United States Environmental Protection Spring 2023 ** Agency Region 9 Tribal Newsletter United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, Pacific Southwest Regulatory News The U.S. EPA provides external links in this newsletter for informational purposes only. The 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. The U.S. EPA does not endorse any nongovernment websites, companies, internet applications or any policies or information expressed therein. U.S. EPA | FY23 Clean Water Act 319 Allocation Formula The Fiscal Year 2023 set-aside will support increases to Tribal Clean Water Act Section 319 (CWA 319) base grants through a revised allocation formula developed based on tribal engagement over the last year. The Tribal CWA 319 program supports nonpoint source water quality improvement programs and projects. FY23 Tribal CWA 319 base grants will range from $45,000 to $70,000, depending on tribal land area. The U.S. EPA will continue to reserve a portion of Tribal CWA 319 funds for nationally competitive grants to support on-the- ground nonpoint source NPS projects. The U.S. EPA anticipates that Tribal CWA 319 base grant increases will provide tribes an opportunity to invest in NPS activities to better support their programs, such as: Updating tribal nonpoint source management program plans to ensure that current tribal priorities are consistent with the tribal nonpoint source management goals and milestone schedule Leveraging base grant funding to pursue additional assistance, such as tribal CWA 319 competitive grants or other federal programs (e.g., Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service), to help achieve NPS program goals Increasing staff salary or providing staff development opportunities to help hire, train, and retain qualified tribal nonpoint source staff Investing additional tribal staff time to build partnerships with other tribal departments and external stakeholders to achieve tribal nonpoint source program goals Implementing nonpoint source best management practices demonstration projects For more details, please contact your CWA project officer or visit the link below. Website I Tribal Clean Water Act Programs and Grants in the Pacific Southwest U.S. EPA | Protecting Waters and Wetlands in Indian Country: A Guide for Developing Tribal Wetland Management Programs This new Guide (December 2022), which augments the National Association of Wetland Managers 2013 Wetland Program Plans Handbook, is designed to aid tribal leadership and tribal natural resource managers Inside this issue: Regulatory News 1 Program Updates 3 Tribal Project Success Stories 5 Regional Tribal Operations Committee 6 Tribal Resources 7 Tribal Consultation Opportunities 9 Funding Opportunities 10 ------- Page 2 Spring 2023 Issue in strategic wetland resource planning and management. The guide provides information about how to begin wetland program planning. It addresses the U.S. EPA's core elements framework for developing strong wetland programs, funding, additional sources of support, and suggests collaboration approaches. Seventeen tribal case studies highlight the importance and some of the diversity of tribal community wetland programs, including how Indigenous Knowledge (e.g., Traditional Ecological Knowledge) and cultural values are addressed in tribal wetland programs. i-EPA Protecting Waters and Wetlands in Indian Country: A Guide for Developing Tribal Wetland Management Programs December 2022 Wetlands Protection and Restoration I Protecting Waters and Wetlands in Indian Country: A Guide for Developing Tribal Wetland Management Programs U.S. EPA | Clean Water Act Financial Capability WL8£L£$S3\Vlli& Assessment Guidance Coverpage of the U.S. EPA Guide for Developing Tribal Wetland Management Programs In February 2023, the U.S. EPA updated the Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment Guidance to help communities ensure public health protections and financial feasibility comply with the Clean Water Act. The guidance outlines strategies for communities to follow to support affordable rates while planning investments in water infrastructure essential to protecting our nation's waters. Communities, in consultation with regulators and the public, are responsible for evaluating and selecting pollution controls that will meet Clean Water Act requirements. The U.S. EPA encourages communities to use integrated planning and innovative technologies, such as green infrastructure, to achieve Clean Water Act compliance in a timely, flexible, and cost-effective manner. After controls have been selected, a Financial Capability Assessment is used to assess a community's financial capability as part of negotiating implementation schedules under both permits and enforcement agreements. U.S. Office of Water I Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment Guidance U.S. White House | Biden-Harris Administration Releases Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook for Clean Energy and Climate Programs The White House released the first edition of a new resource titled Building a Clean Energy Economy: A Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act's Investments in Clean Energy and Climate Action (January 2023), which provides clear descriptions of the law's tax incentives and funding programs to build a clean energy economy, lower energy costs, tackle climate change, and reduce