NEWS
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is published free monthly
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OR: Don 503-326-5015
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LETTER
Region
Tribal
ewsletter
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Vol. 23 No. 3
March 2014
http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/TRIBAL.NSF/Newsletter/Issues
March
Conferences and Workshops
18 Rural Alaska Landfill Operators (RALO) Training, Anchorage, AK
http://akforum.com/training.html
25-28 7 Generations Training, Anchorage, AK. Contact Oxcenia O'Domin at 907-729-3492 or
Desirae Roehl at 907-729-3496. Participant applications can be accessed online at
http://www.anthc.org/chs/ces/hve/7-generations.cfm
April
15 Rural Alaska Landfill Operators (RALO) Training, Anchorage, AK.
http://akforum.com/training.html
22 - 23 Tribal Wetland Working Group - 2014 Spring Workshop, Omak, WA. Hosted by the Colville
Tribes. If you plan to attend this event, contact Scott O'Daniel at scottodaniel@ctuir.org
or Amy Martin at Amy.Martin@colvilletribes.com. A final agenda with hotel and other
workshop details will be available in March.
23 - 24 2014 Future of Our Salmon Conference, Portland, OR. Co-hosted by the Tribes and First
Nations. http://bit.ly/laMvVul
25 Writing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, Water Quality Monitoring, and Assessing
Contaminants in Subsistence Resources Workshop, Anchorage, AK. Contact Christa Lilly,
Professional Training Program Manager, NWETC/EOS Alliance, @ 425-270-3274, ext. 103
or^S www.nwetc.org
28 - May 2 Water Quality Standards Academy, Washington, DC. Pre-application required.
Apply online at www.horsleywitten.com/WQSA or call Erin Cabral, 508-833-6600
May
7-8 Save the Date! Tribal 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Workshop, Coeur dAlene Casino
Resort Hotel, Worley, ID. Hosted by the Coeur dAlene Tribe. More details will be circulated
in the next few weeks. Contact Scott Fields at 208-686-0252 or sfields@cdatribe-nsn.gov
12 ITEP Climate Change Adaptation Planning Training (in conjunction with National Tribal
Forum on Air Quality, May 13-15), Anacortes, WA. Registration for the training will be
through the NTF web page. Contact Susan Wotkyns at susan.wotkyns@nau.edu
Continued Next Page
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
Conferences and Workshops
May Continued
13 - 15 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality, Hosted by Swinomish Indian Tribal Commu-
nity Anacortes, WA. The NTF provides environmental professionals an opportunity
to meet and discuss current policies, regulatory initiatives, funding, and technical
topics in air quality
http://www4.nau.edu/itep/conferences/confr_ntf.asp
18 - 23 Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Portland, OR. This is the inaugural joint meeting of
four leading aquatic scientific societies, http://www.sgmeet.com/jasm2014/
For more information on EPA Tribal trainings, webinars, grants, and opportunities for Tribal
consultation, visit www.epa.gov/indian/calendar/index.htm
Opportunity to Consult on Requirement to Submit All Grant
Applications Electronically through Grants.gov
The EPA is initiating consultation and coordina-
tion with federally-recognized Indian Tribes on
the upcoming requirement that all initial submis-
sions of grant applications be submitted electroni-
cally through Grants.gov. This requirement will be
effective starting October 1,2014.
The EPA has sent official notification to tribal
governments, inviting tribes to participate in
this process. EPA's anticipated timeline for the
consultation and coordination period is expected to
extend to March 31,2014.
A consultation and coordination plan for this
action, including a timeline for the consultation
and coordination period and information on how
you can provide input on this action is available on
EPA's Tribal Portal at
www.epa.gov/tribal/consultation
The official EPA contact person for this
consultation and coordination process is Elizabeth
January, EPA Policy Analyst,
617-918-8655 or '
j anuary. elizabeth@ epa. gov
EPA Proposes New Safety Measures to Protect
Farmworkers from Pesticide Exposure
The EPA has announced proposed revisions
to the Worker Protection Standard in order to
protect the nation's two million farm workers and
their families from pesticide exposure.
