OSWER
TRIBAL PROGRAM REPORT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES 2013
&EFA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
December 2014
EPA-500-F-14-004
OSWER NATIONALTRIBAL PROGRAM
OSWER TRIBAL STRATEGY
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I
Above: Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator for OSWER, during an emergency response site and Superfund site visitto the Pueblo
Santa Clara in New Mexico.
Cover: Trinity River at Tish Tang Village in Hoopa, California. Photo courtesy of Louisa McCovey.
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CONTENTS
Introduction 4
Funding of the Tribal Program in OSWER 5
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments 6
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) 6
Office of Emergency Management (OEM) 8
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) 12
Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) 14
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) 15
Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) 17
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization(OBLR) 22
Addressing Challenges and Looking Forward 26
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INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response (OSWER) Tribal Strategy seeks to communicate a nationwide approach to
protecting public health and land resources in Indian country. OSWER is committed
to protecting human health and the environment while supporting tribes'self-
government, acting consistent with the federal trust responsibility, and strengthening
the government-to-government relationships between tribes and EPA. The OSWER
Tribal Strategy identifies key OSWER program strategies and activities and provides a
basic framework for continuing to fulfill these commitments.
This Accomplishments Report is a compilation of OSWER tribal accomplishments that
details efforts and activities conducted in support of the OSWER Tribal Strategy during
fiscal year (FY) 2013. In addition to highlighting program-specific accomplishments,
the report provides information and successes related to special OSWER initiatives. This
annual report may be used to identify needed changes or updates to the Tribal Strategy,
as a tool to foster communication between EPA and tribal governments, and to provide
outreach and technical assistance to tribal governments.
EPA's Indian Polio
2014 marks 30 years of EPA's 1984 Indian
Policy. EPA was the first to formally adopt
such a Policy, articulating the importance
of EPA's tribal programs and our unique
government-to-government relationship
with tribes. In January 2013, EPA
Administrator Gina McCarthy reaffirmed the
1984 Indian Policy and acknowledged that
EPA's"work in Indian country is crosscutting
and affects all aspects of the EPA's day to day
functions."To recognize this milestone and
how it remains a top Agency priority, please
visit the EPA Tribal Portal.
The OSWER Tribal Strategy is intended to support:
EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment, while recognizing the unique needs of Indian Tribes, including Alaskan
Native Villages (ANV).
OSWER's work with regional offices and tribes on the importance of environmental cleanup and how these results can be used to support
tribal priorities.
Tribal self-governance.
Strengthening government-to-government relationships between EPA and tribes.
2013—A Year In Summary
In FY2013, OSWER continued to successfully address many of the major initiatives outlined in the OSWER Tribal Strategy. OSWER provided
financial and technical assistance to tribal governments to build capacity in OSWER programs. OSWER funding supported over 140 cooperative
agreements with tribes to build program capacity in OSWER programs, and a strong array of tribal-specific training on solid and hazardous
waste, emergency preparedness, tribal response programs, and underground storage tank (UST) prevention and cleanup. This past year, OSWER
continued its partnership with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) to promote information exchange and stronger
partnerships with tribes and EPA. The highlight of this partnership was the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum held in Santa Ana Pueblo, New
Mexico. The Forum allowed EPA and tribal environmental practitioners to meet and focus on environmental issues in Indian country. These
efforts have increased tribal participation in key EPA programs and initiatives, which has contributed significantly to a greater understanding of
environmental conditions nationwide.
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FUNDING OF THE TRIBAL PROGRAM IN OSWER
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) provides on average, between $18 and $22 million dollars annually in grant funding to
support tribal program development and site cleanup work in Indian country. OSWER funds cooperative agreements with tribes in the Hazardous
Waste, Solid Waste, Superfund, Underground Storage Tank, and Brownfields programs.
OSWER FY13 Funding by Program
Hazardous Waste
$297,749
Underground
Storage Tanks
$4,750,000
Total Funds: $21,478,735
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PROGRAM BY PROGRAM TRIBAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (OSWER)
OSWER Cooperative Agreement with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)
OSWER awarded a five-year cooperative agreement to ITEP at Northern Arizona University, to support Native American tribes and Alaska Native
Villages through training, technical assistance, hazardous substances research and studies in the areas of solid waste and hazardous waste,
resource conservation, brownfields, Superfund, underground storage tanks, and emergency response. The cooperative agreement with ITEP is
unique because the scope of the grant supports all six OSWER program offices and their related missions and authorities.
Through its cooperative agreement, ITEP has developed programs and committees focused on a broad range of waste management activities.
The Tribal Solid Waste Education and Assistance Program (TSWEAP) focuses on providing tribes with training and technical assistance in
creating and implementing tribal solid waste codes. The ITEP National Tribal Steering Committee ensures that tribal needs and priorities are
addressed. OSWER looks forward to continued successes with ITEP that will benefit tribes nationally.
TRIBAL WASTE AND RESPONSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TWRAP)
TWRAP provides training and assistance, but covers additional areas of concern conducted by Native American communities and Alaskan
Native Villages. As part of TWRAP activities, ITEP also helps coordinate a national steering committee of tribal professionals and conducts the
annual Tribal Lands and Environment Forum.
The OSWER-funded TWRAP activities through fiscal year 2013 include:
The development of a national steering committee of tribal professionals working in solid waste, hazardous waste, brownfields, emergency
response, and related fields;
The creation of an annual tribal conference focused on solid waste, hazardous waste, brownfields, emergency response, and related fields;
The design and delivery of four specialized training courses - two in the lower 48 states and two in Alaska - focused on solid waste, hazardous
waste, brownfields, emergency response, and related fields;
The completion of three specialized research projects focused on solid waste, hazardous waste, brownfields, emergency response, and related
fields in partnership with faculty and researchers at Northern Arizona University and tribal and federal partners.
