NEWS
The Tribal Newsletter
is published free monthly
To receive a copy, call:
AK: Barb 907-271-3419
ID: Jim 208-378-5691
OR: Don 503-326-5015
WA: Alison 360-753-8185
LETTER
^5
egion 1
Tribal
wsletter
x>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Vol. 22 No. 1
January 2013
http://yosemite.epa.gov/RlO/TRIBAL.NSF/Newsletter/Issues
Conferences and Workshops
January
10-11
NPETE EPA Grants Management training, Seattle, WA.
www.petetribal.org or 207-771-9020, ext. 304
14-18
American Indian Air Quality Training Program "Air Quality Computations"
(Level 1), Flagstaff, AZ. Download course application materials at:
www.nau.edu/itep
15-16
NPETE EPA Financial and Administrative Grant Guidance and DBE Training,
Kotzebue, AK. www.petetribal.org or 207-771-9020, ext. 304
16-18
Rural Alaska Landfill Operator (RALO) training, Bethel, AK.
www.zendergroup.org/sw.html or phone 907-277-2111
17
NPETE EPA 1/2 day Accounting Fundamentals, Kotzebue, AK.
www.petetribal.org or 207-771-9020, ext. 304
28-29
Energy Development on Tribal Lands Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
www.euci.com/events/?ci=1795&t=0
Contact Greg Riddell, 720-988-1235 orgriddell@euci.com
28-31
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Winter Convention, Chehalis
Tribe, Great Wolf Lodge, Centralia, WA. Info: 360-273-7718 or
www.atnitribes.org/conferences
February
4-8
15th Annual Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK
http://www.akforum.com/ or info@akforum.org or call toll free 888-301-0185
6-8
Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) quarterly meeting, Anchorage,
AK. Suggested agenda items can be sent to Diana Boquist at
boquist.diana@epa.gov or 206-553-1586
7-10
2nd Annual American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) 2013
Leadership Summit, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.
http://www.aises.org/what/events/leadership
19-21
Climate Change Adaptation Planning, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.
Contact Susan.Wotkyns@nau.edu
JJ
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Conferences and Workshops
Continued
March
12-15 Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Training (Level 1),
Tucson, AZ. visit http://www.nau.edu/itep/. For more info, contact
Lydia Sheer at Lydia.sheer@nau.edu or 928-523-6887.
26-29 Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium 7 Generations Training,
Anchorage, AK. Apply online at http://www.anthc.org/chs/ces/hve/7-
generations.cfm. For questions, please contact Oxcenia O'Domin,
907-729-3492, orodomin@anthc.org or Desirae Roehl, 907-729-
3496, droehl@anthc.org
May
21-23 Orutsararmiut Regional Environmental Summit, Bethel, AK.
Contact Rhea Maxie, rmaxie@nativecouncil.org or 907-543-2608.
For more information on EPA Tribal trainings, webinars, grants, and opportunities
for Tribal consultation, visit www.epa.gov/indian/calendar/index.htm
SAVE THE DATE!!
Region 10 Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit
Planning is underway for the next EPA The Summit will be hosted by the Kalispel
Region 10 Tribal Environmental Leaders Tribe of Indians at the Northern Quest
Summit to be held October 7-11,2013. Resort and Casino in Spokane, WA.
Visit http://tels.kalispeltribe.com/
EPA Region 10's Tribal Consultation and
Coordination Procedures Are Now Available
EPA's policy is to consult on a government-
to-government basis with federally recognized
tribal governments when EPA actions and
decisions may affect tribal interest. The EPA
Policy on Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribes (online at
epa.gov/tp/consultation/consult-policy.htm)
established the national guidelines and
institutional control for consultation across
EPA.
To implement this agency-wide policy within
EPA Region 10, EPA is pleased to announce
the recent completion of the EPA Region
10 Tribal Consultation and Coordination
Procedures.
For more information and to obtain a copy of
the Procedures, please visit
^0 http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/TRIBAL.
NSF/Programs/Consultation
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
C1 i iiw ateSCh an Me. Ne«
Sea-level Rise Outpaces Expert Predictions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) projected an annual sea level
rise last year in 2011 of 2 millimeters per
year. According to new satellite data, there
appears to be a stark difference between their
projections and reality.
Sea-levels are rising 60 percent faster than
predicted, at a rate of 3.2 millimeters a year.
Global temperatures, on the other hand,
are continuing to rise at the consistent pace
which IPCC predicted. The study shows
that the increased rate in sea-level rise is not
significantly affected by internal variability in
Earth's climate system, but is rather reflec-
tive of a general trend. For a copy of the full
article, visit
"fl http://bk.ly/W44jFp
NOAA's Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook
Reports for State and Local Governments
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and regional partners
around the United States have teamed
up to issue a series of quarterly Climate
Impacts and Outlook reports aimed at
assisting policymakers as they prepare for
drought and other extreme weather events.
The reports highlight trends in
temperature, precipitation, and climate in
four regions of the country
(Central Region, Southern Great Plains,
the Eastern Region, and the Western
Region). Maps of areas of significant fire
potential and drought may help state and
local officials in their planning efforts.