EPA is proposing significant improvements to
worker training regarding the safe usage of pes-
ticides, including how to prevent and effectively
treat pesticide exposure.
Increased training and signage will inform farm
workers about the protections they are afforded
under the law and will help them protect them-
selves and their families from pesticide exposure.
Workers and others near treated fields will now
be protected from pesticide overspray and fumes.
In addition, the EPA has proposed that children
under 16 be legally barred from handling all pesti-
cides, with an exemption for family farms.
The EPA will be scheduling national calls with
tribes on these new proposed measures. Details on
how to participate in the calls will be announced
soon.
For more information and to comment on the
EPA's Proposed Worker Protection Standard, visit
http://go.usa.gov/Kq9C
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
EPA Moves to Protect Bristol Bay Fishery from Pebble Mine
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
is initiating a process under the Clean Water
Act to identify appropriate options to protect
the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery
in Bristol Bay, Alaska from the potentially
destructive impacts of the proposed Pebble
Mine. The Pebble Mine has the potential to
be one of the largest open pit copper mines
ever developed and could threaten a salmon
resource rare in its quality and productivity.
During this process, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers cannot approve a permit for the
mine.
This action, requested by EPA Adminis-
trator Gina McCarthy, reflects the unique
nature of the Bristol Bay watershed as one of
the world's last prolific wild salmon resources
and the threat posed by the Pebble deposit,
a mine unprecedented in scope and scale.
It does not reflect an EPA policy change in
mine permitting.
"Extensive scientific study has given us
ample reason to believe that the Pebble
Mine would likely have significant and
irreversible negative impacts on the Bristol
Bay watershed and its abundant salmon
fisheries," said EPA Administrator Gina
McCarthy. "It's why EPA is taking this step
forward in our effort to ensure protection
for the world's most productive salmon
fishery from the risks it faces from what
could be one of the largest open pit mines
on earth. This process is not something the
Agency does very often, but Bristol Bay is an
extraordinary and unique resource."
The EPA is basing its action on available
information, including data collected as a
part of the agency's Bristol Bay ecological
risk assessment and mine plans submitted to
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Today, Dennis McLerran, EPA Regional
Administrator for EPA Region 10, sent
letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
the State of Alaska, and the Pebble
Partnership initiating action under EPA's
Clean Water Act Section 404(c) authorities.
"Bristol Bay is an extraordinary natural
resource, home to some of the most abundant
salmon producing rivers in the world. The
area provides millions of dollars in jobs and
food resources for Alaska Native Villages and
commercial fishermen," McLerran said. "The
science EPA reviewed paints a clear picture:
Large-scale copper mining of the Pebble
deposit would likely result in significant
and irreversible harm to the salmon and the
people and industries that rely on them."
Today's action follows the January 2014
release of EPA's "Assessment of Potential
Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of
Bristol Bay, Alaska," a study that documents
the significant ecological resources of the
region and the potentially destructive impacts
to salmon and other fish from potential large-
scale copper mining of the Pebble Deposit.
The assessment indicates that the proposed
Pebble Mine would likely cause irreversible
destruction of streams that support salmon
and other important fish species, as well as
extensive areas of wetlands, ponds and lakes.
In 2010, several Bristol Bay Alaska Native
tribes requested that EPA take action
under Clean Water Act Section 404(c)
to protect the Bristol Bay watershed and
salmon resources from development of the
proposed Pebble Mine, a venture backed by
Northern Dynasty Minerals. The Bristol
Bay watershed is home to 31 Alaska Native
Villages. Residents of the area depend on
salmon as a major food resource and for their
economic livelihood, with nearly all residents
participating in subsistence fishing.
Bristol Bay produces nearly 50 percent of
the world's wild sockeye salmon with runs
averaging 37.5 million fish each year.
