Region 10 Tribal Newsletter April 2020

i
The Tribal Newsletter is
issued free each month.
https://go.usa.gov/xXNnW
N.
Region 10
Tr bal
ewsletter
i*
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Vol. 29 No. 3
April 2020

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 COViD-19 information
EPA's Office of International and Tribai Affairs Assistant Administrator Chad Mcintosh sent a letter
to tribal leaders and environmental directors regarding COVID-19 on March 20. The letter provides
assurance that EPA employees are continuing operations working from home and that the agency is
working to address any operational challenges and offer flexibility where possible.
EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment issued a Frequent Questions on Grant issues in Response to
the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The EPA Grants COVID-19 FQs provides information to grant
applicants and recipients impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and covers topics such as requesting waivers,
due date extensions, extraordinary cost allowability, and application submission issues during the
public health emergency
EPA's COViD-19 website includes a list of EPA's registered
disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-
CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
We also have a wide array of environmental and science-based
lesson plans you can use during school closures on our Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides, and Online
Environmental Resources for Educators website, as well as games and activities on our Games, Quizzes,
and Videos about the Environment website.
Earth Day and EPA — Turn 50!
Earth Day and EPA turn 50 this year! On the first Earth Day
on April 22, 1970 - 22 million Americans celebrated clean air,
land, and water. EPA's Earth Da> website includes resources
and ideas for educators and students, greener living tools to
help reduce your environmental footprint, and the history of
EPA.
EPA was established a few months after the first Earth Day
on December 2, 1970. The agency was created in the wake
of elevated concerns about environmental pollution to
ensure environmental protection by consolidating into one
agency — federal research, monitoring, standard-setting
and enforcement activities. For 50 years, EPA has been
working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people. Check out information on our
accomplishments on EPA's website — EPA at 50: Progress for a Stronger Future.
Progress for a Stronger Future

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
April 2020

N
E
W
s
Tribal Air Monitoring
TAMS Steering Committee Seeks Nominations
The Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center offers
training courses that focus on a variety of topics
related to ambient and indoor air quality monitor-
ing. The TAMS Steering Committee is composed
of tribal environmental professionals who meet
regularly to discuss tribal air quality monitoring and
other air quality technical support needs. The TAMS
Steering Committee determines the Center's support
efforts. The Steering Committee also relays tribal
concerns regarding air quality management to EPA
and other officials.
Support Center
Committee members are elected for three-year, staggered terms and are eligible for re-
election. It is preferred for candidates to be nominated by their peers, however candidates
can also self-nominate. Members are selected based on their experience and availability. One
steering committee seat is open. Nominations are due April 14. Submit a nomination on the
TAMS Steering Committee website.
C \
EPA Seeks Science Advisory
Committee on Chemicals Nominations
EPA is requesting nominations of candidates for the Toxic Substances Control Act Science
Advisory Committee on Chemicals. The SACC serves as a primary scientific peer review
mechanism of EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and is structured to
provide independent scientific advice and recommendations to EPA on the scientific basis
for risk assessments, methodologies, and pollution prevention measures and approaches
for chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
The agency is seeking nominations for individuals who have demonstrated high levels of
expertise in scientific or technical fields relevant to chemical safety and risk assessment,
and the relationship of chemical exposures to women, children, and other potentially
exposed or susceptible subpopulations.
Nominees should have backgrounds and experiences that would contribute to the diversity
of scientific viewpoints, including professional experiences in government, labor, public
health, public interest, animal protection, industry, and other groups.
Details are available on EPA's TSCA Scientific Peer Review Committees website.
Nominations are due by April 20. The preferred method for submitting nominations is via
email to Steven Knott at knott.steven@epa.gov.
v
2-

