NEWS The Tribal Newsletter is published free monthly To receive a copy, call: AK: Santina 907-271-3413 ID: Jim 208-378-5691 OR: Don 503-326-5015 WA: Alison 360-753-8185 LETTER ^5 Region 10^ Tribal ewsletter http://www2.epa.gov/tribal/region-10-tribal-newsletter SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Vol. 25 No. 1 January 2016 c "\ Conferences and Workshops January 15 - 16 Arctic Encounter - Seattle 2016, Seattle, WA. Hosted by the University of Washington School of Law. http://www.arcticencounter.eom/#index 21 RTOC Region 10 Monthly Call, 1:30-3 p.m. Contact JR Herbst at 206-553-2116 or herbst.john@epa.gov February 8-12 Alaska Forum on the Environment, Anchorage, AK. Go to http://www.akforum.org 11-13 15th Annual New Partners for Small Growth Conference, Portland, OR Go to https://newpartners.org 22-26 ITEP 40-Hour HAZWOPER, Las Vegas, NV. Applications for this training are due February 5. Contact Roberta Tohannie at roberta.tohannie@nau.edu March 8-10 Fourth Tribal Green Summit, Snoqualmie Casino, WA. Contact Cindy Spiry at cindy@snoqualmietribe.us or Kami Snowden at ksnowden@tswan.org April 19-21 ITEP Climate Change Adaptation Training, Anchorage, AK http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/docs/training/cc/Ancmt-CCAdaptAK-1604.pdf May 17-19 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality, Niagara Falls, NY. Hosted by the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Conferences/confr_ntf June 6-10 2016 International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, Houston, TX. Sponsored by the American Academy of Sciences. http://www.AASci.org/conference/env/2016/index.html August 15 - 18 SAVE THE DATE! ITEP's Tribal Lands and Environment Forum, Mohegan Sun Resort, CT. More info available soon. For more information on EPA Tribal trainings, webinars, grants and opportunities for Tribal consultation, visit http://www2.epa.gov/tribal V J ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 Top News C \ A Landmark Climate Agreement in Paris On December 12, the UN Conference on Climate Change wrapped up in Paris and the world turned the corner on one of the greatest challenges of our time. Nearly 200 countries came together to adopt the most ambitious climate change agreement in history. The Paris Agreement is historic. It sets a goal of keeping warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and, for the first time, agrees to pursue efforts to limit the increase in temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Agreement directs all countries to set ambitious national climate targets for themselves. This approach was what paved the way for the 187 national commitments already made this year and it will form the basis for a long-term, durable system to ratchet down emissions over time. Under the Paris agreement, countries will communicate their climate targets every 5 years, beginning in 2020. Each target will reflect progress from the prior one, ensuring the highest possible ambition each country can achieve. The agreement includes key transparency measures to make sure all countries are accountable to the targets they set. For example, countries will be required to report on greenhouse gas inventories and mitigation progress, among other provisions. The five year cycle gives investors and innovators a clear, consistent picture of what the world will be demanding going forward - cleaner, more efficient, low-carbon technologies across sectors of industry. The Paris Agreement is not a finish line, but a starting point. There's a lot more work to do. https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2015/12/a-view-from-cop21-in-paris v ' RTOC Updates Contributors: Rich Eichstaedt and JR Herbst RTOC December 2015 Meeting The Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) held their in-person meeting December 8-10 at the Region 10 Offices in Seattle. This meeting was a success thanks to everyone's participation and the excellent presentations that were provided on many important environmental issues that range from solid and hazardous waste updates to fish consumption rate survey work in Region 10. A special thanks to Deilah Johnson, RTOC Alt. Member from Alaska, for sharing her inspiring presentation on the Village of Solomon (near Nome, Alaska) with Region 10. Conference Call @ The next RTOC conference call is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2016, and the RTOC has scheduled their next in-person meeting on March 1-3, 2016 in Seattle. For more information about the RTOC, please visit http://rtocregionlO.org or contact the RTOC Communications Specialist, Christy Finn, at 253-328-4026. ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 RTOC Election Results and Departures During the RTOC in-person meeting in December, the EPA announced the election results for the two National Tribal Operations Committee positions and for two of the four RTOC positions that were open in 2015. The EPA is currently working on finalizing the results for the two remaining RTOC Positions for Oregon and Idaho, and these results are expected to be announced by EPA in January. Results for the 2015 RTOC Elections: NTOC AK Position 2: Biliy Maines, Curyung Tribal Torn Downey (L) and CabeBohnee(R) „ .. Photo courtesy of Rich Eichstaedt Council * NTOC Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Idaho: Lee Juan Tyler, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation RTOC AK Position 3: Tracy Lewis, Native Village of Kongiganak RTOC Western Washington: Shallee Baker, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe RTOC Oregon: Pending (TBD) RTOC Idaho: Pending (TBD) At the December RTOC meeting, the Tribal Caucus unanimously re-elected Billy Maines as the tribal co-chair to serve as leadership for the RTOC along with EPA Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran. Billy also serves as the chair of the National Tribal Caucus and is a tribal council member and environmental coordinator for the Curyung Tribe in Dillingham, Alaska. Elizabeth Sanchey, environmental manager for the Yakama Nation in Washington, was elected tribal vice-chair, replacing Gabe Bohnee, the Nez Perce's Tribe Environmental Restoration and Waste Management program director. Gabe did not seek re- election as vice chair. The December meeting also was the last meeting for Gabe and for Tom Downey, Environmental Protection Specialist at the Confederated Tribes of Siletz in Oregon. Tom is one of the longest serving RTOC members. Both Gabe and Tom did not seek re-election. Results of the elections to replace Gabe and Tom will be announced in January. UTOC Participation at the Alaska Forum on the Environment The RTOC RIO is pleased to be attending the Alaska Forum on the Environment to be held on February 8-12, 2016 in Anchorage, Alaska. Please visit our booth on the 3rd floor at the Dena'ina Convention Center for information and iatest updates from RTOC Region 10. Region 10 RTOC will host an Evening Social at AFE on Wednesday, February 10. Event Schedule 5:00 p.m. Light Refreshment Buffet 5:15 p.m. RTOC Region 10: Welcome 5:30 p.m. Special PerformerTBA 6:00 p.m. 2016 Daniel Ellanak Award Presentation 6:30 p.m. Event Concludes We look forward to seeing you there! ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 Climate Change News Can Paris Pledges Avert Severe Climate Change? A new study shows that if the emission reductions pledges brought to Paris are implemented and followed by measures of equal or greater ambition, they have the potential to reduce the probability of the highest levels of warming, and increase the probability of limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. Go to http://go.usa.gov/c9ZrF Alaskan Voices on Climate: Submit Your Video! The EPA recently announced Alaskan Voices on Climate, a new project to collect and disseminate videos from Alaskans that demonstrate the impacts of a changing climate. The EPA invites Alaskans from all walks of life to submit videos, filmed in Alaska, on how changes in climate are affecting Alaskan communities; how those changes have made a difference in the way Alaskans live, work, or play; and what lessons they can share about becoming more resilient that would help other communities. Through Alaskan Voices on Climate, we hope to show the world Alaska as you see it, and what Alaskans are doing now to ensure a healthy environment for future generations. We look forward to your submissions! ~ Participate by sending 30- to 90-second videos to EPA via Twitter, Facebook, or email. ~ We will share our favorite stories on social media, the EPA website, the Alaska Info Box, and other communication channels. ~ Guidelines for participating and instructions for submitting a video are available on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/ak/alaskan-voices-climate. If you have any questions after reviewing the website, please contact epa-seattle@epa.gov ~ Please share with your networks: > Website: http://www.epa.gov/ak/alaskan-voices-climate > Facebook: http://on.fb.me/lmmgkKF > Twitter: http://bit.ly/lJEzWiH ~ View the first video at http://bit.ly/lZxpthW The Uncertainty Handbook: A Practical Guide for Climate Change Communicators The handbook provides 12 practical and easy-to-apply principles for smarter communication about climate change uncertainties. For more information, go to http://climateoutreach.org/resources/uncertainty-handbook Climate Change Video from Inter-Tribal Youth Congress 2015 Native American students from all over the US made this video to help educate people about problems in their area caused by climate change (7:26 min.) Go to http://bit.ly/lKKgxMK This newsletter contains information from multiple sources including tribes, newspapers, and other sources. Any information or opinions in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of the United States or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 4- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 Nominations for Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science Nominations must be received by January 15. ACCCNRS advises the Secretary of the Interior on the operations of the USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the DOI Climate Science Centers. ACCCNRS is composed of 25 members that represent: 1. State and local governments, including state membership entities 2. Nongovernmental organizations 3. American Indian tribes and other Native American entities 4. Academia 5. Landowners, businesses, and organizations representing landowners or businesses Send nominations to: Robin O'Malley, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 