The salmon runs are highly productive due in
large part to the exceptional water quality in
streams and wetlands, which provide valuable
salmon habitat.
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
Continued
Agency action begins process to prevent damage
to world's largest sockeye salmon fishery
The Bristol Bay ecosystem generates
hundreds of millions of dollars in economic
activity and provides employment for over
14,000 full and part-time workers. The
region supports all five species of Pacific
salmon found in North America: sockeye,
coho, Chinook, chum, and pink. In addition,
it is home to more than 20 other fish species,
190 bird species, and more than 40 terrestrial
mammal species, including bears, moose, and
caribou.
Based on information provided by The
Pebble Partnership and Northern Dynasty
Minerals, mining the Pebble deposit may in-
volve excavation of a pit up to one mile deep
and over 2.5 miles wide -- the largest open
pit ever constructed in North America.
Disposal of mining waste may require con-
struction of three or more massive earthen
tailings dams as high as 650 feet. The Pebble
deposit is located at the headwaters of Nush-
agak and Kvichak rivers, which produce about
half of the sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay.
The objective of the Clean Water Act is to
restore and maintain the chemical, physical,
and biological integrity of the nation's waters.
The Act emphasizes protecting uses of the
nation's waterways, including fishing.
The Clean Water Act generally requires
a permit under Section 404 from the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers before any person
places dredge or fill material into wetlands,
lakes and streams. Mining operations typi-
cally involve such activities and must obtain
Clean Water Act Section 404 permits.
Section 404 directs EPA to develop the
environmental criteria the Army Corps uses
to make permit decisions. It also authorizes
EPA to prohibit or restrict fill activities if
EPA determines such actions would have
unacceptable adverse effects on fishery areas.
The steps in the Clean Water Act Section
404(c) review process are:
Step 1 - Consultation period with U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and own-
ers of the site, initiated today.
Step 2 - Publication of Proposed Determi-
nation, including proposed prohi-
bitions or restrictions on mining
the Pebble deposit, in Federal
Register for public comment and
one or more public hearings.
Step 3 - Review of public comments and
development of Recommended
Determination by EPA Regional
Administrator to Assistant Admin-
istrator for Water at EPA Head-
quarters in Washington, DC.
Step 4 - Second consultation period with
the Army Corps and site owners
and development of Final Deter-
mination by Assistant Administra-
tor for Water, including any final
prohibitions or restrictions on
mining the Pebble deposit.
Based on input EPA receives during any one
of these steps, the agency could decide that
further review under Section 404(c) is not
necessary. Now that the 404(c) process has
been initiated, the Army Corps cannot issue
a permit for fill in wetlands or streams asso-
ciated with mining the Pebble deposit until
EPA completes the 404(c) review process.
EPA has received over 850,000 requests from
citizens, tribes, Alaska Native corporations,
commercial and sport fisherman, jewelry
companies, seafood processors, restaurant
owners, chefs, conservation organizations,
members of the faith community, sport rec-
reation business owners, elected officials and
others asking EPA to take action to protect
Bristol Bay. For information on the Clean
Water Act Section 404 (c), see
^ http://go.usa.gov/KcWQ_
For information on the EPA Bristol Bay
Assessment, visit:
^ http://www2.epa.gov/bristolbay
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
EPA Releases Climate Assessment Update
to National Stormwater Calculator
EPA has released Phase II of the
National Stormwater Calculator and
Climate Assessment Tool package. The
updated calculator includes future climate
vulnerability scenarios. The calculator is a
amount of stormwater runoff from a specific
location.
For more information on the National
Stormwater Calculator and Climate
Assessment Tool package on the Internet,
desktop application that estimates the annual visit http://go.usa.gov/Kqrd
NOAA Releases Regional Climate Impacts and Outlooks
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and its partners have re-
leased the regional climate outlooks for the
first quarter of 2014.
