The Tribal Newsletter is issued free each month. https://go.usa.gov/xXNnW Region 10 Tribal ™ ewsletter oEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Vol. 27 No. 2 February 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-government websites, companies, internet applications or any policies or information expressed therein. Top News EPA Awards Over $8 Million to Spur Redevelopment and Boost Local Economies in the Northwest and Alaska EPA Region 10 awarded $8.3 million in Brownfields State and Tribal Response Program grants in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Brownfields STRP funding is aimed at building capacity to address contaminated sites and enhance brownfields efforts to foster local economic growth. A brownfield is a property which, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the U.S. Brownfields redevelopment can be a key to revitalizing commercial property and local economies. By cleaning up previously contaminated properties, these sites can be reused — preventing sprawl, preserving green space, reinvigorating communities, and protecting public health and the environment. Building capacity in states and tribal communities helps each program gain the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to address contaminated sites. Examples of state and tribal brownfields response grants in action include the following: Tanana Chiefs Conference Tanana Chiefs Conference is a non-profit tribal organization dedicated to meeting the health and social service needs of 42 tribes in Alaska's interior. The TCC Brownfields Tribal Response Program is open to all member tribes within TCC's service area. The TRP is available to help tribes address brownfields in their community or support projects already underway. The TCC brownfields web page hosts the public record for 29 communities and contains over 150 entries. Recently, TCC collaborated with partners to develop brownfields contaminated site outreach material specifically for village and regional corporations. TCC Environmental Health Specialist prepares sediment samples at Skate Lake in Northway, Alaska. £> Continued ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 EPA Awards Over $8 Million to Spur Redevelopment and Boost f*> Continued Local Economies in the Northwest and Alaska * Swinomish Tribal Community Brownfields Tribal Response Program A 2013 fire at the Swinomish reservation marina in western Washington was a wake- up call for the tribe to take stock of their emergency preparedness. Working with the Swinomish Police, the Tribal Emergency Planning Committee, and local Skagit Fire District 13, Swinomish Brownfields Tribal Response Program staff applied for additional Swinomish Tribal Response Program staff conducting spill grants and began upgrading their program. response training and deploying boom. They attracted funding for shoreline cleanup and assessment technique training, 40-hour hazmat safety trainings, utility trailers, and 800 feet of oil containment boom. They later added hazardous gas detectors for the local fire district, and lighting and night search and rescue equipment for the Swinomish Police Marine Patrol. Today, they enjoy a community much better prepared to protect the environment from hazardous materials and oil releases, and are preventing future brownfields through their brownfields tribal response program. Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation The Village of Ruby on the Yukon River in interior Alaska was faced with a dilemma - how could they keep a much-loved and used community center available for use while affordably cleaning up existing diesel contamination? Plants proved to be the solution. Through the DEC Brownfields Assessments and Cleanup Service - funded by a Brownfields STRP grant from EPA, tests showed that soil near the building was contaminated by petroleum in two places, and the building required a better vapor barrier to prevent intrusion. The most cost effective treatment turned out to be rhizoremediation, wherein 430 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and transported to a remote location, where it was filled in with native plants. Progress is being monitored as the plants' roots accomplish the cleanup. m ***1 - i mi i % '"C X : , M' :l S ]• - ¦¦ _J • f ¦¦¦ I Rhizoremediation of contaminated soil in Ruby, AK, State and Tribal Response Programs are under way in ail 50 states, territories, and on tribal lands touching all 10 of EPA's regions. To learn more about these and other projects in the U.S., check out EPA's Brownfields State and Tribal Program Updates website. To learn more about brownfields projects in Region 10 — including brownfields funding opportunities, check out EPA Region 10's website: Brownfields and Land Revitalization in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska. 2- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 ^ONM^y President's Environmental! Youth Award Opportunity APPLICATIONS DUE: March 1. The President's Environmental Youth Award recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth. Each year, the PEYA program honors a wide variety of projects developed by young individuals, school classes, summer camps, public interest groups, and youth organizations to promote environmental awareness. Winning projects in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas, including restoring native habitats, recycling in schools and communities, construction of nature preserves, tree planting, creating videos, skits and newsletters focused on environmental issues, and participating in many other creative sustainability efforts. EPA gives a certificate of special recognition to each qualified applicant, and a Presidential