516, Reston, VA 20192, nccwsc@usgs.gov. Please review the Federal Register Notice for complete information about the nomination process. Go to http://go.usa.gov/c9B8H Alaska Policy and Climate Adaptation Webinar Series Water Policy Consulting, LLC, ACCAP, and tribal environmental and climate change professionals throughout the country are offering the Winter 2015-16 Policy & Climate Adaptation Mitigation and Planning for Alaska Natives webinars series. The series will demonstrate how Native Villages and other communities in Alaska can apply state, federal and tribal policies to address climate change impacts on water and subsistence resources through water resource management and protection, land and water rights, sovereignty and other resiliency and mitigation strategies. Upcoming webinars include: January 5 Strategies for Strengthening Alaska Native Village Roles in Natural Resource Management January 19 Tribal Sovereignty & Climate Change for Alaska Natives February 17 Water Policy & Climate Change for Alaska Natives March 8 Human Rights & Climate Change April 13 Environmental Code Development for Alaska Natives To register, go to http://bit.ly/lS9MAuR Climate Change Webinars, Conferences and Trainings For a calendar of climate change and water-related trainings, conferences, and webinars, go to http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/Calendar-of-Events.cfm ------- January 2016 Climate News Briefs Climate Science and Observations State of Knowledge Report: Climate Change in Puget Sound http://cses.washington.edu/picea/mauger/ps-sok/PS-SoK_2015.pdf Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula http://bit.ly/lR3GygH Arctic Ocean to Have Less Ice, More Water by 2050s: Study http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/arctic-ocean-to-have-less-ice-more-water-by-2050s- study-1239531 Study Says Cleaner Atmosphere Means More Arctic Sea-Ice Melt https://www.adn.com/article/20151122/cleaner-atmosphere-means-more-arctic-sea-ice- melt-study-says Runaway Global Warming Becomes a Concern as Permafrost Melts http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/ll/19/stories/1060028256 Researchers Fear Increased Erosion from Growing Wildfires http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2015/ll/05/stories/1060027518 Low Coho Salmon Returns Close Quinault Fisheries http://bit.ly/lJciqqX Quinault Indian Nation Confronts Climate Change http://kuow.org/post/washington-tribe-confronts-climate-change-sea-level-rise Engaging Indigenous Peoples and Honoring Traditional Knowledge Systems http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/slQ584-015-1535-7 Agriculture/Food Supply/Ecosystems/Water Resources Climate Change, Wildfire Seen Transforming Northwest Forests http://www.opb.org/news/article/climate-change-and-wildfire-seen-transforming- northwest-fo rests Polar Bear Numbers to Fall as Arctic Ice Shrinks: Study http://reut.rs/lMDvKzx The Pacific Ocean Becomes a Caldron http://www.nytimes.com/2015/ll/03/science/global-warming-pacific-ocean-el-nino-blob.html Climate Change Impacts on the Willamette River Basin http://bit.ly/lTmP2P2 Analysis and Commentary In a Warming World, More Rain Can Mean Less Water http://bit.ly/lYJ7bNK The Wildfire Conundrum: the Climate Effect http://invw.org/2015/ll/16/the-wildfire-conundrum-the-climate-effect Editorial: It's in the Dirt http://bit.ly/lPsK42u Links to websites outside of the 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 the EPA endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. 6- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 Training Climate Change Adaptation Planning Training The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium are collaborating to offer a Climate Change Adaptation Planning training on April 19-21, in Anchorage, AK. ITEP will be providing a limited number of travel scholarships to help with participant travel costs. Participants will learn: A general process for developing a climate change adaptation plan To identify climate change impacts and vulnerabilities in their communities Adaptation strategies Tools and resources that may be used for adaptation planning Possible partners Please email or fax completed applications to Oxcenia O'Domin at orodomin@anthc.org Fax: 1-888-500-1205. If you have any questions, please contact Oxcenia at 907-729-3492. 40-Hour HAZWOPER Offered in February The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals will offer a 40-hour HAZWOPER training February 22-26 in Las Vegas, NV, in collaboration with the USEPA Environmental Response Team. This five day course instructs participants to recognize, evaluate, and remediate an uncontrolled hazardous waste site. The course provides basic information needed to meet the 40-hour training requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120 (e)(3)(i) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response or HAZWOPER. Participants will become more knowledgeable in hazardous waste operations, health and safety, and team functions. Applications for this training are due February 5. To receive an application for the training, please contact Roberta Tohannie at roberta.tohannie@nau.edu EPCRA (non-313) Online Training for States, Tribes, LEPCs and Local Planners and Responders is Now Live This course explains the requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to- Know Act and its implementing regulations. It provides key information to states, tribes, Local Emergency Planning Committees, and local planners and responders on their role under EPCRA and supports these agencies in fulfilling their responsibilities prescribed in the law in order to prepare and protect the community from chemical emergencies. Visit http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/epcranon313nonepa/event/event_info.html EPA National Enforcement Training Institute or NETI Go to EPA's online training resource site for access to NETI course registration, training products, online classrooms, and e-mail updates. Several recorded webinars are available. For more information, go to http://go.usa.gov/39HwW ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 National Wetland Condition Survey Training In 2016, the EPA, together with states and tribes, will be performing the second NWCA to assess the condition of wetlands nationwide. See http://www.epa.gov/nationai-aquatic- resource-surveys/national-wetland-condition-assessment Tribes who will be participating in the NWCA will be required to take training in the sampling and monitoring protocols. However, anyone who is interested may attend the training (which is free) regardless of whether or not they will participate in the 2016 NWCA sampling. Interested participants would be required to fund their own travel. The NWCA evaluates a randomly sampled set of wetlands across the country to determine the condition of the resource on a national and eco-regional basis, by wetland type. This is part of the National Aquatic Resource Surveys, which look at the condition of waters across the US (e.g. lakes, coastal waters, rivers and streams, wetlands) to assess the effectiveness of Clean Water Act programs, identify contaminants of emerging concern, and identify stressors and the relative risks those stressor pose to the health of the waters in question. The sampling protocols may have direct applicability in wetland monitoring and assessment programs. In 2012, the Tribal Wetland Working Group or TWIG and EPA provided a shorter training on some protocols used in the 2011 NWCA, hosted by the Yakama Nation. The protocols in the 2016 NWCA are likely to be similar, but there will be a few changes. If you are interested in participating in this training, please contact Mary Anne Thiesing no later than January 8, at thiesing.mary@epa.gov or 206-553-6114. EPA Office of Water, Clean Water Act Tribal Training For a consolidated, centralized listing of training courses offered by EPA that will help Indian tribes develop and implement water quality programs consistent with the Clean Water Act, go to http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/tribaltraining EPA Climate Adaptation Online Training This self-paced training developed by the EPA is an online module to help local government officials take actions to increase their communities resiliency to a changing climate. http://www2.epa.gov/communitvhealth/local-government-climate-adaptation-training Free Training on How to Comply With Water Requirements Want to learn how to find and fix illicit discharges and connections? How to develop an effective municipal stormwater program for construction sites? What you need to know about the industrial stormwater general permit? Find self-paced training and archived webinars on these topics and a variety of other topics related to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System at the EPA's NPDES training site: http://www.epa.gov/national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes 8- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 ITEP Air Program Training ITEP's American Indian Air Quality Training Program provides training and educational outreach for tribal environmental staff all over the United States, including Alaska. Upcoming air trainings include: 2016 AIAQTP Course Schedule (January - June 2016) Course Title Dates Location Course Level Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Diagnostic Tools (for lower 48) Jan 12-15 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 2 introduction to Tribal Air Quality lan 26-29 Flagstaff, AZ 1 Air Quality Computations Feb 9-12 Phoenix, AZ 1 Air Pollution Technology Mar 14-18 Flagstaff, AZ 2 Fundamentals of Air Monitoring (new) April 5-7 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 2 GIS for Air Quality April 26-28 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 3 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Diagnostic Tools for Alaska April 26-28 Palmer, AK 2 Project Planning, QAPPs, and Grants for Alaska TBD AK 2 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality May 17-19 Niagara Falls, NY n/a Air Pollution and Ecosystems Jun 7-10 Flagstaff, AZ 2 NOTE: This schedule is subject to change. For up-to-date information, course descriptions, and applications please visit http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/training air For more information please contact Lydia Scheer, Program Coordinator, Sr, at 928-523- 6887 or Lydia.Scheer@nau.edu Climate Boot Camp to Address Tribal Needs and Concerns Related to Climate Change Climate change has a direct and evident impact on Native American tribal