The reports are available on the U.S.
Drought Portal, along with a number
of other climate- and drought-related
resources.
http:/ / go.usa.gov/ gsKC
EPA Directories of Adaptation Tools
and Resources for Public Officials
EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy
site has a topic page on impacts and adapta-
tion that includes links to state adaptation
plans, guidebooks, programs, and tools.
EPA's Climate Change Site includes a list of
adaptation-related tools, guide books, clear-
inghouses, and other resources for public
officials.
The page includes links to clearinghouses
(online directories of adaptation resources),
sector-specific tools and resources, region-
specific tools and resources, and a series of
guidebooks on adaptation-related topics.
For more information, visit
*11 http://go.usa.gov/gsKW
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 non-government websites, companies or applications.
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Learn How Tribes
Are Confronting
Climate Change
State, local and tribal government officials
interested in additional information about
developing and implementing cost-effective
climate and energy strategies that help further
environmental goals and achieve public health
and economic benefits may visit EPA's website
at www.epa.gov/ statelocalclimate
Coastal Climate Adaptation
Practice for State and
Local Governments
NOAA's Coastal Climate Adaptation site is
a community of practice for state and local
officials in coastal areas of the United States.
The site includes a searchable online
database of adaptation action plans, policies,
assessments, case studies, communication
and outreach materials, and other resources
posted by members, as well as basic climate
change information.
Visit http://go.usa.gov/g6Kj
Prepare Hydro-climate
Inputs for Climate Change
in Water Resource Planning
A self-paced module on preparing hydro-
climate inputs for climate change in water
resource planning is now available online.
This training module describes the process of
selecting the best available climate projection
information and using it to develop "climate-
adjusted weather" inputs to be used for
modeling climate change impacts.
The course is free during the 2012-2013 pilot
period. For more information, visit
www.usbr.gov/ research/climate/training.html
Planning for
Climate Change
The Metcalf Institute at the University
of Rhode Island recently held the second
in a series of seminars on climate change.
Here are a few noteworthy points that
were offered Nov. 30 by 15 scientists,
engineers, planners and other experts.
www.enn.com/ top_stories/ article/45290
Climate Adaptation
Knowledge Exchange
CAKE, a joint project of Island Press and
EcoAdapt, aims to build a shared knowledge
base for managing natural systems in the
face of rapid climate change. The CAKE
website provides a virtual library, case studies,
a directory of people and organizations, and
tools. Visitwww.cakex.org
EPA Releases Climate
Change Indicators in the
United States 2012
EPA has released its Climate Change
Indicators in the United States 2012
report. This report updates the Agency's
initial climate-indicators report, which was
published in 2010.
It contains information about 26 key
indicators that together show what climate
change looks like in the United States. The
report also highlights some of the public
health and environmental impacts that
are already happening today. To access the
report, visit
epa.gov/ climatechange/science/indicators
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities
Training (Level 1)
An entry-level course designed to provide an
understanding of common indoor air quality
(IAQ) problems in tribal homes and schools
will be held March 12-15 in Tucson, AZ.
Preference will be given to applicants who
have an indoor air quality task in a grant
work plan.
Download the course application materials
at: http://www4.nau.edu/itep/air/docs/
PreReg-IAQ.pdf
or see http://www.nau.edu/itep
For more info, contact Lydia Sheer at
Lydia.sheer@nau.edu
8 928-523-6887
Tribal Waste and Response Assistance Program
The Institute for Tribal Environmental
Professionals is currently developing a new
course as part of their Tribal Waste and
Response Assistance Program (TWRAP).
This course is titled "Compliance and
Enforcement for Tribal Response,
Superfund, and LUST Programs" and
will be held January 29-31 in San Diego,
California. This course will feature both
tribal professionals and legal experts as
instructors.
For more information on this course, please
refer to http://bit.ly/ITEP_Waste
ITEP will accept 20 applications for
this course. If you are interested in being
considered for this course, please fill out the
application and email it to Roberta Tohannie,
at roberta.tohannie@nau.edu or fax it to her
attention at 928-523-1266. Those accepted
to the course will have their lodging expenses
covered. All attendees are responsible for
their own travel and per diem costs.
HUD's Green Training Academy
in Bozeman, Montana Feb. 11-15
This exciting pilot initiative from the
Department of Housing and Urban
Development offers green building
training to HUD grantees and other
affordable housing organizations.
Comprehensive support through training,
technical assistance and accreditation is
completely subsidized by HUD and free
to all participants. Attendees will leave
these courses with easy, practical and low-
cost practices that can be implemented
right away to save energy and money.
You should attend HUD's Green Training
Academy if you are interested in learning
how to:
Make your affordable housing
portfolio sustainable
Reduce operating expenses while
preserving water and energy
Finance green and energy efficient
improvements
Achieve healthier, safer and more
efficient buildings
To register, visit sustainable-
performance . org/HUD GreenAcad
Please note that space is limited. Should
you have questions or concerns, email
Erik.Amundson@hud.gov or call
406-447-1488.