plaque is presented to the national award winners. Participation in the PEYA program is a life-changing experience for many recipients and their sponsors. Learn more about the President's Environmental Youth Award online, including how to apply. Student Food Waste Audit Resource for Schools The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with EPA and the University of Arkansas, released an online Guide to Conducting Student Food Waste Audits: A Resource for Schools. This guide is intended to help schools audit their food waste and implement practical steps to reduce food waste by students. Learn how to plan an audit, collect data, and discover new prevention ideas. USDA. SERA * Guide to Conducting Student Food Waste Audits Valentine's Day Recycled Greeting Card Ideas This Valentine's Day show your love of the earth by sending recycled-content greeting cards, making your own cards from scrap paper, or consider sending electronic valentines. Making your own cards is a project family and friends can enjoy while reducing paper waste and saving money. For more waste reduction and energy saving ideas, check out EPA's Winter Tips website. EPA Deregulatory Actions Website On February 24, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13777 - Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs. The EO directs federal agencies to repeal at least two existing regulations for each new regulation issued in FY 2017 and thereafter. Check out the new EPA Deregulatory Actions webpage that provides a table of EPA deregulatory actions under development, and a table of completed EPA deregulatory actions. EPA's Office of Policy developed the site to provide the public the most up-to-date information on Agency implementation of EO 13771. -3 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 4 \® CANT BE SEEN CANT BE SMELLED CAN'T BE HEARD CAN BE STOPPED Tips to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Every year, close to 500 people die arid almost 50,000 people visit hospital emergency rooms from accidental Carbon Monoxide poisoning. CO is found in fumes produced by gas ranges, vehicles, portable generators, camp stoves, lanterns, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO is invisible and can build up in enclosed, or even partially enclosed spaces, silently poisoning people and animals. The most common CO poisoning symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms. Prevent CO poisoning by doing the following: • Make sure you have a working smoke and CO detector (or all-in-one unit), and refresh batteries every six months. • Never leave a parked motor vehicle running in a garage or other enclosed or even partially enclosed space. • Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine in your basement, garage, or other enclosed space — even with open doors or windows. • Keep all vents, chimneys and flues unobstructed and free of debris, especially in high winds. Debris and snow can block chimneys building up CO in the space. • Never use charcoal grills, hibachis, lanterns, generators or portable camping stoves inside a home, tent, or camper. • If you suspect that someone has CO poisoning, move them to fresh air right away and consult your doctor or other health care professional immediately. To learn more about CO poisoning and prevention tips, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning website. CO detector. US Consumer Product Safety Commission ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alaska Operations Office Alaska News Administrator Pruitt Suspends Withdrawal of Proposed Determination in Bristol Bay Watershed, Will Solicit Additional Comments On January 26, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt followed through on his promise to restore the rule of law and process to the previous Administration's action to restrict mining in Bristol Bay, Alaska. As a result of Administrator Pruitt's actions last summer, proponents of mining in the region were allowed to apply for a permit with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After hearing directly from stakeholders and the people of Alaska, EPA is suspending its process to withdraw those proposed restrictions, leaving them in place while the Agency receives more information on the potential mine's impact on the region's world-class fisheries and natural resources. This decision neither deters nor derails the application process of Pebble Limited Partnership's proposed project. The project proponents continue to enjoy the protection of due process and the right to proceed. However, their permit application must clear a high bar, because EPA believes the risk to Bristol Bay may be unacceptable. To read the full press release, go to EPA's News Releases from Region 10 website. For more information about EPA's decision to withdraw proposed Clean Water Act restrictions on mining the Pebble deposit, or to read a copy of the announcement in a pre-publication Federal Register notice, check out EPA's Bristol Bay website. Walter Porter Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient - Ted Jacobson At the Alaska Tribal Conference on Environmental Manage- ment this past November, Ted Jacobson, Alaska Tribal Solid Waste Liaison, received the Walter Porter Lifetime Achieve- ment Award. Ted received the award during the 2017 ATCEM Environmental Excellence Award Luncheon. Ted has worked for the past 30 years to improve soiid waste management in Alaska. He started his career as an opera- tor in the Ketchikan landfill and has spent the past 12 years training, mentoring, and assisting communities across Alaska. Ted provides one-on-one assistance and training, including Operation of Heavy Equipment in a Landfill and Rural