ITEP NATIONAL TWRAP TRIBAL STEERING COMMITTEE
The ITEP Tribal Steering Committee continued their outstanding work guiding ITEP's efforts. ITEP has established a national tribal steering
committee in order to assist with the work of TWRAP and ensure that the program's activities address tribal needs and priorities. Applicants
for the steering committee go through a competitive selection process and nine candidates are chosen based upon their experience and their
geographical representation. Steering committee members meetfourtimes a yearto discuss program activities, and guides ITEP's activities
pursuant to the cooperative agreement with OSWER and is responsible for promoting information exchange among tribes and EPA, assisting
tribes with training, compliance and technical assistance, and analyzing policy to find improved approaches and solutions to issues within the
scope of OSWER programs.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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The current members of this steering committee are Victoria Flowers (Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin), Alexander James (YakutatTlingit
Tribe), Tim Kent (Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma), Katie Kruse (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community), Victoria Kotongan (Native Village of Unalakleet),
Virginia LeClere (Prairie Band of Potawatomi), Peter Reuben (Tonawanda Seneca Nation), Rob Roy (La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians), Elliot
Talgo (San Carlos Apache Tribe), and John Wheaton (Nez Perce Tribe).
For more information about the ITEP National Steering Committee, please visit the website at www4.nau.edu/itep/waste/ntsc.asp.
TRIBAL LANDS AND ENVIRONMENT FORUM
In 2013, OSWER sponsored and ITEP hosted its fourth annual Tribal
Lands and Environment Forum held from August 19-22,2013 at the
Pueblo of Santa Ana in New Mexico. The Forum was a success with
nearly 350 participants from around the country, including over 220
Tribal participants, as well as staff and management from EPA and
several otherfederal agencies. The Forum featured presentations
and breakout sessions on a wide range of OSWER topics and
provided the opportunity for discussion of budget and policy issues
as well as technical updates. The Forum also featured training
sessions, tribe-to-tribe sharing, educational outreach projects, and other sessions to enhance both learning and networking among attendees.
Foradditional information regarding theTribal Lands and Environment Forum, please visit the website at www4.nau.edu/itep/waste/twrap_tlf.asp.
Attendeesatthe2013Tribaliandsand Environmental Forum participated in a climatechange
breakout session, including a tour of the Pueblo of Santa Ana's Bosgue Restoration Project.
Photograph courtesy of Greg Pashia, EPA Region 6
Climate Change
OSWER recognizes that climate change will pose unique challenges to tribes and other indigenous populations, which are particularly vulnerable
to the impacts of climate change due to the integral nature of the environment within their traditional lifestyles and culture. While tribes and
indigenous populations will likely be disproportionately vulnerable to climate change, they are also uniquely positioned to provide valuable
community level, culturally relevant data, information on climate change impacts, and relevant solutions. OSWER will work together with our tribal
partners to tackle the many challenges of climate change. In FY13, OSWER developed a Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan. During
development of the Plan, OSWER reached out to tribes through informational webinars and calls to collect their feedback. OSWER also incorporated
into the Plan concerns raised by tribes about climate change adaptation issues during previous Agency-wide consultations.
OSWER Cross-Program Coordination
OSWER recognizes that there are opportunities to leverage and integrate tribal activities across related OSWER programs to increase effectiveness
and efficiencies in the program. In 2013, several OSWER programs continued actively coordinating on tribal response activities. The Office of
Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, Office of Emergency Management and Office of
Underground Storage Tanks, are working togetherto more effectively coordinate programmatic capacity on oversight and enforcement of response
actions to protect human health and the environment, mechanisms for meaningful public participation, and guidance for assessing and cleaning
up petroleum contamination on tribal lands.
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
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OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (OEM)
EPA's mission in emergency management is to prevent, prepare for and respond to releases of oil and hazardous substances by working with
federal, tribal, state and local partners. EPA regional offices coordinate with all tribes and Alaskan Native Villages regardless of federal recognition,
regarding emergency management activities that affect Indian country. OEM's goal in working with tribes is to increase compliance at regulated
facilities, improve local emergency response plans and increase chemical and oil spill prevention awareness and preparedness for response.
OSWER Tribal Strategy Goals—OEM Indicators
The goals outlined in the OSWER Tribal Strategy for the OEM Program are:
OSWER Tribal Strategy Indicators for OEM
Number of Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure
(SPCC) regulated facilities inspected in Indian country
FY2013: 37
FY2012: 41
FY2011: 99
Number of oil spills and releases of hazardous substances occurring
in Indian country, where EPA is the lead
FY2013: 5
FY2012: 3
FY2011: 36
Number of EPA-lead removal actions
FY2013: 2
FY2012: 16
FY2011: 33
Number of Risk Management Program (RMP) inspections
FY2013: 2
FY2012: 5
FY2011: 2
Number of EPA-led trainings offered and the number of tribal staff trained for emergency management-related purposes
fY 2013 (EPA-led Trainings): 15 FY2013 (Tribal Staff Trained): 539
FY2012 (EPA-led Trainings): 14 FY2012 (Tribal Staff Trained): 336
FY2011 (EPA-led Trainings): 13 FY2011 (Tribal Staff Trained): 500
OEM Activities
OEM continues to fund the Indian country Environmental Hazard Assessment Program (ICEHAP) online class. In 2013, OSWER provided a seventh
year of funding to the United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in North Dakota to sponsor the semester-long ICEHAP course. The course teaches
participants to recognize environmental conditions that may cause harm to tribal community health; develop work plans which can be used in
writing grant proposals; survey their communities to identify environmental issues of concern; and identify available and potential resources for
environmental problem resolution. UTTC offers the course tuition-free to tribes for college credit, and benefits from the opportunity to offer a
unique class that enriches their environmental curriculum and attracts more students. Tribal students have benefited from the opportunity to learn
valuable environmental problem-solving techniques and apply these techniques in their communities to improve the environment and health of
the tribe. As a result of this project, almost 30 tribes are implementing or beginning to implement environmental work plans to address identified
hazards in their communities.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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Environmental Response Team
The Environmental Response Team (ERT) is a group of EPA technical experts who provide around-the-clock assistance atthe scene of hazardous
substance releases. ERT sponsored a 40-hour HAZWOPER training course forthe Native American Environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC).This
course was hosted by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians at their tribal center in Temecula, California. ERT presented the training to 24 Native
Americans from eight tribes and the NAEPC, representing a variety of stakeholders from environmental specialists to tribal law enforcement, and
hazardous waste engineers.
ERT also sponsored the Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response course that was delivered to the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)
in Tempe, Arizona. The 40-hour course, which met OSHA requirements for hazardous waste site workers, was presented to 29 students representing 14
tribes throughout the United States. Five 40-hour health and safety courses were delivered to the tribes in 2012 and 2013.