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
$1.5 Million Available
Applications due January 7 for EPA
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Eligible entities:
Federally recognized tribal governments; tribal
organizations working to educate, empower,
and enable their communities; or incorporated
nonprofits
The Environmental Justice Small Grants
Program provides funding for projects that
address local environmental and public health
issues within an affected community.
The grants enable award recipients to
conduct research, provide education, and
develop solutions to local health and
environmental issues in communities
overburdened by harmful pollution.
For more information, visit
http:/ / go.usa.gov/ gH89
GAP Grants
The EPA Region 10 Tribal Trust and
Assistance Unit has announced the funding
opportunity for Indian Environmental
General Assistance Program (GAP) grant
proposal from federally recognized tribal
governments and intertribal consortia in
Region 10 for FY2014 work plan activities.
Announcement letters have been
mailed to all Tribal Leaders, and the full
announcement has been emailed to tribal
environmental staff. Draft work plans and
budgets are due January 15,2013. Visit
http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/TRIBAL.
N SF/ Grants/igap_2014
EPA Region 10 Contacts:
If located in Alaska, please submit your
proposal to your EPA Project Officer (if
you're not sure who your Project Officer is,
please call 907-271-5083).
If you are a new applicant in Alaska,
submit your proposal to: Santina Gay,
fiD US EPA, Alaska Operations Office,
222 W. Seventh Avenue, #19,
Anchorage, AK, 99513-7588.
8 907-271-3413
gay.santina@epa.gov
If located in Idaho, Oregon, or
Washington, submit your proposal to
your EPA Project Officer.
If you are a new applicant in Idaho,
Oregon, or Washington, please submit your
proposal to: Diana Boquist,
uD US EPA, Region 10,1200 Sixth
Avenue, Suite 900, ETPA-085
Seattle, WA, 98101-1128
8 206-553-1586
^0 boquist.diana@epa.gov
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants - $21 million
Applications due: January 17. Eligible entities:
State, Indian Tribes, irrigation district, water
district, or other organization with water or
power delivery authority. Applicants must also
be located in the western United States or ter-
ritories: Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The
WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency
Grant program provides funding to communi-
ties in the western United States to conserve
and use water more efficiently, increase the
use of renewable energy and improve energy
efficiency, benefit endangered and threatened
species, facilitate water markets, and carry out
activities to address climate-related impacts
on water.
www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/grants.html
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
New 2013 AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity
AmeriCorps has extended the deadline for
the 2013 AmeriCorps State and National
Notice of Funding Opportunity to
February 6 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time
(2 p.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Alaska).
The Notice of Funding includes:
Application Instructions
Performance Measure Instructions for
Capacity Building
Disaster
Economic Opportunity
Education
Environmental Stewardship
Healthy Futures
Veterans and Military Families
SIG eligible schools
Would your GAP program benefit from
additional help to get things done in the
community? If so, the application and ad-
ditional info is available at
http://l.usa.gov/UtlhR3
Applicants in Alaska may also request
information by calling 800-478-7227
or email Charlie Ess, RAVEN Program
Coordinator at cess@ruralcap.com or
Sonia Vent, BIRCH Program Coordinator
at svent@ruralcap.com
HHS Administration for Native Americans Environmental
Regulatory Enhancement Grant Announcement
> developing regulations, ordinances, and
The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services announces the Administration for
Native Americans Regulatory Enhancement
Grant.
Estimated funds available: $1,000,000
Estimated grant range: $100,000-
$300,000
Estimated average award: $150,000
Estimated number of awards: 7
Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: American Indian / Alaska
Native / Native Hawaiian entities
This ANA program provides support for the
development, enforcement, and monitoring
of tribal environmental quality and regulatory
programs.
Preference will be given to proposed activities
that are consistent with the goals and priori-
ties of native communities, including the fol-
lowing areas of interest and project types:
> establishing baseline condition for regula-
tory purposes
>
>
>
>
laws to protect the environment
building the technical and program ca-
pability of the tribe or organization to
perform essential environmental program
functions to meet tribal and federal regu-
latory requirements
building the technical and program
capability of personnel to monitor com-
pliance and enforcement of tribal and
federal environmental regulations, ordi-
nances, and laws
informing the community about regula-
tions and environmental stewardship,
and
establishing demonstration projects to
exhibit technologies, which can lead
to compliance with environmental
regulations.
Contact:
Mark Allender
^0 mark.allender@acf.hhs.gov
8 877-922-9262
or go to http://go.usa.gov/gHkF
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ion 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Water Restoration Funding
The Five Star/Urban Waters Restoration
Program seeks to develop community capacity
to sustain local natural resources for future
generations by providing modest financial
assistance to diverse local partnerships for
wetland, forest, riparian and coastal habitat
restoration with a particular focus on urban
waters and watersheds.
The National Association of Counties, the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and
Clean Air Act Tribal
The EPA Region 10 Tribal Air Program
has announced a funding opportunity for all
tribes in Region 10. The work proposed can
be for air pollution control programs within
reservation boundaries or for projects that
investigate the causes and prevention of air
pollution within tribal communities.