Alaska Landfill Operator courses. Region 10's Office of Air and Waste is pleased that Ted's dedication and enthusiasm have been recognized. Ted is available to assist tribes in Alaska with solid waste technical assistance. He can be reached at 907-865-7363 or by email at tjacobson@ruralcap.com. Rick McMonagle is also available to provide solid waste technical assistance to tribes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Rick is located in EPA's Oregon Operations Office in Port- land and can be reached at 503-326-6363 or by email at mcmonagie.richard@epa.gov. -5 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Idaho, Oregon, Washington News EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Focus List Includes Four Sites in the Pacific Northwest EPA released its initial list of Superfund National Priorities List sites with the greatest expected redevelopment and commercial potential. The Superfund Redevelopment Focus List includes four sites in the Pacific Northwest: • Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex in Smelterville, Idaho. • McCormick and Baxter Creosoting Co. in Portland, Oregon. • Quendall Terminal in Renton, Washington. • Frontier Hard Chrome, Inc. in Vancouver, Washington. In July 2017, EPA's Superfund Task Force released recommendations to streamline and improve the Superfund program, including a focus on redevelopment training, tools, and resources for sites on the NPL, The NPL is the list of sites of national priority with known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants throughout the United States and its territories. The NPL is intended to guide the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation. EPA will work diligently with developers interested in reusing these and other Superfund sites; identify potentially interested businesses and industries to keep them apprised of redevelopment opportunities; and continue to engage with community groups in cleanup and redevelopment activities to ensure the successful redevelopment and revitaiization of their communities. Administrator Pruitt has set the expectation that there will be a renewed focus on accelerating work and progress at all Superfund sites across the country, not just those on the list. To view the full redevelopment focus list, check out EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Focus List website. To learn more about tribal engagement in the Superfund clean-up process, check out EPA's Remedial Program in Indian Country website. 6- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 RTOC News ^ * 4- 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. RTOC Welcomes New Staff Kate Schaberg joins the team as the new RTOC coordinator, Kate currently resides in Kodiak, Alaska with her husband and two children. She has worked as the Environmental Coordinator for the Native Village of Georgetown over the last six years, and brings with her a solid understanding and appreciation of the IGAP network. She has highly valued the time Georgetown tribal members have spent working with her to archive traditional ecological knowledge and develop useful resources for not only Georgetown, but other tribes in western Alaska. She looks forward to expanding on that experience and working with RTOC members and tribes throughout Region 10 to help strengthen environmental tribal capacity and ensure a strong tribal voice moving forward. Carmalita (Carm) Bohnee, Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit coordinator, is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe (Nimiipuu). Carm graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID with a Business Administration degree, also helping develop and operate the LCSC Native American Awareness Week and Pow-Wow. Carm's work experience derives from the Nez Perce Tribe's Enterprises and Nimiipuu Health serving in various roles, such as a HR Director, HR Generalist, and Training Specialist. Randi Madison will remain on as a contractor to assist in the staffing transition through the Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit. Rick Eichstaedt will continue to serve as the policy advisor, and Andy Duanu will continue as the grant administrator. Upcoming Meetings > February 15 • 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time • Conference Call > March 15 • 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time • Conference Call Submit Meeting Discussion Topics 2018 Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit April 11-13 Worley, Idaho Registration is Open! For a summary of last year's conference, download the 2017 Tribal Leaders Summit Report. Continued ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 ^> Continued RTOC NCWS Stay Engaged with Us > NEW! Opt-in to receive important emails from the Region 10 RTOC. • Sign up under the appropriate geographical area. Stay-ln-the-Loop emails are a direct line from the Tribal Caucus representatives to you I Region 10 RTOC can inform you of EPA policy, funding and program news that affect your communities. You will also receive our quarterly newsletter and be reminded of important deadlines to participate in our meetings and have your voices heard. • RTOC Meeting Minutes are available online. • Check out Region 10 RTOC Facebook for the latest news, training, and funding opportunities. • Follow Region 10 RTOC on Twitter. • Submit meeting discussion topics. Contact Kate Schaberg, RTOC Coordinator • rtoccoordinator@regionlOrtoc.net if you wish to join our monthly teleconference and/or have environmental topics to raise. Tribal Consultation A full list of consultation opportunities is available in EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System. Draft EPA Policy