harmful pollution. The guidebook will help state, local, territorial, and tribal leaders, the private sector, non-profit organizations, homeowners, and communities better understand how they can benefit from these investments and unlock the full potential of the law. The guidebook walks through the law program- by-prog ram and provides background on each program's purpose, eligibility requirements, period of availability, and other key details. CleanEnergy.gov I Building a Clean Energy Economy: A Guidebook to the Inflgtion Reduction Act's Investments in Cleon Energy gnd Climate Action ^ w * * * Building a ~ Clean Energy Economy: 3^ A Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act's Investments in Clean Energy and Climate Action CleanEnercy.gov "it x January 2023, Version 2 Bfifg * Coverpage of the White House's Clean Energy Guidebook ------- Page 3 Spring 2023 Issue Program Updates U.S. EPA & Air Now | Air Quality Flag Program AirNow's Air Quality Videos page has two new videos from the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP): "EPA Flag Program in Navajo Language" and "How to Make a Video - EPA Flag Program in Navajo"! Join EPA and AirNow's Air Quality Flag Program! Are you interested in helping keep your community safe by displaying air quality flags? If so, reach out to Eileen Shanahan (shanahan.eileen@epa.gov) to request a free set of air quality flags. What is the Air Quality Flag Program? The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded index that uses numbers to indicate how polluted the air currently is or is forecast to become. The Air Quality Flag Program uses colored flags that correspond to the AQI colors. Tribes, schools, community organizations, and parks raise these colored flags each day based on forecasted air quality. The flags are visual indicators that alert community members about changing air quality conditions so people can take action to reduce their exposure. W- * V.W S > E PA Flag Program In Navajo Language How to Make a Video - EPA Flag Program In Navajo Still photos from ITEPs newest videos: "EPA Flag Progam in Navajo Language" and "How to Make a Video - EPA Flag Program in Navajo." How can your tribe benefit from the Air Quality Flag Program? The Air Quality Flag Program is a great educational tool and raises awareness of air quality and air pollution issues. The program is easy to implement and easy to maintain. Outreach and education materials, curriculum, and implementation guides and templates in English and Spanish are available to support you on the AirNow website. There are also templates for you to customize into additional languages. The U.S. EPA staff are available to answer questions about the program and can help you get started. How else can I encourage Air Quality Awareness? Participants can also choose to have electronic displays with Virtual Flags or install the Air Quality Flag Program widget onto your homepage for easy access to air quality information in addition to, or instead of, flying flags. Please register your flag program on the U.S. EPA website regardless of what type of display your organization is using. ------- Page 4 Spring 2023 Issue Video I "EPA Flag Program in Navaio Language" Video I "How to Make a Video - EPA Flag Program in Navaio" AirNow I Air Quality Videos AirNow ! Flag Progam Website AirNow I Tribal Air Quality Flag Program Packet with Customizable Template AirNow I Virtual Flag Display AirNow I Flag Widget U.S. EPA I Flag Program Registration U.S. EPA | Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Investments in Tribal Nations and their Communities In March 2023, the U.S. EPA released its report on accomplishments and funding for tribal nations and their communities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This report highlights the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Fiscal Year 2022 funded tribal accomplishments and includes continued tribal funding opportunities for Fiscal Year 2023. This report is expected to be issued annually through the duration of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and project periods. The U.S. EPA will continue to share more detailed information on the critical resources available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how tribal nations can access these investments as they become available. Report I Updates on Accomplishments and Funding (March 2023) U.S. EPA I Investments in Tribal Communities U.S. EPA | PFAS Analytic Tools On January 8, the U.S. EPA released the analytic tools as part of the cross-agency effort to address The U.S. EPA's new PFAS Analytic Tool in action, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and make that work transparent. The tools are intended to provide states, tribes, federal partners, and the public with information on how PFAS are manufactured, released, and occur in the environment as well as facilities potentially handling PFAS. These tools combine multiple data sources so that the user can explore various PFAS data in a region, state, or community. This application does not include all PFAS data, information, or resources. Enforcement and Compliance History Online PFAS Analytic Tools U.S. EPA | Seeking Public Input by April 10 on new Environmental and Climate Justice Program The U.S. EPA is currently in the design stages of its Bubble chart detailing the multitude of data that go into the