Priority will be given to proposals with the
greatest potential to produce measurable
environmental results in reducing significant
air pollution risks.
the Wildlife Habitat Council in cooperation
with EPA, USDA Forest Service , National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Southern Company, FedEx and others,
are pleased to solicit applications for the
2013 Five Star/Urban Waters Restoration
Program.
Applications must be submitted online by
8:59 p.m. Pacific Time Thursday, February 7.
For information, visit http://bit.ly/VyO 821
Funding Opportunity
The Request for Proposals includes a list
of helpful resources for understanding
concerns identified in the Tribal Community
Air Quality Assessment. Proposals are due
February 4.
Details on the application process and
requirements are available at:
http://go.usa.gov/g6Gz (scroll down to
clean air grants). Contact: Erin Mader at
8 206-553-1254
^0 mader.erin@epa.gov
EPA Seeks Proposals to Increase Community
Awareness and Use of Environmental Information
through Education and Outreach
Funding is available for projects that will
provide key audiences with an opportunity
to attain a greater understanding of Tox-
ics Release Inventory (TRI) data and other
related toxic chemical information.
This announcement is consistent with the
purpose of TRI as stated in the Emergency
Planning and Community Right to
Know Act (EPCRA) 42 U.S.C. 11023,
which is to provide the public and local
governments with information concerning
potential chemical hazards present in their
communities.
EPA believes that an important
way to promote greater awareness,
understanding and use of the TRI data
and other related information is to
provide financial assistance for a project
to increase awareness of that information
among new audiences and through new
avenues.
Tribes and Tribal Consortia are eligible
to apply for funds. Proposals are due
March 1. For more information, visit
^p] www.epa.gov/tri/rfp/index.html
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Brownfield Requests for Funding
The FY13 CERCLA 128(a) State and
Tribal Response Program Grant Funding
guidance has been posted to the Region 10
EPA internet at http://go.usa.gov/gH5z
Eligible funding requests (due January
31) can be made by States, Federally
Recognized Tribes and U.S. Territories to
establish and enhance a response program.
Requests for funding will be accepted from
December 1, 2012 - January 31,2013. On
January 8, the EPA Region 10 Brownfields
Team will host a one hour Q_8c A Session
from 11am -noon PST (10-1 lam AK
time) on the fund request process. The call
in number is 866-299-3188, conference
code 9072711272.
All funding requests should be submitted
to Mary Goolie, Region 10 Brownfields
Project Officer at 907-271-3414 or goolie.
mary@epa.gov. All applicants must submit
a summary of the planned use of the funds
with associated dollar amounts. Please use
the chart format provided in the funding
guidance at http://go.usa.gov/gHNC
Pilot Projects on Climate Change and Extreme Weather
Vulnerability Assessments and Adaptation Options
The Federal Highway Administration is
soliciting proposals for projects from State
Departments of Transportation, metro-
politan planning organizations, federal land
management agencies, and tribes to conduct
analysis in one of two areas related to climate
change and extreme weather adaptation:
1. assessments of transportation
vulnerability to climate change and
extreme weather events, or
2. developing options for improving
resiliency of transportation facilities
or systems to climate changes and/or
extreme weather events.
In 2010-2011, the Highway Administration
sponsored five metropolitan planning
and State DOT-led pilots to conduct
vulnerability and risk assessments of their
transportation infrastructure.
The Federal Highway Administration has
since restructured that conceptual model into
an updated framework, incorporating lessons
learned from the 2010-2011 pilots and other
studies. Completed project descriptions are
due by January 22.
For more information, please visit
^0 http://go.usa.gov/gHRT
Federal Surplus Property
The Federal Surplus Personal Property Do-
nation Program (aka GSAXcess or Federal
Excess) allows certain organizations, includ-
ing tribes, to obtain excess federal property
the government no longer needs.
Equipment available in the system ranges
from vehicles, boats, and office furniture
to consumable office, field and laboratory
supplies and equipment.
Tribal governments may find the Federal
Excess is a source of low-cost equipment and
supplies needed to support programmatic
work.
For more information or to register for
system access, please visit
^0 www.gsa.gov/portal/content/100733
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
EPA Invites Tribal Consultation on Draft GAP Guidance
EPA has initiated consultation and
coordination on the "Proposed Guidance
on the Award and Management of General
Assistance Program Agreements for Tribes
and Intertribal Consortia" for a 90-day
consultation period ending February 22,2013.
This Guidance contains a revised "Guidebook
for Building Tribal Environmental Capacity"
previously shared for consultation with tribes
from August 2011 through January 2012.
The Agency has used the feedback received
during that initial six month period to
substantially revise the document. When
finalized, this new Guidance will supersede
existing Agency GAP guidance.
The proposed new Guidance will establish
an overall framework for tribes and EPA
to follow in building tribal environmental
protection program capacities with GAP
resources. EPA will issue a final Guidance in
May, 2013.
Visit http://go.usa.gov/gHnY
Final Approval of the Cobell Settlement
A proposed settlement has been reached
in Cobell v. Salazar, a class action lawsuit
about individual Indian land, funds and
other assets held in trust by the federal
government.
