AS* The Tribal Newsletter is issued free each month. https://go.usa.gov/xXNnW Region 10 Tribal ewsletter SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Vol. 27 #11 December 2018 EPA provides some external links in this newsletter for informational purposes only. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy ofnon-EPA information provided by any third-party sites or any other linked site. EPA does not endorse any non- governmental websites, companies, internet applications or any policies or information expressed therein. Top News > > > > > > > > fTips to Keep the Holiday Season Green The winter's holidays are great for celebrating with family and friends. To keep the holiday season green, look for ways to reduce waste and environmental impact when shopping, decorating, and party planning. Think green when you shop. Try to buy items with minimal packaging, those made with recycled content, or consider giving homemade gifts. Keep an eye out for products that have as little environmental impacts as possible, such as electronics with the ENERGY STAR label. And remember to bring your reusable cloth shopping bag! Decorate with ENERGY STAR qualified decorative light strings that use less electricity. Wrap gifts in recycled or reused wrapping paper, and send recycled-content greeting cards. Be sure to recycle the wrapping paper and greeting cards after they're used. If you travel over the holidays, carpool or use public transportation when feasible. If you host a party, set the table with cloth napkins and reusable dishes, cups, and silverware. When washing dishes, soak them with soapy water and rinse them at the same time. If you use a dishwasher, fill it up completely before you run it. Put leftovers or any baked goods in reusable containers and share with others. Check with your local solid waste department to find out when they collect used trees or look for ways to reuse it. For more ideas on how you can reduce waste during the holidays, check out EPA's Reducing Waste: What You Can Do website. vm ,%S FY 2020-2021 National Water Program Guidance Early Tribal Engagement EPA's National Program Guidances communicate operational planning priorities, strategies, key activities and measures, and guides grant work planning with tribes, states, and territories. Over the past six months, EPA's Office of Water conducted a robust consultation and outreach process to states and tribes to establish a set of core measures for EPA's National Water Program. The core measures serve as the basis for the FY 2020-2021 National Water Program Guidance. Information on EPA's FY 2020-2021 National Program Guidances development and tribal engagement is available on the National Program Guidance website and on page 12. CONTACT: Chris Gollan • 202-564-8056 • Gollan.Christopher@epa.gov ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 <4> Continued IGAP Grant Closeout Best Practices Grant Specialist > Equipment Inventory Report. Equipment is defined as any one item that cost $5,000 or more and has a useful life of one year or more (like a snow machine, truck, or boat). If your tribe or organization purchased any equipment during the grant period - then you must submit a report that provides a description of each item, original date of purchase, original cost, and its estimated value and condition today. It must also include the disposal method, which is written into your grant agreement under Equipment Disposition. The disposal method is typically the following statement: The tribe will keep the equipment and continue to use it on the project originally funded through this assistance agreement or on other federally funded projects whether or not the project or program continues to be supported by federal funds. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement If you used an Indirect Cost Rate, submit the most current rate agreement to reconcile information in the Federal Financial Report sent to LVFC. Note that during the grant period, if your tribe or organization budgeted for over $150,000 in procurement, then there is a condition in your grant that requires submission of a Minority Business Enterprise /Woman Enterprise Utilization report (a.k.a. MBE/WBE, EPA Form 5700-52A). If this situation applies to your grant, please refer to that condition for specific requirements. Note that MBE/WBE reporting does not apply to most IGAP grants. Submit the above-noted reports to your Grant Specialist by email, or you can send them by fax to 206-553-4957 or postal mail to EPA Region 10 Grants Administration Unit, OMP-173, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101. For more information on grant closeout requirements, check out EPA's Frequent Questions About Closeout website or contact your EPA Project Officer. 