United States Environmental Protection Spring 2022 Region 9 Tribal Newsletter United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, Pacific Southwest Inside this issue: Regulatory News 2 Program Updates 4 Tribal Project Success Stories 8 Regional Tribal Operations Committee 9 Tribal Resources 10 Tribal Consultation Opportunities 13 Funding Opportunities 16 Training & Technical Assistance 20 REBRANDING ALERT! The R9 Tribal Newsletter email address has been changed to R9Communities(5)epa.gov! Now you will see Environmental Justice Program updates, their community office hours, and other important EJ news, along with the usual quarterly newsletter emails. Use this address to submit your ideas and feedback to the R9 Tribal Newsletter Coordinator. Be sure to keep a lookout for emails from R9communities in your inbox! Musings from U.S. EPA Staff To Our Region 9 Tribal Partners, It is a privilege to write this musing for the spring publication of our quarterly U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Pacific Southwest Tribal Branch newsletter. As the Director of the Enforce- ment and Compliance Assurance Division (ECAD), we value our part- nerships with tribal governments in ensuring that businesses and people comply with environmental regulations. The pandemic has been extra challenging for ECAD inspectors, as our work requires field visits including to Indian Country. We have worked creatively with you all to find ways to check on compliance. We've conducted virtual inspections and relied on observations from tribal inspectors and staff when we can't do on-site inspections. We inform tribal governments about our upcoming inspections. We want to learn about current pandemic conditions and if there are restrictions that will impact our work. This year, we are resuming our normal inspection schedule and look forward to working with tribal staff as we conduct compliance inspections in Indian Country. ECAD inspectors and managers strive to communicate our actions, as well as the value of our work to tribes. Wastewater and drinking water are essential to infrastructure and one of our main priorities in Indian Country. We recognize the importance of conducting routine inspections under all of our environmental programs. This ensures businesses maintain their compliance and thus protect human health and the environment. On-site visits by our inspectors help tribal government staff to learn more about environ- mental regulations and to build tribal capacity to conduct compliance inspections. I regularly attend Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) and tribal leaders' meetings and benefit from learning about your priorities and concerns. For instance, tribes are very interested in how the U.S. EPA will regulate lithium mines — I want to let you know that we will conduct compliance inspections at these new mines. I encourage you to raise compliance issues at RTOC, as I value your input and want to ------- Page 2 Spring 2022 Issue respond to compliance concerns from tribal governments. I miss the opportunity to meet in-person and look forward to the day that we can be together and have those one-on-one conversations. Until then, stay safe and reach out to me (miller.amv@epa.eov) or any of the dedicated ECAD team. Sincerely, Amy Miller Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 Regulatory News The U.S. EPA provides external links in this newsletter for informational purposes only. U.S. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of non-U.S. EPA information provided by any third-party sites or any other linked site. U.S. EPA does not endorse any nongovernment websites, companies, internet applications or any policies or information expressed therein. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Appoints Martha Guzman as Regional Administrator for EPA Region 9 Martha Guzman was sworn in as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Regional Administrator for the nation's Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) on December 20, 2021. In this role, she is leading U.S. EPA efforts to protect public health and the environment for the region spanning Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the U.S. Pacific Island territories and U.S.-affiliated islands, and 148 tribal nations. Her focus is on advancing President Biden and Administrator Regan's priorities in the areas of climate change, environmental justice and scientific integrity, and more broadly on achieving progress in making the air, land and water cleaner and safer for the residents of the Pacific Southwest. Notable in a region with a significant Hispanic/Latino population, Ms. Guzman is the first Latina to serve as Regional Administrator. Martha Guzman came to this U.S. EPA position after having served as a Commissioner at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for the previous five years. Her portfolio included fiscal oversight of utilities, broadband for all, water affordability, access to clean energy programs for disadvantaged communities, and prevention of disconnections of basic utilities. She spearheaded the Inter- agency Solar Consumer Protection Taskforce, the Tribal Land Policy, and Covid Arrears Response. She also represented the CPUC on the California Broadband Council and the Lithium Valley Commission. In the press release announcing Guzman's appointment she states, "I am honored to be appointed by Presi- dent Biden to serve as Administrator of U.S. EPA Region 9 under the leadership of Administrator Regan. And I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the resilient staff at Region 9 as we tackle the chronic and emerging environmental issues in our communities." For more information on Administrator Guzman, visit the following link: About the Regional Administrator for U.S. EPA's Region 9 Office in San Francisco. ------- Page 3 Spring 2022 Issue Air and Radiation Division The U.S. EPA Region 9 Air and Radiation Division (ARD) is currently reviewing the following State Implementa- tion Plan (SIP) submittals from state and local air agencies. These SIP submittals address requirements under the Clean Air Act. They are related to plans to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), New Source Review (NSR) permitting programs or rules, and prohibitory rules to reduce air pollutant emissions. State and local air districts' plans would not apply in any areas of Indian country. If you would like information on any of these SIP submittals, please email the point of contact for the submittal type. Plan Submittals Contact: Anita Lee, Manager of the Air Planning Office, lee.anita@epa.gov • Arizona Infrastructure and Interstate Transport SIP for 2015 Ozone NAAQS • California Interstate Transport SIP for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS • Nevada Infrastructure and Interstate Transport SIP for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS • Nevada Infrastructure SIP for 2012 PM2.5 NAAQS • San Joaquin Valley (California) Progress Demonstration for the 1997 Ozone NAAQS • San Joaquin Valley (California) Contingency Measure for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS • Ventura County (California) Contingency Measure for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS • Imperial County (California) Demonstration