Courts decided that the federal
government has violated its trust
duties, including a duty to account for
Individual Indian Money trust funds. The
Settlement will resolve claims that the
government violated its trust duties by
a. mismanaging individual Indian trust
funds and other assets
b. improperly accounting for those funds
c. mismanaging trust land and other
assets.
While Elouise Cobell, the named plaintiff
in this case, is no longer with us, her
legacy will be a renewed commitment to
the federal trust relationship with Indian
Country, http://www.indiantrust.com/
Region 10 Children's Environmental Health Website!
Please visit
EPA Region 10 recently
launched a new children's
environmental health website,
complete with contact
information for EPA programs
that work to improve children's
environmental health.
The site includes resources
for how to create a healthy
home, school, and/or child
care environment. The site also includes
information for health care providers and
specific state resources related to children's
environmental health.
www.epa.gov/ regionlO/children
to familiarize yourself with the
information, sign up for the Healthy
School News electronic newsletter, or
to find contact information for EPA
programs.
Contact:
Margo Young, Regional Children's
Environmental Health Coordinator
^0 young.margo@epa.gov
8 206-553-1287
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
New App for Health of
Waterways
EPA has a new app and website to help
people find information on the condition of
thousands of lakes, rivers and streams across
the United States from their smart phone,
tablet or desktop computer.
Available at www.epa.gov/mywaterway, the
"How's My Waterway" app and website uses
GPS technology or a user-entered zip code
or city name to provide information about
the quality of local water bodies. This new
app provides easy, user-friendly access to the
health of a waterway, whether it is safe for
swimming and fishing, and what is being
done about any reported problems.
EPA Announces Next
Round of Clean Air
Standards to Reduce
Harmful Soot Pollution
In response to a court order, EPA
finalized an update to its national air
quality standards for harmful fine particle
pollution (PM2.5), including soot,
setting the annual health standard at 12
micrograms per cubic meter.
By 2020, 99 percent of U.S. counties are
projected to meet revised health standard
without any additional actions.
http://www.epa.gov/ pm
EPA Releases Final
Guidance on Disposal
of PCB-Contaminated
Building Materials
EPA has issued final guidance on PCB-
contaminated building materials. The
revised guidance documents are available at
http://go.usa.gov/gHQV
V
Rural Community
Assistance Corporation
(RCAC)
RCAC is working with a new partner to
develop a tribal contact website, a training
calendar, and introducing a new program
called "TUG" (Tribal Utility Governance) as
well as a tribal utility newsletter. This will be
a useful resource to everyone in tribal country.
For more information, contact David C.
Willis, 559- 337-0360 or go to www.rcac.org
Free Continuing Education
Courses Cover Lead
Poisoning Prevention
The Division of Environmental and
Occupational Disease Control at CA
Department of Public Health has developed
free online continuing medical education
(CME) courses on various occupational
and environmental medicine topics,
including Lead: Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention.
This webinar provides information about
sources and risk factors for childhood lead
exposures, implementation of California
childhood lead screening regulations,
and designing appropriate environmental
interventions. Visit http://bit.ly/TZl2vO
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
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EPA's WaterSense Announces Online
Resource for Best Management Practices for
Commercial and Institutional Facilities
4
EPA
WaterSense
EPA's WaterSense program has created
WaterSense at Work: Best Management Practices
for Commercial and Institutional Facilities.
It's an online compilation of best management
practices to help commercial and institutional
facilities better manage their water use
through efficient practices and products.
WaterSense at Work addresses water use in
educational facilities, offices, restaurants,
hotels, hospitals, laboratories and other
organizations and presents numerous tactics
for businesses and organizations to achieve
water, energy, and operational savings, as well
as case studies on different types of facilities
that have achieved savings by using water
efficiently.
For more information, visit
epa.gov/watersense/commercial/bmps.html
Tribal ecoAmbassadors Program
In support of President Obama's Executive
Order 13592, "Improving American
Indian and Alaska Native Educational
Opportunities and Strengthening
Tribal Colleges and Universities",
Administrator Jackson launched the Tribal
ecoAmbassadors Program in 2011. The
program supports the development of
locally-relevant environmental solutions
and the expanded research capacity of our
Tribal Colleges and Universities.
Selected professors from four different
Tribal Colleges and Universities are
committed to working with students, tribal
governments and EPA scientists to solve
environmental and public health issues
traditional methods, to creating a local
business using recycled, carbon-negative
building materials. At the culmination of
the year, each Tribal ecoAmbassador will
be expected to present their research and
findings to the Agency next summer.
Returning Tribal ecoAmbassador David
Stone has written a very moving personal
account of his experience working with
the Tohono O'odham Community for the
EPA Greenversations blog at
http://blog.epa.gov/blog
If you are interested in participating in the
program in future years, visit
www.epa.gov/ecoambassadors/tribal or
contact EPA's Marissa Mclnnis at
ranging from decreasing fish biotoxins using mcinnis.marissa@epa.gov
Cold Weather Increases Carbon Monoxide Dangers
With temperatures dropping and cold
weather settling in, people will turn to gas
furnaces, space heaters and fireplaces for
warmth. Not so fast, caution pulmonologists
from Harris Health System, who recommend
that everyone get those devices checked for
carbon monoxide leaks.