Snapshot of Regional Activities in FY2013
REGIONS
Drills and Exercises:
About 110 members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe participated in a full-sale hazardous materials exercise. Approximately 100
tribe members participated in the support courses leading up to the exercise and 25 members attended the table-top and full-scale
exercise meetings.
EPA Region 5 conducted quarterly Tribal Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security conference calls. The calls provide EPA with
opportunities to update the tribes on new developing issues in emergency response and give the tribes a chance to discuss their
emergency response and emergency management concerns.
Responses/Removals:
Located on the Mole Lake Reservation in Crandon, Wisconsin, the Mole Lake School site was used as the Sokaogon Chippewa Community
tribal offices until 2005. In 2010, the building caught on fire and burned to the ground, which released lead paint and asbestos
containing building material. EPA funded and oversaw a removal on the property.
FirstResponder/Awareness Level Training Course (FRALC):
Two on-scene coordinators provided five FRALC classes as part of an oil spill training to the tribes at the 2013 Tribal Environmental
Program Management Conference.
REGIONS
Oil Pollution A ct Responses:
In Box Elder, Montana, EPA Region 8 responded to a major discharge (70,000+ gallons) of 88-octane gasoline from gas station into
adjacent Sundance Creek which flows into Box Elder Creek and eventually the Missouri River.
Office of Emergency Management
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REGION 9
Meetings;
Seventeen tribes attended the Tribal Emergency Planning Workgroup where they discussed tsunami debris cleanups along the west
coast. The tribes also discussed the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, which allows the tribes to apply for disaster assistance
directly through the President rather than the state for a disaster declaration.
SPCCOutreach:
The Region reviewed two (2) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Compliance Plans last year which included SPCC requirements, and provided
comments on the particulars of the SPCC compliance actions and schedule. Additionally in FY2015, the region plans to conduct Navajo
Nation SPCC inspections at subject facilities.
REGION 10
Spill Responses (Oil and Hazardous Substances):
EPA Region 10 conducted a spill response at the Tulalip Tribes. The Tulalip Tribes reported that several abandoned drums were discovered
in a wooded area filled with unknown material. The material was determined to be non-hazardous.
Training:
EPA Region 10 conducted a three-day, 24-hour oil spill response training for the Native Village of Glennallen, Alaska.
Conferences:
EPA's homeland security planner attended the Yakama Nation Homeland Security - Emergency Management Preparedness Conference
in Toppenish, Washington. EPA provided an overview of response authorities and capabilities and provided information on the
implementation of the new Stafford Act amendments which now allow tribes to request mission assignments directly from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Consultations:
EPA Region 10 conducted 12 different tribal consultation and stakeholder input workshops in Alaska to conduct government-to-
government consultation and seek input on the 2014 revision of the Alaska Dispersant Policy.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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EPA Helps Restore Historic Tribal Site near Eureka, California
Indian Island is located in Humboldt Bay near Eureka, California. Only
accessible by boat, the island was the historic home of the Tuluwat Village
of the Wiyot Tribe and the location of the tribe's Annual World Renewal
Ceremony. The tribe was decimated by a massacre over 150 years ago
and the island was developed into a ship dry dock and repair facility that
operated sporadically from 1870 to 1970. The Wiyot Tribe reacquired the
site and has been working to revitalize the island through the removal of
debris and some cleanup of contamination.
In 2013, EPA was granted unprecedented access to the site to grade
and install a cap to prevent contaminated debris and sediment from cieonupocMiesotthehistorictMs^neorEureko, CA.
endangering human health. Now that the contamination threat has been
mitigated, the tribe plans to hold the World Renewal Ceremony in February 2014 for the first time in 150 years.
OEM—Moving Forward
OEM is developing a tribal consultation plan for its proposed revisions to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
(NCP) Subpart J Product Schedule. New issues emerged as increasingly important to tribes, such as the desire for more technical assistance related
to oil spill preparedness and prevention, removals and new opportunities for integrating "green"approaches into environmental management
programs and revitalization efforts. EPA has been working directly with Native Villages in Alaska to address concerns about dispersant planning and
authorization in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.
Office of Emergency Management
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OFFICE OF SUPERFUND REMEDIATION AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION (OSRTI)
EPA implements the Superfund Remedial Program to clean up the nation's uncontrolled hazardous waste sites working closely with a state,
tribe or another federal agency. A number of tribes are involved at Superfund sites that represent significant human health and environmental
risks impacting tribal communities. For example, the Navajo Nation and Cherokee Nation Superfund programs, supported by EPA, conduct site
assessments at sites on their lands for EPA. The Quapaw Tribe also is the first tribe to perform a remedial action at the Catholic 40, a portion of the
Tar Creek site within its reservation. In addition, two sites within tribal reservations were added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2013: the
Jackpile-Paguate Uranium Mine (Laguna Pueblo) and the Makah Reservation Warmhouse Beach Dump (Makah Reservation).
Superfund is also expanding the membership and responsibilities of the Tribal Superfund Working Group, composed of EPA HQ and regional
personnel and tribal environmental staff. There are now over 100 tribal members, calls several times a year, and usually one meeting per year.
Tribes volunteer to present activities that they believe may be of interest and benefit to other tribes. In FY13, EPA also provided training for
Superfund staff on working more effectively with Tribes at the National Association of Remedial Project Managers annual meeting.
OSWER Tribal Strategy Goals—OSRTI Indicators
The goal outlined in the OSWERTribal Strategy for the Superfund Program is:
Superfund Indicator in the OSWER Tribal Strategy
Track the number of tribes supported by a Superfund cooperative agreement and type of cooperative agreements used.
Superfund Grants Awarded to Tribes
In FY2013, a total of $3,844,267 was awarded for 24
cooperative agreements with 11 tribes. More than 20
percent of the funding came from special accounts
provided by responsible parties at the various tribal NPL
sites. Approximately 57 percent of all funding, a total of
$2,188,000, went to the Quapaw Tribe to clean up the
Catholic 40 portion of the Tar Creek site. This funding was
in theform of a Remedial Action cooperative agreement.