NOAA's Regional Climate Services Direc-
tors lead the production of these quarterly
syntheses of climate impacts and outlooks
for many regions of the U. S.
The syntheses discuss the major climate
events during the past three months and
contain historical seasonal assessments
as well as future climate outlooks, utiliz-
ing NOAA's monitoring and assessment
capacity.
This effort, which began in 2012, now
includes as many as 10 unique regional
prototypes, all produced collaboratively
with partner organizations. To view the
regional climate reports, visit
http://go.usa.gov/Kq4h
U.S. Geological Survey
Climate Projection Portal
Available for Use
This interactive viewer shows maps based
on future projections of temperature and
precipitation from a group of "statistically
downscaled" global climate models. Users
can generate maps for various periods and
scenarios to show the number of days that
exceed certain thresholds in the model
results (for instance, the number of days
over 90 degrees Fahrenheit). The portal can
also produce annual time series graphs for
regions such as watersheds or counties. To
access the portal, visit:
http:// cida.usgs.gov/ climate/derivative
Annual Climate Protection
Partnerships
The EPA has just released its annual
Climate Protection Partnerships report,
and it indicates that the U.S. is in a strong
position to achieve economic growth — in
other words, job growth — as it transitions to
safer, healthier and more sustainable forms of
energy.
The report comes on top of great news for
job growth in the solar industry. As-yet
untapped offshore wind energy and vast
reserves of geothermal energy offer potential
for even greater growth in the green jobs
sector. Visit http://go.usa.gov/KqgQ_
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
Global Temperatures Now Available on Google Earth
Climate researchers at the University of East To download Google Earth for free to use
Anglia have made the world's temperature re- on your computer, with a plug-in, or on your
cords available on the Google Earth platform, mobile device, visit
The new Google Earth format allows users
to scroll around the world, zoom in on 6,000
weather stations, and view monthly, seasonal
and annual temperature data more easily
http://www.google.com/earth/
For more info about development of the
datasets, go to
http://bit.ly/MzfiIX
Future Water Shortage
Some 1.2 billion people — almost one fifth
of the world — live in areas of physical water
scarcity, while another 1.6 billion face what
can be called economic water shortage.
The situation is only expected to worsen
as population growth, climate change,
investment and management shortfalls, and
Raptors May be Moving
Northward
Research shows that several raptor species
appear to be responding to warmer
winters by shortening their annual
migration by as much as four to five miles
per year. Visit http://bit.ly/lcqzljM
inefficient use of existing resources restrict
the amount of water available to people.
The Worldwatch Institute estimates that
by 2025, fully 1.8 billion people will live
in countries or regions with absolute water
scarcity, with almost half of the world living
in conditions of water stress. Visit
http://bit.ly/lkpQ3oD
Water Supply Is a Pressing
Environmental Issue
Water supply is the most pressing
environmental issue facing the US, according
to a survey of policy makers and scientists.
The research was conducted by researchers at
the University of York and the University of
California, Davis. http://bit.ly/lfunzVE
GAO Releases Report on Climate Change
Impacts on Water Infrastructure
The US Government Accountability Office released a report on actions taken by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation to
address climate change impacts on water infrastructure. The report examines:
1. Actions taken by the Corps and Reclamation since 2009 to assess and respond to the
potential effects of climate change on water infrastructure.
2. Challenges, if any, faced by the Corps and Reclamation in assessing and responding
to the potential effects of climate change on water infrastructure, and the steps the
agencies are taking to address them.
For more, visit www, gao. gov/products/GAO -14-23
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.
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
EPA Grant Announcements
Listed Online
For a listing of all current EPA grant
opportunities, http://go.usa.gov/Bxhh
IHS College Scholarship
Application now Available
The Indian Health Service has a college
scholarship program for students entering
the health profession. Applications are
due March 28. www.scholarship.ihs.gov
ITEP Solid Waste Code Training
The Institute for Tribal Environmental
Professionals, in cooperation with the EPA
and the United South and Eastern Tribes, is
offering a new course focused on creating,
and effectively implementing, tribal solid
waste codes.