Known as "the silent killer," carbon monoxide
is the gas byproduct of the incomplete
combustion of fuel used in cars, gasoline
engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal or
wood, gas ranges, fireplaces and heaters.
For more info: http://bit.ly/YpK8mX
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Increased Carbon Dioxide in Atmosphere is Raising
C02 Concentrations and Acidification in Seawater
An article published in the journal
"Environmental Science and Technology"
indicates that increases in atmospheric
carbon dioxide (C02) are raising seawater
C02 concentrations and causing ocean
water acidification.
A second environmental problem,
eutropliication, is also causing large C02
inputs to coastal waters. This occurs because
inputs of nutrients have fueled massive
algal blooms, which in turn deplete bottom
waters of oxygen and release C02 when the
organic matter from these blooms is respired
by bacteria. The study's model predictions
were consistent with data from hypoxic zones
in the northern Gulf of Mexico and Baltic
Sea, two eutrophic coastal systems with large
temperature and salinity differences.
The modeled and measured decreases in pH
are well within the range shown to adversely
impact marine animals. To view the article,
visit http://bit.ly/VyW CpY
Science Undergraduate Laboratory
Internship Program at NREL
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
is now accepting applications for the 2013
SULI Summer Program. The deadline to
apply is January 10. Apply online now at:
http:/ / science.energy.gov/wdts/suit/
NREL is the only DOE laboratory that
focuses on renewable energy and energy ef-
ficiency technologies. NREL advances the
science and engineering, and transfers the
knowledge and innovations to address the na-
tion's energy and environmental goals. Ben-
efits of the summer SULI program include:
10 weeks (June 3-August 9) engaged in
a research project under the direction of a
laboratory scientist or engineer
Professional development workshops
Stipend of $500 per week
Travel reimbursement (for those who
qualify)
Housing allowance (for those who
qualify).
For information, contact Linda Lung at
linda.lung@nrel.gov
Poster Display of Extreme Weather
and Climate Change
A new "This Is Climate Change" poster
depicting extreme weather was installed
last weekend at Reagan National Airport
in Washington, DC. The poster illustrates
contrasting weather events: drought and
flooding. Recent scientific studies are
indicating a link between the increasing
frequency of severe weather and climate
change. The poster is part of an awareness
project sponsored by Del Mar Global
Trust. For more information, visit
www.enn.com/press_releases/4090
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
IDAHO, OREGON,
WASHINGTON NEWS
Oregon Tribal Environmental Forum, Fall Meeting
Oregon Tribal Environmental Forum Attendees
The Fall 2012 OTEF meeting was hosted
by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe
of Indians November 29-30 in Roseburg,
Oregon.
There were excellent
presentations and lively
discussions on a number of
technical topics including
Restoring Lamprey
in the Umpqua Basin,
Formosa Mine Update,
Oregon Aquatic Life
Criteria/Consultation,
Proposed State of
Oregon Assumption of
the 404 Program, Toxics
Monitoring, andSuction
Dredge Mining Laws in
Oregon.
Die next OTEF meeting will be hosted by the
Siletz Tribe in Lincoln City, Oregon, in late
summer of 2013.
Staff from most Oregon tribes were present,
along with staff from EPA and various state
and federal agencies.
Passing of the OTEF Feather from Heather
Bartlett (Cow Creek) to Tom Downey (Siletz)
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
IDAHO, OREGON,
WASHINGTON NEWS
US Coast Guard Photo of Dock
A massive Japanese dock washed up on a
beach located within the Olympic National
Park boundary between LaPush and the
mouth of the Hoh River on December 18.
The dock has been floating at sea since the
devastating earthquake and tsunami struck
Japan on March 11, 2011. According to
initial estimates, the dock is 60 feet long, 19
feet wide, 7 feet tall, and weighs at least 188
tons.
Hie U.S. Coast Guard and state and federal
officials worked around the clock to locate
and respond to the threat posed by this
tsunami debris, and the Quinault Indian
Nation provided assistance with monitoring
and response.
A team of Washington State Marine Debris
Task Force officials are being sent to the
area to examine whether any invasive aquatic
species are attached to the dock. Federal and
tribal agencies will be working with the task
force.
On December 10,2012, six U.S. senators
joined forces in a bipartisan request for a $20
million federal investment for debris removal
in a letter to the Senate Committee on
Appropriations.
With the current situation, the massive
Japanese dock washed up on a Washington
state beach located on federal land, which
would make it the federal government's
responsibility to address.
Quinault Indian Nation Provides Assistance after
Authorities Locate Massive Tsunami - Washed
Japanese Dock on Beach in Washington State
* *
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Alaska Operations Office
ALASKA NEWS
Healthy Indoor Environments Sessions
Provided at the ATCEM Conference
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
(ANTHC) hosted the Alaska Tribal
Conference on Environmental Management
(ATCEM) in Anchorage November 6-9,
2012.
ATCEM was focused on educating, equipping
and empowering healthy tribal communities
in Alaska. The conference provided
opportunities to learn environmental health
technical skills, sources of contaminants, and
skills in air quality, water and sanitation, solid
waste and Brownfields.
