NATIONAL
TRIBAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
PEER MATCHING
PROGRAM
Building Sustainable Tribal
Waste Management Programs
Through Collaboration
To strengthen tribal capacity building and develop sustainable
waste management programs, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) facilitates the National Tribal Waste
Management Peer Matching Program. Peer matches are
voluntary, structured opportunities for tribes and Alaska
Native Villages who are working on similar issues to exchange
experiences and practical knowledge through a mentoring
program.
Peer matching can be a productive and cost-effective method
for tribes to provide technical assistance to each other on
a wide range of waste-related topics. Peer matching also
supports collaboration and builds relationships among the
tribes and with EPA.
When is it appropriate to request support through the
Peer Matching Program?
Peer matches work well when the tribe requesting a mentor:
• has identified a specific need, such as to develop
an Integrated Waste Management Plan or solid
waste enforcement codes, to construct and operate
a transfer station, recycling facility or landfill, or to
acquire best practices for pollution prevention or
recycling programs;
• is approaching a key decision point in the design or
implementation of a solution;
• has limited funding for travel or associated costs for
formal training; or
• anticipates the project will be completed within a one-
year timeframe.
Who are the peer mentors?
Peer mentors are tribal environmental personnel who can
provide expertise and experience to tribes requesting
mentoring. Mentors volunteer to participate in the program.
A mentor is not intended to take the place of a general
contractor, consultant, or other services that are traditionally
paid positions.
PEER MATCHING SUCCESS STORY
Two Fellow Tribes Help Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Design
a Transfer Station
Lacking local and economically feasible waste
disposal options, the Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community needed a transfer station. Following
an effort to develop an Integrated Waste
Management Plan, the Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community sought technical assistance from
fellow tribes.
With help from EPA Region 5, the Bad River
Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Fond
du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
volunteered to assist Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community with developing a transfer station
on its reservation. The mentors committed
their time and provided information on their
own experiences with facility specifications and
design, expenses and revenues, staffing, and
recycling opportunities. EPA helped coordinate
the effort and provided travel funding.
The peer match saved the Keweenaw Bay Indian
Community considerable time and money, and
built strong peer-to-peer relationships among
the three participating tribes. With this effort as
a foundation, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
opened its fully operational transfer station in
the fall of 2014.
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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What is the EPA's role in the Peer Matching Program?
EPA Headquarters, in collaboration with EPA regions, facilitates matches
and works with the matched tribes throughout the mentoring process.
This may include facilitating communication and providing support as
agreed upon by the tribes.
How does the Peer Matching Program work?
Through a facilitated discussion, the mentor and the mentee work
together to carefully analyze the waste management issues and develop
viable options for action. In this way, peer matches capitalize on the
knowledge and expertise of those working on environmental issues at the
ground level, with the aim of enhancing protection of human health and
the environment. As always, peer matches are voluntary.
FUNDING FOR PEER MATCHES
Funding for travel for peer matches
may be available through the Indian
Environmental General Assistance
Program or other programs.
For more information on funding,
please visit the National Tribal
Waste Management Peer Matching
Program website at https://www.
epa.gov/tribal-lands or email EPA at
tribalpeermatch@epa.gov.
What is the process for participating in the Peer Matching Program?
The tribe completes the Request for Participants Form at
https://www.epa.gov/tribal-lands.
EPA confirms receipt of the request and may ask a few questions to further assess
the needs of the tribe requesting assistance.
EPA identifies a tribal match between the tribe seeking the technical assistance
(mentee) and a tribe with the appropriate expertise (mentor). EPA confirms the
mentor tribe's availability to assist the tribe requesting assistance. EPA provides
contact information to both tribes.
The tribes work collaboratively to define and address the needs of the tribe
requesting assistance.
As requested, EPA provides facilitation (e.g., periodic conference calls and/or
meetings) or other support to work towards project goals.
All matched tribes are expected to maintain regular communication and follow through
with the volunteered commitment for assistance.
For More Information
To participate in the program, learn more about program participants, review success stories, or find answers to
frequently asked questions, please visit https://www.epa.gov/tribal-lands or contact the EPA at
tribalpeermatch@epa.gov.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency (5303P)
530-F-16-017
www.epa.gov
July 2016
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