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
Air Sensors Video Series
EPA developed a series of educational videos
designed to give the public information about
air quality, health, and lower-cost sensors.
Many people are looking for credible air quality
information to help reduce risks from air
pollution and protect public health. Air sensors
are usually lower in cost, portable, and generally easier to operate than the regulatory-grade
air pollution monitors used to understand air quality conditions.
The popularity of these devices, however, has resulted in many questions about how to
use and communicate the sensor data that is collected during monitoring. The videos offer
information to address common questions. Watch and share the videos from EPA's
Air Sensor Toolbox website.
New Educational Videos on Air
	Sensors Released
TRI Report and Metal Mining Graphics Published
EPA released its 2018 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis. Findings from the report
show an increase in recycling of TRI chemical wastes nationwide and indicate that companies
continue to find ways to implement new source reduction activities and reduce the quantities
of TRI chemicals they release into the environment.
Along with the 2018 TRI National Analysis, EPA published a new interactive graphic on the
TRI website to help explain how metal mines operate, and how and where releases of
TRI-listed chemicals happen.
For details from the above hypothetical example about the numbered descriptions of where
TRI-chemicals are used, managed, and released into the environment, check out EPA's website,
Explore a Metal Mine that Reports to the TRI Program.

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
April 2020
First Alaska Marine Debris Summit Held in February
EPA arid the Alaska Ocean Observing System, with support
from NOAA, held a Marine Debris Summit on the final day of
the Alaska Forum of the Environment in February. The event
was kicked off with a message from Senator Dan Sullivan,
who shared the status of his proposed Save Our Seas 2.0 Act
whose purpose is to combat marine debris, Peter Murphy,
NOAA's Marine Debris Coordinator for Alaska highlighted the
challenges faced by the state's size and remoteness, Doug
Causey of University of Alaska - Anchorage, rounded out the
morning discussing his research on microplastics and the
negative impacts on seabirds, as well as opportunities for a
circular, plastic economy.
The afternoon sessions of the summit were moderated
by EPA Alaska Operations Office Director Sue Detwiler,
highlighting novel approaches to clean up and dispose of marine debris. The Native Village of
Eyak is identifying debris with drones on the islands around Cordova and connecting fishermen
to recyclers in order to turn fishing nets into new plastic products like clothing or kayaks,
Participants also heard from state and federal agencies about their ongoing activities related to
marine debris. EPA's Trash Free Waters is the unifying program for marine debris work across
the agency and in Alaska.
The summit concluded with identifying next steps and challenges in addressing marine debris in
Alaska. Participants emphasized priorities like selecting areas for clean-up, standardizing
methods for reporting, and reducing local plastic use. Local needs were identified — such as
funding opportunities, practical solutions for removing debris from remote areas, and youth
education programs. The summit highlighted the importance of this topic to Alaskan
communities, and the momentum behind the movement to create local, regional, and
global solutions.
Brandon Thynes, Environmental Director
of Petersburg Indian Association
Photo courtesy of NOAA
4-

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
April
RTOC

7
°AhQ greqon**
The Region 10 Regional Tribal Operations Committee is a partnership between EPA and elected
tribal representatives to further tribal environmental objectives at the regional level, serve as a
liaison between the EPA and tribes regarding information exchange, and provide assistance to
the National Tribal Operations Committee.
Upcoming RTOC Meetings
April 16 • Conference Call
May 21 • Conference Call
Submit Meeting Discussion Topics
Welcome to our Newest Members!
Sarah Miller joins us as the Alaska NTOC (Position 1) Alternate for Bill Hand. Both are from the
Native Village of Kluti-Kaah.
Heather Bartlett joins the RTOC as the Oregon Alternate for Carter Thomas. Carter is from
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians while Heather is from Cow
Creek Umpqua Tribe.
Thank you for your service to the tribes in our region! We are grateful for the presence of the
new members on the committee and for the commitment to serving your constituents.
Stay Engaged with Us
•	Follow us on Facebook for the most up to date news and opportunities.
•	If you wish to attend or add an item to a monthly meeting agenda, or if you have
questions, comments, or suggestions for how RTOC can better serve your community,—
please contact the RTOC representative for your area or RTOC's Administrator,
Randi Madison.
CONTACT: Randi Madison, RTOC Administrator • randi@regionlOrtoc.net

