SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 February 2013 I www.epa.gov ------- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 271 federally-recognized tribes. Region 10 is committed to protecting human health and the environment in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. This Progress Report acts as a tool to assess our work at year-end, as outlined on our Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan. National Priorities With a Local Focus: Region IP's Approach for Implementing Administrator Jackson's Seven Priorities. We aim to achieve the goals set forth in our Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan to improve the way we approach environmental challenges, lead with results, and to tell the story of Region 10, all within the context of our Priorities and Foundational Principles. ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 3 Region 10 Guiding Statements 4 Foundational Principles 5 Overview of Region 10 Progress 6 (1.0) Taking Action on Climate Change 8 (2.0) Improving Air Quality 10 (3.0) Assuring the Safety of Chemicals 12 (4.0) Cleaning Up Our Communities 14 (5.0) Protecting America's Waters 16 (6.0) Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working For Environmental Justice 18 (7.0) Building Strong State and Tribal Partnerships 20 FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- ------- INTRODUCTION Evaluation of progress under the Region 10 Strategic Alignment begins with establishing clear goals and actions. The Region reviews, documents, and discusses the progress made for each of its actions semi-annually and completes this written summary once a year. The process of evaluating our performance helps us reflect and remind ourselves of what we're doing well, and why. Evaluation also helps identify what program areas may need additional attention. This kind of reflection sets the stage for more in-depth analysis and potentially the kinds of critical decisions required to ensure our staff, resources, and program activities are aligned with our priorities. Over the course of Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12), in order to meet our goals, we continued to maintain several strategic investments in staff and resources. For example, we have continued our investment in sustainability, energy, climate change, and health and safety. These investments align our Regional activities with the direction of EPA on a national strategic level. The investments made this past year came through making difficult choices - often meaning a conscious shift away from work areas that we once focused on - but they indicate a conscious effort to focus our energy on high priority work. As new environmental challenges or priorities come to light, we will continue to adjust and make decisions that strategically align our resources to those areas. As such, we use evaluation of performance - and this Progress Report - as a process that supports management and staff in continuously assessing whether we are properly positioned to reach the goals we set out to accomplish. Finally, none of the work in the Plan or the Progress Report would be possible without the contributions of our state and tribal partners, and our strong staff. A first rate workforce, an excellent workplace, and leadership, are all key elements of our last Foundational Principle, Strengthening EPA's Workforce and Capabilities. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- REGION 10 GUIDING STATEMENTS Vision ¦ A healthy, sustainable environment for all. Mission ¦ We will use science to make sound, principled decisions to: ¦ Protect and restore ecosystems. Ensure healthy airsheds and watersheds; ¦ Take action on climate change; ¦ Prevent pollution through source reduction and chemical safety; ¦ Cleanup contaminated sites; and ¦ Enforce federal environmental laws. We are accountable for achieving our mission. Our success as stewards of the public trust will be measured by meaningful and lasting environmental results. Values ¦ Make a difference through people and teamwork. We support each other and the people we work with by working cooperatively and collaboratively. We build bridges between organizations within Region 10 and across the Agency. ¦ Promote transparency, communication and dialogue. We share information and expertise, listen to our customers, celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes. ¦ Expect excellence. We set and meet high standards of quality, taking pride in the fact that we are public servants and hold the public trust. ¦ Be professional and respectful. We treat our colleagues at EPA, representatives of other governmental entities, stakeholders and the regulated community with professionalism and respect, addressing conflict constructively. ¦ Demonstrate honesty and integrity. We deal forthrightly with each other and the public. We meet our commitments. ¦ Take well-considered risks. We are willing to take risks, while making environmentally sound decisions, based on science, statutes and regulations. ¦ Apply principled decision-making. Our decisions will be based on principles of equity, fairness and applicable laws and regulations. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES Integrating Sustainability Sustainability is a concept that prompts us to consider how the wise decisions we make today will impact the environment in the future. Choices we make should be environmentally and economically sound, and support equitable treatment for all people in society. Those choices can be as small as green purchases of Energy Star products or as encompassing as National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit conditions that take into account impacts on subsistence fishers. All employees and programs in the Region will conduct our work in the most sustainable manner possible. Education, coordination and collaboration with external partners are key to integrating sustainability. We will pay particular attention to climate change and energy, as these are important components of sustainability and newer areas of focus. Ultimately, we must focus on coordinating our sustainability and energy efforts internally as well as with our external partners, and proactively integrating sustainability into our core programs. Maintaining Core Programs (Especially Enforcement) Assuring compliance with each environmental law and regulation, and taking enforcement against violators, is critical to implementing EPA's charge to protect human health and the environment. We are committed to assuring a "level playing field" and a sense of fairness so that those acting responsibly in the regulated community are not disadvantaged compared to those who fail to comply with the law. We will incorporate compliance and enforcement work into each of our Regional priorities. In addition, we will work to assure strong and effective enforcement programs in our authorized state and local agencies. Strengthening EPA's Workforce and Capabilities Region 10 is, and should continue to be, a great place to work. To succeed, we must continuously improve our internal management, encourage innovation and creativity in all aspects of our work, and ensure an excellent workplace that attracts and retains a topnotch, diverse workforce. This effort requires the collective effort of us all. The management team plays a critical role in providing leadership, direction, resources and support to our dedicated staff. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- OVERVIEW OF REGION 10 PROGRESS In FY11, we finalized our Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan (Plan), National Priorities with a Local Focus: Region IP's Approach for Implementing Administrator Jackson's Seven Priorities. The Plan outlines our goals, objectives and actions around the Seven Priorities, including three Foundational Principles that are integral to our work and describe how we intend to meet our Priorities. In this second iteration of our Progress Report, we aim to provide a meaningful and useful evaluation of our progress in FY12. Below are brief highlights from each Priority that illustrate some of the accomplishments we saw in FY12. (1.0) Taking Action on Climate Change ¦ Launched the Green Sports Alliance which engages fans and local communities to help sports venues/operations conserve energy, water and waste, and utilize greener products and foods. One of the first Alliance partners - the Seattle Mariners organization - is now diverting over 85% of their waste stream which would otherwise be sent to the landfill. (2.0) Improving Air Quality ¦ Provided compliance assistance to 45 sources (primarily small businesses such as gas stations, auto body repair shops, and asphalt paving companies) and responded to 37 air quality complaints concerning smoke, dust and odors under Region 10's Federal Air Rules for Reservations. (3.0) Assuring the Safety of Chemicals ¦ Analyzed over 2,000 fish in Washington for 385 chemicals (including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs)) resulting in the Washington State Department of Health's updated summer fish advisory to reduce exposures to PCBs and mercury. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (4.0) Cleaning Up Our Communities ¦ Signed Upper Coeur d'Alene Basin Record of Decision (ROD) Amendment with concurrence from the State of Idaho and the Coeur d'Alene Tribes. The ROD calls for $635M in cleanup actions to improve surface water, protect against lead reconta mi nation, and address 145 former mine and mill sites. (5.0) Protecting America's Waters ¦ Worked with the Washington State Department of Ecology to assist in their successful reissuance of stormwater general permits to municipalities, which incorporated low- impact development (LID) requirements and resulted in some of the most protective stormwater permits in the country. (6.0) Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working For Environmental Justice ¦ Used a newly developed tool - the Region 10 Lead Screening Tool Mapping Application - to enforce lead paint regulation violations in Region 10. (7.0) Building Strong State and Tribal Partnerships ¦ At the White House Council on Environmental Quality's request, EPA Region 10 helped lead the Federal response to the Tribal white paper, "Treaty Rights at Risk", including the development of an action plan targeting salmon and shellfish recovery. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (1.0) TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE Summary of Progress on Priority Addressing climate change across our programs requires innovative ideas and collaboration, both internally and externally. Working with the General Services Administration (GSA), the Federal Green Challenge (FGC) was launched nationally. The FGC is a national effort for federal agencies to lead by example in reducing the Federal Government's environmental impact. This initiative, originally established in Region 10, now has 239 participants representing over 1 million federal employees. Progress on Select FY11/12 Actions (1.1) Support Climate Change Adaptation ¦ An ongoing pilot to incorporate climate change adaptation principles into the development of the Southfork Nooksack River temperature TMDL made significant progress. The cross- program partnership was expanded to include Office of Research and Development (Western Ecology Division) and the Office of Water who helped co-host a workshop where science met process and policy. A draft research pian has been developed to incorporate available climate science in the temperature modeling for the River as part of protecting and restoring salmon habitat. (1.2) Promote Sustainable Energy - Energy Efficiency, Alternative Energy and Energy Infrastructure/ West Coast Collabotive The Green Sports Alliance, first established in Region 10, engages fans and local communities to help sports venues/operations conserve energy, water and waste, and utilize greener products and foods. One early partner, the Seattle Mariners organization, is now diverting over 85% of their waste stream from the landfill and the Alliance has grown from 6 teams/venues in 2011 to over 100 in just one year. In September 2012, EPA signed and announced a more formal national partnership with the sports sector through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Green Sports Alliance that lays out a framework for shared strategies over the next two years. In September 2012, EPA signed and announced an MOU with the Green Sports Alliance that lays out a framework for shared strategies over the next two years. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (1.3) Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska ¦ All four Region 10 states now have Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements in place for Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting of sources of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and adopted revisions to their Title V permitting regulations to require major sources of GHG to obtain CAA operating permits. Region 10 has approved the PSD permitting rules for Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon, and is working with Washington to get rules submitted to EPA for approval. Next steps include continued reporting using EPA's electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool. (1.4) Lead by Example in Climate Change Issues by "Walking the Talk" ¦ Through our Environmental Management System the Region reduced paper consumption by 57% from our original baseline. This represents the 7th consecutive year that we have reduced paper consumption and also the largest one-year reduction to date. The Region also reduced its air miles traveled by 36% (compared to FY11) and awarded the new lease for the Idaho Operations Office to the Banner Bank Building in Boise. The building has a LEED New Construction Platinum rating. The Lessor is working with EPA to redesign the interior to also meet the LEED Commercial Interiors Platinum rating, which, if achieved, would be the highest LEED rating achieved to date for any EPA facility. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (2.0) IMPROVING AIR QUALITY Summary of Progress on Priority EPA has adopted arid proposed a number of stronger national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier. Region 10 is working closely with state and local agencies to implement the new health standards through air quality monitoring and development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs). SIPs are compilations of a state's strategies and rules to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Through the West Coast Collaborative (WCC), an incentive program in Oregon was created, replacing 200 high-polluting diesel delivery trucks with zero emissions electric trucks. Progress on Select FY11/12 Actions (2.1) Support At-Risk Communities in Efforts to Reduce Air Toxics in their Communities, Homes and Schools ¦ In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grantees, we issued indoor air quality grants to local Department of Health partners to address indoor air quality issues for low income households with asthmatic family members. We also provided extensive assistance in development of the reconstruction housing project in Kwinhagak Native Village including information on energy efficient and indoor air improvement measures for new resid Our network of tribal air monitors supports efforts to protect air quality on reservations. buildings and building demolitions. (2.2) Implement New National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) ¦ Region 10 finalized 29 SIPs and met court-ordered deadlines for infrastructure SIPs and Regional Haze plans. We finalized Oregon's Regional Haze SIP and the Best Available Retrofit Technology determination for the TransAlta Centralia Generation LLC coal- fired power plant in Centralia, Washington. SIPs are regularly revised and are a large workload for EPA, states and local agencies, so in FY12 we conducted a Lean analysis of the SIP rulemaking process in Washington State, with a goal of reducing the time for EPA action on SIPs. Finally, we worked with all Region 10 fine particulate nonattainment areas in implementation planning and made a Clean Data Determination for the Tacoma, Washington fine particulate nonattainment area. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (2.3) Implement and Enforce the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) ¦ Unique to Region 10, the FARR implements the Clean Air Act on 39 reservations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington and authorizes EPA Region 10 and tribal air staff to operate as a local air agency to protect air quality for the 130,000 people that live on those reservations. Through this program, we provided compliance assistance to 45 sources (primarily small businesses such as gas stations, auto body repair shops, and asphalt paving companies) and responded to 37 air quality complaints concerning smoke, dust and odors. Using daily meteorological forecasts to protect air quality during stagnant air conditions, we issued 13 burn bans affecting 11 reservations. The enforcement program issued 11 notices of violation and two information requests resulting in five penalties and one compliance plan. (2.4) Implement and Enforce Clean Air Act Permitting Rules for Oil and Gas Sources in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), for Sources in Indian Country, and for Sources in Washington (Where EPA's Permit Rules Still Apply) ¦ To protect air quality in the Alaskan Arctic, we issued, implemented and conducted full compliance evaluations on multiple Shell OCS permits. In addition, we reviewed, commented on, and resolved issues in three complex Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) oversight cases. Finally, our Region 10 air modelers were substantively engaged with permit applicants and their consultants in developing the most appropriate modeling analyses to demonstrate compliance with NAAQS and PSD increments. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (3.0) ASSURING THE SAFETY OF CHEMICALS Summary of Progress on Priority Providing clear arid useful information on risks of chemicals and other environmental hazards is a key component of our work. In FY12, we worked with various Region 10 communities to ensure this information was readily available. We also conducted inspections at chemical and oil facilities to determine levels of compliance. Progress on Select FY11/12 Actions (3.1) Implement Pesticide Regulatory Reforms ¦ We provided extensive outreach (35 public meetings with ~1,800 participants and four video teleconferences) to pesticide applicators, trade associations, federal partners and tribes. We aiso worked with pesticide users, growers, researchers and state partnersto develop new and improved fumigant application techniques that are protective of human health and potato, onion, and strawberry fields. (3.2) Protect Individuals and Communities (Including Tribal and Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities) From Exposure to Pesticides ¦ Scientists have worked jointly with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Oregon Health Authority, and other Oregon State Agencies to conduct a preliminary investigation into possible exposures to herbicides associated with forest management activities in coastal Oregon mountain communities. To date, samples have been taken primarily in drinking water while methods for passive air sampli determine potential routes of exposure in tl -Will frtJ 'Jpp#** g AtilMW s, iri^p cur UYBT& efara ku rolm KjrtrroH Id itnw 5y •¦He* ^ tiparK&n hub**** r to T.1r«nmi and lending natural dritarrahw^ to pfntadfetf. *»•** ww Hwfcp'iHi wlwiGn ta C- JuiTtfc- a IsMf ^aU^rthr- i w w wr , I a I m # H i o f m « o t ¦ v EPA provided grant funds to promote Salmon Safe on the Columbia River Basin. Salmon Safe is a third- party certification program that improves water quality and reduces pesticide use on farms, parks, commercial properties, and other landscapes. g are under development, all in an effort to s most cost-effective manner possible. An apple a day keeps the salmon at play. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (3.3) Reduce the Risk of Accidents at Chemical and Oil Facilities Through Strategic Inspection Targeting and Effective Enforcement Follow-Up ¦ We continued our focus on high-risk facilities that are required to prepare Facility Response Plans (FRPs) by targeting facilities that store large volumes of oil and have the potential for releases to water, the majority of which are located in Alaska. We found non-compliance at approximately 29 of 41 facilities in FY12, a non-compliance rate of 71%, and are working to bring these facilities into compliance. (3.4) Reduce the Potential to Expose Individuals to Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs) and Reduce the Threat of Recontamination in Water, Soils, and Sediments ¦ Working with Teck Cominco (a Potentially Responsible Party under CERCLA), 2,300 fish were collected and analyzed in the Upper Columbia River. The study area covers 150 river miles from the U.S. Canadian Border to the Grand Coulee Dam. We provided data on 385 different chemicals, including all 209 PCB congeners, to the Washington State Department of Health, which updated its fish advisory earlier this summer to reduce exposures to PCBs and mercury. (3.5) Improve the Public's Knowledge and Confidence in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Data on Chemical Releases ¦ The TRI caseload backlog was eliminated by closing 12 cases. We released reports of TRI data in conjunction with a national analysis and a Community Air Workshop. Additionally, we conducted and followed up on 12 TRI inspections while the enforcement staff investigated 34 facilities. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (4.0) CLEANING UP OUR COMMUNITIES Summary of Progress on Priority Iri FY12, we finalized a major decision for additional cleanup actions in order to significantly improve surface water quality, address lead contamination, protect earlier cleanup work from recontamination, and address 145 former mine and mill sites at the Upper Coeur d'Alene River Basin Superfund Cleanup site. This $635M cleanup effort along with cleanup of the Lower Duwamish Waterway will continue to be areas of focus in FY13 and beyond. Progress on Select FY11/12 Actions (4.1) Maintain Emergency Response Readiness ¦ We co-sponsored Fast Water Booming Training for Oil Spill Response with participation from multiple federal, state, and local agencies. EPA developed and has begun to implement a framework for Endangered Species Act consultation for the Alaska Unified Plan regarding use of chemical dispersants and burning. (4.2) Develop Mining-Related Cleanup Approaches and Tools ¦ The Black Butte Mine Superfund site, a historic mercury mine in Oregon, was selected for an Optimization Review by EPA headquarters to assist with site remediation. In addition, our scientists are working on a collaborative research project on mercury methylation occurring in a reservoir iocated downstream of the mine. (4.3) Focus on Core Cleanup Work Under Superfund, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Brownfields, Underground Storage Tank, and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Programs ¦ In FY12, we completed over 100 site assessments and over 300 clean-up actions across all regional cleanup Black Butte Mine, OR programs including several key Superfund actions at the Lower Duwamish Waterway. These included the completion of a stormwater treatment facility to treat PCB and other pollutant discharges from North Boeing Field as well as the cleanup up the contaminated sediments and banks of Slip 4. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- ¦ Under RCRA we worked with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up several contaminated sites at the U.S. Coast Guard facility in Kodiak, AK, and also to control releases of PCBs. (4.4) Improve Tribal Waste Management Programs ¦ In FY12, 17% of the high threat open dumps in Alaska Tribal communities were closed (or are in the process) and replaced with new, compliant landfills. We continue to build tribal capacity through GPS location devices with photo link and mapping software to identify, track, and manage waste sites in their villages. (4.5) Build Upon Our Community Focus ¦ We expanded our provision of technical assistance to communities living on or near contaminated sites. In addition to outreach and environmental education efforts by staff, the Region provided technical expertise to communities. In FY12, six communities and one tribe received technical assistance through an EPA grant or contract: Coeur d'Alene Basin (part of the Bunker Hill Superfund Site), Portland (Portland HarborSuperfund Site), Tacoma (Commencement Bay Superfund Site), Seattle (Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site), Upper Columbia River community (Upper Columbia River Study), Well pin it (Midnite Mine Superfund Site), and the Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak (United States Coast Guard RCRA Site). ¦ We held facilitated community meetings in Savoonga and Gambell, Alaska, to discuss and hear their concerns regarding the Army Corps' cleanup actions on St. Lawrence Island. ¦ We completed 13 Targeted Brownfield Assessments in the last two years including one in the Tacoma Hilltop neighborhood and seven in the Alaska tribal communities of Allakaket, Kwigillingok, Kwethluk, and Tooksook Bay. (4.6) Promote More Sustainable Practices in Materials Management and in Our Own Cleanup Work ¦ We recruited 11 new participants for the Food Recovery Challenge and Federal Green Challenge, exceeding our annual goal. The goal for FY13 is to recruit another eight participants. ¦ In FY12, we began using natural chitosan polymerasa coagulant for stormwater treatment at the Lower Duwamish stormwater treatment plant. The polymer is produced from a sustainable source of waste crab and shrimp shells generated by the seafood industry. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (5.0) PROTECTING AMERICA'S WATERS Summary of Progress on Priority We issued the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Study in an Environmental Justice Showcase Community finding 12% of domestic drinking water wells containing nitrate concentrations above maximum contaminant level. We are leading a collaborative effort with state and local agencies, residents, and dairies with a role in groundwater management to develop a long-term comprehensive strategy to address these water issues. Additionally, our Dive Team supported sediment monitoring during the historic Elwha River dam removal in Washington. We released the Draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment characterizing the natural resources of the Kvichakand Nushagak watersheds and potential risks to salmon from large-scale mining. The study underwent an independent scientific peer review and received 230,000 public comments. Additionally, we held public meetings with 2,000 attendees and conducted consultations with 18 Tribes. Progress on Select FY11/12 Actions (5.1) Effectively Address the Emerging issue of Environmental Degradation due to Nutrient Impairments in Surface Water ¦ Significant permits were issued and modified including a planned modification for the Dixie Drain (an agricultural return drain) (ID) as a result of a nutrient offset project, and twelve National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits in Idaho. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) were also approved for Spokane River (WA) and Klamath River (OR). (5.2) Control Non-Point Source Pollution and Toxics in the Pacific Northwest by Working with State Partners to Develop and Implement New Strategies that Protect Human Health and Fish ¦I EPA took two significant water quality standards actions that will provide stronger protection to the fish consuming public in Oregon and Idaho. After many years of work in Oregon with state, tribal and other stakeholders, Oregon adopted and EPA approved a revised fish consumption rate as part of its toxics criteria that protects high fish consumers. Similarly, EPA disapproved Idaho's toxics criteria which did not take into account regional data that shows higher fish consumption. Through a fish consumption survey of tribal Margie Hastings, New Stuyahok Tribal Council Secretary, translating for Okalena Andrew and other Yup'ik speaking Elders during a Bristol Bay public meeting FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- members and anglers, Idaho DEQ will review this data and revise its toxics criteria and better protect fish consuming populations in Idaho. (5.3) Address Urban Storm Water Pollution ¦ Region 10 worked with the Washington State Department of Ecology to assist in their successful reissuance of stormwater general permits to municipalities, incorporating low-impact development (LID) requirements which result in some of the most protective stormwater permits in the country. (5.4) Implement the Regulatory Point Source Permitting Program and Maintain Gains Achieved through Drinking Water Program ¦ EPA has direct responsibility for implementing drinking water programs in Indian country ensuring that the same degree of human health and environmental protection occurs in tribal communities as it does elsewhere in the United States. In FY12, we exceeded our enforcement target by issuing eight administrative orders while providing compliance assistance to 100% of Region 10 tribal drinking water systems. Additionally, we issued approximately 30 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. (5.5) Administer and Leverage Drinking Water and Wastewater Funding Programs to Promote Sustainable Technology and Practices ¦ The Washington State University Energy Program, Bonneville Power Administration, Puget Sound Energy, and EPA kicked off the Washington Water/Wastewater Sustainable Energy Cohort with a goal of reducing energy, increasing cost savings, and protecting the environment at 10 wastewater treatment facilities. This work will continue in FY13 with the development of energy management system plans that include ambitious goals for energy reduction at these facilities. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (6.0) EXPANDING THE CONVERSATION ON ENVIRONMENTALISM AND WORKING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Summary of Progress on Priority We conducted an Environmental Justice (EJ) Analysis for the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site to determine if disproportionate adverse impacts exist for different cleanup alternatives. This first-of-its-kind analysis has led to recommendations such as utilizing seafood consumption patterns to develop culturally-appropriate education materials instead of typical fish advisories. Progress on Select FY11/12 Actions (6.1) Focus Compliance and Enforcement Activities on Addressing Impacts on Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Populations ¦ We developed and launched a geospatially-based, analytical mapping tool - Regulated Universe Facility Mapping Application - to assist enforcement programs with targeting inspections and assessing penalties using newly available census data for socio- economic parameters and taking into account environmental justice factors. These datasets and tools, including the Region 10 Lead Screening Tool Mapping Application, led to the successful enforcement of a lead paint regulation violation in a vulnerable population in Anchorage, AK. la 