The Tribal Newsletter is issued free each month. https://go.usa.gov/xXNnW Region 10 Tribal ewsletter SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Vol. 29 No. 11 Winter 2021 EPA provides some external links in this newsletter for informational purposes only. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy ofnon-EPA information provided by any third-party sites or any other linked site. EPA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies, internet applications or any policies or information expressed therein. Top News Progress for a Stronger Future Tribes and EPA: 50 Years of Environmental Partnership In 1970, President Richard Nixon issued a special message to Congress on Indian affairs expressing the federal government's commitment to a new self-determination era for Tribes. This action established federal policy for "a new and balanced relationship between the United States government and the first Americans, that is at the heart of our approach to Indian problems" - a tribal future determined by tribal government acts and decisions. With this action, the President set the stage for the newly created EPA to begin incorporating self-determination principles into its tribal program from the Agency's very beginning. Although the language from 50 years ago is somewhat dated, the President recognized the need for partnership declaring that: "The Indians of America need Federal assistance ... [and]... the Federal Government needs Indian energies and Indian leadership." EPA 50th Anniversary Tribal Program Milestones show EPA's steady progress towards meeting the self- governance goal of tribal implementation of federal environmental program on their lands. To learn more, visit epa.gov/tribal/50th-anniversary-timeline. New Year Message from USEPA's American Indian Environmental Office Director Scott Mason As the new year begins, I would like to express my honor and appreciation in leading the EPA's American Indian Environmental Office through difficult work in the last year and express my confidence in the work and progress to be done in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted tribes in severe and significant ways creating challenges to communications, funding flexibilities, travel, and consultation engagement, among other matters. AIEO has been impacted with staff and management adjusting to remote work settings, recalibrating tribal policy guidance, coordinating with tribes, the Regions program offices to address unexpected concerns and challenges. Continued ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 N E W s New Year Message from USEPA 's American Indian Environmental Office Director Scott Mason However, I am proud to report that AIEO made great progress in our mission to protect the environment and human health in Indian country. For example, AIEO and other EPA management collectively were able to engage with tribes and tribal partnership groups in 35 different non-consultation meetings even though most of these meetings were adjusted for virtual settings. This included the successful two-day 2020 National Tribal Caucus and EPA Winter Meeting. Significantly, EPA approved 11 regulatory Treatment as a State applications in 2020, which was a record number for any year. Additionally, AIEO responded to tribal funding and consultation flexibility concerns and provided updated GAP and consultation guidance to the Agency. 2021 presents hope that many of last year's challenges are abated. I am optimistic in the Administration's successful efforts through Operation Warp Speed to distribute a vaccine to as many Americans as possible, including to our tribal partners, ! have full faith and confidence that AIEO will continue its outstanding work and progress. I applaud AIEO and look forward to this new year. -Scott Mason, Director% AIEO Regional Administrator Chris Hladick's farewell message to Region 10 tribes Hello Tribal Leaders and Tribal Representatives of Region 10! January 20th was bittersweet for me. It was my last day of work for the EPA. I will be embarking on a new chapter of my life but will miss the work with the tribes of Region 10. Working with you has been one of the highlights of my time here at EPA. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling to your homelands and meeting with tribal leaders about the important issues affecting your communities. You welcomed my staff and myself into your homelands and have always been gracious hosts. Sometimes the topics of discussion were controversial, but I believe it's always best to deal with issues straight up and from the heart. I found it's the same for you. I have learned much from the treaty and non-treaty tribes here in the Lower 48. Being from Alaska I had no experience working with Lower 48 tribes prior to this job, however you took the time to educate me. Thanks for your patience! Now it's time for the next administration to put their hands on the controls. I gave it my best! I apologize to the tribes of Alaska. I just did not get to Alaska often enough over the last three years, but you haven't seen the last of me yet! I can't wait to come home. I really enjoyed camping and fishing in Washington, Oregon and Idaho though my heart will always be in Alaska! I hope to do some traveling and fly fishing in the coming months so I may stop in along my journeys. All the best and stay safe! - Chris Hladick, former Regional Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Tami Fordham Selected as Director of EPA Alaska