INDIAN LANDS
REGION 9
Reservations, Rancherias, Colonies
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http://www.epa.gov/region09/cross_pr/indian/success/index/html
Printed on 100% recycled paper with 50% postconsumer content using vegetable based inks.
Fiscal Year 2005 Accomplishme
•
EPA-909-R-06-002
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EPA Pacific Southwest/Region 9
Dear Readers,
I am pleased to share with you our Tribal and EPA Environmental Accomplishments
Report for the Pacific Southwest, fiscal year 2005. This is our fourth report and it
provides a valuable overview of accomplishments in collaboration with tribes in
Region 9.
This past year, U.S. EPA Administrator Steven L. Johnson formally reaffirmed our
Agency's Indian Policy, a policy that we have followed since 1984. EPA's Indian
Policy recognizes the United States' unique legal relationship with tribal governments.
This relationship includes recognition of the right of tribes, as sovereigns, to self-
determination and acknowledges the primary role of tribal governments in managing
reservation environments.
An important part of EPA's mission is working in partnership with federally recog-
nized tribes to protect tribal environmental health and resources. Towards this end
we are honored to work collaboratively with tribes in one of the most diverse areas of
the country, from the Hualapai Reservation at the Grand Canyon to the Monument
Valley at Navajo Nation to the Washoe traditional areas of Lake Tahoe. In under-
taking this responsibility, the Region works on a government-to-government basis
with the federally recognized tribes of the Pacific Southwest to protect more than 27
million acres, approximately 10% of the region's land base.
EPA currently has active environmental partnerships with over 130 of the 146
tribes in the Pacific Southwest Region. These tribes, working in collaboration with
EPA, are able to accomplish our shared goals for clean air, water and land, and
healthy communities. This year EPA and tribes of the Southwest achieved many
environmental successes, including providing safe drinking water, closing open
dumps, cleaning up leaking underground storage tanks, inspecting pesticide
application operations, and restoring watersheds.
This report not only shares the accomplishments of tribes and the EPA for 2005 but it
also inspires us to continue working collaboratively with tribal governments to protect
the future of tribal lands and generations yet to come.
For more information on these and other tribal environmental accomplishments,
please visit our website at www.epa.gov/region09.
Sincerely,
Wayne Nastri
Regional Administrator
Environmental Information Center
Web: www.epa.gov/region09
Email: r9.info@epa.gov
Phones: 866.EPA.WEST (toll-free)
415.947.8000
Office of the Regional Administrator
Wayne Nastri, Regional Administrator
Laura Yoshii, Deputy RA
Bridget Coyle, Civil Rights
Jennifer Chicconi, Chief of Staff
Office of Public Affairs
Sally Seymour, Director
RTOC Representative:
Jim Grove
415.947.4263
Office of Regional Counsel
Nancy Marvel, Regional Counsel
RTOC Representative:
Danita Yocom
415.972.3885
Legal Counsel
Civil and Criminal Enforcement
Air Division
Deborah Jordan, Director
RTOC Representatives:
Sara Bartholomew
415.947.4100
Colleen McKaughan
520.498.0118
Stephanie Valentine
415.972.3014
Planning Permits, Rulemaking
Enforcement, Technical Support
Radiation & Compliance Assurance
Grants & Program Integration
Superfund Division
Keith Takata, Director
RTOC Representative:
Betsy Curnow
415.972.3093
Matthew Jefferson
415.972-3272
Site Cleanup, Brownfields, Oil Pollution
Federal Facilities and Base Closures