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
April 2020
Tribal Consultation
A full list of consultation opportunities is available in
EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System
CERCLA 108(b) Financial Responsibility for Additional Classes:
Industry 3 (Chemical Manufacturing)
END DATE: April 21.
Section 108(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act establishes certain authorities that EPA can use to set financial responsibility requirements
to assure that owners and operators make financial arrangements to address risks from
hazardous substances at their sites. EPA is in the process of deciding if financial responsibility
requirements are warranted for the chemical manufacturing industry.
In early 2018, the agency completed the first rulemaking under Section 108(b), addressing the
hardrock mining industry, with a decision to not impose financial responsibility requirements.
The agency has identified three additional industries to assess for potential financial
responsibility — electric power generation, transmission, and distribution; petroleum and
coal products manufacturing; and chemical manufacturing. EPA recently published proposed
rulemakings for the first and second additional industries. The chemical manufacturing industry
is the last of the three additional industries the agency is evaluating for possible financial
responsibility requirements.
If you believe your tribe could be affected by the proposed action, EPA invites you to consult
prior to the agency issuing a final rule. For more information about the proposed rule, check
out EPA's Superfund Financial Responsibility website.
CONTACT: Kim Katonica • 703-308-6087 • katonica.kim@epa.gov
Draft Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted
Use Pesticides
END DATE: May 1.
The Draft EPA Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within
Indian Country (EPA Plan) is a plan for the certification of applicators of restricted use pesticides
(RUPs) in Indian country based on the certification requirements enumerated at 40 CFR Part
171. The EPA Plan allows the use of RUPs in those areas of Indian country not covered by any
other EPA-approved certification plan.
EPA administers routine maintenance activities associated with the implementation of this
EPA Plan, including application processing, database management and recordkeeping, and
conducting inspections and enforcement actions as appropriate. During consultation, EPA will
review the new standards and requirements for state, tribal, and federal agency certification
programs for pesticide applicators when applying restricted use pesticides. To learn more, check
out EPA's Federal Certification to Apply Restricted Use Pesticides in Indian Country website.
CONTACT: Amanda Hauff • 202-566-0603 • hauff.amanda@epa.gov
6-

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter April
*Continued Tribal Consultation
Guiding Principles for Consulting with Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act Corporations
END DATE: July 13.
In 2004, Congress directed all federal agencies to consult with corporations established by
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971 "on the same basis as Indian tribes under
Executive Order No. 13175." EPA has a long history of engaging with ANCSA corporations
on matters for which it consults with federally recognized tribes in Alaska and now seeks to
formalize this process.
EPA is proposing to consult with ANCSA corporations on any regulatory action that has
substantial direct effects on an ANCSA corporation and imposes significant compliance
costs. EPA invites you and your designated consultation representative(s) to participate in
this process. A Guiding Principles for Consulting with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
Corporations (Guiding Principles) document establishes principles relevant to consulting with
ANCSA corporations. The Guiding Principles document, and the proposed consultation process
is available on the EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System website.
CONTACT: Paige Lieberman • 202-564-9957 • Lieberman.paige@epa.gov
Grants
Exchange Network Grants
APPLICATIONS DUE: April 10.
The Exchange Network was launched in 2002 as an inter-
governmental, collaborative partnership of EPA, states,
territories, and tribes to foster better environmental
management and decision-making through increased access to
timely, high quality environmental information. The framework
adopted allows organizations to exchange data over the internet
regardless of the specific information technology used.
The EPA Exchange Network Grant Program is soliciting project applications using the
Environmental Information Exchange Network to facilitate sharing of environmental data.
For details, review the EPA's FY 2020 Exchange Network Grant Program website.
CONTACT: Erika Beasley • 202-566-2530 • beasley.erika@epa.gov
Reduction in Lead Exposure Via Drinking Water
APPLICATIONS DUE: April 20.
The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to reduce lead in drinking water in
disadvantaged communities through infrastructure or treatment improvements or facility
remediation in schools and childcare facilities. The goal of these projects is to address
conditions that contribute to increased concentrations of lead in drinking water.
Continued