Operations Office Tami Fordham has been serving as the acting A00 Director since April of 2020 and as the AOO Deputy Director since March 2014. As AOO Deputy Tami also served as the Associate for the Office of the Regional Administrator. Tami brings a wealth of experience to the Director role, having served in a variety of roies since joining AOO in 2003. In addition to demonstrated leadership skills serving as Deputy and Acting Director, she was a Tribal Policy Advisor for Alaska Resource Extraction and a Tribal Coordinator supporting Alaska tribes through the GAP program. Tami knows Alaska issues. She has provided tribal policy support on large resource extraction projects, led coordination and consultation processes considering environmental justice, engaged with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Corporations, and worked with Traditional Ecological Knowledge on agency actions related to resource extraction. During her time as tribal coordinator Tami took a few semesters of Yup'ik, furthering her commitment to foster strong relationships with the tribes in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Region. Tami came to EPA Region 10 in June of 2001, as a Student Career Experience Intern after graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in Sustainable Resource Science. Tami lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband Lee, nephew Brayden, her giant Saint Bernard Luna, and rescue cat Hydro. When Tami isn't working and taking care of her family her passions include enjoying Alaska, dance, stargazing (when its dark!) and gardening. Region 10 Tribal Branch Staff Changes In October, the Region 10 Tribal Trust and Assistance Branch welcomed Lucas DuSablon as a new Tribal Coordinator. Lucas began working for Region 10 as a Grant Specialist in 2017, managing Indian Environmental General Assistance Grants as well as Performance Partnership Grants, and Tribal Air, Drinking Water, and Brownfields grants. Lucas holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University. Currently based out of Seattle, Lucas will be moving to Boise in the coming weeks, to be closer to the tribes he works with in Idaho, eastern Oregon, and eastern Washington Michael Ortiz, who joined the Tribal Branch in 2014, working with tribes in Alaska and serving as coordinator for the Region 10 Regional Tribal Operations Committee, has transitioned to working with performance partnership grant tribes in Western Washington. Lucas Du Sablon Jim Zokan worked in the Tribal Branch in Boise, ID as a Tribal Coordinator from 2004-20018, then served as the Cascade Field Station Manager in Cascade, ID for the Bureau of Reclamation. Jim recently returned to the Tribal Branch and will be working out of the Idaho Operations Office, focusing on tribes in the Bristol Bay Region in Alaska. Michael Ortiz ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 EPA Awards Cooperative Agreement to Support the National Tribal Toxics Council On December 16, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of a cooperative agreement to support the National Tribal Toxics Council. Under the agreement, EPA will provide up to $800,000 over five years to Zender Environmental Health and Research Group to support the NTTC's work representing tribal interests in the development and implementation of chemical risk assessment, risk management, and pollution prevention programs. "With this agreement, we're partnering for the future with the National Tribal Toxics Council, said Chris Hladick, former EPA Regional Administrator in Seattle. "By training tribal technicians to reduce and manage toxic waste in tribal communities, Zender Environmental Health and Research Group is helping create a path to a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come. Ultimately, this partnership will benefit both the community and the environment." Through this cooperative agreement, the NTTC: Provides training, technical information and outreach in Indian country to increase the awareness and understanding of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Encourages the development of programs to prevent pollution; Enhances tribal consultation and collaboration with federal, state, and local governments; and Facilitates networking, collaboration, and outreach to support national, regional, and individual tribes' needs and concerns. EPA is also working in partnership with the NTTC to facilitate consultations with tribes on upcoming rules to address unreasonable risks to public health found in the agency's recently released final TSCA chemical risk evaluations. CHECK THE WEB FOR INFORMATION: > About Zender Environmental Health and Research Group EPA and IHS Interagency Agreement Kickoff Meeting On Wednesday, October 14, AIEO, the Indian Health Service, and ORCR held a kick-off meeting to review the Scope of Work for the new Interagency Agreement between EPA and IHS. This collaboration will use GAP funds and IHS expertise to provide technical assistance to tribal governments for solid waste management programs, including Region 10 tribes doing this work under GAP and other environmental programs. The goals of the technical assistance and trainings is to increase the number of tribes with effective solid waste management programs and make cleanup investments more effective by reducing unauthorized trash disposal practices on tribal lands. The IA will also fulfill EPA commitments under its 2013 MOU with the Infrastructure Task "To Better Coordinate the Federal Government Efforts in Providing Infrastructure and Promoting Sustainable Practices to Support the Provision of Safe Drinking Water and Basic Sanitation in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities" and its 2017 MOU with IHS "To Improve Open Dump Data, Solid Waste Projects and Programs in Indian Country". 4- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 From left: Gerald Wagner, Scott Clow, and Meyo Marrufo National Tribal Caucus Executive Committee Elections On Tuesday, December 15, the National Tribal Caucus conducted annual Executive Committee elections for NTC Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary for 2021. Gerald Wagner, of the Blackfeet Tribe, was re-elected as NTC Chair, Scott Clow, of the Ute Mountain Tribe, was re-elected as NTC Vice Chair, and Meyo Marrufo, of the Guidiville Rancheria, was elected as NTC Secretary. EPA congratulates Gerald, Scott, and Meyo and looks forward to working with them in 2021! The National Tribal Caucus is a national body of high-level tribal advisors. Members are selected on a regional basis by each Regional Tribal Operations Committee or its equivalent and represent all tribes within their regions. Their primary focus is to identify and address tribal environmental issues that are national in scope, cross-agency or cross-media in nature, or that may be emerging or urgent. Region 10 representatives include Gayla Hoseth, Curyung Tribal Council; Bill Hand, Native Village of Kluti-Kaah; Daniel Ravenel, Quinault Indian Nation; Lee Juan Tyler, Shoshone Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation; Kelly Wright (Alternate), Shoshone Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation; and Sarah Miller (Alternate), Native Village of Kluti-Kaah. Visit https://regionlOrtoc.net/national-tribal-resources for more information on NTC engagement in Region 10. Recycling and Sustainable Management of Food During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency As many Americans spend more time at home, we are changing the way we purchase and use goods and food. At the same time, there are some supply chain disruptions in the food and manufacturing sectors. There is the potential for households to generate more waste than they did before, but there is also an opportunity to focus on waste prevention, increase your reuse and recycling efforts, and use food more efficiently. To learn more about what you can do to recycle during COVID-19, check out EPA's Recycling and Sustainable Management of Food During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency website. New CDC COVID-19 Improving Ventilation Website The Centers for Disease Control has a new web page to encourage improving ventilation in homes. Good ventilation can prevent virus particles from accumulating in the air of your house. Good ventilation along with other preventative actions like staying 6 feet apart and wearing masks can help prevent you from getting and spreading COVID-19. Go to cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/lmproving-Ventilation-Home.html ------- 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative The new America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative outlines actions that the public and private sector are committing to that will help recruit and retain the next generation of the water workforce through workforce planning, technology training, and collaboration across the federal government and the water sector. These actions will support workforce resiliency for water utilities and thereby help ensure that Americans can continue relying on safe drinking water and vital wastewater services that protect public health and the environment. Working with federal agencies and state, local, and tribal partners, America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative will highlight the vital work of the water workforce and will serve as a catalyst to encourage the choice of water careers through education and public outreach. EPA is collaborating with several agencies—including the U.S. Department of Labor, the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs—to coordinate expertise and resources through the Initiative. EPA will also continue to work with other essential partners across the water sector, including states and tribes, utilities and associations, and technical assistance providers. To support or join this important effort, send an email to WaterSectorWorkforce@epaIgov or check out the Water Sector Workforce website. 2021 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Multi-Sector General Permit The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the 2021 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Multi-Sector General Permit for stormwater discharges from industrial activity on January 15, 2021. This final permit will become effective on March 1, 2021 and replaces the 2015 MSGP, which expired on June 3, 2020. The 2021 MSGP covers stormwater discharges from industrial facilities in areas where EPA is the NPDES permitting authority and establishes requirements for eligibility, Notice of Intent, effluent limits, inspections, monitoring, and other conditions for 29 sectors of industrial activity. For more information, visit EPA's Industrial Stormwater website: epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-industrial-activities. IT'S YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW! Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program Providing Pollution Prevention and Toxic Chemical Release Information ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter EPA Launches New Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance, an online database of land, air, and water information. This new Clearinghouse catalogues available funding, financing, and instructional resources to aid communities in their efforts to improve environmental conditions. The Clearinghouse expands on the concept of the original Water Finance Clearinghouse, launched in 2017, that served as the one-stop shop for communities researching ways to fund and finance their water infrastructure needs to assist in local decision-making. The new Clearinghouse includes over 1,800 funding and financing opportunities and information resources from EPA's air, water, and land programs. Communities can use this system to access information on funding and financing opportunities for environmental projects as well as financial research, such as case studies, white papers, and webinars. You can access the Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance here: www.epa.gov/chef Background: EPA's Water Finance Center manages the Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance. The Center provides information on a suite of water sector financial topics, including through the Water Finance Clearinghouse, coordination among EPA and other federal water funding programs, and specialized support for communities requesting technical assistance for how to afford water infrastructure improvements. Additional information about EPA's Water Finance Center is available at www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter. / \ Regional News V / Two Region 10 Recipients Awarded EJ Grants In October, EPA selected 28 organizations to receive new Environmental Justice grants, totaling 4.1 million dollars. 10 of these organizations will receive as much as $200,000 to support the nationwide effort against the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10 COVID-19 grants are awarded through the State EJ Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program. 18 organizations will get up to $120,000 to through the EJ Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program to support community- based efforts to develop and implement solutions addressing environmental and/or public health issues for underserved communities. Among those 18 selected in Region 10 include the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho and Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes in Alaska. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes project is focused on community resiliency and air quality. The project proposal leverages a community, tribal, and industry collaboration to develop a community action plan to mitigate air quality and regional environmental impacts through the implementation of renewable energy technology. The Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribe's project is proposing an educational expo for community members to learn how to plan for their families in the event of an emergency or disaster. They also plan to make a tool or app available at the expo to help families in the community access clean water for drinking and every day needs. For more details on grants, awards, and environmental justice, please visit the EPA EJ Grants and Resources page. A ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 Alaska Forum on the Environment February 8-11 With the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and priority to ensure the health and safety of all our attendees, the Alaska Forum on the Environment 2021 will be offered as a virtual event through Alaska Connect, a new online training and events platform in partnership with Knik Tribe. Thanks to this partnership, technical sessions and environmental trainings will now be offered through Alaska Connect all year long. To keep the tradition of AFE, enhanced content, trainings and world-renown keynotes will still take place February 8-11. Sign up for an individual or business subscription to Alaska Connect and attend all the trainings you want throughout the year including the sessions during the week of AFE. AFE sessions will cover a variety of topics from local and national subject matter experts delivered virtually through the Alaska Connect platform. Training sessions focused on climate change; energy; science; contaminated sites cleanup and remediation; emergency preparedness; fish, wildlife, habitat, forests and invasive species; marine debris; solid waste; oil spill prevention and response; resource development; sustainability; and many more. Details and registration available on the Alaska Forum on the Environment website. Alaska Remote Generation Report to Congress oEPA United States Affordable and Reliable Options for Meeting Energy Needs and Reducing Emissions A Report to Congress as Directed by the Alaska Remote Generator Reliability and Protection Act Prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Consultation with the U.S. Department of Energy In September, EPA submitted a Report to Congress titled Remote Areas of Alaska: Affordable and Reliable Options for Meeting Energy Needs and Reducing Emissions. This report presents options for the federal government to assist remote areas of Alaska with meeting the energy needs of those areas in an affordable and reliable manner using existing emissions control technology or other technology that achieves similar emissions reductions. The report discusses measures such as replacement of older diesel generators with lower-emitting generators, fuel switching, installation of renewable energy generation, and community collaboration, as well as existing federal government programs that provide assistance to the remote areas. 8- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter RTOC The Region 10 Regional Tribal Operations Committee is a partnership between EPA and elected tribal representatives to further tribal environmental objectives at the regional level, serve as a liaison between the EPA and tribes regarding information exchange, and provide assistance to the National Tribal Operations Committee. Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit 2022 The Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee hopes to hold the next Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit in person in Oregon or Idaho in 2022. Please work with your Tribal Coordinator if you wish to budget for this event and have any questions. Costs may include airfare, per diem, and hotel for Portland, Oregon (although the exact location of the Summit is unknown at this time), as well as the cost of registration. Scholarships will be available to help meet shortfalls. The RTOC also plans to integrate virtual components into the in-person summit. Learn about the 2021 Summit at https://regionlOrtoc.net/tribal-leaders-summit Stay Engaged with RTOC • Follow us on Facebook for the most up to date news and opportunities. • If you wish to attend or add an item to a monthly meeting agenda, or if you have questions, comments, or suggestions for how RTOC can better serve your community — please contact the RTOC representative for your area or RTOC's Administrator, Randi Madison. CONTACT: Randi Madison, RTOC Administrator • randi@regionlOrtoc.net Tribal Consultation A full list of consultation opportunities is available in EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System Consultation Opportunity for Tribes on Proposed Revision to Guidance Addressing Awards of Grants to Indian Tribes Under Section 106 of the Clean Water Act. This consultation and coordination will be conducted in accordance with the EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes. In addition, the EPA acknowledges that tribes are experiencing operational impacts due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and is taking this into consideration as we continue to work collaboratively to address environmental issues. The EPA is holding an informational webinar for tribes on two dates, February 2, 2021, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern Time, and on February 11, 2021 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern Time. You can register online for the first webinar or the second webinar. These consultation materials are also available in EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System website located at: https://tcots.epa.gov. Tribes will have until March 15, 2021 to provide comment on this action. For any questions, please contact Jennifer Wintersteen with EPA Region 8 by email at Wintersteen.jennifer@epa.gov or by phone at 406-457-5006. ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 Grants 1 February 3rd Webinar for Indigenous Peoples on EPA's Competitive Grants Award Process EPA is hosting a webiriar for indigenous peoples on EPA competitive financial assistance programs Wednesday, February 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pacific or 10:30 to noon, Alaska. For more information on the webinar, including the link for registration, please see below. Webinar Details: Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Time: 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Pacific • 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Alaska Overview: This webinar will cover EPA's competitive grants process and general management and administrative issues. It is being offered to indigenous peoples, but other interested parties are welcome to participate. The webinar will cover grants topics, including: • How to find and apply for grant opportunities. • EPA's Grants.gov requirements. • Information about the competitive process. • Preparing a proper budget detail. If you are interested in applying for EPA grants, or are currently managing an EPA grant, please consider attending this informative webinar! Participants are encouraged to raise questions for presenters to address in real time. How to Register: Register at http://bit.ly/3t78Sqs Webinar Materials: • Competition Presentation - The basics on competing for EPA Assistance Programs are at epa.gov/grants/competition-overview-presentation-basics-competing-epa-assistance- programs • Preparing and Managing Your EPA Award Presentation is at epa.gov/grants/preparing- and-managing-your-epa-a ward-presentation For more information on EPA's work with tribes and indigenous peoples on environmental justice, please visit: epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-tribes-and- indigenous-peoples. FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact: Danny Gogal • gogal.danny@epa.gov 10- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Training & Technical Assistance Training opportunities in this newsletter are either hosted, funded, or sponsored in collaboration with EPA. Any links to websites outside of EPA are provided for additional information that may be useful or interesting to our readers. EPA can neither attest to the accuracy