communities by disrupting local economies and traditional cultures. Members of tribes from across the US will convene at the University of Idaho's McCall Field Campus in June 2016 for the first-ever National Tribal Climate Boot Camp. Go to http://go.usa.gov/cNWF5 or http://bit.ly/lNz8NkF ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 Funding EPA General Assistance Program Grants Due Date: January 15 EPA Region 10's Tribal Trust and Assistance Program is announcing the availability of General Assistance Program funds to support environmental capacity-building work in FY2017. Tribes and tribal consortia are eligible to apply Go to: http://www.epa.gov/tribal/region-10-tribal-environmental-gap-funding Alaska DEC's Brownfield Assessment & Cleanup Program Due Date: 5 pm Alaska time on January 29 The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup request period is now open for project work beginning in July 2016. DEC continues to assist Alaskan communities across the state by conducting environmental site assessments and cleanups at qualifying brownfield sites. In 2015, our work included site assessments and assistance with a monofill landfill permit. DBAC services are intended to help reduce the environmental uncertainties or conditions that hinder the reuse or redevelopment of a brownfield. DBAC objectives are: ~ Help clarify whether an environmental problem is limiting a site's use or intended reuse or redevelopment; ~ Help identify the nature and extent of contamination; ~ Provide recommendations and estimate costs for additional assessment, if needed; ~ Propose typical cleanup options and provide a general estimate of cleanup costs, if indi- cated; and ~ When funding permits, conduct cleanup activities designed to enable reuse of a site. In selecting projects, DEC looks for solid reuse or redevelopment plans and strong community support and commitment. For a fact sheet and application kit, go to https://dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/bf-dbac.htm Contact Amy Rodman at 907-465-5368 for assistance or additional information. Healthy Watershed Consortium Grants Program Due Date: March 14: The US Endowment for Forestry and Communities has released its first RFP soliciting proposals for the Healthy Watershed Consortium Grants Program. This is the new delivery mechanism for grant funding under EPA's Healthy Watershed Program. Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, for-profit companies, tribes, intertribal consortia, interstates, state, and local government agencies including water utilities and wastewater facilities, and colleges and universities are eligible for funding. Unincorporated individuals and federal agencies are not eligible. Public/private partnerships are particularly desirable. Funding amount: There are three different categories of proposals with differing dollar amounts. Go to http://www.usendowment.org/partnerships/hwcgrantprogram.html ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 News EPA and Partners Announce National Plan to Prevent Lung Cancer Due to Radon On November 11, the EPA, American Lung Association, and other partners announced a strategy for preventing 3,200 lung cancer deaths annually by 2020 through radon exposure reduction strategies. Exposure to radioactive radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America. The goal to save these lives will be achieved by reducing high radon levels in five million homes, apartments, schools and childcare centers. The partnership includes three federal departments and agencies, and nine national organizations. The Plan can be found at http://www.epa.gov/radon/national-radon-action-plan-strategy-saving-lives For more information, visit http://www2.epa.gov/radon FTA Announces Tribal Transit Grants The Federal Transit Administration has announced the award of $10 million to help American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments initiate, improve and enhance transit service on Tribal Lands. The money, which is awarded through FTA's Tribal Transit Program, will provide grants to 55 tribes for 65 competitively selected transit-related projects in 18 states. Combined with about $30 million a year in formula funds, FTA's Tribal Transit Program provides a transportation lifeline to rural tribal citizens by connecting them with employment, education, healthcare, and other vital services. Go to http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15926_3553.html Tribal Energy Calendar of Events This calendar lists upcoming events in Indian Country sponsored by DOE and a variety of government agencies, associations, and organizations. http://appsl.