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
Reduction in Lead Exposure Via Drinking Water
April 2020
Continued
Eligible applicants under this competition include:
Community water systems.
Water systems located in an area governed by a tribe.
Non-transient non-community water systems (schools and hospitals that have their own
water systems).
Nonprofit organizations servicing a public water system.
Municipalities.
State, interstate, or intermunicipal agencies.
For details, check out EPA's website - Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems.
CONTACT: Brianna Knoppow • WIINDrinkingWaterGrants@epa.gov
Source Reduction Assistance Grants
APPLICATIONS DUE: May 15.
Source Reduction Assistance grants fund innovative source reduction approaches (also
known as pollution prevention or P2). P2 means reducing or eliminating pollutants from
entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment prior to recycling,
treatment, or disposal. SRA grant projects must use one or more of the following
technical assistance methods to carry out source reduction or P2 activities such as
research, investigation, experiments, education, training, studies, or demonstration of
innovative techniques.
Specifically, EPA requests proposals in alignment with five national emphasis areas:
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Processing.
• Chemical Manufacturing and Formulation.
• Automotive Manufacturing and Maintenance.
• Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing and Maintenance.
• Metal Manufacturing.
Eligible entities include the 50 states and territories of the U.S., local governments, city
or township governments, independent school district governments, state controlled
institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (other than institutions of
higher education), private institutions of higher education, community-based grassroots
organizations, and federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia.
Region 10 awards may be in the range of $20,000 - $120,000 for the two-year funding
period (between $10,000 - $60,000 funded per year). Details are available on EPA's
Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program RFA website.
8-

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter April
Pollution Prevention Grant Program
APPLICATIONS DUE: April 30.
EPA is offering a grant competition to fund two-year assistance agreements for projects that
provide technical assistance to develop and adopt source reduction practices — also known
as pollution prevention or P2. P2 means reducing or eliminating pollutants from entering
any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment,
or disposal, EPA is encouraging P2 because implementing these practices can result in
reductions in toxic pollutants, the use of water, energy, and other raw materials, while also
lowering business costs.
States, state entities, federally recognized tribes, and intertribal consortia are eligible to
apply. Individual grant awards may be in the range of $40,000-$500,000 for the two-year
funding period. Additional details about this opportunity are available on EPA's
Grant Programs for Pollution Prevention website.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grants
APPLICATIONS DUE: May 4.
The goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Tribal Wildlife Grant Program is to provide a
competitive funding opportunity for federally recognized tribal governments to develop and
implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native
American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished.
Tribal Wildlife Grants are used to provide technical and financial assistance to tribes for the
development and implementation of programs that benefit fish and wildlife resources and
their habitat. Activities may include, but are not limited to: planning for wildlife and habitat
conservation, fish and wildlife conservation and management actions, fish and wildlife
related laboratory and field research, natural history studies, habitat mapping, field surveys
and population monitoring, habitat preservation, conservation easements, and public
education that is relevant to the project. The Service will award grants up to a maximum of
$200,000 for a single project. Details about this opportunity are available on the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grants website.

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
April 2020
Training & Technical Assistance
Training opportunities in this newsletter are either hosted, fundedor 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.
Qualified Sampler Training (Water Quality and Soil Sampling)
May 11-13, Anchorage, AK
At this time Zender Environmental Health and Research Group are assessing distance learning
options for April - July trainings, which are on hold. The aim is to restructure these courses in
a manner that will require a computer and a phone, but no internet. In the meantime, please
sign up for any training that you are interested in, including those on hold.
Attendees will learn how to take water and soil samples to send for laboratory contaminant
testing, how to test on-site for surface water fecal coliform, and how to sample and monitor for
the basic water quality parameters using a YSI probe and turbidity meter. Details are available
on the Zender Environmental Health and Research Group website.
CONTACT: Simone Sebalo • 907-277-2111 * ssebalo@zendergroup.org
EPA Diver Training
EPA divers practice water rescue techniques
May 11-15, Pensacola, FL
EPA hosts Diver Training that's
catered to those needing to
conduct scientific and light work
diving. Every year EPA offers the
ciass to federal, tribal, state, and
local government divers with a
work-related need at no-cost,
to meet EPA's and our partners
program needs. Training includes
SCUBA, tethered SCUBA, and
surface supply introduction with
rescue skills training.
CONTACT: Sean Sheldrake •
sheldrake.sean@epa.gov
Federal Facilities Online Academy
Available through September 14
This training program has been developed for EPA Remedial Project Managers, project managers
from other federal agencies, state government, and tribal groups who work on federal facility
Superfund cleanups. To obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire series, please
participate in all 12 courses, 11 webinars, and 1 in-person training. To register for upcoming
sessions or view archived sessions, check out the Trainex website.
10-