Five of the cooperative agreements and approximately
$646,000 in funding were awarded to the Navajo Nation to
address the uranium mining legacy that is having a major
environmental impact on the Navajo. The third largest share
of funding, approximately $384,000 went to two cooperative
agreements awarded to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.
25
20
15
10
Superfund Cooperative Agreements
24 24
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13
| Number of Cooperative Agreements
G Number of Tribes Supported by Cooperative Agreements
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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FY2013 Accomplishments
Types of Superfund Tribal Cooperative Agreements in FY 2013
• Over 75 percent of all FY2013 funding went to two Remedial Action cooperative agreements used for site cleanups, and 16 Support
Agency cooperative agreements used to assist tribal involvement in the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study process.
• The remaining cooperative agreements were awarded for core program development (2), bulkfunding (2), Preliminary Assessment (PA)
and Site Inspection (PA/SI) (1) and other (1).
Program Highlights
The tribal Superfund prog ram predominantly addresses site specific cleanups, and in FY2013, there were two major ongoing tribal cleanup successes.
Quapaw Cleanup of the Catholic 40 Portion of Tar Creek
For the first time in Superfund history, a tribe is leading and managing the
cleanup at a Superfund site. The area is of cultural and historic importance to
the tribe. The tribe has worked with EPA Region 6 to utilize existing site plans
to ensure consistency among various site-wide projects is maintained, and
has developed work plans approved by EPA to perform the work. The Quapaw
Tribe is proud of its efforts and believes this will demonstrate to EPA, the local
community and the State of Oklahoma that the tribe has the capability to
participate in other remediation efforts at the Tar Creek site. The contaminants
being addressed are lead, zinc and cadmium.
Uranium Contamination Cleanup on Navaio and Pueblo Lands
Cleanup activities at the Catholic 40 site.
This year, EPA and five other federal agencies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indian Health Service, Department of Energy,
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs) worked with the Navajo Nation to complete work under the first coordinated
5-year plan to assess and clean up Cold War-era abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Reservation. During the 5-year period, EPA, other
government agencies and the Navajo Nation assessed more than 520 mines, 800 homes, and 240 drinking water wells. Additionally, the
federal government provided $100 million for the cleanup of mines and replacement of homes and water supplies, using funding from
Superfund, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and other sources. EPA provided $50 million and potentially responsible parties contributed an
additional $17 million (beyond the $100 million) for cleanup. All six federal agencies have agreed to work together to develop a plan for
continuing this work until 2018, which will be developed in consultation with the Navajo Nation.
Additional uranium mining cleanup is being addressed under the EPA Region 6 five-year plan for an area-wide investigation of legacy
contamination from uranium mining and milling operations within the Grants Mineral Belt area of New Mexico. In coordination with the
Laguna Pueblo, EPA Region 6 has finalized the Jackpile Uranium Mine to the NPL, assessed over 500 properties for elevated radiation levels,
excavated soils at 21 properties and installed 21 abatement systems. Pueblo assistance proved invaluable in organizing sampling events
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
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and encouraging residents to sign up for property surveys. Also underthe Region 6 plan, the removal team has started radiation surveys at
properties on the Acoma Pueblo.
A third success this past year was the expansion of the Tribal Superfund Working Group membership and role. The group has expanded to
approximately 130 members, including more than 100 tribal representatives. A large portion of each call is dedicated to tribal presentations
on issues that are of interest to other tribes, and questions tribes are directing to other tribes. This information exchange is fulfilling the
original goal of the workgroup to enable tribes to learn from each other.
FEDERAL FACILITIES RESTORATION AND REUSE OFFICE (FFRRO)
OSWER Tribal Strategy Goals—FFRRO Indicators
Tribal governments have distinct roles in cleanups of federal facilities undertreaties with the U.S. government. Accordingly, EPA works in
partnership with tribal governments, both at the facility level and at the national policy-making level. The framework for EPA tribal involvement
is a tribal strategy that is designed to address the needs of—and mitigate impacts to—American Indian tribes, including Alaskan Native villages,
living on or nearfederal facilities. It includes:
Working with tribes on a government-to-government basis consistent with EPA's trust responsibility to protect tribal health and environments.
Involving tribes in the cleanup process through meaningful dialogue that respects the unique needs of each community.
Developing partnerships that will enhance capacity and participation in the environmental decision-making process at federal facilities.
FFRRO—Moving Forward
An important focus of the tribal strategy is improved communication with American Indians living on or nearfederal facilities regarding progress
made throughout the environmental-restoration process. To strengthen this communication, EPA is working to involve tribes in the cleanup process
through various forums. The Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office Tribal Program offers a general brochure about EPA's involvement at
federal facilities around Indian country.
Additional information can be found in the FFRRO Tribal Program fact sheet.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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OFFICE OF RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY (ORCR)
OSWER's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) administers EPA's waste management programs underthe authority of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA promotes energy and resource conservation through recycling, recovery, reduction, cleanup and the
elimination of waste. ORCR provides national program direction and partners with the EPA regions and other federal agencies to assist tribes with
the management of their waste by providing technical assistance and grant funding. Technical assistance includes developing informational and
educational materials and supporting training programs. ORCR also provides national policy direction for EPA's tribal waste management programs.
These activities directly support ORCR's program priority of promoting sustainable tribal waste management programs through the development
and implementation of Integrated Waste Management Plans.
EPA's Office of Inspector General issued an evaluation report, EPA Needs an Agency-Wide Plan to Provide Tribal Solid Waste Management Capacity
Assistance, on March 21,2011. In response, ORCR developed The Environmental Protection Agency-Wide Plan to Provide Solid Waste Management
Capacity Assistance to Tribes (The Plan). The purpose of the Plan is to establish an Agency-wide approach to implement effective tribal solid waste
management capacity assistance that is within the scope of EPA's authority and responsibility. The Plan was released on November 15,2013.
In addition, ORCR provides a variety of outreach materials for tribes, such as the Tribal Waste Journal and other publications pertaining to solid and
hazardous waste. Outreach materials can be found on the Waste Management in Indian country Web site.
