1 NEWS Region 10 Tribal The Tribal Newsletter is published free monthly. xvEPA AK: To receive a copy, call: Rose (907) 271-1316 Newsletter United States Environmental Protection Agency ID: OR: WA: Jim (208) 378-5691 Don (503) 326-5015 Alison (360) 753-8185 Alaska Edition Region 10 Vol. 20 No. 1 LETTER htlp://yosemte.epa.gOT/R10/TOIBAL.NSF/Newsletter /Issues January 2011 0 Conferences & Workshops January TBA: Training - ANTHC will offer 7 Generations Training in 2011 Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium will offer approximately five 7 Generations environmental planning trainings in 2011. ANTHC expects to have a training schedule out by January 2011. If you are interested in hosting training sessions in your community, contact Desirae Roehl at (907) 729-3496 ordroehl@anthc.org Please provide ANTHC with your name, organization, location and e-mail address. 17-21 Hazardous Waste Training -Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council - This winter the YRITWC will be hosting their annual Hazardous Waste Technician Training in Fairbanks. The session will con- sist of 40 hours of HAZWOPER. Contact Steven Price at (907) 258-3337 or visit yritwc.org 26 - 27 Hunting and Fishing Rights for Tribes and Tribal Organizations, Las Vegas, NV, will be given by the Falmouth Institute. The 2-day class will examine how the federal government regulates Indian hunting and fishing, where states' rights and Tribes' begin, alternative solutions to conflicts, and how greenhouse gas emissions affect Tribal hunting and fishing rights. Contact the Falmouth Institute, (800) 992-4489, ext. 119 or visit www.falmouthinstitute.com February 7-11 Alaska Forum on the Environment will be held in Anchorage at the Denai'na Convention Center. Dur- ing the conference, there will be more than 80 technical breakout sessions and sensational Keynote Events. For information or to register, visitwww.akforum.org ore-mail info@akforum.org 21 - 26 Hazardous Waste Training -Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council — This winter the YRITWC will be hosting Part II of the first series provided Jan. 17-21 Hazardous Waste Techni- cian Training in Fairbanks. The session will include Oil Spill Awareness, Confined Space Awareness, Emergency Response, First Aide / CPR. Contact Steven Price at (907) 258-3337 or visit yritwc.org March 14 - 18 Hazardous Waste Training -Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council —The YRITWC will host the first week of a new Hazardous Waste Technician Training in Fairbanks. The session will include 40 hours of HAZWOPER. Contact Steven Price at (907) 258-3337 or visit yritwc.org April 12-16 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) A special session on Tribal Rivers as Confluences of Environmental and Cultural Restoration" in Seattle, WA. Contact Michael Hughes at michael.hughes@klamathtribes.com or (541) 783-2149. 18-23 Hazardous Waste Training - Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council —The YRITWC will be hosting Part II of the second series provided March 14-18 Hazardous Waste Technician Training in Fairbanks. The session will include Oil Spill Awareness, Confined Space Awareness, Emergency Response, First Aide / CPR, etc. Contact Steven Price at (907) 258-3337 or visit yritwc.org ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter - Alaska Edition January 2011 The Zender Group Launches new Alaska Solid Waste Newsletter Starting January 2011, the Zender Group will be posting a quarterly Alaska Solid Waste Newsletter. If you are you interested in solid waste news for rural Alaska, you may upload the newsletter at www.zendergroup.org/ news.html. Each newsletter will include a calendar section with upcoming solid waste grants and events, a summary of new and little known assistance resources, village solid waste success stories, and articles on events or topics of latest interest. The January edition will focus on back- haul, what to do with used oil drums, waste burning, construction wastes, and much more. The newsletters are part of Zender's solid waste technical assistance program, funded through a USDA Rural Develop- ment grant. If you have any questions about any article in the newsletters, contact The Zender Environmental Health and Research Group founder, Lynn Zender at (907) 277-2111 or e-mail lzender@zendergroup.org Announcement of U.S. Support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples On December 16,2010 President Obama an- nounced support for the United Nations Dec- laration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The announcement, made during the White House Tribal Nations Conference at the U.S. Department of the Interior, underscores the U. S. commitment to strengthening government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes and furthering U.S. policy on indigenous issues. The decision to support the Declaration represents an important and meaningful change in the U.S. position, and resulted from a comprehensive, interagency policy review, including extensive consultation with tribes. While the Declaration is not legally binding, it carries considerable moral and political force and complements the President's ongoing efforts to address historical inequities faced by indigenous communities in the United States. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples can be uploaded from www.ncai.org/ fileadmin/ncai_events/ 2010_WH_Summit/UNDRIP.pdf EPA Forms New Group to Increase Tribes' Role in Chemical Management and Pollution Prevention The Environmental Protection Agency is establishing a National Tribal Toxics Committee (NTTC) that will give Tribes a forum for providing advice on the development of EPA's chemical management and pollution prevention programs that affect Tribes, including: preventing poisoning from lead paint; expanding pollution prevention and safer chemical initiatives in Indian country; and better evaluating unique chemical exposures on tribal lands. The new committee will provide Tribes with an opportunity for greater input on issues related to toxic chemicals and pollution prevention. The move is part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's priority to expand the conversation on environmental justice and build strong Tribal partnerships. The first meeting of the NTTC is currently planned for the Spring of 2011. 