4* »' ¦ u— * B ¦imwii'i ¦ 5EF» 1 Regulated Universe Facility Mapping Application FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (6.2) Reach out to and Engage Underserved Communities and All People in the Region and Support Project-Specific Initiatives that Address Critical Issues Affecting Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Populations ¦ The Region conducted multiple webinars with communities with EJ concerns, on topics identified as priorities by those communities. The webinars attracted citizen representation from each of our States and have been particularly effective in providing an opportunity for communities to further engage with the Region on issues that matter most to them. Topics have included: health disparities, EJ and the Law, Regional EJ planning, and new tools for assessing ecosystem benefits. (6.3) Build the Capability to Assess the Degree of Regional Progress in Integrating EJ Across All Program Actions, Activities, Policies and Practices ¦ We adopted an Environmental Justice Strategic Roadmap that conveys our EJ Goals and key activities that will be reported on to assess our integration of EJ in the Region. (6.4) Partner with State Agencies and Tribes to Provide EJ Training Experiences ¦ The Region provided technical assistance to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) on its State EJ Cooperative Agreement. In addition, the Region provided EJ training at the Tribal Leaders Summit, as well as at our Idaho Operations Office, with participants from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. (6.5) Create a Broader Approach to Protecting Children's Environmental Health ¦ Working with numerous partners of the Rural Alaska Children's Environmental Health Initiative, we coordinated, funded, and supported children's environmental health, healthy homes, healthy schools, and healthy child care training for multiple audiences from the environmental, housing, child care, and education sectors. We launched a new Region 10 children's environmental health website, developed a new school assessment tool, school outreach materials, and continued to coordinate outreach activities underthe Region 10 Schools Team. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (7.0) BUILDING STRONG STATE AND TRIBAL PARTNERSHIPS Summary of Progress on Priority At the White House Council on Environmental Quality's request, EPA Region 10 helped lead the initial Federal response to the Tribal white paper, "Treaty Rights at Risk", including the development of an action plan targeting salmon and shellfish recovery. Progress on Select FY11/12 Actions (7.1) Work with State Partners to Implement National Environmental Initiatives ¦ We conducted an enforcement review of Washington's NPDES, CAA, and RCRA programs under the Round 3 State Review Framework and continued to assist in improving ADEC's new Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System enforcement program. Additionally, Region 10 is the first region to achieve placement of all its authorization related documents on regulations.gov, and in FY12, we provided training for staff and management on how to retrieve documents and information from the site. (7.2) Improve Upon our Communication, Consultation, and Education with Tribal Partners ¦ We completed a Tribal Consultation Procedures document which included extensive consultation with Region 10 Tribes. This document provides Region 10 staff with detailed procedures for implementing the 2011 EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes. It also provides specific standards for various decision points in the consultation and coordination process, such as determining when a particulartribe should be invited to consult, and deciding when and how to conduct the consultation. Sockeye Salmon in the Wood River (Photo Credit: Thomas Quinn, University of Washington) FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- (7.3) Build Capacity with Tribal Governments ¦ Region 10's Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) brings EPA and tribal leaders together to improve communication, strengthen partnerships, and build capacity. The RTOC revised their charter in FY12, clarifying goals, principles, operating procedures, roles and responsibilities. Throughout the year, in response to the Tribal Caucus' environmental priorities and recommendations, EPA Region 10's Air, Waste, Water, and Environmental Cleanup programs each conducted a presentation and discussion session with the Caucus. (7.4) Address US/Canada Transboundary Pollution Efforts ¦ We continued implementation of the 2011 - 2013 EPA-Environment Canada Statement of Cooperation Plan including working with Environment Canada in a multi-stakeholder, cross-boundary steering group to develop Transboundary Indicators for the Salish Sea. We also made progress on new ecosystem services scenarios and analyses for the Columbia River Treaty Review, including contributions through the Sovereign Review Team and Federal Executives Team, led by the US State Department. FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan February 2013 ------- SERA United States Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 Seattle, WA98101 FY12 Year-End Progress Report on the Region 10 Strategic Alignment Plan ------- |