The conference also included inspirational
speakers and an evening social with music by
the band Pamyua. There were 300+ registrants
at the conference, mainly local tribal
environmental staff.
Erin Mader, Gretchen Stewart and Mary Ann
Porter of EPA collaborated with partners in
Alaska to provide workshops on indoor air
quality, operation and maintenance of wood
and toyo stoves, school environmental health
and healthy homes. The Alaska Department
of Environmental Conservation (ADEC),
the Institute of Tribal Environmental
Professionals (ITEP) and ANTHC also led
air-related sessions.
In Air Quality and Healthy Homes
sessions, participation was high - there was
standing room only in many of the sessions.
Participants were engaged and had excellent
questions about how to address issues in their
own communities.
Many were particularly interested in knowing
how to get started on different types of air
quality work, what can be done with a GAP
grant, how to use assessment tools, and which
partners were available to help. We also
learned that many tribal environmental staff
are using social media tools, like Facebook,
tribal websites, and Twitter to share
information, and that this could be a great
avenue for more environmental outreach.
Numerous resources were provided for
grantees, including:
School environmental health outreach
materials
Guidance for 'How to get started on
healthy schools work'
Alaska Healthy Schools Assessment Tool
Sample GAP work plans for air quality,
healthy homes, and healthy schools
ANTHC's Phase I Air Quality
Assessment Tool
Alaska Tribal Air Quality Toolkits (videos
and fact sheets)
Wood stove outreach materials
Grant-writing tips and tricks
If you would like to receive any of these
materials or have questions, please contact
Erin Mader (mader.erin@epa.gov) or Mary
Ann Porter (porter.maryann@epa.gov).
Also, stay tuned for more information on
similar sessions at the Alaska Forum on the
Environment in February!
Brownfield Track at ATCEM
There were many requests for the presen-
tations from the Brownfield Track at the
November 2012 Alaska Tribal Conference on
Environmental Management. The presenta-
tions are now available at http://dec.alaska.
gov/ spar/csp/brownfields.htm#pres
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
("i
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Alaska Operations Office
ALASKA NEWS
Kristin Ryan Serves as Deputy Director
EPA Alaska Operations
EPA Alaska Operations would like to
introduce and welcome Kristin to EPA RIO.
Kristin is on a one year detail with EPA on
loan from the State of Alaska Department
of Environmental Conservation where she
has worked for 14 years 10 of those as
Director for the Division of Environmental
Health.
Her assignment to Alaska Operations will
build stronger relationships between EPA
and the State of Alaska. The Division of
Environmental Health includes programs
addressing solid waste, pesticide usage, food
safety, drinking water and animal diseases for
the State of Alaska.
Kristin Ryan
Photo by Elaine Busse Floyd
Kristin has been instrumental in the passage
of several pieces of important legislation
improving Alaska's food safety system, animal
care standards and the construction of a new
state-of-the-art laboratory to monitor food,
water, soil, and animal samples.
She also was instrumental in receiving state
funding (in perpetuity) for DEC's Fish
Monitoring Program which provides free
testing of fish for contaminants. To learn
more about the program with links to the
data collected, see
http:/ / dec.alaska.gov/ eh/vet/ fish.htm
Kristin was born at the old Native hospital
because her father was in the Public Health
Service. I~Ier school years were spent in
Portland, Oregon and summers in Alaska
She moved back to Anchorage permanently
to attend graduate school and has been here
ever since.
Gardening is a passion and perennial flowers
are a favorite of Kristin's and she has created
a garden she is very proud of.
Kristin annually hosts the Standing Together
Against Rape (STAR) fundraiser called "Tea
in the Garden" where people come and drink
tea among her flowers to raise money for
STAR.
We are happy Kristin has joined us, even if
only for a year. Her expertise will certainly be
an asset. Many of you already know Kristin
from her years of work with DEC but for
those who may not have met her, be sure
to say "hi" the next time you see her at a
meeting. You can email her at
ryan.kristin@epa.gov or call 907-271-1316.
New Website at Native
Village of Napaimute
The Native Village of Napaimute's official
website is up and running, thanks to
Dave Cannon, Napaimute Environmental
Director. Visit www.napaimute.org
For questions or more information
contact Dave at 907-675-4443 or
dcannonnapaimuleed@earthlink.net
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Alaska Solid Waste News Fall Edition
"The fall edition of the quarterly "Alaska Solid
Waste News" is now available and includes:
Unalakleet's Waste Baling and In-Town
Waste Drop-off Program
SWAN Message Board is back!
http://members.boardhost.com/
SWAN
New and Updated Solid Waste
Factsheets
Healthy Village
Environment E-News
The Alaska Native Tribal Health
Consortium, Healthy Village Environment
Program's Healthy Village Environment
E-News features environmental/health news
reports, village success stories, latest research,
and more.
If you know of an Alaska environmental andI
or health project you think others would
benefit from learning more about, please
e-mail Desirae Roehl, Tribal Environmental
Program Manager, Healthy Village
Environment Program at
droehl@anthc.org or call 907-729-3496.