for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS • San Joaquin Valley (California) Serious Area Attainment Plan for the 2012 annual PM2.5 NAAQS • San Joaquin Valley (California) Attainment Plan Revision for the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS • Indian Wells (California) 2nd 10-year Maintenance Plan for the 1987 PM10 NAAQS • California Determinations of Attainment or Failure to Attain for the 2008 and 2015 Ozone NAAQS • California Base Year Emissions Inventories for nonattainment areas for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS • Clark Country (Nevada) Determination of Attainment or Failure to Attain for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS • Clark County (Nevada) Base Year Emissions Inventories for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS • Nogales (Arizona) Redesignation Request and Maintenance Plan for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS • San Diego (California) Attainment Plan for the 2008 and 2015 Ozone NAAQS Permitting Rule Submittals Contact: Gerardo Rios, Manager of the Air Permits Office, rios.gerardof@epa.gov • Maricopa (Arizona) PSD Revisions • Maricopa (Arizona) ERC Rule • San Diego (California) NSR Rule Revision • Placer (California) NSR Rules • San Joaquin Valley (California) NSR Rule • Tuolumne (California) NSR Rule • Butte (California) NSR Rule • San Diego (California) NSR Rule Revision • El Dorado (California) NSR Rule • South Coast, Imperial, and Ventura (California) 2015 Ozone Certifications Prohibitory Rule Submittals Contact: Doris Lo, Manager of the Air Rules Office, lo.doris@epa.gov • Maricopa (Arizona) Outdoor Fires and Residential Burning Rule • Antelope and South Coast (California) Error Corrections • Mojave and Placer (California) Metal Coatings Rule • San Joaquin Valley (California) Agricultural Open Burning Prohibition Schedule ------- Page 4 Spring 2022 Issue • South Coast (California) Flare Emissions Rule Revision • California Air Resources Board Oil and Gas Methane Regulation • California Air Resources Board VOC Emissions Testing Regulation • Twelve Emission Statement Requirements and Ten Emission Statement Certifications (Arizona, California, and Nevada) Water Division New Drinking Water Plumbing Inventory Requirement for Public Water Systems The 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions require that all community and non-transient non-community water systems develop a service line inventory and submit it to U.S. EPA by October 16, 2024. We will classify every service line within the system into one of four categories: • Lead • Galvanized needing replacement (meaning a galvanized service line that is or was downstream of a lead line or is downstream of a line of unknown material) • Non-lead • Unknown The U.S. EPA recommends that water systems begin developing these inventories as soon as possible. Below are suggested activities that water systems can take now to help fulfill this requirement: • Review existing records to identify gaps • Start documenting service line information as it is encountered in the field • Talk to the Indian Health Service (IHS) or past consultants that may have knowledge of the system • Document information from long-time water operators or past operators • Reach out to your U.S. EPA Drinking Water program manager or local Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) or Indian Health Service (IHS) for questions or for help getting started Later this year, the U.S. EPA will be publishing guidance regarding this requirement that will help guide the development of these inventories. Region 9 will provide additional information as it becomes available. You can find more background information about the U.S. EPA's final revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule here: Supporting Materials: Final Revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. Program Updates Air and Radiation Division U.S. EPA Clean Air in Buildings Challenge As part of President Biden's National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan released March 3rd, the U.S. EPA is re- leasing the "Clean Air in Buildings Challenge". This call to action provides guiding principles and ways building owners and operators can reduce risks from airborne viruses and other contaminants indoors. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge provides recommendations and resources to help improve ventilation and indoor air quality. This can better protect building occupants' health and reduce the risk of COVID-19. More information on the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge is available here: Clean Air in Buildings Challenge. ------- Page 5 Spring 2022 Issue vvEPA ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH Asthma-proof your home. Eliminate these asthma triggers: Asthma Awareness Month and Air Quality Awareness Week May marks the beginning of Asthma Awareness and Air Quality Awareness Week (May 2 - May 6) and it's a good time to plan edu- cational activities in your community. What do you plan to do? Here is a toolkit to help strategize. Remember that air quality education and outreach is a General Assistance Program (GAP) eligible activity. Here is a capacity indicator (capacity indicators can be found in Appendix I of the GAP Guidance) from the GAP guidance for indoor air outreach and education; C 3.32 Tribe has established a program to conduct indoor air quality outreach, education, and/or training for tribal government personnel and/or community members. Air Quality Awareness Week (May 2-6) daily themes Monday - Wildfires & Smoke, Tuesday - Asthma & Your Health, Wednesday - Citizen Science & Sensors, Thursday - Environmental Justice & Air Quality, and Friday - Air Quality Around the World. May is Asthma Awareness Month According to the Office of Minority Health, in 2018, asthma rates for American Indians/Alaska Native children were twice as high as non-Hispanic white children. If you have not already developed an indoor air program that focuses on identifying environmental asthma triggers, the U.S. EPA's asthma webpage has great information and resources. It's a good place to begin. Fire season is around the corner. Smoke can even affect communities that are far away from the fire. Here are resources to be smoke ready. The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) and the U.S. EPA are planning an 'After a Wildfire' training course in May. It will cover indoor air quality and post-wildfire safe- ty considerations. It wili also cover how to clear homes for residents to return after evacuations. We will post details soon on ITEP's training website. If you would like to receive updates directly, you can sign up for newsletters and listservs on their website as well. Radon is the second leading cause of iung cancer in the United States. Testing is recommended to rule out the presence of radon. The U.S. EPA recently released a fact sheet on the State Indoor Radon Grants fSIRG) for Tribal Communities Program and Resources page. If you would like to learn more about radon, here is a short 28-minute webinar recording with great information. Ideas for outreach: Consider holding a workshop on how to build your own low-cost DIY air cleaner. Several videos are available online and U.S. EPA has information