-------
Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
April 2020
Calendar of Events
April
13
14
15
16
21
27-May 1
May
5
11-13
11-15
19
21
June
9-10
23
ANTHC IGAP Networking Call. 2:00 p.m. Alaska Time • https://bit.ly/2GRKy4f
Overcoming Barriers to Sustainable Waste Management in Tribal Communities.
11 a.m. Pacific Time • https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3244815349996614156
Citizen Science at EPA. 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time • https://bit.ly/2JEaQJn
Region 10 RTOC Conference Call. 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time
http://regionlOrtoc.net/meetings
Alaska LEO Network Monthly Webinar. 2:00 p.m. Alaska Time
http://www.leonetwork.org
Backhaul, OSHA 10 Hour Safety, and Freon Removal Training. Anchorage, AK
http://www.zendergroup.org/sw.html
ANTHC IGAP Networking Call. 2:00 p.m. Alaska Time
https://bit.ly/2GRKy4f
Qualified Sampler Training. Anchorage, AK
http://www.zendergroup.org/sw.html
EPA Diver Training. Pensacola, FL
https://www.epa.gov/diving/diver-training
Alaska LEO Network Monthly Webinar. 2:00 p.m. Alaska Time
http://www.leonetwork.org
Region 10 RTOC Conference Call. 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time
http://regionlOrtoc.net/meetings
Tribal Training on Water Quality Monitoring and Non-Point Source Pollution (CWA
Sections 106 and 319). Shelton, WA • CONTACT: Sue Patnude at 360-432-9439 or
tribalnonpoint2020@gmail.com
Alaska LEO Network Monthly Webinar. 2:00 p.m. Alaska Time
http://www.leonetwork.org
Links to websites outside of EPA are provided for additional information that may be useful or interesting
to our readers. We cannot attest to the accuracy of these third-party sites, nor does EPA endorse any
nongovernment websites, companies or applications.
-11

-------
Region 10
Tribal Newsletter
Vol. 29 No. 3—April 2020
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10 Tribal Program
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 155, MS 12-D12
Seattle, WA 98101-3140
Got News?
Got News? Please send submission ideas to
^ R10TribalNewsletter@epa.gov
For Tribal Solid and
Hazardous Waste
Technical Assistance
ALASKA: Jim Penor • 907-500-4963
IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON:
Rick McMonagle • 503-326-6363
•	
Helpful Links
R10 Tribal Programs:
http://go.usa.gov/xkdMv
EPA on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EPARegionlQ
Follow us @EPAnorthwest on Twitter!
https://twitter.com/EPAnorthwest
Tribal Trust and
Assistance Branch Staff
Stacy Murphy, 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
Kristy Fry, Tribal Coordinator	(206) 553-1085
Santina Gay, Tribal Coordinator	(907) 271-3413
Mahri Lowinger, Tribal Coordinator	(907) 271-6334
Michael Ortiz, Tribal Coordinator	(206) 553-6234
Catherine Vila, Grants Coordinator	 (206) 553-1544
Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator	(907) 271-1270
WESTERN & CENTRAL OREGON, SOUTHWEST WASH
Kristine Carre, Tribal Coordinator	(503) 326-7024
IDAHO, WASHINGTON & EASTERN OREGON
Westley Foster, Tribal Coordinator	(206) 553-1604
Alan Moomaw, Tribal Coordinator	(360) 753-8071
r
A,
Report Spills and Violations

In the event of an oil spill, release of hazardous materials, or accident that

may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment,
/era\
please call 911. Then, report it to EPA's National Response Center by calling

1-800-424-8802.
Environmental
To report a possible environmental violation, submit information online to
(violations)
the EPA at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations.

V
J

-------