Emergency Response & Planning
Community Involvement, Site Assessment
Waste Management Division
Jeff Scott, Director
RTOC Representatives:
Rich Vaille
415.972.3378
Wenona Wilson
415.972.3239
Pollution Prevention, Solid Waste
RCRA Permits/Corrective Action
RCRA Inspections & Enforcement
RCRA State Program Development
Underground Storage Tank Program
Water Division
Alexis Strauss, Director
RTOC Representatives:
Kristin Gullatt
415.972.4232
Sara Jacobs
415.972.3564
Clean Water Act
Safe Drinking Water
Marine Sanctuaries Act
Communities and Ecosystems Division
Enrique Manzanilla, Director
RTOC Representatives:
Lilia Dignan
415.972.3779
Hillary Hecht
415.972.3790
Marcy Katzin
415.947.4215
Clancy Tenley
415.972.3785
Agriculture Program, Environmental Justice
Pesticides, Toxics, Toxics Release Inventory
Environmental Review/NEPA
Tribal Program
U.S.-Mexico Border Program
Stewardship/Performance Track
Policy and Management Division
Jane Diamond, Director
RTOC Representative
Elizabeth Stahl
415.972.3662
Eugenia McNaughton
415.972.3411
Budget, Finance/Grants/Contracts
Strategic Planning, Science Policy
Laboratory & QA/QC, Facilities
Information Resource Management
Southern California Field Office (Los Angeles)
213.244.1800
San Diego Border Office (San Diego)
619.235.4765
13
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Region 9 Tribal Program Office
GAP Project Officers
Arizona:
Hopi, Navajo, Tohono O'odham, Pascua Yaqui, San Juan So. Paiute
Arizona:
Ak-Chin, Fort McDowell, Gila River, Havasupai, Kaibab, San Carlos, White Mountain,
Yavapai Apache, Yavapai Prescott, ITCA, Salt River, Hualapai, Tonto Apache
Northern California:
Cloverdale, Cahto (Laytonville), Manchester/Pt. Arena, Redwood Valley, Sherwood
Valley, Coyote Valley
Northern California:
Big Lagoon, Blue Lake, Cedarville Rancheria, Cortina, Elk Valley, Fort Bidwell, Pit
River, Quartz Valley, Redding, Resighini, Trinidad, Smith River, Hoopa, Yurok, Karuk,
Bear River, Susanville, Wiyot, Alturas Rancheria
Mendocino-Sonoma Area:
Big Valley, Elem, Guidiville, Hopland, Lytton, Pinoleville, Potter Valley, Robinson,
Upper Lake/Habematolel, Dry Creek, Stewarts Point/Kashia Band
Central California:
Auburn, Berry Creek, Enterprise, Greenville, Grindstone, Mechoopda (Chico),
Middletown, Mooretown, Paskenta, Santa Rosa Rancheria, Scotts Valley, Shingle
Springs, Tule River, CA Valley Miwok (Sheep Ranch), Chicken Ranch, Cachil Dehe
Band (Colusa), ITCC, Jackson, Lower Lake, Round Valley (Covelo), Rumsey
Fresno Area and Las Vegas:
Big Sandy, Cold Springs, Las Vegas, Moapa, North Fork, Picayune, Table Mountain
Southern California:
Chemehuevi, Cocopah, CRIT, Fort Mojave, Los Coyotes, NAEPC, Quechan, Buena Vista
Southern California:
Campo, Cuyapaipe, Jamul, LaPosta, Mesa Grande, Santa Ysabel, Sycuan, Torres
Martinez, Agua Caliente, Augustine, Cabazon, Twenty Nine Palms
Southern California:
Cahuilla, La Jolla, Pechanga, Pauma, Ramona, Rincon, Santa Rosa Reservation, Santa
Ynez, Pala, Soboba, San Manuel, San Pasqual, Inaja, Viejas (Capitan Grande)
Southern California:
Barona, Manzanita, Morongo
California - Owens Valley and Eastern Nevada:
Big Pine, Bishop, Bridgeport, Duckwater, Ely, Graton, Fort Independence, lone, Lone
Pine, OVIWC, Tuolumne, Goshute, Timbisha, Benton/UtuUtu Gwaitu
Project Officer
Pam Overman
Tim Grant
TimWilhite
(Place-based
in Yreka)
Gilbert Pasqua
Phone
415-972-3781
415-972-3783
Dianne Albright 415-972-3830
530-841-4577
Fax Number:
530-841-4571
Veronica Swann 415-972-3699
415-972-3788
Gina Edwards
Hillary Hecht
Willard Chin
Tina Williams
Morena Villanueva
(Part-time)
Jean Gamache
415-947-4284
415-972-3790
415-972-3797
415-972-3784
415-947-4239
415-972-3554
Nevada:
Battle Mountain, Duck Valley, Elko, Fallon, Fort McDermitt, Pyramid Lake, Reno
Sparks, South Fork, Summit Lake, Te-Moak, Washoe, Walker River, Wells, Yerington,
Yomba, ITCN, Lovelock, Winnemucca
Manager, Tribal Program Office
Office Manager, Tribal Program Office
Tribal Liaison, Tribal Program Office
Tribal Liaison, Tribal Program Office
Tribal Liaison, Tribal Program Office
•*•>
Greg Phillips
(Place-based in
Carson City)
Clancy Tenley
Kimberli Smith
Lilia Dignan
Maria Castain
Patrick Trusty
775-885-6085
Fax Number:
775-885-6147
415-972-3785
415-972-3778
415-972-3779
415-972-3264
520-510-9200
Table of Contents
Tribal Results
Clean Air
3
Clean & Safe Water
Protecting Tribal Lands
Healthy Tribal Communities
8
J
Compliance and Stewardship
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10
Region 9 Tribal Program Office
12
EPA Pacific Southwest/Region 9
13
Cover Photos: North Summit Lake, Nevada byjared Vollmer
White House Ruins, Arizona by Michael Hingerty
Yosemite Valley, California by Amanda Flick
Beadwork by Lori Seidner Clark
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Tribal Results
EPA's Pacific Southwest Region includes 146 Indian
tribes and nearly 40% of the tribal land in the United
States. Tribal lands are subject to federal and tribal
environmental laws, but many tribes have lacked the
capacity or funding to carry out environmental
programs. In recent years, a change has been
occurring. Tribes have forged productive partnerships
with other agencies and neighboring communities.
In 2005, 129 tribes and four coalitions developed
environmental programs and 73 tribes (nearly half)
are monitoring the environment.
Number of Tribes Developing
Environmental Programs
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
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e wardship
Clean Air
In 2005, EPA took eight enforcement actions against
facilities operating on tribal land. In settling these
actions, EPA included supplemental environmental
projects to benefit the tribe whose resources were
harmed. For example, Mobil Oil agreed to pay nearly
$1 million for Clean Air Act violations at their produc-
tion facility on the Navajo Nation. As part of that
settlement, the company will spend approximately
$500,000 on operational improvements to control air
pollution at its oil field. In addition, Mobil will spend
approximately $100,000 on a public health project that
will provide x-ray equipment, an x-ray processor and
a pulmonary function testing machine to the tribe's
Montezuma Creek Community Health Center.
Oil rig on the Navajo Nation
EPA also fined a hazardous waste company on tribal
lands in Arizona nearly $68,000. The company
corrected the violations and will also spend $100,800
on life-saving and air monitoring equipment for the
Gila River Indian Community's fire and environ-
mental departments.
Pala Band of'Luiseno Mission Indians new Environmental
Technician and Assistant - positions paid for by tribe
Tribes are progressing in developing their own
compliance programs. For example, the Pala Band
of Mission Indians conducts annual inspections of
all businesses on the reservation. With funding from
the Tribe, new environmental and assistant air
technicians were hired.
Tribes and EPA are working together to understand
and improve air quality. Many tribes in the Pacific
Southwest face significant air pollution challenges.
Forty-eight out of 146 tribes, or nearly one-third, are
in areas that do not meet the EPA 8-hour ozone
standard. Twenty-eight of these tribes are also located
in areas designated by EPA as not meeting the fine
particulate standard. Many air quality problems are
caused by pollution drifting from other areas.