on DIY Air Cleaners including this infographic. If you haven't already started your own Air Quality Flag Program, please reach out to us for a set of free flags (available while supplies last). Share information on social media explaining what the flags mean and how to check air quality using the AirfMow website. You can also share or tweet these videos from the AiriMow website. If you have a regular newsletter that goes out to the community or a website you update regularly, this is a great opportunity to share infor- mation about indoor and outdoor air quality. The National Radon Action Plan 2021-2025 Eliminating Preventable Lung Cancer From Radon in the United States by Expanding Protections for All Communities and Buildings ------- Page 6 Spring 2022 Issue Please visit EPA's Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities or Indoor Air Quality HAQ1 webpages for additional resources. Region 9 has an Indoor Environments Team that is here to provide technical support as you work on developing your environmental programs. Feel free to reach out with questions: Alhelf Banos-Keener Asthma and Indoor Air Francisco Donez Diesel Pollution, Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), Environmental Justice Fabiola Estrada Integrated Pest Management Rvder Freed Radon Jessica Heleesen Border Environmental Health, Environmental Justice Idalia Perez Border Air Quality, Air Quality Flag Program, Environmental Justice Eileen Shanahan Environmental Education, Air Quality Flag Program Sarah Sullivant Children's Environmental Health, Healthy Schools Kellev Xuereb Wildland Fire Smoke The National Radon Action Plan 2021-2025 The National Radon Action Plan (N RAP) 12021-25 is the third installment of a strategy anchored by the U.S. EPA to ramp up action on radon. The NRAP Leadership Council unites different perspectives on the challenge of finding and fixing preventable radon exposures. The Council has sustained its collaboration to guide national radon action for the decade (2015-2025). The NRAP Leadership Council takes seriously the need to accelerate progress with every iteration of the NRAP (see the report Reflections on the NRAP's Progress, 2015-2020). In 2021, the NRAP has set a goal for the nation to find, fix, and prevent high indoor radon levels in 8 million build- ings by 2025; to prevent an average of at least 3,500 lung cancer deaths per year; and to save one-quarter of a million lives in those buildings over during the next 74 years. More information can be found here: The National Radon Action Plan - A Strategy for Saving Lives. Coming Soon! Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean School Bus Program The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides $5 billion over five years (FY22-26) for the replacement of existing school buses with low and zero-emission school buses. Under the Clean School Bus Program, half of the available funding is dedicated for zero-emission school buses and half is for clean school buses. The U.S. EPA anticipates awarding $1 billion under the BIL Clean School Bus Program to scrap an older, currently oper- ating school bus and replace it with a battery electric or cleaner alternative fuel school bus. More information coming soon! To be notified, please sign-up to receive U.S. EPA's West Coast Collaborative's email updates. ------- Page 7 Spring 2022 Issue Tribal Branch Consultations on Draft 2022 General Assistance Program Guidance and Proposed Changes to the National Allocation The U.S. EPA is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized tribes to receive input on the draft 2022 Guidance on the Award and Management of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2022 GAP Guidance). When final, the 2022 GAP Guidance will replace the 2013 Guidance for negotiating and awarding GAP financial assistance agreements. The Agency is also initiating this process to receive input on proposed changes to the national allocation of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) funds to tribal and intertribal consortia recipients. The proposed changes to the funding allocation formula, if adopted, will take effect for all GAP awards made with FY 2023 funds. Please visit the "Tribal Consultation Opportunities" section below for more details. New GAP Project Officers Please welcome our three new project officers in the Tribal Branch! We are excited to have these new folks on board with us to work together with our tribal partners. Alan Bacock (bacock.alan@epa.gov) Alan Bacock is a member of the Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley and has served indigenous communities to protect water, air, and land through various roles over the last two decades, including as a water program coordinator for his tribe and a Region 9 RTOC tribal co-chair. Alan Bacock began employment with U.S. EPA Region 9 as one of the Environmental Justice Coordinators in May of 2020 and is excited to shift gears to once more support tribes in Region 9. Sophia Usow (usow.sophia@epa.gov) Sophia is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado's Masters of the Environment program, where she specialized in sustainability, planning, and management. She also served in AmeriCorps VISTA from 2020-2021 with SEEDS, an environmental nonprofit in Northern Michigan. She is excited to continue a career in federal service working alongside Region 9's tribes to further their environmental goals. She is also excited to explore the West Coast and is open to any recommendations for food, hiking, and exploring around the Bay Area. Edem Yevoo (vevoo.edem@epa.gov) Edem was previously a project manager for an environmental consulting firm in Oakland, California. In that role, he worked on program design and implementation of cost-effective climate change solutions focused on energy, carbon, and water resources. He also worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as a student trainee supporting the Agency's various regulatory programs. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley. He is excited to learn, support tribal initiatives, and meet you all. ------- Page 8 Spring 2022 Issue Water Division Voluntary PFAS Sampling Project The Water Division is currently offering no cost drinking water sampling to tribal public water systems for per- and polyfluoroaikyl substances (PFAS). As a part of the project, the U.S. EPA provides all supplies, sample analysis, shipping, and sample collection training to water operators. Participation is voluntary. The sampling project helps tribal communities find out about chemicals that could be in drinking water. National heaith-based regulatory standards do not yet exist for these chemicals. The U.S. EPA is currently in the process of developing proposed national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWR) for PFAS for publication in Fall 2022 and anticipates finalizing the ruie in Fali 2023. We anticipate new funding for emerging contaminants for the upcoming fiscal year. Participating in this sampling project will heip tribes learn more about their drinking water ahead of the upcoming PFAS regulations. You can find more information about the U.S. EPA's work to address PFAS at www.epa.gov/PFAS. If you'd like to learn more about our regional sampling program and how to participate, please contact your drinking water program manager or Jason Gambatese at gambatese.iason@epa.gov. Tribal Project Success Stories The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Awards $5.4 million in Grant Funding for Tribal and Insular Areas to Establish Lower-Emission Diesel Projects On March 15, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced $5.4 million in grant fund- ing is expected to be awarded for Tribal and insular areas to establish lower-emission diesel projects. In total, 12 Tribal and insular area assistance agreements are expected to be awarded as part of the Diesel Emissions Reduction (DERA) program, which funds projects to clean up the nation's legacy fleet of diesel engines. "The Biden Administration continues to work with Tribal nations across the country to replace or upgrade older, higher polluting diesel engines, making important progress in reducing pollution and advancing environmental justice across the country," said U.S. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "With an unprecedented $5 billion investment in low- and zero-emission school buses from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law coming soon for communities across the country, this is only the beginning." Recognizing that tribes and insular areas have various administrative, technical, and financial considerations that other DERA National grant program applicants may not, U.S. EPA established a separate funding opportunity with flex- ibilities to address the unique considerations of tribal and insular area applicants. In 2021, U.S. EPA offered the Call for Region 9 Tribal Project Success Stories! Do you have an environmental project that you are proud of and would like to have high- lighted in an upcoming Region 9 newsletter? Notify your U.S. EPA Project Officer or send an email to: R9Communities@epa.gov. While we cannot guarantee your story will be used in a particular issue, we would like to develop and highlight a success story for each quarterly newsletter. The project should have an envi- ronmental focus and have been funded using federal grants or programs. ------- Page 9 Spring 2022 Issue first DERA Tribal and Insular Area Request for Applications (RFA) with no mandatory cost share. Although funds were competed under a single RFA, tribal applicants only competed against tribal applicants, and insular areas only competed against other insular area applicants. The 2021 competitive process saw more tribal application submissions than in any previous year, with 15 completely new tribal applicants. Applicant Name Award ¦ Project Type Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation $158,000 Mining Equipment Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation $415,000 Agriculture Congratulations to these Region 9 tribes for their DERA awards! For more details, follow this link to the press release: U.S. EPA Awards $5.4 million in Grant Funding for Tribal and Insular Areas to Establish Lower-Emission Diesel Projects. Regional Tribal Operations Committee The Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) is a working committee of the U.S. EPA and tribal personnel co-chaired by a U.S. EPA representative and a tribal representative. The U.S. EPA designates its RTOC representatives through internal mechanisms. All tribes within Region 9 are considered members of the RTOC. Tribal representatives to the RTOC are selected through government-to-government communication, by tribal leaders in various geographical areas within Region 9. Regional Tribal Operations Committee On January 26th, 2022, Region 9 RTOC Co-Chair Mervin Wright Jr. (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe) and Acting Co-Chair Bridget Coyle (U.S. EPA) convened the virtual Winter RTOC meeting. This was the sixth RTOC meeting convened virtually and continues to be well-attended with over 100 participants. This meeting provided a robust agenda chock-full of interesting sessions on topics, such as climate change, mining, water and air program discussions, training needs, and more. The Winter RTOC presentations and meeting materials can be found here: Region 9 RTOC Meeting: Winter 2022 I U.S. EPA. The virtual Spring RTOC is scheduled for April 25th-27th. Please check the RTOC website for more details: Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) I U.S. EPA. ------- Page 10 Spring 2022 Issue Tribal Resources U.S. EPA: Adaptation Resource Center The U.S. EPA's Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X) is an interactive resource to help local governments effectively deliver services to their communities even as the climate changes. Decision makers can create an integrated package of information tailored specifically to their needs. Once users select areas of interest, they will find information about: the risks posed by climate change to the issues of concern; relevant adapta- tion strategies; case studies illustrating how other communities have successfully adapted to those risks and tools to replicate their successes; and the U.S. EPA funding opportunities. For more information and to access the ARC-X tool, please visit: Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center. To access Licia Maclear's presentation on ARC-X from the Winter RTOC, follow this link: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation tools with ARC-X. If you are interested in having one of your projects posted on ARC-X, please notify Licia Maclear at maclear. Iicia@epa.gov and Suzanne Marr at marr.suzanne@epa.gov. who are available to assist in the project descrip- tion, photo selection, and working with U.S. EPA HQ to post your project. Your Climate Adaptation Search Geographic Region Area of Interest Pick one region: \ Southwest Pick one or more interests: Air Quality Water Management ~ Indoor Air ~ Outdoor Air ~ Ground Level Ozone ~ Particulate Matter ~ Water Utility Facility Operations ~ Drought ~ Saltwater Intrusion ~ Sea-level Rise ~ Storms & Flooding ~ Source Water Impacts ~ Water Quality Hawai'i & Pacific Islands ------- Page 11 Spring 2022 Issue Wildfires Related Resources Agency Description of Program and Resources U.S. EPA Air and Radiation Division Smoke from wildfires in the United States is adversely affecting air quality and potentially putting more people at health risk from smoke exposure. The U.S. EPA, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and other federal, state, and community agencies and organizations are working togeth- er to identify ways the public can prepare to reduce their health risk before a wildfire. Public health officials and others can use the resources in the Smoke-Ready Toolbox to help educate people about the risks of smoke exposure and actions they can take to protect their health. For more information, follow this link: Smoke-Readv Toolbox for Wildfires. General Assistance Program Your General Assistance Program (GAP) Project Officer can also assist you in revising your GAP work plan and budget to include the following GAP eligible activities: • Coordination and consultation with other federal, State, and local agencies (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Superfund, etc.) • Developing memorandum of agreements (MOAs) with federal, State, and local agencies. • Attending planning meetings. • Developing, assessing, and refining Emergency Response Plans. • Repairing/replacing any damage to environmental office, equipment, or supplies • Researching emergency funding available to tribes. Please follow this link for more details: Wildfire Prevention. PreDaredness and ResDonse: GAP-Elieible Activities and Contact Information. Water Division Please follow this link for water-related resources as featured in the previous newsletter: Resources on Building Wildfire Resilience. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Fuel Reduction BIA has two major programs for funding Hazardous Fuel Reduction. The first is basic fuels reduction. It is broken down into either Wildland Urban InteWUI or non WUI projects on fed- eral trust tribal lands. These lands are managed by the federal government for the benefit of the tribe or tribal member. Lands held by the Federal government for the benefit of the tribe or tribal member. The second is Reserve Treaty Rights Lands (RTRL). Due to the use of fuel on traditional tribal lands, the RTRL program is designed to implement collaborative fuel manage- ment projects between tribes and entities such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. These projects also occur on tribal fee lands protected and governed under the state such as CalFire's State Responsibility Areas, counties, or city/local governments' Local Redevelopment Authority. Every year, a notice for project requests is sent to the federally-recognized Tribal Council in the Pacific Region (California). The tribes then request a document package from the fuels program. ------- Page 12 Spring 2022 Issue All projects are on a four-year planning cycle and selected for funding a year in advance from time of award. BIA already selected and planned the projects for FY 2022 and is in the process of funding those projects. BIA also completed the in-take for FY 2023 projects and is in the selection process. BIA still accepts project requests from tribes, with the understanding it is for FY 2024 or if the agency received additional, emergency, or other funding then the project might be considered at that time. For more information, please contact greg.Derrv(S)bia.gov. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program links: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) FEMA has approved numerous Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) in 2021. Learn more about how FEMA provides federal support through the FMAG Program. An FMAG authorization also makes funding available to eligible states and territories through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire program, which can help mitigate wildfire and related hazards by funding eligible wildfire project types like defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. Find more informa- tion here: Wildfire Actions. National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) The Emergencv Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, a federal emergency recovery program, helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes. The program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters that impair a watershed. The Environmental Qualitv Incentives Program (EQIP) can plav a vital role in assisting produc- ers recover from natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and drought. Through EQIP, NRCS provides financial assistance to repair and prevent the excessive soil erosion caused or impacted by natural disasters. These practices include activities like stream bank restoration, grassed waterways and buffers. NRCS-funded conservation practices protect your land from erosion, support disaster recovery and repair, and can help mitigate loss from future natural disasters. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Cal Fire - Fire Prevention Grants Some of the current programs are not accepting new applications but check the website for future funding opportunities. ------- Page 13 Spring 2022 Issue Tribal Consultation Opportunities Active U.S. EPA consultation opportunities are available on the Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System (TCOTS) webpage. If interested, join the TCOTS Listserv by sending a message to, Join-epa_tcots@ lists.epa.gov to receive email notifications on the latest U.S. EPA Tribal Consultations. Each month, the Region 9 Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Consultation Workgroup meets to share information and updates and to discuss consultation topics of interest. This Workgroup is jointly chaired by Kelcey Strieker, Environmental Director of the Pechanga Environmental Department, and Jeremy Bauer, Acting Deputy Director of the U.S. EPA Region 9 Tribal, Intergovernmental, and Policy Division. For more information or to become involved in the workgroup, please contact Kelcey (kstricker@pechanga- nsn.gov) or Jeremy (bauer.jeremy@epa.gov). The following list of new and upcoming U.S. EPA consultation opportunities provides early notification and transparency to tribal governments. Please note that timeframes and details for these consultation opportuni- ties may change. U.S. EPA Consultation Opportunities Lead Topic & Dates Point of Contact Office of International and Tribal Affairs Draft 2022 Guidance on the Award and Management of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2022 GAP Guidance) On April 4, 2022, the U.S. EPA offered consultation and coordination with federally recognized Tribes to receive input on the draft 2022 Guidance on the Award and Management of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2022 GAP Guidance). When final, the 2022 GAP Guidance will replace the 2013 Guidance and will be effective for negotiating and awarding GAP financial assistance agreements. A consultation and coordination plan that includes a description of the action under consultation and the process the U.S. EPA intends to follow, including a timeline for the consultation and coordination period and information on how to provide input on this action. This information is available on U.S. EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportuni- ties Tracking Svstem at tcots.eDa.sov. Headquarters Contact: Lisa Berrios berrios.lisa@eDa.eov (202)564-1739 Office of International and Tribal Affairs Proposed Changes to the National Allocation of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Funding On April 4, 2022, the U.S. EPA offered consultation and coordination with federally recognized tribes to receive input on proposed changes to the national allocation of Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) funds to tribal and intertribal consortia recipients. The proposed changes to the funding allocation formula, if adopted, will Headquarters Contact: Lisa Berrios berrios. lisaPeoa.eov (202)564-1739 ------- Page 14 Spring 2022 Issue take effect for all GAP awards made with FY 2023 funds. A con- sultation and coordination plan that includes a timeline for the consultation and coordination period, including information on how to provide input on this action. This information is available on U.S. EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System at tcots.eDa.sov. Office of Water Potential EPA Actions to Increase Tribal Capacity to Maintain and Expand Nonpoint Source Management Programs On March 29, 2022, the U.S. EPA offered