This special two and a half day course will
take place May 6 - 8 at the USET offices in
Nashville, Tennessee and will feature a series
of presentations by legal experts and tribal
professionals, as well as small group activities
and discussions.
If you are interested in being considered for
this course, please contact Todd Barnell at
todd.barnell@nau.edu
Please note: There is a special requirement
for being considered to attend this course.
2014 Spring TWIG Workshop
The Pacific Northwest Tribal Wetland
Working Group (TWIG) will hold the
2014 spring workshop at the Colville Tribes
in Omak, Washington, on April 22-23.
The theme of this workshop will be Tribal
Wetland Program Plans, and will include
two full days of talks and field visits.
For tribes that need assistance with hotel
and per diem costs, a limited amount of
money is available to help offset these
costs. A final agenda with hotels and other
workshop details will be available in March.
If you plan to attend this event, contact
Scott O'Daniel at scottodaniel@ctuir.org or
the local contact Amy Martin at
Amy.Martin@colvilletribes.com
All applicants must submit, in addition to
the application, an official letter, on tribal
letterhead and signed by a tribal official,
stating
> the tribe's intention to create solid waste
codes within two years following their
attendance at the course and
> that the tribe's governing authority has
been informed of this intent.
All tribal professionals accepted to this course
will have their lodging expenses pre-paid
and will be reimbursed for their per diem.
ITEP will also be able to reimburse some
of the attendees for their travel expenses. In
addition to the information gained at the
training course, all attendees will also be
able to take advantage of special technical
assistance following the course.
TEEIC Tribal Lands Web site
The Tribal Energy and Environmental
Information Clearinghouse Web
site provides information about the
environmental effects of energy
development on tribal lands.
The site includes information about
energy resource development and
associated environmental impacts and
mitigation measures; guidance for
conducting site-specific environmental
assessments and developing monitoring
programs; information about applicable
federal laws and regulations; and federal
and tribal points of contact.
Visit http://teeic.anl.gov
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
Water Quality Standards Academy
The EPA Office of Science and Technol-
ogy is hosting a Water Quality Standards
Academy April 28 - May 2. The training
course will be held at the Washington Plaza
Hotel at 10 Thomas Circle, NW, Washing-
ton DC (approximately three blocks from
the McPherson Square Metro Station).
The course is offered free of charge.
However, you must apply to attend. Please
apply online at:
www, horsleywitten. com/WQS A
Online registration is the preferred method.
However, you may also apply by phone
by calling EPA WQSA Registration
Coordinator Erin Cabral at 508-833-6600.
Applications are due by Monday, March 21.
PLEASE NOTE: Because seats in the course
are very limited, EPA reserves the right to
accept applications based on a balanced
mix of participants from different types of
organizations.
Due to the large amount of material to be
covered during the course, participants must
be present at all times. Your application does
not guarantee your attendance. You will be
notified in writing as to whether or not your
application to attend the training course has
been accepted. Please do not make travel
arrangements until EPA confirms your
attendance in writing.
Expanded Collaboration Toolkit Helps
You Work with Conservation Districts
The Source Water Collaborative recently
announced a new online toolkit to facilitate
partnerships to protect drinking water sources
through agriculture conservation practices,
stormwater and forest management.
The toolkit offers effective steps source water
protection professionals can take to build
partnerships with conservation district staff.
The toolkit is designed for a variety of
audiences from those who have never worked
with their conservation district, to those who
have attempted but without success, to those
who would like to enhance their current
efforts, http://bit.ly/OHskpK
US Fish & Wildlife Service Reopens Comment Period on
Removal of Gray Wolf from Endangered Species List
Following receipt of an independent scientific
peer review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is reopening the comment period on
its proposal to list the Mexican wolf as an
endangered subspecies and remove the gray
wolf from the Endangered Species List.