Twenty-nine tribes received
EPA grant support for air
quality activities and 25 tribes
are operating a total of 53 air
monitors.
Romic Southwest, Gila River Indian Community
Paiute Shoshone Indians of the Bishop Colony auditing
Great Basin Air District air monitoring equipment
Several tribes have used EPA's General Assistance
Program (GAP) to conduct air assessment projects.
The Paiute Shoshone Indians of the Bishop
Colony's air activities include meteorlogical
monitoring, maintaining equipment and burn permit
program.
Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians PM 2.5 monitor
Navajo Nation and EPA entered into a delegation
agreement this year, under which the tribe now
administers the federal Title V operating permit
program for industrial facilities. This is the first time
any tribe in the United States has assumed CAA
regulatory authority over such facilities.
Pacific Southwest Tribes Located in
Air Quality Non-Attainment Areas:
Non-attainment Attainment
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Clean & Safe Water
Clean and safe water remains a critical, integral piece
of EPA 's partnership with tribes. In the Pacific
Southwest, tribes face diverse challenges in provid-
ing safe drinking water, sanitation, and protecting
watersheds and fisheries. Many tribes in the Region
intertwine water with cultural activities and daily life.
Over 7,700 tribal homes have
received safer drinking water
since 1996. Over 1,800 homes
have better wastewater
disposal facilities.
About 1,250 homes received
upgraded water infrastructure
in 2005.
Sixty tribes restored water-
sheds using the tribal Non-
point Source Program.
Hualapai Reservation, restoration of Spencer Creek after feral
animal removal
Providing Water Safe to Drink
Tribes and EPA are working in partnership to provide
safe drinking water for tribal community members.
In 2005, EPA awarded $7.3 million in new funding
for additional safe drinking water projects at seven
tribal communities.
Paiute Shosone Tribe of the Fallon Reservation arsenic removal
water treatment plant
The Fallon Pauite-Shoshone Tribe successfully
completed construction of an arsenic removal
treatment plant providing safe drinking water for
the community.
The Hoopa Valley Tribe used the EPA Drinking Water
Tribal Set-Aside program to build a microfiltration
plant which treats water from the Trinity River.
Hoopa Valley Tribe - microfiltration treatment
Big Valley Rancheria used their EPA pesticide grant
to conduct pesticide exposure assessments for six
tribes in Lake County, California. The tribe assessed
pathways of pesticide exposure for tribal members,
such as use of tule reeds for traditional purposes.
Big Valley Band of Porno Indians - tule boat
Fort Mojave dance group
This year alone, 55 children in the Hopland, Yurok,
and Fallon Paiute-Shoshone tribes were tested
by the Tribal Blood Lead Screening and Outreach
program. Tribes provided outreach materials on the
hazards of lead to nearly 1,000 tribal members.
Cortina Indian Rancheria ofWintun Indians,
Environmental Youth Camp
Conducting Environmental Education
& Outreach
Many tribes use the General Assistance Program to
conduct environmental outreach and education.
Several tribes hosted Earth Days and sponsored
workshops including inter-tribal youth camps and
native cultural resource gathering days. The Cortina
Indian Rancheria brought together around 300
young people from 11 tribes in Northern California
for a series of environmental camps and activities at
Lake Berryessa.
Consepcion Silva
Ramirez, San Jose
De La Zorra, Mexico
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Healthy Tribal Communities
U.S./Mexico Border
This year marks the first time EPA and tribes have
provided safe drinking water to sister indigenous
communities in Mexico. In August 2005, the Pala
Band of Mission Indians and Aqualink, a California
nonprofit organization, completed an assessment of
the drinking water systems serving seven indigenous
communities in the Baja California border region.
Based on Aqualink's report, EPA is providing $66,000
to construct drinking water infrastructure for these
communities. Mexico will be providing an unprece-
dented $900,000 U.S. dollars to provide safe drinking
water and extend electricity to Santa Catarina and
the Ejido Quilihuas Tribe.