on Direct Charges for Proposal Preparation Costs, Requiring Tribal Recipients to Enroll in ASAP, and Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements END DATE: February 16. EPA is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized tribes on two draft grants policy issuances and one grants guidance document. Comments may be emailed to Elizabeth January with the subject "Tribal Consultation Comments". The draft policy Requiring Tribal Recipients to Enroll in ASAP will make the process for paying recipients of EPA financial assistance more reliable and efficient by requiring that all grant recipients participate in the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system, unless EPA grants a waiver due to undue burdens. The policy also clarifies the requirement for timely disbursement of drawn down EPA funds by establishing a 5 business day after drawdown standard for disbursing those funds. The draft EPA Policy on Direct Charges for Proposal Preparation Costs is for tribes with Performance Partnership Grants, Continuing Environmental Program Grants, and Indian Environmental General Assistance Program grants to directly charge proposal preparation costs to these agreements if certain conditions are met. <^> Continued 8- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 Continued Tribal Consultation The Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements provides advice to recipients of EPA financial assistance on how to comply with the Procurement Standards in the Uniform Grant Guidance, 2 CFR Part 200 as well as EPA's Subaward Policy and related guidance. CONTACT: Carson Hodges • 202-564-5332 • hodges.carson@epa.gov Elizabeth January • 617-918-8655 • january.elizabeth@epa.gov Regulatory Revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule END DATE: March 16. EPA is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized tribes on forthcoming proposed regulatory revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. EPA is evaluating potential revisions to the current LCR to improve public health protection while ensuring effective implementation. The Agency is seeking input from tribes on the potential regulatory revisions and suggestions that would assist tribal governments in implementing and complying with the revised rule. The LCR applies to all public water systems, except those that do not regularly serve at least 25 of the same people at least six months of the year. Revisions to the LCR would impact a tribal government that operates public water systems that must comply with the LCR, as well as a tribal government that has primary enforcement authority or primacy, for public water systems on tribal lands. EPA established the LCR in 1991 to protect public health by limiting exposure to lead and copper through drinking water. The primary contribution of lead and copper to drinking water is corrosion from service lines and in-home plumbing materials. The current LCR requires water systems to sample households served by their system and take actions to reduce exposure to lead and copper from drinking water. The actions triggered by the LCR monitoring results may include treatment to control lead and copper corrosion, the replacement of lead service lines, and the dissemination of educational materials to customers. The Agency is currently in the process of evaluating potential regulatory changes to the existing LCR in the areas of tap sampling, corrosion control treatment, transparency and public education, full lead service line replacement as well as specific copper requirements. An informational webinar with tribes on the LCR revisions is scheduled as noted below. > February 15 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. To join the webinar, go to EPA's web conferencing website, call 1-844-569-6824, and enter conference code 3275119. Advanced registration for the webinar is not required. Check out EPA's Lead and Copper Rule website for additional information on the LCR rulemaking. Tribal consultation comment letters should be submitted via email to LCRConsultation@epa.gov. CONTACT: Bob Rose • 202-564-0322 • LCRConsultation@epa.gov -9 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 Grants Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreements APPLICATIONS DUE: February 16. EPA's Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving program provides funding for non-profit and tribal organizations to partner with stakeholders in developing and implementing solutions that address environmental and public health issues in low income and minority communities. Environmental Justice CPS cooperative agreements will be distributed to 10 applicants nationwide to address environmental justice issues. Each recipient will receive up to $120,000 for two-year projects that create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will continue to improve local environments in the future. This opportunity places special emphasis on projects in rural areas. For the purposes of this opportunity, qualifying locations are defined as local areas with small, low-income, rural, and/or tribal communities with populations of 50,000 or less, that have limited access to public or private resources commonly found in metropolitan areas. For details about this opportunity, check out EPA's Environmental Justice CPS program website. FY 2018 Clean Air Act Tribal Grants NEW APPLICANT DEADLINE: March 16. CURRENT GRANTEE DEADLINE: April 2. Sections 103 and 105 of the Clean Air Act allows EPA to provide grant support to tribes to help build tribal knowledge and increase tribal capacity to manage air quality issues. Awards typically range from $25,000 to $250,000. Eligible activities for CAA §103 funds