The Service is making that report available for
public review, and interested stakeholders will
have until March 27 to provide information
that may be helpful to the Service in making a
final determination on the proposal. The peer
review report is available online, along with
instructions on how to provide comment and
comprehensive links relating to the proposal,
at www.fws.gov/home/wolfrecovery
The Federal Register publication of this
notice is available online at www.fws.gov/
policy/frsystem/default, cfm (click on the
2014 Proposed Rules under Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants).
The Service expects to make a final
determination on the proposal by the end of
2014. For a copy of the news release, go to
http://go.usa.gov/KqVw
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
Dangers of Third-hand
Smoke
Scientists say do not smoke and do not allow
yourself to be exposed to smoke because
second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke
are just as deadly as first-hand smoke.
The researchers conducted the first
animal study of the effects of third-hand
smoke. Third-hand smoke is the second-
hand smoke that gets left on the surfaces
of objects, ages over time and becomes
progressively more toxic. Visit
http://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/20236
/- N
Helping to Save
Waterways Using
Nine Steps
The key to clean waterways and
sustainable fisheries is to follow nine
guiding principles of water management,
says a team of Canadian biologists at the
University of British Columbia.
Visit http://bit.lv/lmjm7st
V w
National Prescription Drug
Take-Back Day
The National Prescription Drug Take-
Back Day - April 26 - aims to provide a
safe, convenient, and responsible means
of disposing of prescription drugs, while
also educating the general public about the
potential for abuse of medications.
Law enforcement agencies that wish to host
a collection site should contact their local
Point of Contact. Visit
http://go. usa.gov/KqRP
Collection sites near you will be posted at
http://ooAisa.gov/KqPl) by April 1.
First Offshore Wind Project
Proposed off Oregon Coast
The Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management has given the green light for
Principle Power, Inc. to submit a formal
plan to build a 30-megawatt pilot project
using floating wind turbine technology
offshore Coos Bay, Oregon. This could be
the first offshore wind project off the West
Coast. For copy of the news release, go to
http:// go.usa.gov/KqyA
Wind Turbines and
the Power Grid
Scientists have completed a comprehensive
study to understand how wind power
technology can assist the power grid by
controlling the active power output being
placed onto the system. The rest of the
power system's resources have traditionally
been adjusted around wind to support a
reliable and efficient system. The research
that led to this report challenges that
concept. http://go.usa.gov/KqVB
EPA Awards Nearly $5 Million
in Grants for Research to
Protect America
The EPA announced the award of nearly
$5 million in grants to five universities to
evaluate innovative green infrastructure
practices in urban areas, using Philadelphia,
PA, as the pilot area. These grants stem
from a cooperative partnership between
EPA and Philadelphia's Green City, Clean
Waters program that represents a broad,
long-term investment in implementing
green infrastructure stormwater
management practices. Visit
http://go.usa.gov/KqNx
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
rs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Alaska Operations Office
ALASKA NEWS
Alaska Forum on the Environment 2014 Highlights
It was another productive year at the February
Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE).
Environmental professionals from government
agencies, non-profit and for-profit businesses,
Tribal staff, Alaskan youth, conservationists,
biologists and Elders attended the conference.
Over 135 technical breakout sessions and six
Keynote Events were offered this year. A full
week of sessions on climate change, energy,
environmental regulations, marine debris,
coastal issues, emergency response, cleanup
and remediation, fish 8c wildlife, solid waste,
air quality, and mining education were among
the topics offered.
This year an app was developed for the Forum
that provided detailed information on the
conference, and it was very popular. For next
year's conference, February 7-13,2015, the
Forum will print fewer programs to save
costs and paper, and make the event more
sustainable.