U.S. EPA's new upcoming Environmental and Climate Justice (EJC) pfas Analytic Tool. Sites Potentially Impacted by PFAS Environmental Sampling Data Soil Ground Vater ------- Page 5 Spring 2023 Issue Grants Program. This program is utilizing roughly ~$2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding and the U.S. EPA is inviting input from tribal nations and indigenous peoples on how this funding can best serve those communities. The U.S. EPA invited tribal leaders to formally consult on the Inflation Reduction Act last fall. The U.S. EPA issued a request for information to collect input on how to design the ECJ Program. This request for information brings community members to the table to provide input on how funding and resources are allocated where they live, learn, work, worship, and play. The U.S. EPA is seeking input on multiple aspects of the Environmental and Climate Justice Program, such as: Program design Types of projects to fund Reducing application barriers Reporting and oversight Technical assistance The U.S. EPA is seeking input on the Environmental and Climate Justice Program. Please submit comments through the ECJ RFI by April 10, 2023. Regulations.gov I Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant (RFI) EPA.gov I Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) Program Tribal Project Success Stories La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians: PurpleAir Sensor Air Monitoring Program The La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians is a federally recognized, self-governing Indian tribe located in northern San Diego County at the southern base of Palomar Mountain State Park. The reservation encompasses approximately 8,822 acres and has a mountainous topography with elevations ranging from 900 to 5,200 feet. Tribal membership consists of approximately 700 people. The reservation population consists of approximately 480 tribal members with a total resident population of approximately 650 people occupying 207 homes primarily clustered into four communities. The La Jolla Environmental Protection Office (EPO) has been operating an air monitoring program since 2008. One challenge the EPO has faced since the inception of the air program, is how to relay information to the community regarding air quality and related health issues. To initially address this problem, the EPO provided monthly air quality index (AQI) notices to the community via regular newsletters. The issue with this method is that it would only provide the community with AQI information from the recent past, which was not effective in notifying the community of bad air quality days in real time, thus leaving community members vulnerable and unprotected. In 2021, the EPO implemented a citizen science low-cost air monitoring sensor program with funding provided by the U.S. EPA. The purpose of this program was to get the community more involved in the EPO programs, report the AQI in real-time, and analyze the differences in air quality throughout the reservation relative to elevation. V 1 , .111 I1 11 1 \ ' W , S | mm Riffs s* A PurpleAir sensor monitoring ambient air quality outside a La Jolla Band building. ------- Page 6 Spring 2023 Issue The EPO developed and disseminated newsletter articles and notifications to recruit volunteers for this program. After selecting three volunteers, the EPO installed PurpleAir sensors in three homes and the environmental office to cover each of the four main communities on the reservation. Each volunteer was trained by the EPO staff on how to access and download data, how to troubleshoot if the sensor is not reporting, and how to perform minor maintenance such as checking for debris near the laser counter. There are now four functioning PurpleAir sensors installed on the reservation, which are live on both the PurpleAir Real- Time Air Quality Map and AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. Each sensor uploads data to both maps in real-time, which any tribal resident can access to view current air quality conditions. The color of each sensor icon on each map indicates the real-time particulate matter (PM) 2.5 reading on the U.S. EPA AQI scale. Installing these sensors solved the problem of not getting AQI information out to community members in a timely manner by making AQI information instantly accessible to the tribal community. There is, however, one limitationthe sensors only report air quality conditions based on the current PM2.5 concentration, not ozone. Currently, the EPO is working on configuring the newly acquired datalogging system to report information collected with the federal equivalent method (FEM) equipment. This will give the tribe the capability to report the AQI to the community in real-time based on current PM2.5 and ozone concentrations. The EPO plans to have this system up and running in 2023. Success Story Contributed by the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians AirNow I Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics U.S. EPA I Tribal Air Quality Monitoring PurpleAir I Real-Time Air Quality Map AirNow I Fire and Smoke Map RTOC and Tribal/U.S EPA Annual Conference 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. Winter RTOC Recap On February 14-16, Region 9 RTOC Co-Chair Mervin Wright Jr. (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe) and Co-Chair Laura Ebbert (U.S. EPA) convened the