include research, training, investigations, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, and control of air pollution (including both ambient and indoor air pollution). Federally recognized tribes in Alaska are eligible. Eligible activities for CAA §105 funds include implementation of programs for the prevention and control of air pollution (including both ambient and indoor air pollution) or implementation of national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards, including activities related to planning, developing, establishing, implementing, improving, or maintaining such programs. Note that federally recognized tribes in Alaska (with the exception of the Metlakatla Indian Community) are not eligible. Eligible activities for Direct Implementation Tribal Cooperative Agreements include assisting the EPA with any activity required to implement the Clean Air Act or supporting regulations, such as the Federal Air Rules for Reservations. Note that federally recognized tribes in Alaska are not eligible. <^> Continued 10- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 Continued FY 2018 Clean Air Act Tribal Grants Region 10 anticipates nearly all of its funding will be awarded to assure base funding for applicants that have established eligibility under the CAA 105, CAA 103, or with whom DITCAs have already been negotiated. Thus, we expect to have very limited funding for new projects and air quality assessment needs. For details on the FY 2018 Clean Air Act funding check out the Region 10 Clean Air Act Tribal Program Funding website. CONTACT: Andra Bosneag • 206-553-1126 • bosneag.andra@epa.gov State Indoor Radon Grant PROPOSALS DUE: May 31. EPA Region 10 offers a State Indoor Radon Grant for tribal radon work. SIRGs are critical to the Agency's national goal of minimizing and preventing radon-related lung cancer. Tribes and tribal consortia may receive grant funds from EPA that help finance their radon risk reduction activities. The SIRG may be used for activities such as the following: • Developing partnerships with community members, tribal departments (such as health or housing), state, federal, and local government agencies, child care providers, and schools. Attend national and local educational events to gain knowledge on latest technology and changes in regulations. • Conduct outreach and education to increase awareness among local tribal members and organizations residing in areas with potentially high radon levels. • Increase radon awareness and influence the number of buildings tested, including homes, child care facilities, schools, and businesses, especially in high risk areas. Update the tribal website to include new information on radon. • Provide radon test kits to facilities, especially those in high risk areas, such as child care facilities where young children could be exposed. • Work with housing and other partners to explore development and implementation of building codes and practices that safely address radon and prevent exposure. Applicants that have a current Performance Partnership Grant with EPA have a required cost share of five percent (5%) of the allowable cost of the work plan budget, which may be waived if an objective assessment of socio-economic indicators demonstrates a need. For applicants without PPGs, the cost share is higher, at 25% for the first year. Region 10 anticipates that one grant will be awarded for up to $24,000. If interested in this opportunity, please contact the EPA Region 10, Radiation Program Manager listed below for assistance in submitting a brief l-to-2-page workplan that will describe how your organization will develop objectives to use funds for positive outcomes. After the workplan negotiations and other pre-application discussions are completed, specific instructions for submitting application on www.grants.gov will be provided. To learn more about SIRGs, check out EPA's State Indoor Radon Grant Program website. CONTACT: Jim McAuley • 206-553-1987 • mcauley.jim@epa.gov -li ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 Commission for Environmental Cooperation Youth Innovation Challenge SUBMISSIONS DUE: April 3. North American environmental ministers are calling on youth to champion bold ideas to address complex sustainability challenges. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation Youth Innovation Challenge is open to residents of Canada, Mexico and the United States (and its territories) aged 18-30. Participants are encouraged to propose ideas that will leapfrog into solutions to address the complex sustainability challenges facing North America. Youth are encouraged to submit science, technology or business innovations, for the chance to receive $5,000 in project seed funding, meet with experts at the CEC, and present their ideas to officials at the 2018 Regular Session of the CEC Council in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Submission guidelines and more information is available on CEC's Youth Innovation Challenge website. Training and 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. EPA can neither attest to the accuracy of these third-party sites nor endorse any nongovernment websites, companies or applications. Tribal Exchange Network Conference February 27-28, Tucson, AZ Presented by the Exchange Network Tribal Governance Group and the institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Tribai Exchange Network Conference provides tribes and those working with tribes, an opportunity to meet, share, and learn about current initiatives, funding, and technical topics related to the Exchange Network. The Exchange Network is the place where states, tribes, territories, and EPA collaborate on technological