2017 Toxics Release Inventory Available The complete 2017 Toxics Release Inventory dataset is available. It contains data about chemical releases, other waste management and pollution prevention activities that took place at more than 20,000 federal and industrial facilities across the country. The 2017 TRI data is available in the EPA's online Envirofacts database, Online TRI Tools, and Data files on the TRI website. EPA will use this dataset to construct the 2017 TRI National Analysis, planned for publication next month. s+fltfjF Map showing the geographic distribution of TRI reporting facilities in the United States -3 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 A Report an Oil or Chemical Spill Contact the National Response Center at: 800-424-8802. Join EPA's Tribal Emergency Notification System EPA is launching an outreach effort to encourage tribes to participate in the federal government's emergency notification process, in the event of oil and hazardous chemical spills. Many notification systems already exist at the state, tribal, and local levels, and EPA wants to build upon the existing infrastructure and improve communication with tribes. To sign up, tribes must fill out an application that can be requested by email to nrc@uscg.mil or fax to 202-267-1322, If you have questions about the application, contact the National Response Center's Senior Watch Officer at 202-372-2430. To learn more about the National Response System and tribal notifications, check out EPA's National Response Center website. In the event of a spill or hazardous substance release in your community, please contact the National Response Center by calling 1-800-424-8802. Apply for a President's Environmental Youth Award The President's Environmental Youth Award program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth, promoting awareness of natural resources and encouraging positive community involvement. Winners of this year's awards will be invited to a ceremony in Washington, D.C. and have their project mentioned on EPA's website. EPA will select up to two winners in each of EPA's ten regions - one regional winner for grades K-5 and one regional winner for grades 6-12. All student projects must be sponsored by at least one adult over the age of 21. Applications are due February 1. Check out the President's Environmental Youth Award website for information on how to apply and other details. If you have questions, please send an email to PEYA@epa.gov. HUD's Healthy Homes Youth App The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released a new app to help middle-schoolers learn about their home's indoor environment, focusing on actions they can take to have a heathy home. Content was developed to educate middle school youth on healthy homes principles in a preteen-friendly format. Instructions on how to download the app are available on HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes website. 4- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 Vote for NTOC and RTOC Tribal Representatives EPA Region 10 is holding elections for two National Tribal Operations Committee and R Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee positions. EPA sent the official ballots for these elections to the tribes in mid-November. The deadline for tribes to vote is December 7, The candidates for each position are listed below. NTOC Alaska Position 2: Billy Jean Stewart - Native Village of Kalskag, Eric Morrison - Salamatof Tribal Council, Gayla Hoseth - Curyung Tribal Council, and Marian Mike - Stebbins Community Association. NTOC Idaho, Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon Position: David Haire - Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Lee Juan Tyler - Shoshone- Bannock Tribes. RTOC Alaska Position 3: Allen Atchak - Stebbins Community Association, Eric Morrison - Salamatof Tribal Council, Gayla Hoseth - Curyung Tribal Council, Lance Whitwell - Birch Creek Tribal Council, and Roy Andrew - Kokhanok Village Council. RTOC Western Washington Position: Annette Bryan - Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Shallee Baker - Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and Todd Mitchell - Swinomish Tribal Community Each federally recognized tribe within the geographic area is limited to one vote. To vote, please submit one of the following for each position: 1. A marked ballot with an authorized official signature, or 2. a tribal council resolution (identifying the individual that the tribe is voting for that is signed by an authorized official), or 3. a letter on your tribe's stationary (identifying the individual that the tribe is voting for signed by an authorized official). The RTOC is a partnership between EPA Region 10 and elected tribal representatives to further tribal environmental objectives at the regional level, serve as a liaison between the EPA and tribes regarding information exchange, and provide assistance to the NTOC. To learn more about the RTOC in Region 10 check out their website or refer to the RTOC News section on pages 8-9. CONTACT: JR Herbst • 206-553-2116 • herbst.john@epa.gov Michelle Davis • 907-271-3434 • davis.michellev@epa.gov -5 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 Alaska News National