2 - ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter -Alaska Edition January 2011 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alaska Operations Office ALASKA NEWS White House Tribal Nations Conference On Thursday, Dec. 16,2010, President Obama hosted the White House Tribal Nations Conference. The President and six Cabinet Secretaries attended, along with the Deputy and Associate Attorney General, OPM Director John Berry, and the Director of the Indian Health Service. As part of President Obama's ongoing outreach to the American people, this conference provided leaders from the 565 federally recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his Administration. At the Conference, President Obama announced that the United States is lending its support to the U.N. Declaration on the Rights oflndigenous Peoples. Administrator Jackson joined other members of the Cabinet in a breakout session on Tribal Land, Cultural Protection, and Natural Resources. OITA leadership participated and helped facilitate where needed during the day-long discussions. A full report out is expected early next week from appointed note-takers, and the preliminary list of tribal environmental concerns from the Administrator's breakout session include water quality, pollution's effect on wildlife, climate change, particularly in Alaska, and oceans. The Cabinet members present were Secretary Salazar, DOI; Secretary Duncan, Dept. of Ed.; Secretary Lahood, DOT; Secretary Solis, DOL; Secretary Vilsack, USDA; and Secretary Chu, DOE. Topics discussed include: • Protection for the exercise of subsistence hunting and fishing, including the protection of habitat • Protection for Sacred Sites • Land-into-trust process • Energy development • Environmental Protection • Climate Change • Oceans Other issues included: • Appointment of federal judges who understand Indian law and the protection of natural resources for Native Americans The video of President Obama's remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference Opening Session is available on line at the following web site: www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/ video/2010/12/ 16/white-house-tribal- nations-conference-opening-session -3 ------- ion 10 Tribal Newsletter - Alaska Edition January 2011 rant. EPA Tribal Air Quality Grant Announcement: Proposals to EPA due no later than Jan. 28, 2011 EPA announces availability of FY 2011 Clean Air Act (CAA) grant funding for federally recognized tribes within Region 10, including Alaska. Each award will range between $25,000 to $125,000. Priority goes to those with greatest potential to produce measurable environmental results toward reducing air pollution risks. Projects may investigate causes and prevention of air pollution with assessment, prevention, or control measures. Phase 1 applications are due Jan. 28, 2011. For more information, contact Mary Manous at 206-553-1059 or Manous.mary@epa.gov Request for Proposals (RFP) Tribal Air Quality Cooperative Agreements: ANTHC-DEHE, Environmental Health Support - Application Deadline: Feb. 18, 2011 The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Division of Environmental Health & Engineering is accepting proposals from federally recognized Tribes within Alaska for funding air quality projects. Three awards will be granted ranging between $8,000 to 12,000 and aimed at promoting healthy behaviors through measured outputs and outcomes, sustainability and shared results with other Alaska Native Villages (photos, videos, slide shows, and posters). Priority projects will support respiratory health through innovative technology or best practices to reduce health risks from wood smoke, road dust, indoor air concerns and reduction of open burns. Application deadline is February 18,2011. Selected applicants will be notified February 28. Projects must be completed during the 2011 calendar year. For more information, contact: Chris Fish at (907) 729-3489 or (800) 560-8637 or e-mail cfish@anthc.org Surface mail: ANTHC - DEHE, 1901 Bragaw Street, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99508 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter -Alaska Edition Alaska Native Village Air Quality fatt Sheet Series Solid Waste Burning January 2011 m EPA 910-F-10-007 August 2010 United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 SEPA Why is burning solid waste a concern? Solid Waste, another term for trash or garbage, is often burned in rural Alaskan communities where better disposal methods are not readily available. The waste often contains plastic, Styrofoam, PVC, tires, electronic waste (e-waste) and other things that produce particularly danger- ous air pollution when burned. Such burning takes place in resi- dential burn barrels, open dumps, burn units, and landfills. What are the health effects of burning trash? Burning trash creates dangerous toxic smoke. This smoke has many tiny particles which can get deep into lungs, potentially increasing the risk of asthma, lung and heart disease, cancer, and other cardiovascular problems. People exposed to smoke are also believed to be at increased risk of pneumonia and other infectious lung disease. Elders, children, pregnant women and people with heart or respiratory diseases (like asthma) are most at risk from breathing toxic smoke and smoke particles. The smoke typically contains "dioxins" which are highly toxic pollutants known to cause cancer, as well as hundreds of other contaminants which may cause or aggravate lung problems. This pollution can be blown by the wind for some distance. When the contaminants fall to the ground and settle on subsistence foods, there is another opportunity for people, animals and plants to come into contact with dangerous substances. Why should burn barrels be avoided? Burning trash in residential burn barrel is discouraged because it produces toxic smoke near homes where it is most likely to impact people. If used, burn barrels