OSWER Tribal Strategy Goals—ORCR Indicators
The goal outlined in the OSWERTribal Strategy for the ORCR Program is:
ORCR Indicator in the OSWERTribal Strategy
Number of Tribes covered by an integrated
waste management plan
FY2013: 26
FY2012: 13
FY2011: 17
Cumulative Progress of ORCR Tribal Program
Number of closed, cleaned up, or upgraded
open dump sites in Indian country and
other tribal lands
FY2013: 106
FY2012: 74
FY2011: 82
1000
800
600
400
200
827
565
412
117
134
147
173
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13
| Tribes Covered by an Integrated Waste Management Plan
HI Open Dumps Closed, Cleaned Up or Upgraded
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
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Hazardous Waste Grants Awarded
to Tribes
In FY2013, EPA funded five projects totaling $297,749
through the Hazardous Waste Management Grant
Program forTribes.
FY2013 Accomplishments
Atthe beginning of FY2013,147 tribes were covered by
an Integrated Waste Management Plan, and 721 open
dumps were closed, cleaned up or upgraded.
ORCR Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program
for Tribes Funding
$350,000
$300,000
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$0
$329,000
$319,000
$299,100
$311,000
$297,749
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY13
Program Highlights
ORCR's technical assistance and grant funding assists tribes with developing and implementing sustainable waste programs and developing
informational and educational materials to support training programs.
EPA Region 6 Tribal Solid Waste Coordinator Hosts Tribal Solid and Hazardous Waste
Workshops in Oklahoma and New Mexico
The Tribal Solid and Hazardous Waste workshops were held on June 4 and
12,2013 at the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality's office
and the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council's office in Ohkay Owingeh.
The Region 6 Tribal Solid Waste Coordinator provided training on the
Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes and the Tribal
Solid Waste Management Assistance Project (TSWMAP) (not funded in
FY2012 and FY2013) in order to help tribes gain a greater knowledge of
the programs, and to demonstrate how to write a strong, competitive
proposal to increase their chance of being selected. The workshops
also covered the Brownfields program and several state funding opportunities. For FY2014, the Region is planning to continue hosting the
workshops in Oklahoma and New Mexico, as well as adding a workshop fortheTexas and Louisiana tribes.
Attendees at the ORCR EPA Region 6 Tribal Solid Waste Workshop.
ORCR—Moving Forward
To meet the commitments outlined in the OSWER Tribal Strategy, ORCR is collaborating with tribal partners on the development and
implementation of Integrated Waste Management Plans to facilitate open dump cleanups and closures. ORCR continues to increase the number of
tribes that are covered by an Integrated Waste Management Plan.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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OFFICE OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS (OUST)
There are approximately 578,000 underground storage tanks (USTs) nationwide that store petroleum or hazardous substances. The greatest
potential threat from a leaking UST (LUST) is contamination of ground water, a source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. EPA, states
and tribes work together to protect the environment and human health from potential UST releases. EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks
(OUST), in partnership with EPA's regional offices, implements the UST program in Indian country. OUST provides technical and financial support to
tribal governments to prevent and clean up petroleum releases from USTs.
The OUST FY2013 Indian country accomplishments reflect strong partnerships and cooperation among tribal environmental colleagues, the
regulated community and EPA. Highlights include:
A continued commitment to communicate and coordinate with tribal partners through the Tribal Lands Forum, quarterly conference calls
and training.
A compliance rate that exceeded EPA's national target and marks a trend of continued improvement for UST facilities in Indian country
Proactive and persistent steps by facility owners and operators to ensure good tank management.
Effective compliance assistance, including issuing federal credentials to tribal UST inspectors.
Tribal-led site investigation and cleanup.
EPA tackling the formidable challenge of strategically targeting complex and expensive cleanups with fewer resources, a trend that is
expected to continue.
OSWER Tribal Strategy Goals—OUST Indicators
The goals outlined in the OSWER Tribal Strategy for the OUST Program are:
OUST Indicator in the OSWER Tribal Strategy
Percentage of UST facilities in Indian country that are in significant operational compliance with both release detection and release prevention
(spill, overfill and corrosion protection) requirements
Rate in Indian country
Rate Nationally
2009
59%
66%
2010
67%
68.3%
2011
61%
71%
2012
79%
71.4%
2013
71%
71.6%
The number of LUST cleanups in Indian country that meet risk-based standards for human exposure and ground water migration
(tracked as the number of LUST cleanups completed)
Number of Cleanups Completed in Indian country
2009
49
2010
62
2011
42
2012
47
2013
18
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
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OUST's Investment in Indian country
$7,000,000
$6,000,000
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$3,000,000
$2,000,000
$1,000,000
0
EPA's Tribal Underground Storage Tank Funding by Appropriation
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13
EPM D LUST Prevention • LUST Cleanup D LUST Recovery Act
Congress appropriates money
to EPA to fund its programs
each fiscal year, which begins
October 1 of each year. OUST
receives three types of funding
from Congress to manage
different parts of the tribal
UST program: environmental
program management (EPM)
funding, which supports EPA's
UST prevention prog ram;
Leaking Underground Storage
Tank (LUST) Trust Fund
prevention funding, which
supports primarily state and tribal assistance agreements to prevent releases; and LUST Trust Fund cleanup funding, which supports EPA's cleanup
program in addition to state and tribal cleanup cooperative agreements. EPA has typically received approximately $5 million forthe UST Indian
country program (about $2 million to prevent releases and $3 million to clean up LUST sites in Indian country) each fiscal year. However, in FY2009,
EPA received an additional one-time appropriation of $6.3 million of LUST Recovery Act money which paid for additional cleanups over several
years. In FY2013, the UST program's total tribal budget was $4.75 million, a decrease of 15 percent from FY2012.
FY2013 Accomplishments
Multi-year Grant to Improve Compliance
EPA's five-year assistance agreement with the InterTribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) provides UST compliance assistance training to tribal
personnel and owners and operators in Indian country. The goal of this effort is to improve UST facility compliance throughout Indian country. In
FY2013, ITCA supported this goal by:
Training approximately 136 tribal representatives in UST issues, such as compliance with prevention regulations; tank installations,
removal and operation and maintenance.
Fostering communication and opportunities for collaboration among tribes and with EPA on UST issues.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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Working Together To Improve Compliance
Significant operational compliance (SOC) is essential to preventing releases. Having SOC
means that a facility has the equipment required by federal regulations and is operated
and maintained to prevent and detect releases.