hybrid Winter 2023 RTOC meeting. This was a well-attended RTOC with over 200 participants, including the U.S. EPA Region 9 Regional Administrator. The three-day meeting included a tribal caucus, a strategic planning session, presentations on air and radiation and water program updates, and several technical break-out sessions on an array of topics. The winter RTOC presentations and meeting materials are available online. Region 9 RTOC Meeting: Winter 2023 I Presentations and Meeting Materials Spring RTOC Information The spring RTOC is scheduled to be a hybrid meeting, which will take place at the U.S. EPA Region 9 Building in San Francisco, Calif., the week of April 17. Please check the RTOC website to register and for details. ------- Page 7 Spring 2023 Issue Region 9 RTOC Meeting: Spring 2023 I Registration Tribal/U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference Updates The Tribal/U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference cosponsors, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, and the U.S. EPA, are pleased to announce this year's conference theme will be "This Land We Love" or "Mutt Peyii Uumirrp" in Kumeyaay, as translated by Chairman John Christman. The conference brings together up to 500 participants from tribal nations located across Arizona, California, and Nevada, and representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofits, and academia. Plans are in place to hold this year's conference at Viejas Casino and Resort in Alpine, California, October 24 - 26, 2023. Conference organizers are planning a hybrid event so attendees can participate in-person or virtually. Registration is open now! Early-bird pricing will be available until July 31. Visit the registration page to get your ticket for in-person or virtual attendance. For the latest updates from the event organizers, please visit the conference website. Registration Page I Tribal/U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference Website I Tribal/U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference U.S. EPA: E-Enterprise Program | Software Licensing for Tribal Environmental Programs Under the E-Enterprise Leadership Council direction, tribal and EPA representatives worked collaboratively and developed two resources that capture optimal solutions for tribes who use software to operate their environmental programs. Available resources include Softwgre Licensing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): A Resource for Tribgl Environmentgl Professiongls gnd A Softwgre Procurement Rogdmgp for Tribes. Both resources achieved the following: Shared best practices and solutions on obtaining and supporting software. Outlined the steps to consider when purchasing a software license to support short-term grant workplan activities and longer-term programmatic needs. Identified and learned how other federal agencies and tribal organizations support tribal software needs through technical assistance and training. Compiled low or no-cost software options to use in environmental program management. E-Enterprise I Softwgre Licensing Resources for Tribgl Environmentgl Professiongls Rural Partners Network | Tribal Programs and Resources The Rural Partners Network (RPN) is an alliance of federal agencies and commissions working directly with rural communities to expand rural prosperity through job creation, infrastructure development, and community improvement. Led by USDA Rural Development, RPN members collaborate to identify resources to help rural people build the futures they envision for the unique places they call home. The Tribal Programs and Resources page was developed exclusi\ ' r r tribes, Native Americans, and Alaska Tribal Resources ------- Page 8 Spring 2023 Issue Natives. Other available funding and information is listed on the Help for Rural Communities page. Rural.gov I Tribal Programs and Resources Rural.gov I Help for Rural Communities National Tribal Water Council | Tribal Water Quality Standards Guidebook A Guidebook for Developing Tribal Water Quality Standards was developed by the National Tribal Water Council (NTWC) to serve as a tool and a guide to assist tribes in developing a water quality standards program under tribal legal authority. The first section of the guidebook briefly describes the legal and administrative aspects of developing a water quality program. Having general familiarity with the legal background will help tribes more effectively create and operate the program. The second section of the guidebook briefly describes the technical aspects of developing the program, including setting and administering water quality standards for waterbodies on tribal land. While the federal government has set out a water quality management approach in the Clean Water Act and Environmental Protection Agency regulations, tribes may decide to take different approaches to water protection. Likewise, even when a tribe participates in the federal Clean Water Act system, the basic building block is still a tribal program, designed by tribal staff and adopted under tribal law. ITEP: NTWC I A Guidebook for Developing Tribal Water Quality Standards ITEP: NTWC I Webinar Video U.S. EPA | New Tribal Waste Management Training Resources Webpage The U.S. EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery is excited to announce the release of a new Tribal Waste Management Training Resources