Tohono O'odham Community of the Quitovac in Sonora,
Mexico - drinking water system rehabilitation
The Tohono O'odham Utility Authority is currently
constructing a new drinking water system for the
O'odham community of Quitovac in Sonora, Mexico.
This project will provide safe drinking water for the
village, and for the boarding school of 100 O'odham
children.
Reducing Pesticide and Toxic
Exposures
Pesticide inspections ensure tribal community health
and safety. Outreach and education programs alert
tribal members about pesticide exposure and usage.
San Jose De La Zorra,
- hand dug well
In 2005, the Hopi Tribe and Pala Band of Mission
Indians continued to implement and oversee
Integrated Pest Management Programs at a day care
and schools on their reservations, reducing children's
exposure to pesticides.
With funding from EPA, tribal
inspectors observed approxi-
mately 1,000 applications of
pesticides.
Approximately 420 children and
15 pregnant women have been
tested for lead poisoning by
tribes in EPA's Pacific South-
west Region.
The Navajo Nation Pesticide
Program conducted approxi-
mately 20 pesticide use inspec-
tions at schools on the
reservation.
Protecting Water Quality
In 2005, 95 tribes received funding from EPA's Pacific
Southwest Regional Office to protect rivers, streams
and wetlands under the Clean Water Act, and most
tribes monitored their water resources.
Luana Hillman (left) and Susan Corum (right) of California's
Karuk Tribe - sampling water at Iron Gate Reservoir on the
Klamath River
Several Klamath Basin tribes, including Hoopa,
Karuk, Quartz Valley Reservation, Resighini
Rancheria and Yurok, responded to toxic blue-green
algae conditions on the Klamath River. These tribes
demonstrated collaborative partnerships by
participating in monitoring efforts with EPA, the State
of California, the Salmon River Restoration Council
and other local agencies. Together, tribes and
agencies warned residents and recreational users
of the Klamath River to use caution when near toxic
algae blooms.
Karuk Tribe of California Water Quality Crew:
Sonny Mitchell, Susan Corum, Luana Hillman
The Hualapai Tribe enacted Water Quality Standards
and tribal ordinances which authorized enforcement
to modify wildlife management and ranching
practices. The tribe restored riparian wetlands by
building fences in grazing areas, and removed feral
animals around springs.
Hualupai Tribe wetlands restoration of Red Springs Project
The Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
broke ground in 2005 on an 85-acre, $1.5 million
wetland pilot project. The project will improve water
quality and enhance local wildlife habitat. EPA, the
State of California, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and
the Salton Sea Authority joined the Torres-Martinez
Chairman in the groundbreaking ceremony.
The Fallon Pauite-Shosone Tribe received a grant
from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for mechanical
removal and piling of invasive, non-indigenous
salt cedar on 800 acres within tribal wetlands.
Approximately 70 acres of salt cedar were removed
from the reservation wetlands.
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Protecting Tribal Lands
EPA works collaboratively with tribes in one of
the most diverse areas of the country, from the
Monument Valley at Navajo Nation to the Yurok
Reservation at the mouth of the Klamath River. EPA
works on a government-to-government basis with
the federally recognized tribes of the Pacific South-
west to protect more than 27 million acres,
approximately 10% of the region's land base.
Both ordinary trash and hazardous waste threaten
tribal lands. For example, tribal lands across the
Pacific Southwest host over 800 open dumps, 175
abandoned or uncontrolled leaking underground
storage tanks, and six Superfund caliber mine sites.
In 2005, EPA was able to help many tribes close
dumps, clean up metal waste, dispose of household
hazardous waste, deal with abandoned vehicles and
develop recycling programs.
Underground Storage Tanks
In 2005, EPA launched an initiative to assess and
clean up abandoned leaking underground storage tank
sites on tribal lands. Assessment and cleanup began
at nine sites on the Hopi and San Carlos
Reservations. The tribes are also gathering
information on other sites to determine eligibility and
priority for assessment and cleanup.