In FY 2013, the Indian country SOC rate was 71 percent, which:
Exceeds the national SOC target of 67 percent.
Is about the same as the national rate of compliance (71.6 percent).
Supports an overall trend of improved compliance over the past five years.
This trend of improved compliance reflects a joint EPA and tribal investment in
intensive compliance assistance including:
Good tank management practices.
Working to improve owners'and operators'knowledge of UST regulations.
Frequent presence of federally credentialed tribal inspectors.
Working with owners and operators and environmental managers to help
them be informed and willing to assure compliance.
Clarifying for owners and operators, through compliance assistance, what to
expect from an inspection, which proved effective in helping to achieve the
FY2013 compliance rate.
SOC rates in Indian country vary from year to year due to the relatively small number
of USTs. Therefore, although the FY2013 Indian country SOC rate is lower than in
FY2012, it is an important achievement because it exceeds the national target by 4
percent. However, SOC rates for Indian country may continue to vary substantially in
years to come.
6th Annual Tribal Tanks Meetim
In August 2013, the Tamaya Indian Reservation
in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico hosted the
Tribal-EPA underground storage tank meeting,
in conjunction with the Institute forTribal
Environmental Professionals' (ITEP) Tribal Lands
and Environment Forum on solid waste, emergency
response, contaminated sites and underground
storage tanks.
Jawby Murdock from the Ute Indian Tribe and Darla Hohman, EPA
Region 8 looking in the sumps, August2013
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
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Working Together To Complete Cleanups
EPA actively works with tribes to identify, assess and clean up UST releases. In FY2013, EPA completed 18 cleanups in Indian country, a substantial
decrease from previous years and a far reach from meeting EPA's strategic planning target of 42.
This substantial decrease reflects the fact that EPA has been strategically targeting more complex sites that have fewer resources. There are a
number of difficult and costly LUST sites with substantial releases in Indian country. In 2009, EPA received a one-time $6.3 million increase from the
LUST Recovery Act that until recently helped make substantial progress remediating Indian country sites. Since that money has been expended,
EPA has become even more vigilant about ensuring remediation plans are optimized. This increased scrutiny adds time and sometimes
additional steps to the process, but it will also lead to more cost effective and efficient cleanups in the future.
The FY2013 decrease in cleanups completed contributed to a slight increase in the backlog of cleanups that have yet to be completed.
Completing cleanups and reducing the backlog of sites in Indian country will continue to become more difficult because EPA is addressing sites
that require more complex cleanups and take more time and resources to complete. EPA's FY2014 goal of completing 37 cleanups in Indian
country is challenging as resources tighten and complex sites continue to place a demand on resources.
LUST Cleanups Completed
in Indian country
Backlog of LUST Cleanup Sites
in Indian country
70
60
50
40
3f)
JU
20
10
o
—
62
-
30
—
49
30
38
42
42
47
42
18
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13
D Target • Completed
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
n
- 331 „,
-
-
-
-
295
1
299
304
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY13
Federal Credentials for Tribal Inspectors: Tribal Inspectors Authorized To Conduct Federal
UST Inspections
Since EPA's effort in 2006 to issue federal credentials fortribal inspectors, 16 inspectors have received credentials, although 11 held active
credentials in 2013 as a result of changes in tribal staff responsibilities and turnover. These federally-credentialed tribal inspectors contributed
significantly to meeting the inspection requirements of the Energy Policy Act by completing 145 inspections. EPA anticipates that as many as four
additional tribal staff may receive federal credentials in FY2014.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
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Program Highlights
Santa Anna Pueblo's Proactive Steps to Ensure Good Tank Management
Santa Ana Pueblo in Bernalillo, New Mexico, was proactive in designing and installing a new, state-of-the-art UST facility which opened in
spring 2013. The tribe's economic development entity worked closely with the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council's Office of Environmental
Technical Assistance to design an UST system that protects people and the environment. The tribe installed a double-walled UST system
with a leak prevention monitoring system, such as sump sensors. To protect customers during refueling and reduce wear and tear on the
UST system, the tank pit is located away from the traffic flow. The tribe incorporated green architecture (including xeriscaping) and ENERGY
STAR equipment into the facility design. Their efforts resulted in a safe and protective UST facility that serves the Santa Ana Pueblo and the
population of Bernalillo.
Ohkay Owingeh Tribe's Compliance Assistance Pays Off
Naomi Archuleta, Environmental Programs Manager of Ohkay Owingeh Tribe in Espanola, New Mexico, is credited with her leadership and
persistence over several years to ensure the tribe's UST facilities attained significant levels of operational compliance. Her efforts to inform
the tribal corporation, which owns and operates the UST facilities, about the compliance requirements and their willingness to improve
compliance resulted in hiring Martin Monroe, an excellent UST facility manager. Mr. Monroe and Ms. Archuleta's work and the Ohkay
Owingeh's desire to take appropriate steps to protect human health and the environment, put these UST facilities on a solid path to
ongoing compliance.
Nez Perce Tribe Investigates and Cleans up McCoy LUST Site, Kooskia, Idaho
The Water Resources Division of the Nez Perce Tribe in Kooskia, Idaho recently completed a decade-long site investigation and cleanup at
the former McCoy's Cash Grocery facility located in Kooskia, Idaho. The site was discovered in 2000, when a gasoline-related soil fire was
ignited by a spark from an excavator bucket during a sewer line installation. With grant money from EPA, the tribe led multiple phases of site
investigation and cleanup including:
UST and petroleum-contaminated soil removal.
A surface geophysical survey (electromagnetic and ground-penetrating radar) to identify a total of six on-site USTs, four of which
were previously unknown.
A passive soil gas survey to delineate the extent of off-site petroleum contamination.
A subsurface soil and ground water investigation to quantify contaminant concentrations at areas of concern identified by the soil
vapor study.
Results of these investigations indicate that while gasoline contamination on the McCoy site has been remediated, concentrations of both
gasoline and diesel are present off-site beneath the city streets at concentrations exceeding risk-based screening concentrations. However,
the results of the soil vapor survey indicate that the source of this off-site contamination is not the McCoy site, but rather from currently
unidentified sources. The tribe is currently undertaking an abandoned tank survey, which may identify possible sources of contamination
surrounding the property. However, the McCoy site itself is ready for closure and a No Further Action designation.