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/events.cfm Children's Health: EPA Healthy Child Care Because of their size, stage of development, and behavior, children are at greater risk than adults for adverse health effects caused by exposure to indoor air pollutants. This site presents providers, parents and government agencies with resources to identify and reduce children's exposure to pollutants that may be present in child care facilities. Go to http://www2.epa.gov/childcare NASA Satellite Maps Show Human Global Air Quality Using new, high-resolution global satellite maps of air quality indicators, scientists tracked air pollution trends over the last decade in various regions and 195 cities around the globe. Go to http://go.usa.gov/c9EGG ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON NEWS Charles R. Peterson, © Creative Commons EPA Proposes NPDES Hatchery Permit Reissuance in Washington The EPA proposes to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit to establish conditions for the discharge of pollutants in wastewaters from federal fish hatcheries and from aquaculture facilities in Indian Country, as defined in 18 USC §1151, to waters of the United States within the boundaries of the State of Washington. In order to ensure protection of water quality and human health, the General Permit places limits on the types and amounts of pollutants that can be discharged and places other conditions on such activity. The General Permit does not provide coverage for net pen operations. The draft permit and fact sheet can be found on the EPA Region 10 website at http://go.usa.gov/c9ESB The public comment period will last until March 31. For technical questions regarding the General Permit or fact sheet, contact Catherine Gockel at 206-553-0325 or gockel.catherine@epa.gov 12 - ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2016 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alaska Operations Office ALASKA NEWS C \ Making a Visible Difference in Alaska In June, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced the Making a Visible Difference in Communities Initiative, an EPA cross-agency strategy focusing on 50 communities across the country that are environmentally-overburdened, -underserved, or economically-distressed. Three communities involved in this project are the native villages of Newtok, Shishmaref, and Shaktoolik, Alaska. These three Native Villages, located on the western coast of Alaska, are dealing with a changing environment that is threatening their communities. Each Village has a federally-recognized tribal government. The EPA has a longstanding relationship with the Tribes developed through our core program work in Alaska, primarily via the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program, to build environmental program capacity. While the Tribes are working to strengthen their environmental programs and manage the needs of the current infrastructure, they are also planning for their future. Each community is imminently threatened by coastal erosion and flooding. Newtok has identified a new location in Metarvik; they have a detailed strategic management plan for the move. Shishmaref and Shaktoolik are both working toward a similar strategic management plan for their communities. In each of the three communities they are in the process of relocation, assessing options and/or defending in place. In all three Villages, partnerships had been formed between tribal organizations and federal, state, and local agencies to address resilience needs. The communities, in partnership with the State of Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development, Division of Community and Regional Affairs, are taking the lead in coordinating joint interagency efforts. For more information on the efforts of the planning groups please visit the following website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/dcra/ClimateChange.aspx. The EPA is working to support those aspects of the partnership that will improve human health and the environment. Like many communities across Alaska, efforts are underway to re-envision their future and the Villages are actively seeking resources to support the changes to come. For a better understanding of the challenges for these and many other Alaskan communities, view an In the Moment video of Shishmaref in our Faces of Climate Change video series at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoHOP3mNHks&feature=share Learn more about this project at http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/making-visible-difference-communities V ------- Alaska \ C If , ) Alaska Regional Response Team (ARRT) http://alaskarrt.org •pij'il Subarea Contingency Plan Updates Subarea Contingency Plans (SCP) contain guidance to spill responders specific to their respective planning subarea. SCP's updated in the last year include The Aleutian Islands, and the Alaska interior. You can view the subarea plan for your region at http://alaskarrt.org/ Documents .aspx?f= 175. The chart below details when SCP's were last updat- ed, and projected dates for completing new updates. The Cook Inlet SCP update is currently underway. Date of last update is in green, and planned updates are in yellow. IMPORTANT DATES IN 2016 January 27 May 24-25 Sept 27-28 ARRT Meeting Anchorage, AK ARRT Meeting and Kodiak Subarea Committee Meeting Kodiak, AK ARRT Meeting and Northwest Arctic Subarea Committee Meeting Nome, AK ARRT Biennial Work Plan The ARRT establishes priorities for work in the upcoming two years, and details those in a Biennial Work Plan (BWP). While the BWP covers two years, it is updated annually. You may view the current BWP at http://alaskarrt.org/Documents.aspx? f=9. ARRT, January 2016 A USCG aircraft supporting spill response in Alaska. Photo: USCG ------- Domestic Duties, Internationally Informed The Alaska Regional Response Team (ARRT), like the 12 other RRTs covering our nation, fulfills its mandates under