of these third-party sites nor endorse any nongovernment websites, companies or applications. Grants Management Online Training This online training course is designed to introduce EPA grant applicants and recipients to key aspects of the entire grant life cycle, from preparation of an application through grant closeout. The course is divided into separate modules that can be completed individually. Each module includes knowledge checks to verify your understanding of key concepts. Upon completion, you will be prompted to generate a downloadable certificate of completion. You can access the online course on EPA's Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients website. /¦ \ ITEP E-Learning Online Courses The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals is offering courses conducted over the internet and include presentations via videos, assignments, activities, discussion boards, and exams. ITEP offers instructor-led or self-paced online courses. Topics include quality assurance project planning, introduction to rural Alaska landfill planning, HAZWOPER 8-hour refresher, partnerships and community outreach, and other topics. Browse their full catalog of online courses. ^ ' RACEJT Environmental Job Training EPA works with Zender Environmental Health and Research Group to help Alaska communities build sustainable solid waste and other environmental programs. Zender Environmental is offering environmental job training through RACEJT from April 14 to May 28, 2021. RACEJT is open to underemployed rural Alaska residents. Applications are due February 5. Courses include: 40 Hr. HAZWOPER • Job Readiness Skills Confined Space Entry • Solid Waste Management Rural Alaska Landfill Operator • Hazardous Waste Backhaul Refrigerant Removal • USDOT Hazmat Regulations Water Quality and Soil Sampling For more information on RACEJT-CS, go to www.zendergroup.org/racejt.html Application Instructions: http://www.zendergroup.org/racejt2021.html Online Application: https://zender.dreamhosters.com/racejt-cs-application Online Reference Forms: https://zender.dreamhosters.com/racejt-cs-application-referral CONTACT : April McCoy, MS • RACEJT Program Manager/ EE and Outreach Coordinator Zender Environmental Health and Research Group 907-717-4754-GCI cell • 907-877-355-6780-fax • 907-277-2111-office • www.zendergroup.org ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 I N G The Rural Workforce Innovation Network Monthly Virtual Series EPA collaborates with USDA through the AK Interagency SW Working Group and the Northwest Partnership for Sustainable Communities, AK Tribal Liaisons Inter-Agency Group, and the Northwest Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Join USDA Rural Development and members of the Rural Workforce Innovation Network to learn about broadband funding opportunities and strategies that can be used to support workforce development in rural America. Participants will be encouraged to share ideas, best practices and resources to support America's rural workforce through improving broadband access. To register, visit: http://bit.ly/3cjxm9S. This workshop is part of a new series of monthly virtual workshops hosted by USDA for RWIN members to connect and share information, resources and opportunities. Each month, participants will explore a new topic to help address the workforce challenges facing rural communities. To learn more about RWIN, how to join the network, or to register to attend future workshops, visit www.rd.usda.gov/rwin. Interested parties may also join a mailing list to receive updates from Rural Development about funding opportunities or resources that can be used to support workforce development. If you have questions, please contact RD.lnnovation.RWIN@usda.gov. Wildfire Research Tribal Listening Sessions EPA's Air and Energy Research Program invites you to a listening session to share your concerns about wildland fires affecting tribal lands. A Tribal Listening Session will be held virtually on February 17. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2NKN2ZD The listening session will include discussion of the most pressing issues/challenges facing your tribe related to wildland fires and smoke. For more information, contact Monica Rodia, US EPA Office of Research and Development, ORD Senior Indian Program Manager, at rodia.monica@epa.gov. New FEMA Course on Emergency Response EPA MOU with DHS and FEMA and participation in NMIS https://www.fema.gov/national-mitigation-investment-strategy Flood Mitigation and Pre-Disaster Mitigation: FEMA is a partner in the AK Tribal Liaisons Inter Agency Group. HQ refers to their websites on preparedness thru ready.gov. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering a new online independent study course, IS-1190 National Oil & Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and the National Response System. The goal of this course is to educate stakeholders and a larger audience on planning for and responding to environmental incidents, and to highlight how the NCP/NRS and the NRF/Stafford Act align. Upon completing this course, the participant will be able to describe how to: 1. Describe the regulatory frameworks and other federal doctrine that guide planning for, the response to, and recovery from environmental incidents. 2. Identify the planning and preparedness activities associated with the implementation of the NCP and preparing for a response to an environmental incident. 