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
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OFFICE OF BROWNFIELDS AND LAND REVITALIZATION (OBLR)
Many contaminated sites in Indian country are a result of past activities of federal or tribal entities or other enterprises that have long been
abandoned. The Brownfields program, through brownfields grants, enables tribal communities to establish and enhance tribal response programs,
assess and cleanup contaminated properties, and return the areas to uses to meet tribal needs.
OSWER Tribal Strategy Goals—OBLR Indicators
The goal outlined in the OSWERTribal Strategy for the OBLR Brownfields Program is:
Brownfield Indicator in the OSWER Tribal Strategy
Provide breakdown of the number of tribes awarded brownfields cooperative agreements into: the number of 128(a) tribal response program
cooperative agreements (to indicate the number of tribes developing response program capacity), and the number 104(k) competitive
cooperative agreements (to indicate the number of tribes successfully competing for site activity funding, and changes of activities over time, in
comparison to changes in the number of tribes with response programs).
Number of tribes awarded cooperative agreements in FY13:
• 128(a): 92; 3 new grantees
• 104(k): 2 tribes awarded brownfields assessment grants and 1 tribe awarded brownfields cleanup grant
Brownfields Grants Awarded to Tribes
In FY2013, through the CERCLA128(a)
State and Tribal Response Program Grant
program, over $11 million dollars were
allocated to 92 tribes to fund activities to
establish and enhance their tribal response
programs. The number of tribes seeking
to develop and enhance a Tribal Response
program (TRP) continues to increase every
year. Of these 92 co-regulators participating
in FY2013, three grantees were new to the
CERCLA128(a) grant program.
Number of Brownfield Grants to Tribes
100
80
60
40
20
94
83
67
69
92
FY09
FY10
104(k)
FY11
128(a)
FY12
ARRA Funding
FY13
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
-------
In addition, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point were each awarded
Brownfield Assessment grants for a total for $600,000, and the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes were awarded a Brownfields Cleanup grant
for $200,000. Also, Northern Arizona University received an Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training grant to work with the Navajo
Nation to recruit, train, and place predominantly low-income and minority, unemployed and under-employed residents from their community.
FY2013 Accomplishments
$14,000,000
$12,000,000
$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$6,000,000
$4,000,000
$2,000,000
$0
Brownfields Cooperative Agreements to Tribes
$307,130
$9,219,450
$922,113
$10,471,138
$594,000
$12,071,813
$400,000
$12,438,891
$800,000
$11,786,719
FY09
FY10 FY11 FY12
] BF#128(a)TRP DBF#104(k)
FY13
OBLR's Brownfields program promotes community involvement with public and private partners in the revitalization of contaminated sites in Indian
country and othertribal areas to the highest and best use. Decisions on future uses are determined by tribal priorities and needs. The support for cleanup
and revitalization can help tribes achieve reuse of contaminated properties and increase environmental and economic benefits in Indian country.
In FY2013, OBLR Brownfields funding enabled tribes to continue to address contaminated properties in Indian country. Below are highlights of activities
and accomplishments reported by tribes in FY2013:
• 256 properties with completed cleanups, have all required institutional controls in place
• 830 total acres with completed cleanups and institutional controls in place
• 808 properties not enrolled for which assistance was provided
• 1116 properties enrolled in the TRP
In addition, OBLR continued the regional Targeted Brownfields Assessments of sites identified by tribes, upon request by tribes, as resources allow. In
FY2013,18 tribal communities received Targeted Brownfields Assessment assistance across the country.
Office of Brown fields and Land Revitalization
-------
Program Highlights
Tribes use CERCLA 128(a) Tribal Response Program funding for a variety of activities. Tribal response programs conduct assessments and provide
oversight at properties, create codes and ordinances, develop inventories of properties, and educate their communities about the value of
protecting and restoring tribal natural resources and community health.
Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council (ENIPC)
ENIPC's Office of Environmental Technical Assistance (OETA) is using Section 128(a) Response Program funding to work with the 22 pueblos
and tribes in New Mexico and West Texas to promote the enhancement of environmental resources and environmental health while protecting
tribal lands from environmental hazards. In support of these goals, ENIPC-OETA is working with the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) and
the Job New Mexico (NM) EPA Environmental Training Program for unemployed and underemployed workers. In the fall of 2012, the first
graduating class consisting of 18 graduates—10 of which were pueblo members—received their certifications in OSHA Hazardous Waste
Site Worker (HAZWOPER) 40 hour, CPR and First Aid and Incident Command Basic trainings. In the spring of 2013, courses offered Forestry
Technician and Biofuels Training that teaches forestry, conservation, timber marking, and ecological restoration monitoring skills to prepare
participants to be U.S. Forest Service Certified timber cruisers. The Section 128(a) Response Program funding, in conjunction with the SFCC Job
NM EPA Environmental training program, will continue to create and enhance job training opportunities for these tribes and their people.
Flandreau Santee Sioux
The Flandreau Santee SiouxTribal Response Program (TRP) cleaned up of
four properties. The properties were assessed using EPA Targeted Brownfields
Assessment (TBA) Program funding and the TRP used Section 128(a) Response
Program funds to conduct cleanup activities with the assistance of a qualified
environmental professional. The tribe worked closely with the South Dakota
Historic Preservation Office to address National Historic Preservation Act 106
requirements because properties had structures over 50 years old. One of the
structures had asbestos containing vermiculite that had been used for insulation;
collapsed ceiling boards had released the vermiculite throughout the building,
creating a hazardous environment for people entering the property. In response,
deteriorating asbestos roof shingles and other asbestos-containing materials
were removed and properly disposed of. The properties are once again suitable for redevelopment—including residential reuse.
Asbestos Cleanup Activities on the Flandreau Santee Sioux Reservation.
Program by Program Tribal Accomplishments
-------
Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation (CTCR)
The Office of Environmental Trust is a subdivision of the CTCR's Natural Resources Department that exercises authority promulgated under
Tribal Code to investigate and clean up hazardous substances released to land, water and air. The tribes used Section 128(a) Response Program
funding, Section 104(k) Cleanup grants, Area-Wide Planning grants, and otherfunding sources to expand and enhance their brownfields
program as new properties enter the Public Record and existing properties become the focus of progressive response actions and remediation.