the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 90 (OPA90), the Clean Water Act, and the Na- tional Contingency Plan. While most readers know the focus of the ARRT's efforts is domestic (state and federal territory) preparedness and response in nature, one thing they may not know is that these efforts are sometimes informed by work being done in the inter- national arena. Groups such as the Arctic Council Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response work group, the International Marine Organization, and the Arctic Coast Guard Forum function in ways and complete projects which often parallel or comple- ment domestic preparedness and response coordina- tion. Beyond those tie-ins, many ARRT members, including the State of Alaska, are contributors to or customers of international coordinating initiatives such as the United States' pollution planning and re- sponse bilateral agreements between Russia and Cana- da. Each of these professional collaborations, both within the U.S. and between nations, help to form a strong, resilient preparedness and response network. ARRT Policy Governing the Use of Chemical Dispersants In January of 2016, the ARRT expects to issue an up- date to the existing policy regarding the use of disper- sant chemicals in Alaskan waters. This will bring to a close a process of public involve- ment and State and Federal agency collaboration that has taken several years to complete. The update includes a change in dispersant pre- authorization posture affecting five planning subareas. These are Kodiak, Cook Inlet the Aleutian Islands, Prince William Sound, and Bristol Bay. A key facet of the new policy is the process by which sensitive areas are to be identified for exclusion from pre-authorization of dispersant use. Each of the five affected subarea committees must work to identify* these areas within 24 months of issuance of the new plan. You can assist in this effort, by actively participating in Subarea Planning in your region. You can view a map of the Alaska planning subareas on page 1 of this news- letter. For more information, visit our website at http:// alaskarrt.org. Responders assess an illegal hazardous waste dump Photo: USEPA President Obama visits Alaska In early September, President Obama visited Alas- ka and announced new investments to combat cli- mate change and assist remote Alaskan communi- ties. New commitments to respond to the unique challenges facing remote Alaska communities in- clude support for efforts to build resilience to cli- mate impacts, addressing high energy costs by incentivizing clean and efficient energy solutions, and providing tools to help communities under- stand and prepare for future climate change im- pacts. These new commitments build on elements within the National Strategy for the Arctic Region to strengthen community and tribal participation in Area Planning, promote Arctic oil pollution pre- paredness, response and prevention, and updating the statewide Dispersant Use Plan to better address risks in crude tanker transit areas. Photo: Whitehouse.gov ARRT, January 2016 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Vol. 25 No. 1-January 2016 &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency REGION 10 TRIBAL 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 as separate files in jpeg or other graphic format. Please submit articles and pictures to: Don Creek fiD EPA, 805 SW Broadway, Suite 500 Portland, Oregon 97205 0) 503-326-5015 ^0 email creek.don@epa.gov Helpful Links R10 Tribal Programs: http://www2.epa.gov/tribal/region- 10-tribal-program EPA on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/EPARegionlO Follow us @ EPAnorthwest on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ EPAnorthwest EPA Region 10 Tribal Trust and Assistance Unit Staff Sally Thomas, Unit Manager 206-553-2102 ALASKA Todd Bender, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-0344 Katherine Brown, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-7263 Susan Conbere 206-553-6243 Michelle Davis, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3434 Kristy Fry, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-1085 Santina Gay, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3413 JR Herbst, Tribal Consultation Specialist 206-553-2116 Sherry Kimmons, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6322 Nica Klaber, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-2570 Mahri Lowinger, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6334 Michael Ortiz, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-6234 Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-1270 IDAHO, EASTERN & CENTRAL WASHINGTON, AND EASTERN OREGON Jim Zokan, Tribal Coordinator 208-378-5691 WESTERN & CENTRAL OREGON, SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON Kris Carre, Tribal Coordinator 503-326-7024 Don Creek, Tribal Liaison 503-326-5015 NORTHWEST WASHINGTON Westley Foster, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-1604 Alan Moomaw, Tribal Coordinator 360-753-8071 Report Spills and Accidents Note these emergency numbers to call in the EVENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS OR ACCIDENTS. Alaska 800-478-9300 Idaho 800-632-8000 Oregon 800-452-0311 Washington 800-258-5990 National (EPA) 800-424-8802 ------- |