From within the EPA GAP network,
Karen Pletnikoff, Aleutian Pribiloff Islands
Association (APIA), received the Alaska
Forum's annual Environmental Excellence
Award (nominated by Lisa Jackson, Pauloff
Harbor Tribe). Karen has worked for APIA
for the past 11 years, and five years with the
GAP Program. She has assisted Tribes in the
region on field work, quality assurance plan
writing, and provided GAP assistance in many
capacities.
The EPA GAP Track was attended by 353
GAP tribal representatives. It was packed
with informative sessions for all levels of tribal
capacity building. For example, a session to
help new GAP staff learn the program basics
and get started on the job had 56 participants.
An outcome of the session was the
realization among attendees that a vast
support network exists, and that many of
the newer projects that Tribes are doing in
their respective environmental programs can
be tied back to existing successful projects
that other Tribes have already tackled.
'Sharing the model' was also a topic of
discussion for another GAP Track session
on demonstration projects, where presenter
Yvonne Baker, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe,
described how her wood smoke air quality
GAP project presented some surprising
results, which represented a challenge to
community perceptions about air pollution.
The discussion centered around finding
solutions for changing community behaviors
that become ingrained in everyday life. The
GAP Track also featured sessions on quality
assurance, and water quality monitoring
projects and resources.
Gina Grepo-Grove from EPA's Office of
Environmental Assessment presented during
two sessions, shed information on EPA's
QA requirements, and provided a quality
assurance template for Alaska Tribes to use.
The discussion that spun from remarks in
the audience illuminated technical assistance
needs of Alaska Tribes in developing water
quality monitoring projects centered around
climate change and mining.
A new concept of using a graphic facilitator
was featured at this year's conference.
Anne Jess interpreted all of the Keynote
Presentations and other sessions throughout
the week. For example, Jess created a
pictorial description of EPA Regional
Administrator Dennis McLerran's Keynote
speech on the Bristol Bay Assessment.
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
ftssrcL^Y
Graphic Facilitator Anne Jess interpreted all of the Keynote Presentations throughout the week, including
EPA Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran's Keynote speech on the Bristol Bay Assessment.
The artful posters brought a new way
of learning to the conference this year,
capturing key points from many important
sessions.
So much about the AFE experience was
about the conversations at the exhibitor
booths and discussions that spun from
session presentations. We would appreciate
it if you would share your experience during
the Alaska Forum, specifically if you learned
something that might benefit others in the
GAP Program.
Contact Santina Gay at
gay.santina@epa.gov to share your experience,
and we will feature your write up in the April
Tribal Newsletter.
Criteria:
1) Share information that will benefit others
in tribal capacity in Alaska
2) Can be an upcoming conference, event,
resource, or other summary of informa-
tion specific to tribal environmental
capacity building.
Alaska Forum on the Environment 2014 Highlights
& Continued
(^Y FiifeWte)
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
Build Field Work Skills with April Training Opportunities
Writing a Quality Assurance Project
Plan (QAPP)-April 23
This is a hands-on course for writing QAPPs
for water quality projects. Attendees will learn
concepts, structures, and background materials
needed for composing the QAPP. Participants
will work through the EPA QAPP template
for water quality monitoring that was dis-
tributed during the Alaska Forum on the
Environment. Students are expected to come
to the class with a basic understanding of the
role of quality assurance and quality control
in developing and conducting an environ-
mental program for water quality monitoring.
Comfort in using programs such as Microsoft
Word and Excel will be beneficial in getting
the most out of the class.
Assessing Contaminants in
Subsistence Resources - April 24
This course will help attendees understand
which chemical contaminants can be found in
fish and shellfish and why they are of concern
to those who eat these resources.
The workshop will allow participants to learn
the scientific methods used to assess chemicals
present in subsistence resources, and the levels
of concentration.
There will also be an emphasis on learning the
calculations used to assess risk so attendees
can understand the potential for harm. Native
Alaskans rely on subsistence resources to a
far greater degree than most other locations
in the US. These higher consumption rates
can change the results of the risk calculations.