In addition to environmental responsibilities pertaining to the Colville Indian Reservation as well as ceded and allotted lands, a significant
strength of the Natural Resources Department staff is its capacity in cross-disciplinary regional and international matters of substantive
interest to CTCR. Examples include technical review and consultation concerning the CTCR/Upper Columbia River site, planning and
implementation of improvements to the tribes'reservation-wide solid waste system, participation on CTCR and county solid waste advisory
committees, assessments of brownfields on the reservation acquired through CTCR's proactive land reacquisition program, and advisory
committee involvement in developing Washington State freshwater sediment cleanup regulations. Continuing regional Targeted Brownfields
Assessments of sites identified by tribes, upon request by tribes, as resources allow.
OBLR—Moving Forward
To meet the commitments outlined in the OSWER Tribal Strategy, OBLR is collaborating with tribal partners on program development and
implementation in an effort to enhance tribal use of existing grants and technical services as well as identifying opportunities to improve
environmental issues of importance to tribes. OBLR also continues to increase the number of tribes that are establishing and enhancing their
tribal response programs to increase the number of contaminated properties that are cleaned up and revitalized across Indian country. Specific
brownfields related accomplishments that support commitments in the OSWERTribal Strategy during FY2013 are:
Tribal ARC* Grant Tribal Section 128(a) Grant Total Tribal Accomplishments
Accomplishments in FY2013 Accomplishments in FY2013 since FY2006
(annual increment) (annual increment) (cumulative through FY13)
Assessments Completed
20
201
Cleanups Completed
10
35
Jobs Leveraged
135
458
Funding Leveraged
$0
$16,401,078
$55,645,323
*ARCis Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
-------
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES AND LOOKING FORWARD
As described in this report, OSWER uses many different funding mechanisms and programs to assist and support tribes with protecting and
restoring the environment and community health. As tribes continue to address contamination on their lands to meet the environmental needs of
their community, several challenges remain. For example:
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) faces challenges engaging tribes with emergency prevention, preparedness, and
response issues due, in part, to lack of training and tribal capacity to participate in area planning and regional response team activities.
To address this, OEM is working on web-based training and outreach to inform tribes about how they can work with state and local
emergency planning committees to identify regulated facilities in Indian country. OEM will continue to collaborate with tribes to better
understand how to prevent, prepare and respond to oil discharges and hazardous substances releases.
The Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) is working to increase tribal involvement in cleanups at
sites impacting tribal lands.
OSRTI is working with the Quapaw Tribe (EPA Region 6) to publicize their cleanup efforts at the Tar Creek Catholic 40 site, in hopes that
other tribes will realize the increased role they can play if the tribe is able develop and demonstrate the necessary cleanup expertise.
OSRTI also faces the challenge of considering tribal regulations in the remedy selection process, similartothe consideration of state regulations.
EPA has indicated that, as a matter of policy, it may consider tribal standards as Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements
(ARARs), provided the standards are developed consistent with, and meet, EPA ARAR designation requirements.
The Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) is working to promote sustainable waste management programs in
Indian country.
To accomplish this objective, ORCR is fostering a collaborative partnership between Federal agencies to address waste management issues
in Indian country. Federal agencies will explore opportunities where we can link and integrate drinking water and wastewater issues with
solid waste issues, eliminate program compartmentalization, and identify program information sources and needs.
The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) is challenged with sustaining and improving the rate of significant operational
compliance in Indian country as resources tighten.
Completing cleanups and reducing the backlog of sites in Indian country will continue to become more difficult because OUST is
addressing sites that require more complex cleanups and take more time and resources to complete. OUST's FY 2014 goal of completing 37
cleanups in Indian country is challenging as resources tighten and complex sites continue to place a demand on our resources.
The Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR) is working to increase tribal capacity to establish and enhance effective
Tribal Response Programs, and is seeking to more effectively engage states to support tribes. Balancing new tribal requests for CERCLA
128(a) funding and providing adequate support to existing entities to establish and enhance their response programs continues to be
challenge because of the high demand forthe limited CERCLA 128(a) funding appropriated annually.
Addressing Challenges and Looking Forward
-------
The FY 2013 Accomplishments Report documents OSWER's achievements in working with tribal partners to increase awareness, understanding
and implementation of EPA programs. OSWER will use this report in conjunction with the OSWER Tribal Strategy to focus resources on efforts
shown to be successful and reexamine efforts that can be improved. With continuous input from tribal partners and a process in place to gauge
effectiveness on an annual basis, OSWER is prepared to meet new and emerging environmental challenges in 2014 and the years to come.
OSWER intends to update the OSWER Tribal Strategy to reflect the priorities and crosscutting strategies laid out in EPA's FY 2014-2018 Strategic
Plan and Plan EJ 2014. In this way, the OSWER Tribal Strategy will continue to stay current with environmental activities in Indian country and
clearly align with the EPA Strategic Plan into the future. Fundamental to the Tribal Strategy is OSWER's recognition, through words and actions,
that EPA's programs are stronger and more protective of human health and the environment when they meet the needs of a broad, diverse
universe of partners.
Another important priority for OSWER in 2014 is the continued implementation of the Community Engagement Initiative. Tribes have
opportunities to participate in and benefit from this initiative, and EPA will work with tribes to identify and effectively engage tribal
communities in actions related to this initiative. In addition, new issues are consistently raised, such as the desire for more technical assistance
related to mining issues (especially abandoned uranium mines), and new opportunities for integrating "green"approaches into environmental
management programs and revitalization efforts (such as developing alternative energy enterprises on contaminated lands).
OSWER will continue to use the Tribal Accomplishments Reports to maintain conversations with tribes, identify needed changes or updates to the
OSWER Tribal Strategy, discuss information efforts and concerns of tribes and tribal partners, and expand coordination among OSWER and other
EPA program offices. For the latest information on tribal-related activities, please visit the OSWER Tribal Web page and the EPA Tribal Portal.
Sleeping Chief on the Nez Perce Reservation.
Addressing Challenges and Looking Forward
-------
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
OSWER
Tribal Program Report
Accomplishments and Activities 2013
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105T)
EPA-500-F-14-004
December2014
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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