innovations, solutions, and services for sharing data. Details and registration information can be found on the Tribal Exchange Network Conference website. Residential Wood Smoke Workshop March 6-8, Nashville, TN EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards is coordinating this workshop with support from the Western States Air Resources Council. The Residential Wood Smoke Workshop is intended for state, local, tribal, federal and nonprofit organization personnel who are interested in learning about and discussing residential wood combustion program issues, opportunities, partnerships, challenges, and lessons iearned. The workshop will be held in conjunction with the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association Expo, providing participants an opportunity to tour the trade show floor to see various hearth technologies firsthand and meet with industry representatives. To view a detailed workshop agenda and register, check out the Residential Wood Smoke Workshop website. CONTACT: Larry Brockman • 919-541-5398 • brockman.larry@epa.gov 12- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 ITEP Student Summer Internship Program INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE: February 28. iTEP's Environmental Education Outreach Program at Northern Arizona University offers student summer internships for Native American and other college students with funding from the EPA. The internship is designed to give current college students an opportunity to gain actual experience while contributing to a project. Eligible student summer interns must be full-time during the spring semester, with at least a 2.5 cumulative Grade Point Average, majoring in an environmental or related field, and have an interest in pursuing an environmental career with a strong interest in working with Native American tribes and Other criteria. ITEP provides each Student intern with Sherralyn Sneezer-Summer intern - 2017 a $4,000 stipend, and limited housing and travel allowances. Interested college students can apply online for an internship. CONTACT: Mansel Nelson • 928-523-1275 • mansel.nelson@nau.edu "N Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke Webinars and Workshop Webinar Series ITEP is offering a webinar series that will provide attendees with an understanding of the impacts of wildland fire smoke on the health of tribal communities and strategies to minimize exposure. Each 90-minute webinar will feature multiple presentations on the topics listed below. The webinars are free and will be recorded. You can register for any of the webinars individually or for all of them. To register any of the webinars, please email Joyce Baldwin at baldwin.j oyce @ e pa .gov. Webinar 3 — February 15 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Reducing the Public Health Impacts of Smoke. Webinar 4 — March 1 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The Yurok Tribe's Wildfire Disaster Response and Reintroduction of Prescribed Fire to Help Prevent Future Wildfires. Webinar 5 — March 15 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Residential and Community Strategies to Prevent Forest Fire Smoke Exposures. Workshop — March 27-28, Boise, ID Upon completion of the webinar series, tribal staff are invited to participate in a hands- on workshop designed to reinforce the concepts presented in the webinars. Participants will learn and practice additional skills that will aid in preparation for wildland smoke events. All webinars must be completed prior to attending the in-person workshop. In order to attend the in-person workshop, you must first submit an application to ITEP. CONTACT: Patricia Ellsworth • 928-523-6721 • patricia.ellsworth@nau.edu -13 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 Rural Alaska Landfill Operator Training March 6-8, Anchorage, AK April 10-12, Anchorage, AK May 8-10, Klawock, AK The Rural Alaska Landfill Operator course is for the designated landfill operator and administrator in a village with a Class III landfill or open dump, and focuses on the duties of the landfill operator, their personal safety and the safety of the village. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the landfill operator's role to keep the village clean and the landfill free from harmful substances. Participants will learn about landfill regulations and requirements, household hazardous waste, waste separation and screening, waste reduction and segregation, recycling, personal protection equipment and much more. These courses are hosted by Alaska Forum, Inc. with trainers and expertise provided in cooperation with Solid Waste Administration of North America, Alaska Chapter. To register or for more information, check out the Alaska Forum RALO Training website. 7G Plan Development Workshop April 4-5, Anchorage, AK Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium is offering a 7G Plan Development Workshop. Participants will begin developing their tribal environmental plans during this workshop with technical assistance from ANTHC staff. Attendees must have attended a 7 Generations Environmental Planning Training in the last 2 years. Tribal environmental program staff or others who are responsible for writing your tribe's environmental plan are best suited for this training. ANTHC recommends that at least two people from each community attend. For registration information, please visit the Training Schedule tab on ANTHC's Capacity and Training website. CONTACT: Oxcenia O'Domin • 907-729-3492 • orodomin@anthc.org Holly Reimer • 907-729-4043 • holly.reimer@anthc.org Tribal Clean Water Act 319/106 Training Workshop April 24-25, Spokane, WA Tribal water quality professionals are invited to