consultation and coordi- nation with federally recognized Indian tribes to inform potential EPA actions the Clean Water Act Section 319 National Nonpoint Source Program could take to better support Section 319-eligible tribes in their efforts to manage NPS pollution. A consultation and coordination plan for this action that includes a description of the action under consultation and the process EPA intends to follow, including a timeline for the consultation and coordination period and information on how to provide input on this action. This information is available on U.S. EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking Svstem at tcots.eDa.sov. Headquarters Contact: Steve Epting tribalerants@eDa.eov (202)566-1074 Office of Air and Radiation Good Neighbor Plan for 2015 Ozone NAAQS: Proposed "Good Neighbor" Plan to Cut Smog Across Much of the United States On February 28, 2022, the Administrator signed a proposed Feder- al Implementation Plan (FIP) to assure that the 26 states identified in the proposal do not significantly contribute to problems attain- ing and maintaining the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in downwind states. This action, known as a "Transport Rule" would help states fully resolve their Clean Air Act "good neighbor" obligations for the 2015 Ozone NAAQS. The rule would establish an allowance-based ozone season trading program with nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions budgets for fossil fuel-fired power plants in 25 states. The rule would also establish NOX emissions limitations for certain other industrial stationary sources in 23 states. The U.S. EPA has also proposed to extend these requirements across areas of Indian Country that are located within the borders of the covered states. This is intended to ensure that there is no gap in coverage of the proposed requirements across the geogra- phy of the states covered by this proposal, and is consistent with prior "interstate transport" actions such as the U.S. EPA's original 2011 Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). For government-to- government consultation with U.S. EPA, notify headquarters by Headquarters Contact: Toni Colon colon.toni@eDa.eov (919) 541-0069 ------- Page 15 Spring 2022 Issue May 6, 2022. More information is available on U.S. EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System at tcots.eoa.gov. Region 9 Air and Radiation Division A NSR permit application to install two new natural gas generators and three emergency diesel generators at the Cache Creek Casino Resort owned and operated by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. A Title V/PSD Permit for performance upgrades and operational changes to the South Point Energy Center located on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation. A request for coverage under the U.S. EPA's Clean Air Act general permit for Fann Contracting, a hot mix asphalt plant located in Navajo nation. This information is available on U.S. EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System at tcots.eoa.gov. Region 9 Contact: gerardo rios rios.gera rdo@eDa.gov Region 9 Office of the Regional Administrator Draft U.S. EPA Region 9 Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan for FY 2022 through FY 2026 In order to protect human health and the environment, even as the climate changes; and in order to assist U.S. EPA Region 9 states, tribes, territories, and their communities to build resilience to climate impacts; U.S. EPA Region 9 has identified 39 climate adaptation actions that are described in this draft document. This document is also a response to Executive Order 14008. "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad." and the nation-wide 2021 EPA Climate AdaDtation Action Plan. U.S. EPA Region 9 has been working with the RTOC Consultation Work- group to identify next steps for potential consultation and coordina- tion on this draft plan. Additional details will be available in May 2022. Region 9 Contact: Suzanne Marr marr.suzanne@eoa.gov (415) 972-3468 Region 9 Water Division Tribal Engagement Opportunities for National and Regional Water Actions Visual Calendar In response to ongoing requests from Region 9 tribes for more outreach on current tribal consultations, we have compiled a schedule of upcoming consultation engagement opportunities for all of the various U.S. EPA proposed water actions on deck. This document provides both a visual calendar component to track important consultation dates and includes a narrative component that briefly summarizes all current actions with more specific resources. To access the current and future visual calendars, go to this link: Tribal Consultation in U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest (Region 9). ------- Page 16 Spring 2022 Issue . Trifcol Engagement Opportunities | km. \ for National and Regional* Water Actions % / <<¦ M&P April 2022 Highlights for April 16,h PFAS Comment Deadline DWIG-TSA One-on-One Consult 18 Deadline z o UJ O UJ D H J P > X s < H > h- u. to " 1 ¦¦ 10 11 12 Spring RTOC: Tentative date, registration forthcoming here. 13 Spring RTOC: Tentative date, registration forthcoming here. 14 Spring RTOC: Tentative date, registration forthcoming here. 15 16 PFAS: Deadline to submit comments. 17 18 DWIG-TSA: Deadline to request one-on-one consultation. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 FY22 Quarter 2 Reports Due 'Within Region 9, only state-wide or Region-wide engagements that concern more than five Tribes are posted here. Funding Opportunities Stay up-to-date on federal grant opportunities by using the Grants.gov search page. U.S. EPA: Environmental Justice Small Grants Program The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJ Small Grants) program awards grants that support community- driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand locai environ- mental and public health issues, it further develops strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities. $1.6 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds are now available to fund EJ Smali Grants to federally recognized tribal governments to establish or modify public participation programs where fair treatment and meaningful participation priorities have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For this single funding announcement, U.S. EPA is limiting eligible applicants to federally recognized tribal governments only. Appli- cants may request up to $100,000. Approximately 16 to 20 EJ Smali Grants will be awarded to federally recognized tribal governments nationwide. Applications are due by May 20, 2022. More information is available on Grants.gov, under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-OP-QEJ-22-01. ------- Page 17 Spring 2022 Issue U.S. Department of Energy: Improving Efficient Systems for Algae DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) develops technologies that convert domestic biomass and waste resources into fuels, products, and power to enable affordable energy, economic growth, and innovation in renewable energy and chemicals production. This FOA specifically seeks to increase the carbon utilization efficiency of algal growth systems. The impact of this FOA outcomes will be to lower the cost of fuels and products made from algal feedstocks while increasing the positive greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts that can be achieved through the deployment of algae-based technologies. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) has two topic areas, each funded separately by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), Carbon Utilization Program (CUP) in response to specific language in each Office's respective appropriations as issued by Congress and in accordance with each Office's strategic plans. Under this funding opportunity, BETO is interested in the following Topic Areas: Carbon Utilization Efficiency from Biomass- or Atmospheric-Based Sources of Carbon Dioxide; and Algae-Based Technology to Utilize Anthropogenic C02 from Utility and Industrial Sources. Applications are due by May 27, 2022. More information is available on Grants.gov. under Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FQA-0002654. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Tribal Wildlife Grant Program The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program was created to support the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats and species of tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished. The TWG Program provides opportunities for federally recog- nized tribes to engage in fish and wildlife conservation efforts on their lands, many of which are located adjacent to DOI-managed lands. Since its inception in 2003, the competitive TWG Program has awarded more than $105.6 million to Native American tribes, providing support for more than 594 conservation projects. In FY 2020, 81 proposals were received, and 32 awards were issued; in FY 2021, 54 proposals were received and 37 awards issued; and, in FY 2022, an estimated 80-100 proposals are expected to be received and about 20-35 awards are expected to be issued. Applications are due by May 27, 2022. More information is available on Grants.gov. under Funding Opportunity Announcement F22AS00188. U.S. Department of the Interior: Nevada Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance programs use a risk-based approach. This supports the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy goals of restoring and maintaining Fire Resilient Landscapes, creating Fire Adapted Communities and Responding to Wildfire. ------- Page 18 Spring 2022 Issue BLM has an opportunity to work with partner organizations to assist with fuels management and community fire assistance program activities. These activities reduce the risk and impact of catastrophic wildfires to local communities. They help coordination efforts, reduce the amount of hazardous fuels, and educate landowners about wildfire prevention and mitigation. These activities will assist BLM in addressing the effects of climate change by working to create resilient landscapes and communities. This will create jobs, and further help conservation and restoration efforts by providing an opportunity to support planning and implementation of hazardous fuels reduction projects in wildland urban interface (WUI) areas. It also supports education and outreach programs that help create fire adapted communities and resilient landscapes. Program Strategic Goals • Accomplish fuels management activities on federal and non-federal land. • Develop and implement fire education, training, and/or community action plans/programs. • Conduct Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), community wildfire assessments, and planning activities. • Expand community capability to enhance local employment opportunities. • Develop and implement short and long-term monitoring and maintenance plans for hazardous fuels reduction, community fire education and training, and community action programs. Applications are due by June 7, 2022. More information is available on Grants.gov. under Funding Opportunity Announcement L22AS00288. U.S. Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs: Weather Assistance Program The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), provides $3.5 billion in funding for weatherization. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is accepting applications from states, tribes, and territories for new funding through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), DOE's largest residential energy retrofit program. The expanded funding enabled by the BIL will allow grantees to retrofit thousands of low-income homes to make them healthier and more energy-efficient while lowering utility bills. Applications are due by July 1, 2022. More information may be found here: Weatherization Program Notice BIL 22-1 and 22-2. U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Annual Awards Program to Support Tribal Climate Resilience and Ocean and Coastal Management Planning The Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience (Branch, TCR) is excited to announce the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Annual Awards Program Request for Proposals (RFP). The Branch will release approximately $46 million in funding through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and FY 2022 annual appropri- ations. The Branch solicits proposals to receive awards to support: 1) tribal climate resilience planning and strategy implementation and 2) ocean and coastal management planning. The Branch supports tribes as they prepare for climate change impacts on tribal treaty and trust resources, economies, regenerative agriculture and food sovereignty, conservation practices, infrastructure, and human health and safety. The Branch's Annu- al Awards Program will provide funding for projects that support tribal climate resilience as tribes incorporate science, including Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK), indigenous languages, and technical information. There are new categories of funding this year. All 13 categories of funding are listed (next page): ------- Page 19 Spring 2022 Issue Climate Adaptation Category 1. Trainings and Workshops (maximum: $150,000) Category 2. Adaptation Planning (maximum: $250,000) Category 3. Travel Support for Adaptation Planning (maximum: $15,000) Category 6. Capacity Building for Scoping Efforts (maximum: $65,000) Category 10. Implementation of Climate Adaptation Strategies (maximum: $2,000,000) Category 13. International ITEK Virtual Exchange (maximum: $10,000) Ocean and Coastal Management Category 4. Ocean and Coastal Management Planning (maximum: $150,000) Category 5. Travel Support for Ocean and Coastal Management (maximum: $15,000) Relocation, Managed Retreat, or Protect-in-Place Category 7. Relocation, Managed Retreat, or Protect-in-Place Planning (maximum: $300,000) Category 11. Implementation of Community Relocation, Managed Retreat, or Protect-in-Place Actions (maximum: $3,000,000) Category 12. Relocation, Managed Retreat, or Protect-in-Place (RMP) Coordinator (maximum: $150,000 per year for up to three years) Internships and Youth Engagement (Categories 8 and 9) Category 8. Internships (maximum: $50,000) Category 9. Youth Engagement (maximum: $50,000) Applications are due by July 6, 2022. More information may be found here: Bureau of Indian Affairs Annual Awards Program. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Coastal Program The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Coastal Program is a voluntary, community-based program that provides technical and financial assistance through cooperative agreements to coastal communities, conser- vation partners, and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands. Projects are developed in collaboration with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field staff. Coastal Program projects must support the missions of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), and the Coastal Program, and be based on biological principles and the best available science. The Coastal Program takes an adaptive approach to designing and implementing coastal habitat protection and restoration strategies that anticipate and ameliorate the impacts of climate change and other environmental stressors. Coastal Program habitat improvement projects strive to increase coastal resiliency by improving the ability of coastal ecosystems to adapt to environmental changes and supporting natural and nature-based infrastructure projects to protect and enhance coastal habitats. Applications are due by September 30, 2022. More information is available on Grants.gov, under Funding Opportunity Announcement F22AS00095. ------- Page 20 Spring 2022 Issue Training & Technical Assistance Training opportunities in this newsletter are either hosted, funded, or sponsored in collaboration with the U.S. EPA. Any links to websites outside of U.S. EPA are provided for additional information that may be useful or interesting to our readers. The U.S. EPA can neither attest to the accuracy of these third-party sites nor endorse any nongovernment websites, companies, or applications. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Fish Programs - Health Approaches with Tribes and Indigenous Peoples Fish are important to many tribes and indigenous peoples, particularly those that have significant cultural and spiritual connections to fish and rely on them for subsistence. The U.S. EPA's Office of Water (OW) supports tribes, tribal communities, and indigenous communities, by providing tools and resources to develop effective, consistent fish advisory programs, partnering with tribal fish advisory programs to create a collaborative network to share knowledge and best practices, and gathering and sharing the best science on contaminants in fish. This webinar will discuss these U.S. EPA programs so tribes and indigenous peoples can protect the health of their communities and share information to allow individuals to make informed choices about the types and amounts of fish to consume. The webinar will also feature the work of an indigenous organization in Hawaii that is working to protect fish, fish habitat and the health of members in their community. This webinar took place on April 27, 2022. Please note that recordings of this webinar and the EJScreen 2.0 below are expected to be available on the following website: EJ Webinar Series for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples. US. EPA; EJScreen 2.0 Overview for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples Applicants may ask general questions about the U.S. EPA Environmen- tal Justice Small Grants Request for Applications (RFA) and how to use the EJSCREEN tool in their applications. This webinar will provide an overview of EJScreen, U.S. EPA's environmental justice screening and mapping tool, and discuss recent updates to EJScreen (2.0). The webi- nar will also include a demonstration on the use of the tool in Indian Country. EJScreen provides the U.S. EPA with a nationally consistent dataset and approach for combining environmental and demographic indicators. EJScreen users choose a geographic area; the tool then provides demographic and environmental informa- tion for that area. All of the EJScreen indicators are publicly-available data. EJScreen simply provides a way to display this information and includes a method for combining environmental and demographic indicators into EJ indexes. This webinar will be on May 3, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. PST, and registration is available here: EJScreen Webinar Registration. A general EJScreen 2.0 Training will occur on May 4, 2022 at 9 a.m. PST. The link to the training and past training and office hours recordings may be found here: U.S. EPA's EJScreen Tool Office Hours and EJScreen 2.0 Training. ------- Page 21 Spring 2022 Issue U.S. EPA: Tools and Resources Webinar Series The U.S. EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) hosts this monthly public webinar series to translate U.S. EPA research and share research resources and information that are useful, practical/applied and available to meet research needs of states/territories and other entities, such as tribes, local governments, and commu- nities. Free webinars are typically held the third Wednesday of every month. The next webinar will take place on May 6, 2022 with the topic: Wildfires (Helping building managers to prepare for smoke, ASPIRE team guidance for specific buildings where they did measurements). For updates on the webinar series, please visit: U.S. EPA Tools and Resources Webinar Series. Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals: After a Wildfire Training The After a Wildfire training is a two-part course that will be hosted by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) with support from Safeguard EnviroGroup and the U.S. EPA. This training provides tribes with post wildfire safety considerations for indoor air quality and a how to return safely. Participants will have the option of attending an additional session about the ACAC Fire and Smoke Damage Certification process. • Part I: Indoor Air Quality (May 17, 2022) • Part II: Return Safely (May 19, 2022) • (Optional) Part III: ACAC Fire and Smoke Damage Certification (May 24, 2022) All trainings are at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. PST. For more information, please follow this link ITEP Trainings or email Christal Black at Christal.Black@nau.edu. ------- Page 22 Spring 2022 Issue United States Environmental Protection ^1 mm. Agency Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Tribal Branch Tribal, Intergovernmental, and Policy Division 75 Hawthorne St. San Francisco, CA. 94105 Get in Touch! Do you have an idea for inclusion in an upcoming newsletter? Do you have a question or comment about an article in this issue? Please submit ideas, questions, tribal success stories, original photos, or other feedback to the R9 Tribal Newsletter Coordinator, Mark Rayos, at: R9Communities@epa.gov R9 Tribal Programs: www.epa.gov/tribal/epaspacificsouthwest-tribal-proeramregion-9 Follow Region 9 EPA on Facebook! www.facebook.com/EPAregion9 Follow us @EPAregion9 on Twitter! twitter.com/EPAregion9 Please see and subscribe to our EPA in the Pacific Southwest Newsletter for more general news about the U.S. EPA in Region 9. Report oil or chemical spills at: 800-424-8802 To report environmental violations, please call 1-800-300-2193, operational during normal working hours, Monday through Friday. To report oil or chemical spills, please call the emergency line. More information on reporting spills and environmental violations could be found here: How to Report Spills and Environmental Violations Protecting Human Health and the Environment ------- |