Tribal Water Council Seeks Alaska Representative The National Tribal Water Council is a technical and scientific body created to assist the EPA, tribes, and tribal organizations with research and water-related concerns. The NTWC is seeking two tribal water professionals for three-year terms — one from Alaska and one representing the Navajo Nation. The NTWC meets monthly by teleconference and twice a year in person. Applications are due December 21 by ema elaine.wilson@nau.edu. NATIONAL TRIBAL WATER COUNCIL to Elaine Wilson at backhaulALASKA Protect Subsistence • Create Jobs • Remove Toxins Opportunity to Participate in Backhaul Alaska Backhaul Alaska coordinates the shipping of waste materials from rural communities in Alaska to recycling and disposal facilities. Funding to develop this new initiative has been provided by the EPA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Backhaul Alaska is currently testing its concept in eleven communities. The program is currently offering the opportunity for additional communities to participate in a second test phase, called Pilot 2. Participating communities in Pilot 2 will receive free backhaul shipping, supplies, assistance, and training. Pilot 2 will run from the spring of 2019 through the summer of 2020, with most backhaul events scheduled for the summer of 2020. Communities located within the following service provider regions are encouraged to apply: Association of Village Council Presidents, Bristol Bay Native Association, Kodiak Area Native Association, Kawerak inc., Maniilaq Association, and Tanana Chiefs Conference. Priority wili be given to communities that can demonstrate community interest and involvement. Applicants must also meet the following requirements. • Designated point of contact who is available throughout the pilot period. The point of contact must have two years of experience in environmental programs or handling and managing soiid waste. • Ability to pay for staff work hours including backhaul temporary labor (using IGAP or other funds). • Demonstrated proof of worker's compensation insurance. • Signed participation agreement that outlines responsibilities and liabilities. Application forms are available on the Backhaul Alaska website and are due December 16. If you have questions, piease send an emaii to Backhaul Alaska at lnfo@BackhaulAlaska.org. 6- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 Farewell to Alaska Tribal Solid Waste Liaison Ted Jacobson On September 30, EPA bid farewell to Ted Jacobson, who served as EPA's Alaska Tribal Solid Waste Liaison for 12 years. Ted provided extensive technical assistance to tribes on waste management and provided workshops tailored to meet specific community needs. Training courses attended by many tribes over the years included Operating Heavy Equipment in a Landfill, Household Hazardous Waste Identification and Handling, and Rural Alaska Landfill Operator or Administrator training (RALO). Through his position, Ted was a leader in expanding the knowledge and capacity of solid waste management in rural Alaska. He collaborated with industry partners, educators, and vendors nationally and abroad, to promote the development and integration of new technologies to tackle solid waste management challenges in rural Alaska. In recognition of his efforts, Ted received several awards including the Waiter Porter Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alaska Tribai Conference on Environmental Management and an Environmental Excellence Award from the Alaska Forum on the Environment. Prior to EPA, Ted worked in the solid waste field for over 30 years, having started his career as an equipment operator in the Ketchikan landfill located in southeast Alaska. EPA is grateful for his dedicated service and wishes him well as he moves on to new adventures. Welcome Jim Penor — New Alaska Tribal Solid Waste Liaison Jim Penor is the new Alaska Tribal Solid Waste Liaison. He recently retired from the City of Juneau as Solid Waste Coordinator. Jim began his 45-year career in the waste management industry at the Olympic View Landfill in Bremerton, Washington, salvaging metals generated from the Bremerton Naval ship yard. Jim has held positions at municipalities and private waste management firms as a landfill equipment operator, as well as in collection divisions and in landfill management. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his leadership on innovative initiatives and has been called upon for his expertise by state and federal agencies to share his perspectives on waste management policy. Jim is available to provide solid waste technical assistance to tribes in Alaska. He can be reached at 907-500-4963 or Penor.James@epa.gov. - 7 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 Idaho, Oregon, Washington News RTOC News The Region 10 Regional Tribal Operations Committee is a partnership between EPA and elected tribal representatives to further tribal environmental objectives at the regional level, serve as a liaison between the EPA and tribes regarding information exchange, and provide assistance to the National Tribal Operations Committee. Upcoming RTOC Meetings > December 11-13 • Quarterly Meeting • Seattle, WA > January 17 • Conference Call Submit Meeting Discussion Topics Continued oEPA Warmhouse Beach Cleanup qidiqabit ( Camping Place While Drying Fish ) Updates on the Warmhouse Beach'Dump Superfund Site Cleanup October 2018 * CON iACT: Debra Sherbina • 1-800-424-4372, extension 0247 • Sherbina.debra@epa.gov Warmhouse Beach Superfund Site Newsletter Available EPA posted the October issue of Warmhouse Beach Dump Superfund Site newsletter — qidiqabit. The Warmhouse Beach Dump site is on the Makah Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington. The newsletter is designed to let you know about what's happening at the site, opportunities to get involved, and information resources. The October issue features an update on what's happening at the dump, the data that's being analyzed, how the risk assessment process works, an upcoming asbestos removal at the site, and more. Check it out on the EPA's Superfund Site: Makah Reservation Warmhouse Beach Dump website. 8- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 2020 Partners for Fisheries Monitoring Program PROPOSALS DUE: January 31. The Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Subsistence Management administers the Partners for Fisheries Monitoring Program (Partners Program). OSM is seeking proposals for the Partners Program that strengthens Alaska Native and rural involvement in federal subsistence management. The Partners Program is a competitive grant that funds biologists, social scientists, and outreach or educator positions with the intent of increasing the organizations ability to participate in federal subsistence management. The program also supports opportunities for local and rural students to connect with subsistence resource monitoring and management through science camps and paid internships. Applications are encouraged from rural public and private educational organizations, Alaska Native and rural non-profit organizations, and federally recognized tribal governments. The 2020 Notice of Funding Opportunity and other information is available on the U.S. Department of Interior's Partners for Fisheries Monitoring website. Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grants Program PROPOSALS DUE: February 4. The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Inc. (Endowment) published the 2019 Request for Proposals for the Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program. Up to $1.2 million is available in 2019 for projects that accelerate strategic protection of healthy freshwater ecosystems, and their watersheds. Applicants should focus on protection and stewardship of land in the watershed, rather than restoration of degraded habitats, or projects with a strictly water quality improvement outcome. In 2019, priority wiil be given to proposals that maximize measurable outcomes for watershed protection. The Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program is a partnership that includes the Endowment, the EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. CONTACT: Peter Stangel • 404-915-2763 • peter@usendowment.org. Jeff Lerner • 202-236-1883 • jalanlerner@gmail.com -15 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 £> Continued 2019 Environmental Justice Small Grants EPA anticipates awarding approximately 50 grants of up to $30,000 each for one-year projects (five grants for each of EPA's ten regions). Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, and tribal organizations. Potential applicants are invited to participate in pre-application assistance conference calls with EPA to address questions about the EJSG program and this solicitation. The conference calls can be accessed by dialing 1-866-299-3188 and entering 202-564-6349. The conference call schedule is as follows: • December 13 at 12:30 pm Pacific Time (EJSCREEN Tutorial). • January 16 (en Espanol) at 11:00 am Pacific Time. • January 23 at 1:00 Pacific Time. • January 31 at 4:00 pm Pacific Time. For more information about this grant opportunity, check out EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants Program website. Alaska DEC Brownfields Assessments and Cleanup Service APPLICATIONS DUE: March 1. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation assists Alaskan communities by conducting environmental site assessments, a limited cleanup effort, and characterization/cleanup planning. Using funds from the EPA, DEC will conduct Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup projects (DBAC) at eligible properties in Alaska. A DBAC is intended to help reduce the environmental uncertainties or conditions that hinder the reuse or redevelopment of an eligible property. DBAC objectives are to help clarify whether an environmental problem is limiting a site's use or intended reuse or redevelopment, identify the nature and extent of contamination, provide recommendations and estimate costs for additional assessment, if needed, and when funding is available - conduct cleanup activities designed to enable reuse of a site. DBAC services are available to public, quasi-public or nonprofit entities such as municipalities, tribal governments, native corporations, and community development organizations interested in redeveloping abandoned or underutilized properties. Details about this funding opportunity are available on the Alaska DEC Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Service website. CONTACT: Lisa Griswold • 907-269-2021 • lisa.griswold@alaska.gov -17 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 Tribal Clean Diesel Funding FY 2018 APPLICATIONS DUE; April 3. EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality is soliciting applications for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced by diesel engines and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets located in areas designated as having poor air quality. Eligible diesel emission reduction solutions include verified emission control technologies such as exhaust controls, cleaner fuels, and engine upgrades, verified idle reduction technologies, verified aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires, certified engine replacements, and/or certified vehicle or equipment replacement. Eligible diesel vehicles, engines and equipment may include buses, Class 5 - Class S heavy-duty highway vehicles, marine engines, locomotives and nonroad engines, equipment or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo, agriculture, mining, or energy production. Eligible entities include tribal governments or intertribal consortia that have jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. The maximum amount of funding requested is $800,000. EPA anticipates awarding 2-8 cooperative agreements nationally. An informational webinar about the FY 2018 Tribal DERA RFA will be held on February 21 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. To join, click on the iink to webinar on the Clean Diesel Tribal Grants website, and call 202-991-0477 with access code 414-9804. For more details, check out EPA's Tribal Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2018 website. Questions about DERA funding may be directed to cleandiesel@epa.gov. Training & Scholarships Training opportunities in this newsletter are either hosted, funded, or sponsored in collaboration with EPA. Any links to websites outside of EPA are provided for additional information that may be useful or interesting to our readers. We cannot attest to the accuracy of these third-party sites, nor does EPA endorse any nongovernment websites, companies or applications Food Waste Diversion and Composting Programs on Tribal Lands December 11-13, San Diego, CA During this Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals course participants will hear from tribal professionals who oversee successful food waste diversion programs and will visit a biodigester and a compost operation. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of tribal professionals that have implemented different strategies for dealing with food waste. The course is limited to 20 participants. Applications are available on ITEP's Waste and Response Training Schedule website. CONTACT: Julie Jurkowski • 928-523-9404 • Julie.Jurkowski@nau.edu 18- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter December 2018 Region 10 Alaska IGAP Training January 15-18, Anchorage, AK The EPA Region 10 Tribal Trust and Assistance Unit will host an IGAP Grant Workshop in Anchorage. The workshop will offer a variety of sessions and TTAU staff are exploring opportunities for participants to earn a mentor or student certificate, including college credits. Registration information will be shared soon. If you have Alaska IGAP Workshop questions or comments, please contact Santina Gay by email at gay.santina@epa.gov. Region 10 IGAP Grant Training Webinars EPA Region 10 is hosting a series of webinars with the goal of improving grant recipient understanding of grant requirements and common environmental topics. Details will be shared when the specific dates are determined. Join the webinars on EPA's Region 10 IGAP Training Adobe Connect website, For audio call 1-866-299-3188 and enter conference code 907-271-5083. DECEMBER 10 at 2:00 p.m. Alaska Time - EPA's Indirect Cost Rate Policy. This webinar will discuss EPA's new policy on indirect costs and how it affects grant recipients in Region 10. JANUARY 3 at 1:30 p.m. Alaska Time - Grant Application Tips and Forms. This webinar will discuss the required application forms for submitting a FY 2020 IGAP application and will include tips for preparing final applications. FEBRUARY 7 at 10:00 a.m. Alaska Time - Grants.Gov Workspace, This webinar will feature an online demonstration of Grants.gov application submission procedures. CONTACT: Susan Conbere • 206-553-6243 • Conbere.susan@epa.gov 20- ------- |