EPA Section 319

NPS Program Draft Sample Training Curriculum for

Tribal Staff

This document provides a list of tasks and training resource available to ensure you quickly become
versed in the requirements and duties of a Nonpoint Source team member. In general, we recommend
the training courses be completed in the first 2 years of work in the nonpoint source program. The
Mentoring Elements section is recommended to be set up by your Tribal NPS Team Lead to guide you
through your first year in the program.

WHO: Tribal NPS Staff - all the trainings below are recommended.

EMPLOYEE
INFORMATION

Training:	Status:

NPS Basic Training available through the Watershed Academy

For a copy of the slide deck to help with live presentations please contact your Regional NPS coordinator.



Tribal NPS 101- development underway anticipated Winter 2022



Success Story Training - Watch webcast tutorial (updated each vear)- optional.



Familiarize yourself with relevant EPA public websites:

•	https://www.epa.gov/nps

•	https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/tribes-and-water-qualitv-standards

•	https://www.epa.gov/water-planning-evaluation/national-water-program-guidance



Review National Water Program Guidance Measures.



FEMA training (Hazard Mitigation and 319) - Pilots occurring in 2020. Contact your Regional
Coordinator for more information.



Name:

Start Date:

Position:

Tribe:


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EPA General Grant Information



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General EPA Grants Training (optional) Modules 1-6 include manv general grant considerations
including records management.



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PPG Guidebook for Tribes





Competitive Funding for Tribes



Work vour wav through the Watershed Academy Modules, focusing on the "Management
Practices" topics, but start with the Introduction to the Clean Water Act Module. Complete
other modules as time allows.



Explore link on the Watershed Academy Page.



Monitoring overview - Anticipated draft late summer/early fall 2020 Training for tribes may be
integrated into NPS basic training.



Watershed plan Training - Short course in Region 6 or other state led
training- National training Curriculum planned for late 2021.



Watershed Plan Training for Tribes - Curriculum planned for late 2021.



Tribal Science Council



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Review workplan with mentor - New NPS employee reviews workplan application and then sits
with mentor to get feedback on review.



Site visits - New NPS employee visits tribal office and 319 projects (coordinate with tribe).



Work with mentor on creating an Annual Report.



Work with mentor to review a Watershed Based Plan.



Work with mentor to review the Tribal Nonpoint Source Management Plan (updated every 5
years).



Work with mentor on reviewing Final Reports and the grant closeout process.



Attend National NPS Meetings (occur every other year).




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• Program Training Reading List:

o Section 319 of CWA (re-read 1/vear).
o 319 Grant reports and project summaries



• Grants Training Reading List:

o Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories

(re-read 1/year)
o Tribal NPS Handbook (re-read 1/vear)
o Applying for and Administering Grants
o Sign up for IG news feed, review semi-annual report to congress.



• Science Training Reading list;
o For NPS Monitoring:

¦	The National NPS web pages: https://www.epa.gov/nps/national-nonpoint-
source-monitoring-program.

¦	Published in 2016 this document is a

comprehensive overview: https://www.epa.gov/nps/guidance-monitoring-
and-evaluating-nonpoint-source-watershed-projects.



o For Watershed Planning:

¦	EPA's watershed approach web page includes several

resources https://www.epa.gov/nps/addressing-water-resource-challenges-
using-watershed-approach.

¦	Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our
Waters.

¦	A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our
Waters .

¦	Critical Source identification:

• Critical Source Area Identification and BMP Selection.



Best Management Practice resources- NRCS Conservation Practice Codes.



NPS Protection Report: State approaches for protecting unimpaired/high quality waters-
anticipated to be available in 2021.



General water quality Science publications of interest:

•	JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association:

https://www.awra.org/iawra/

•	Check your groups professional journal subscriptions.




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