learn about and discuss tribal water quality issues throughout Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The Kalispel Tribe is hosting the event in cooperation with EPA Region 10. This workshop will build upon many of the water issues discussed last year, with the addition of learning about potential future changes in development and implementation of water quality protections. Limited travel scholarships are available for up to $500 for tribes seeking to send multiple staff or for those in need of travel assistance. CONTACT: Kenneth Merrill • 509-447-7276 • kmerrill@kalispeltribe.com 14- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 FEMA Region X Trainings Tribal Disaster Declaration Process Workshop Since 2013, federally recognized tribes may request an emergency or major disaster declaration directly from the President or be included in a state's request. This decision requires thoughtful consideration by tribal leaders, emergency managers, finance directors, and others. In partnership with the tribes in Region X, Federal Emergency Management Agency provides this workshop on the Tribal Declaration Pilot Guidance and declaration process options. A facilitated discussion helps a tribe determine its readiness for managing a direct disaster declaration. Information about public assistance, individual assistance, and hazard mitigation is shared. Target audience includes tribal leaders and decision makers, tribal emergency managers, finance directors, infrastructure staff, (i.e., housing authority, fire managers, public works, utilities, natural resources, health, etc.). TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP CONTACT: Jay LaPlante • 425-487-4540 • Jay.LaPlante@fema.dhs.gov Aurora Lehr • 425-487-4917 • aurora.lehr@fema.dhs.gov National Incident Management System and Incident Command System Courses To support and enhance the emergency preparedness capabilities of tribal nations, FEMA Region X is pleased to offer tribes access to National Incident Management System and Incident Command System training. The courses are intended for tribal leaders, emergency managers, emergency management staff, department heads, employees, response/recovery personnel, and local emergency management partners. FEMA Region X will provide a limited, number of classroom training opportunities at no cost, on a first come, first serve basis. The host tribe should designate a point of contact and provide classroom space to ensure at least 15 eligible students have submitted applications to the course coordinator by no later than three weeks prior to start of the course. TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP CONTACT: Jay LaPlante • 425-487-4540 • Jay.LaPlante@fema.dhs.gov -15 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 Qualified Sampler Training (Water Quality and Soil Sampling Training) April 30 - May 4, Fairbanks, AK Learn how to take water and soil samples to send for laboratory testing, test on-site for surface water fecal coliform, and sample and monitor for the basic water quality parameters using a YSI probe and turbidity meter. This Zender Environmental Health and Research Group training will involve classroom time, hands-on instruction, and field days at a local creek. Passing this course satisfies the State of Alaska training requirements to become a qualified sampler. A section of this training will focus on one-on-one Quality Assurance Project Plan development. Attendees with approved QAPPs and appropriate sampling equipment can receive free follow-up assistance to help complete the State of Alaska requirement for supervised work in the field. More information on the workshop can be found on Zender Environmental Solid Waste Training and Technical Assistance Program website. CONTACT: Sean Peterson • 907-277-2111 • speterson@zendergroup.org On-Demand Underground Storage Tank Inspector Training EPA developed this training primarily for Agency regional underground storage tank inspectors, as well as for use in Indian country and by state UST inspectors who currently have or are seeking EPA inspector credentials. The training is open to all federal, state, local, and tribal government employees. More information, as well as the links to the modules for EPA employees and for other stakeholders (including tribal employees), are available on EPA's Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector Training website. CONTACT: Tim Smith • 202-564-0643 • smith.timr@epa.gov Quality Assurance Project Plan Online Course Series ITEP is offering a new online course series. This series consists of nine courses and addresses all 24 elements of a Quality Assurance Project Plan. The series is designed for tribal professionals who need to write or revise a QAPP for an environmental data gathering project. The course series will provide the structure, tools, examples, and other information for your tribal program or organization's QAPP. Before starting the online course series, you will need to complete QA Fundamentals (QA101) which introduces the basics of quality assurance. After completing the QA101 course, you can enroll in the first course in this series: QAPP Project Background and Summary (QA201). QA101 and QA201 are required before taking any of the subsequent eight courses, and are now open for enrollment. Participants who are revising an existing QAPP, or require a refresher in only particular sections or elements, can complete only the needed courses. Register online for QA Fundamentals. The course modules can also be found through ITEP's Online Training website. CONTACT: Melinda Ronca-Battista • Melinda.Ronca-Battista@nau.edu 16- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter February 2018 r \ Calendar of Events February 8 Surface Water Toolbox - Watershed Academy Webcast. 