landfill regulations.
For information on how to obtain the Guide, con-
tact Judi Kane at 703-308-8644.
RCRA Subtitle C Rulemaking
Resumes
On April 27,1993, the first meeting of the "reactivated"
Tribal Authorization Workgroup was held at the Region
5 offices in Chicago. The workgroup members, repre-
senting EPA HQ and regional program offices, discussed
the myriad of legal and policy issues associated with
delegating hazardous waste management programs to
tribes. Rich La Shier and Bob Roberts in the State and
Regional Programs Branch, Office of Solid Waste, co-
chair the workgroup. Ideally the workgroup would like
to have a draft proposed rule by the end of 1993.
EPA/BIA Sponsor
Training Sessions for New
Mexico Tribes
EPA/HQ and the BIA Albuquerque (NM) area of-
fice are cosponsoring a series of training ses-
sions on developing solid waste management
plans. Participants in the three-day course are
introduced to the Guide for Initiating Solid
Waste Management Planning on Indian Lands,
a workbook designed by the BIA Waste Man-
agement Task Force (of which EPA was a mem-'
ber). At the conclusion of the course, each
participant will receive a computer disk that
has been formatted with the contents of the
entire workbook to make data compilation
easier and more efficient. Followups to the in-
itial training sessions are planned to ensure
that work is proceeding smoothly. Participants
will have an opportunity to get assistance if
necessary.
New Publications on Solid Waste
OSW has recently released several publications on solid
waste management. For copies at no charge, contact the
EPA RCRA Hotline. Call 800-424-9346, or TDD 800-553-7672
for the hearing impaired, Monday through Friday 8:30
a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. In Washington,
DC, the number is 703-412-9810 or TDD 703-412-3323.
Summary of Markets For Recovered Glass highlights
points contained in EPA's recently completed report enti-
tled Markets for Recovered Glass.
Summary of Markets for Aluminum summarizes, in a
concise brochure and in nontechnical language, the main
points of a larger study entitled Markets for Aluminum.
Safer Disposal for Solid Waste: The Federal Regula-
tions for Landfills is an educational booklet to assist the
general public in understanding the role and proper op-
eration of landfills in solid waste management.
Criteria for Solid Waste Disposal Facilities: A Guide for
Owners/Operators is a "plain English" guide to assist
owners/operators and communities with the implemen-
tation of the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Criteria.
Household Hazardous Waste: Steps to Safe Manage-
ment discusses-what household hazardous waste (HHW)
is, dangers of improper disposal, ways to reduce and recy-
cle HHW, and safe storage and disposal practices.
Used Dry Cell Batteries: Is a Collection Program Right
for Your Community? examines the economic and plan-
ning issues to be considered before establishing a collec-
1 tion program for used dry cell batteries.
I
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NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK
MONEY MATTERS
Indian Environmental General Assistance
Program Act of 1992
EPA recently held a series of three pub-
lic meetings to provide information to
tribes about the General Assistance Pro-
gram (GAP) that was enacted by Con-
gress in 1992. Under GAP, EPA must
develop, by October 1993, rules that es-
tablish procedures for awarding grants
to tribes. Although the authority pro-
vided by GAP differs slightly from the
earlier multi-media assistance authority,
EPA plans to rely only on its experience
with the multi-media program in devel-
oping rules for GAP.
The GAP has two primary purposes-. (1)
to provide grants to Indian tribal govern-
ments and intertribal consortia for plan-
ning, developing, and establishing
environmental protection programs on
Indian lands; and (2) to provide technical
assistance through EPA to Indian tribal
governments and intertribal consortia
for developing multi-media programs to
address environmental issues on Indian
lands.
Some provisions of GAP are that:
• New grants cannot be less than
$75,000, and no single grant can be
for more than 10 percent of the to-
tal funds appropriated for the GAP;
• Awards may exceed one year up to
a period of four years, with grants
renewable under a new or revised
workplan, if appropriate, after four
years.
• General assistance funding does not
preclude a tribe from applying for
and/or receiving media-specific pro-
gram grants.
As part of the rule, EPA will include a
simplified procurement process for cer-
tain procurements less than $50,000.
Applications from grants will be man-
aged through EPA's regional offices. EPA
will issue "call letters" (requests for
grant applications) late in 1993.
Contact Kate Biggs, OFA, 202-260-5078
or your Regional Indian Coordinator.
INFORMATION SOURCES
IndianNet:
A Telecommunications Network
For Native Americans
IndianNet is an initiative to make a
range of information services available
to tribal communities. It is the result of
a series of forums about issues on and
barriers to more effective collaboration
on waste management is-
sues among the tribes,
states, and the federal
government. Tribal partici-
pants overwhelmingly in-
dicated the need for more
accurate and timely infor-
mation.
Americans for Indian Op-
portunity (AID) is a com- ^—^——
munity-based, nonprofit organization
serving Native American communities.
AID took up the challenge to provide
fast and accurate information to tribes.
They polled many tribes, and found not
only a definite need, but also that 95 of
the over 100 tribal respondents had the
AID took up the
challenge to
provide fast and
accurate
information to
tribes.
technologi cal capability to tie into an
electronic network.
IndianNet is the designated Indian Infor-
mation Center by the U.S. Bureau of the
Census for the distribution and interpre-
^^^^__ tation of 1990 census data to
Indians. It has been designed
as a tool for tribal decision
makers, national Indian or-
ganizations, and federal
agencies to find and consoli-
date information on Indian
country Through newsletters
and a bulletin board system,
——~~— users will be encouraged to
contribute information to the calendar,
send documents to the clearinghouse,
and validate data in the tribal profile data-
base. For more information on the net-
work, contact LaDonna Harris, President,
AIO (505-867-0278) or Ellen Homback,
Project Manager, IndianNet (202-544-7743).
it-Enclosed with
Ifa^tsheetttiat dis-
prdposed
in thejfederaf
landfill regulations. The
psproposgi was issued on
22,1993. Com-
iments were accepted
Jof 30 days from July
IT? 28,19937 For moreTn/or-
mqtionon the changes,
refer to the/actsheet.
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