The final cleanup plan was implemented at the Tuba
City underground storage tank site on the Hopi
Reservation. All cleanup systems were installed,
approximately 7,000 pounds of contamination were
removed, and contaminant concentrations in the
ground are decreasing.
At the Navajo Nation, thanks to increased inspec-
tions and enforcement, underground tank compli-
ance rates jumped from 2% in 2002 to 54% in 2004.
Closing Open Dumps
The Hopland Band of Pomo Indians completed
clean-ups at three open dump sites on their
reservation. The project was funded by EPA and
the California Integrated Waste Management Board,
Farm and Ranch grant program.
In 2005, EPA and tribes inspect-
ed 79 underground storage tanks,
issued 17 field citations, and
conducted 19 UST inspector
trainings with over 156 tribal
participants.
Tribes closed 158 dumps this year
with EPA GAP and solid waste
grant assistance. These dumps
range in size from small scatter
sites to larger community dumps.
54 tribes recycled a total of one
million pounds of materials with
GAP and solid waste funding.
39 tribes have prepared an
integrated solid waste manage-
ment plan.
38 tribes have conducted house-
hold hazardous waste collection.
With funding from EPA and the Bureau of Land
Management, the Tohono O'odham Nation Solid
Waste Management Program cleaned-up 84 sites
which had accumulated approximately 40 tons of
waste from undocumented migrants crossing the
U.S.-Mexico border. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
successfully closed all dumps on their reservation.
Cleaning up Superfund Sites
The Yerington Paiute Tribe, EPA, the State of
Nevada, Bureau of Land Management, and other
agencies investigated the 3,500 acre abandoned
Anaconda copper mine. In December 2004, the
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection asked
EPA to take over the lead for this site. EPA issued
an enforcement order to the responsible parties
requiring short-term response actions. EPA
conducted preliminary radiological screening using
EPA's laboratory scanner van in the town of Yering-
ton and on the Yerington and Walker River Paiute
reservations. This included residential areas, where
no anomalous radiation associated with the mine
materials off site was found.
Leviathan Creek, Washoe
Tribal Land downstream
from Leviathan Mine
In 2005, EPA approved year-round acid treatment
for the Leviathan Mine, now under development, with
critical input from the Washoe Tribe. EPA worked
closely with Washoe experts to begin the investi-
gation of downstream resources — that impacted
plants, animals, soil and water — affected by acid
mine drainage. Several field events with Washoe
participation helped to identify ecosystems and
species for further investigation.
At the Rio Tinto Mine site, the responsible parties are
completing their analysis of cleanup alternatives
based on comments received from the Shoshone-
Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley, EPA and the State of
Nevada. EPA and the Tohono O'odham Nation
made significant progress this year to reach
agreement, in concept, on the Cypress Tohono Mine
closure plan to be carried out by the Cypress
Tohono Corporation.
Revitilizing Brownfields
EPA provided Brownfields funding for several
projects on tribal lands. EPA's Tribal Response
program assisted the Navajo Nation, Gila River
Indian Community and Tohono O'odham Nation
in establishing and enhancing their response
programs, and developing an inventory of Brownfields
sites. At the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community, the tribe used their Brownfields site
assessment and cleanup grant to fully characterize
and extinguish an underground fire at the 40-acre
Old Tri-Cities Landfill. The tribe will complete the
cleanup this year and evaluate development
opportunities for the closed landfill.
The Wiyot Tribe, located at the Table Bluff
Reservation, received a Brownfields grant to
conduct environmental cleanup at Indian Island, a
6-acre shell mound on the island known as the historic
location of the Tolowat Village of the Wiyot. Working
with EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and
California's North Coast Regional Water Quality
Control Board, the tribe is moving forward on cultural
and environmental restoration projects at the site.
The cultural restoration involves the creation of a
sacred tribal gathering place, a place to once again
hold the World Renewal Ceremony. The Wiyot Tribe
expects to begin cleanup in 2006.
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