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time • https://go.usa.gov/xnwa9 12 - 16 Alaska Forum on the Environment. Anchorage, AK • http://www.akforum.org/ 15 Webinar — Navigating the New EPA Underground Storage Tank Rules on Indian Lands: What You Need to Know. 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time • http://bit.ly/2mPFG5M 15 Regulatory Revisions to Lead and Copper Rule Informational Webinar. 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time • Call 1-844-569-6824, and enter conference code 3275119 • https://epawebconferencing.acms. com/leadcopperconsultation 15 Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke Webinar 3 — Reducing the Public Health Impacts of Smoke. 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time • http://bit.ly/2AW7qM6 15 Region 10 RTOC Monthly Conference Call. 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time • http://regionlOrtoc.net/meetings/ 20 Revising the Definition of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) Informational Webinar for Tribes. 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time • Contact CWAwotus@epa.gov 27 - 28 Tribal Exchange Network Conference. Tucson, AZ • http://bit.ly/2DM3DmC March 1 Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke Webinar 4 — The Yurok Tribe's Wildfire Disaster Response and Reintroduction of Prescribed Fire to Help Prevent Future Wildfires. 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time • http://bit.ly/2AW7qM6 6-8 Rural Alaska Landfill Operator Training. Anchorage, AK • http://bit.ly/2kLtz98 6-8 Residential Wood Smoke Workshop. Nashville, TN • http://bit.ly/2EWiRox 13 - 15 Development and Implementation of Tribal Solid Waste Codes and Ordinances. Phoenix, AZ • https://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/training_waste 15 Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke Webinar 5 — Residential and Community Strategies to Prevent Forest Fire Smoke Exposures. 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time • http://bit.ly/2AW7qM6 15 Region 10 RTOC Monthly Conference Call. 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time • http://regionlOrtoc.net/meetings/ 27 - 28 Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke (hybrid course, in-person workshop). Boise, ID • https://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/training_air April 4-5 7G Plan Development Workshop. Anchorage, AK • http://bit.ly/2iBcTSK 10 - 12 Rural Alaska Landfill Operator Training. Anchorage, AK • http://bit.ly/2kLtz98 11-13 Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit. Worley, ID • http://regionlOrtoc.net/tribal-leaders-summit 17 - 19 GIS for Air Quality. Las Vegas, NV • http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/training_aq_gisaq 24 - 25 Tribal Clean Water Act 319/106 Training Workshop. Spokane, WA • Kenneth Merrill • 509-447- 7276 • kmerrill@kalispeltribe.com 30 - May 4 Qualified Sampler Training (Water Quality and Soil Sampling Training). Fairbanks, AK • http://www.zendergroup.org/sw.html Links to websites outside of EPA are 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. \ J -17 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Vol. 27 No. 2 - February 2018 &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Tribal Program 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, RAD-202-2 Seattle, WA 98101-3140 f '\ Got News? The Region 10 Tribal Newsletter invites you, our readers, to submit ideas and articles for consideration and to share your successes and challenges. Photographs are also welcome as separate files in jpeg or other graphic format. Please submit articles and pictures to: Don Creek EPA, 805 SW Broadway, Suite 500 Portland, Oregon 97205 0) 503-326-5015 ^ email creek.don@epa.gov V Helpful Links R10 Tribal Programs: http://go.usa.gov/xkdMv EPA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPARegionlO Follow us @EPAnorthwest on Twitter! https://twitter.com/EPAnorthwest EPA Region 10 Tribal Trust and Assistance Unit Staff Stacy Murphy, Unit Manager 206-553-2106 ALASKA Todd Bender, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-0344 Katherine Brown, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-7263 Susan Conbere, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-6243 Michelle Davis, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3434 Sherry Davis, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6322 Santina Gay, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3413 JR Herbst, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-2116 Nica Klaber, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-2570 Mahri Lowinger, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6334 Michael Ortiz, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-6234 Neverley Shoemake, Tribal Coordinator... 907-271-3206 Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-1270 IDAHO, EASTERN AND CENTRAL WASHINGTON, AND EASTERN OREGON Jim Zokan, Tribal Coordinator 208-378-5691 WESTERN AND CENTRAL OREGON, SOUTHWEST WASH. Kristine Carre, Tribal Coordinator 503-326-7024 Don Creek, SEE 503-326-5015 NORTHWEST WASHINGTON Westley Foster, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-1604 Alan Moomaw, Tribal Coordinator 360-753-8071 Report Spills and Accidents Note these emergency numbers to call in the event OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS OR ACCIDENTS: Alaska 800-478-9300 Idaho 800-632-8000 Oregon 800-452-0311 Washington 800-258-5990 National (EPA) 800-424-8802 Environmental (Violations/ To report environmental violation tips and Complaints to the EPA: https://go.usa.gov/xNs7B. ------- |