Course participants will learn about potential
concerns from increased exposure due to these
higher consumption rates. Course discussion
will also help attendees understand the
ways of limiting exposure through limiting
consumption rates and different preparation
methods. Attendees will also learn the various
methods for collecting fish and shellfish for
sample analysis in addition to where to look
for information on already analyzed samples.
WET
NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING CENTER
Collecting and Handling
Water Samples for Trace Metal
Analysis- April 25
This basic water quality workshop and
sampling class is designed to describe basic
components of water and demonstrate
and simplify the principles of collecting,
handling, and the appropriate analysis
methods needed for generating accurate,
reliable, and defensible metals discharge data.
This class will focus on in-class lecture and
demonstration of the key aspects of EPA
Method 200.7 and 200.8.
It will provide information on what is needed
for trace clean sampling equipment, proper
sample containers, proper/practical field
sampling protocols (including information
on using hand held instruments for field
screening). It will help attendees make
informed decisions about where to take
samples and whether grab or composite
samples are appropriate.
The course will also include field
demonstrations on field sampling, field
preservation, in-field filtering for total and
dissolved metals measurements, and how to
collect samples for methyl mercury, arsenic
species and other metals.
Please contact Christa Lilly,
Professional Training Program Manager,
NWETC/EOS Alliance
1?425-270-3274 ext. 103 or visit
^ www.nwetc.org for more information.
12 -
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Region 10 Tribal Newsletter
March 2014
IGAP Grant Recipients Willi Learn New Skills Through Peer
Sponsored Webinars in 2014
Several grantee-sponsored webinars will be provided by the Alaska Tribal Health
Consortium in 2014. Each webinar is topic specific training for IGAP staff, and will be
offered the second Thursday of each month from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Alaska Time.
March 13 - GAP Online
April 10 - IGAP Grant Process
From Grant Proposal to Award
May 8 - Resource Roundtable
Regional / State i Federal / Private
Technical Assistance /Available Funding
June 12 - Microsoft Basics
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
July 10 - Effective GAP Management
Organizing / Tracking / Time Management
August 14 - Tribal Environmental
Priorities: Planning and development using
7G Planning tools
September 11 - Facilitating Effective
Meetings
Registration Information will be emailed
prior to each webinar! If you have any
questions about the Webinars, please contact
Oxcenia O'Domin at 907-729-3492 or
Desirae Roehl at 907-729-3496, or visit
www, anthc. org/ chs/ces/hve
- 13
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Region 10
Tribal
Newsletter
%
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 10Tribal 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:
IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON
Don Creek
fiD EPA, 805 SW Broadway, Suite 500
Portland, Oregon 97205
email creek.don@epa.gov
ALASKA
Santina Gay
uC EPA, 222 W. 7th Avenue #19
Anchorage, Alaska 99513
email Gay.Santina@epa.gov
Vol. 23 No. 3-March 2014
EPA Region 10
Tribal Trust and Assistance Unit
Sally Thomas, Unit Manager 206-553-2102
ALASKA
Todd Bender,Tribal Coordinator 206-553-0344
Katherine Brown,Tribal Coordinator 206-553-7263
Michelle Davis,Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3434
Adrienne Fleek,Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6558
Kristy Fry, Tribal Coordinator 206-553-1085
Tami Fordham,Tribal Coordinator 907-271-1484
Santina Gay,Tribal Coordinator 907-271-3413
J.R. Herbst,Tribal Consultation Specialist 206-553-2116
Sherry Kimmons,Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6322
Mahri Lowinger,Tribal Coordinator 907-271-6334
Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator 907-271-1270
IDAHO, EASTERN & 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
To Report Spills and Accidents
Note these emergency numbers to call in the event of
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS OR ACCIDENTS.
Alaska
800-478-9300 Washington 800-258-5990
Idaho
800-632-8000 National (EPA) 800-424-8802
Oregon
800-452-0311
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