should be perforated near the base to increase air flow and burn temperatures, and only used to burn paper and yard waste, not plastics, rubber, or electronic waste. Burning trash in a wood stove or steam bath concentrates the toxic emissions in the indoor space and the smoke is even more dangerous. Trash should never be burned as a fuel in these devices. Tips - when burning trash: Burn when wind will blow smoke away from the com- munity. Prevent smoldering by burning only when materials are dry. Never burn electronics, rub- ber, batteries, plastics or other toxic materials. Thick smoke from burning trash in a burn cage. Other A Fait Sheets Diesel Fuel Use Road Dust Indoor Air Wood Smoke For these fact sheets and related videos, visit: www.epa.gov/regionlO/ tribal/ air/alaska. html -5 ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter - Alaska Edition January 2011 What about landfill burning? When trash is burned in a pile on the ground, or even in a burn cage or burn box, it burns at low temperatures that produce dangerous air pollu- tion and particles. It tends to smolder and release toxic smoke over long periods, especially when wet. Burn boxes reduce safety risks and hazards from flying embers, but generally do not raise the temperature of burning trash sufficiently to reduce the dioxins emitted into the air. Incinerators are burn units that use fuel to assist the burning and raise temperatures sufficiently to reduce the toxic emissions produced. How- ever, incinerators are expensive and require fuel and trained operators. Incinerators, which subject to federal regulation, typically are not practical for small rural communities. New safer burning technologies are needed to better address the waste problems in rural Alaskan communities. For many villages, the most practical option is to first remove plastics, electronics, batteries, and other such items from the trash to backhaul out of the community for proper disposal. Then, a well-designed and operated burn box can burn the remaining separated trash safely at high enough temperatures to reduce the amount of toxic smoke produced. How can the need for burning trash be limited? Reduce: Find ways to reduce the quantity and vol- ume of goods that are brought into the community that will need to be disposed of in the landfill, such as packaging and plastic bags. Choose long lasting items that will not need to be replaced frequently. Region 10 Contacts: Alaska Tribal Solid Waste/ Air Contacts Ted Jacobson, Heather Valdez, (907) 279-2511 x7363 (206) 553-6220 tjacobson@ruralcap.com valdez.heather@epa.gov EPA Region 10 main number: (800) 424-4372 V , Reuse: Find ways to put used items to other uses or make used items available to others. Choose reusable items rather than disposable ones. Switch to cloth bags rather than plastic bags for groceries. Recycle: Set up recycling and backhaul programs that will keep goods from going to landfills for eventual burning. Compost household food waste. How can health be protected? Separate the trash so that whatever can be recycled or is hazardous to burn, such as plastic, lead acid batteries, used oil, and e-waste, is removed and disposed of more appropriately. Be careful when choosing the location of burn boxes and the site of any burning. Burning should be conducted as far as possible from people, houses and locations where food and water are gathered. Be aware of the wind direction and only burn when the wind is blowing away from the village. Be sure the conditions are best for burning when the smoke will rise high into the air and away from the community. The waste should be dry to burn quickly and reduce smoldering. Use a well designed and sited burn box. Have someone be responsible for ensur- ing the burn box is used and maintained properly. learn more on the web EPA Region 10 Tribal Solid Waste Management Resources www.epa.gov/ epawaste/wycd/ tribal/index, htm EPA National Tribal Solid Waste Resources http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/TRIBAL.NSF/ programs/tribal_solid_waste Open burning: www.epa.gov/ msw/backyard/ Alaska Department of Environmental Conser- vation Solid Waste Program: http://dec.alaska.gov/ eh/sw/index.htm RurALCAP Solid Waste Resources: www.aerho.org/ solid_waste_mgt/solid_waste.html Zender Environmental www.zendergroup.org/viewdocs.htm 6- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter -Alaska Edition January 2011 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alaska Operations Office ALASKA NEWS Got News? The Region 10 Tribal Newsletter invites you, our readers, to submit ideas and articles for consideration and to share your successes and challenges. Photographs are also welcome. Please submit articles to: Rose Richardson, 222 West 7th Avenue, #19, Anchorage, AK 99513-7588 or e-mail richardson.rosabelle@epa.gov Let's keep up to date! Please submit your updated address to our mailing list. If your mailing information has changed, please contact richardson.rosabelle@epa.gov Tribal Staff United States Environmental Protection Agency Alaska Operations Office 222 West 7th Avenue, #19 Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7588 Toil-Free: (800) 781-0983 Phone: (907)271-5083 Fax (907) 271-3424 Jennifer Brown, Tribal Coordinator 271-6323 Katherine Brown, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-7263 Michelle Davis, Tribal Coordinator 271-3434 Tami Fordham, Tribal Coordinator 271-1484 Westley Foster, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-1604 Santina Gay, Tribal Coordinator 271-3413 Sherry Kimmons, Tribal Coordinator 271-6322 Mahri Lowinger, Tribal Coordinator 271-6334 Rose Richardson, Tribal Liaison 271-1316 Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator 271-1270 Adrienne Fleek, Tribal Coordinator 271-6558. United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Alaska Edition January 2011 -7 ------- United States Environmental Protection ^'^1 #m Agency Region 10Tribal Program 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101-1128 Region 10 Tribal Newsletter January 2011 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 Printed on 100% recycled paper ------- |