To be added or removed from the E-News
distribution, please go to the web page
www.anthc.org/chs/ces/hve
m ¦ j j j i j ~~ "x
Alaska's Iconic Columbia
Glacier Expected to stop
retreating in 2020
The wild and dramatic cascade of ice
into the ocean from Alaska's Columbia
Glacier, an iconic glacier featured in the
documentary "Chasing Ice" and one of
the fastest moving glaciers in the world,
will cease around 2020, according to
a study by the University of Colorado
Boulder, www.sciencedaily.com/
releases/2012/11/121126142955.htm
IGAP Grants due January 15,2013
Draft "Guidance on the Award and
Management of General Assistance
Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal
Consortia" - comments and consultation
due by February 22
Culture Corner
Comprehensive Events and Grants
Calendar
Visit www.zendergroup.org/news.html
Alaska Forum on the
Environment (AFE)
Many of you have requested more
information about the upcoming Alaska
Forum on the Environment (AFE), to be
held February 4-8,2013, at the Dena'ina
Convention Center in Anchorage. Complete
conference details can be found at
http://akforum.com.
Last year, there were over 1800 participants
at AFE, including 440 GAP Tribal
representatives.
The GAP Track Agenda will focus on
topics that will assist Tribes to develop
environmental programs by offering solid
waste and contaminants, environmental
education, water quality and climate change
sessions, among others. Please email Santina
Gay with any questions at:
gay.santina@epa.gov
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
January 2013
Funding Available: Alaska Native Tribal Health
Consortium Tribal Air Quality Cooperative Agreements
Proposals are now being accepted for funding
to Tribes and Tribal Consortia in Alaska for
projects related to the causes and prevention
of air pollution.
Proposals should describe a project whose
purpose is to address an air pollution concern
in a tribal community. Projects aimed at
promoting and measuring healthy behaviors,
including best burning practices; discouraging
open burning of garbage; and following speed
limits are of particular interest.
A Practical Guide to
improving Indoor Air
Quality in Alaska Homes -
Recommendations for Addressing
Wood-Burning Stoves and Other
Common Indoor Air Quality Issues
If you have "air" work in your GAP program
or are considering it for 2014, this is an
excellent guide: http://bit.ly/AirIndoors
Reminder!
EPA Region 10 Alaska
Tribal Air Quality Website
This website at http://go.usa.gov/gHy5
includes a variety of resources related to air
quality in rural Alaska, such as videos and
fact sheets on issues like road dust, indoor air
quality, and solid waste burning, and a way
to sign up to be mailed an Alaska Tribal Air
Quality Toolkit.
After selection, sub award recipients will
work in partnership with ANTHC-DEHE
to refine the project and work plan. AN-
THC-DEHE Tribal Air Quality Program
staff will assist with project development and
will provide advanced technical support and
training to the selected recipients. Awards
will range from $3,000 to $10,000.
Proposals are due January 9,2013. For
details, go to www.anthc.org. Contact Chris
Fish at cfish@anthc.org or 907-729-3489 or
800-560-8637.
Healthier Tribal Housing:
Combining the Best of
Old and New
For Alaska Tribes interested in indoor air
quality, respiratory health and housing, the
December issue of Environmental Health
Perspectives features some of the innovative
housing built in Anaktuvuk Pass and
subsequent projects throughout the North
Slope.
See the articles at:
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/category/featured
http://www.facebook.com/EHPordine
http://twitter.com/ehponline
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Region 10
Tribal
Newsletter
*
Vol. 22 No. 1 January 2013
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
REGION 10TRIBAL PROGRAM
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, ETPA-085
Seattle, WA 98101-3140
Toil-Free: 800-424-4372
Phone: 206-553-0542
Fax 206-553-0151
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. Please submit articles to:
IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON
Don Creek
- f EPA, 805 SW Broadway, Suite 500
Portland, Oregon 97205
^0 email creek.don@epa.gov
ALASKA
Barbara Fleek
- r EPA, 222 W. 7th Avenue #19
Anchorage, Alaska 99513
^0 email fleek.barbara@epa.gov
Tribal Staff
ALASKA
Todd Bender, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-0344
Katherine Brown, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-7263
Michelle Davis, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3434
Adrienne Fleek, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6558
Barbara Fleek, Tribal Communications 907-271-3419
Kristy Fry, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-1085
Tami Fordham, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-1484
Santina Gay, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3413
J.R. Herbst, Tribal Consultation Specialist.... 206-553-2116
Sherry Kimmons, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6322
Mahri Lowinger, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6334
Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-1270
IDAHO, EASTERN WASHINGTON, EASTERN OREGON
Jim Zokan, Tribal Coordinator 208-378-5691
WESTERN AND CENTRAL OREGON
Kris Carre, Tribal Coordinator 503-326-7024
WASHINGTON
Diana Boquist, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-1586
Westley Foster, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-1604
Alan Moo maw, Tribal Coordinator 360-753-8071
To Report Spills and Accidents
Note these emergency numbers to call in the event of
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS OR ACCIDENTS.
Alaska 800-478-9300 Washington 800-258-5990
Idaho 800-632-8000 National (EPA) 800-424-8802
Oregon 800-452-0311
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