3. Explain the similarities and differences between an NCP and NRF response to an environmental incident. 4. Describe environmental incident disaster recovery guidance and damage assessment and recovery process. FEMA also offers two other online courses, Fundamentals of Emergency Management and Workplace Security Awareness. 12- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Indoor Air Quality &EPA Tools for Schools Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) ridoor Air Quality in K-12 Schools: Addressing the Concept of Layered Risk Amidst COVID-19 Recording Now Available In case you missed the November 19, 2020 webiriar, Indoor Air Quality in K-12 Schools: Addressing the Concept of Layered Risk Amidst COVID-19, find the recording online! Join experts from the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate and the American Industrial Hygiene Association to learn how "layered risk reduction" strategies for addressing current issues in school indoor air quality can help reduce health risks - including virus transmission - and explore the scientific basis for IAQ guidance issued by government and public health organizations. Layered Risk Reduction Strategy Also, visit the new Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools Webinar Series web page to find webinars about best ventilation and cleaning practices, intended to help school staff in responding to concerns in their facilities. Check this page regularly to find recent webinars from our IAQ management champions. Recent examples include: • October 22, 2020: Meeting Current School Health Challenges and Beyond; New Tools to Assess and Address IAQ Healthy and Safety • November 19, 2020: Indoor Air Quality in K-12 Schools: Addressing the Concept of Layered Risk Amidst COVID-19 Questions? EPA offers free IAQ Tools for Schools resources—including the School IAQ Assessment Mobile App—to help schools maintain a healthy indoor environment by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools. If you have any questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact the IAQ Tools for Schools Connector Coordinator at iaqschools@epa.gov. ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Winter 2021 Calendar of Events February 8-11 Alaska Forum on the Environment • Alaska Forum on the Environment. Details and registration available on the Alaska Forum on the Environment website. 16 Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals webinar: Estimating Non- Point Source Emissions https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2752778405357615884 Feb. 16 - April 16 ITEP Indoor Air Quality Instructor Led Online Course for Alaska http://bit.lv/39pzl5i Feb. 16, March 16, April 13 Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Community Waste Education Webinar Series (phone and/or internet). www.zendergroup.org/docs/comm ed2021.pdf 23-26 Zender Backhaul Training (Internet required.) Email ssebalo@zendergroup.org March 23-25 Zender Water & Soil Sampling Training (phone and/or internet) ssebalo@zendergroup.org April April 14 - May 28 Zender Rural Alaska Community Environmental Job Training - Core Skills Program - Written Application Due Date: February 5 Online form; https://zender.dreamhosters.com/raceit-cs-application Email: ssebalo@zendergroup.org Links to websites outside of EPA are provided for additional information that may be useful or interesting to our readers. We cannot attest to the accuracy of these third-party sites, nor does EPA endorse any nongovernment websites, companies or applications. 14- ------- Region 10 Tribal Newsletter Vol. 29 No. 11-Winter2021 United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Tribal Program 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 155 Mail Stop 12-D12 Seattle, WA 98101-3140 Got News? Got News? Please send submission ideas to R10TribalNewsletter@epa.gov For Tribal Solid and Hazardous Waste Technical Assistance ALASKA: Jim Penor • 907-500-4963 IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON: Rick McMonagle • 503-326-6363 Helpful Links R10 Tribal Programs: http://go.usa.gov/xkdMv EPA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPARegionlQ Follow us @EPAnorthwest on Twitter! https://twitter.com/EPAnorthwest Tribal Trust and Assistance Branch Staff Stacy Murphy, Manager (206) 553-2106 ALASKA Todd Bender, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-0344 Katherine Brown, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-7263 Susan Conbere, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-6243 Michelle Davis, Tribal Coordinator (907) 271-3434 Sherry Davis, Tribal Coordinator (907) 271-6322 Kristy Fry, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-1085 Santina Gay, Tribal Coordinator (907) 271-3413 Catherine Vila, Grants Coordinator (206) 553-1544 Cathy Villa, Tribal Coordinator (907) 271-1270 Jim Zokan, Tribal Coordinator (208) 378-5772 IDAHO, OREGON, and WASHINGTON Kristine Carre, Tribal Coordinator (503) 326-7024 Michael Ortiz, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-6234 Lucas DuSablon, Tribal Coordinator (206) 553-2987 c Report Spills and Violations In the event of an oil spill, release of hazardous materials, or accident that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, /ERA\ please call 911. Then, report it to EPA's National Response Center by calling 1-800-424-8802. Environmental To report a possible environmental violation, submit information online to (violations) the EPA at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations. V J -15 ------- |