webpage. This library of tribal waste management training materials was created in partnership with federal and non-federal partners, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Indian Health Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and tribal organizations. These resources are designed to assist tribes with developing and implementing a waste management program. The materials are organized into six categories, including solid and hazardous waste regulations, planning tools, collection and disposal, circular economy, outreach and education and Alaska-specific information. These free materials are a combination of resources from trainings, as well as education and outreach materials that are not a part of any formal training. U.S. EPA I Training Resources for Tribal Waste Management AirKnowledge | Training Materials AirKnowledge has posted new air quality training materials. AirKnowledge is a partnership training program in the U.S. EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. AirKnowledge develops training material focused on the Clean Air Act program areas managed by OAQPS. This website is intended for use by the public and EPA staff. State, local and tribal air agency users should view training offerings on the learning management system. The training materials on this website are arranged by eight curricula (subject areas): a foundational Air Pollution Basics curriculum and seven curricula that relate to particular job functions within air quality agencies. AirKnowledge I Website AirKnowledge I Registration program ------- Page 9 Spring 2023 Issue U.S. EPA | Five Hands-on Lesson Plans: Using Air Sensors to Teach About Air Quality Scientists and collaborators from the U.S. EPA designed five hands-on lesson plans to encourage air quality education in communities and classrooms. Using air sensor technology, participants of all ages can use information in their own communities to explore real-time air quality and air pollution concepts. The activities in the lesson plans can be adapted for different audiences and age groups and are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, allowing them to be used in classrooms. Each lesson plan comes with instructor and participant guides, introductory slides for key air quality concepts, activity worksheets and answer keys, and an extension activity for learners who want to know more. The air quality lesson plans include: What is in the Outdoor Air? Exploring Particulate Matter (PM) Sources and Air Quality Outdoors Hidden Particulate Matter Indoors! Explore Your Environment My Pollution Bubble! Exploring My Personal Particulate Matter (PM) Exposure The Power of Plants! How Vegetation Can Help Protect Us from Air Pollution Is that Smoke Affecting Me? Using Crowdsourced Public Data to Explore Air Quality During Smoke Events Air Research I Five Hands-on Lesson Plans: Using Air Sensors to Teach About Air Quality Tribal Consultation A full list of active U.S. EPA Tribal Consultation opportunities are available on the U.S. EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System (TCOTS) webpage: TCQTS Weboaae. If interested, join the TCOTS Listserv by sending a message toJoin-epa tcots(a)lists.epa.gov to receive email notifications on the latest U.S. EPA Tribal Consultations. U.S. EPA | Revised Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes and Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty or Similar Rights The U.S. EPA has offered consultation and coordination with federally recognized tribes to receive input on proposed revisions to the U.S. EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (the U.S. EPA Consultation Policy) and the supplemental Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty or Similar Rights (Treaty Rights Guidance). The U.S. EPA Consultation Policy establishes national guidelines for consultation across the U.S. EPA, and the Treaty Rights Guidance enhances the U.S. EPA's consultations where tribal treaty or similar rights may be affected. When final, the revised U.S. EPA Consultation Policy will replace the 2011 policy and the revised Treaty Rights Guidance will replace the 2016 guidance. Detailed information about this consultation and coordination opportunity is available on the U.S. EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System (TCOTS) website. U.S. EPA I TCOTS Website U.S. EPA I Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (2011) U.S. EPA I Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights (2016) U.S. EPA Region 9 Water Division | Tribal Engagement Opportunities for National and Regional Water Actions Visual Calendar In response to requests from tribes in Region 9 for more outreach on current tribal consultations, we have compiled a schedule of upcoming consultation engagement opportunities for various U.S. EPA proposed water ------- Page 10 Spring 2023 Issue actions. This document provides both a visual calendar to track important consultation dates and includes a narrative that summarizes all current actions with more specific resources. U.S. EPA Region 9 | Tribal Operations Committee Consultation Workgroup Each month, the Region 9 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Consultation Workgroup meets to share information and discuss consultation topics of interest. This workgroup is jointly chaired by Kelcey Strieker, Environmental Director of the Pechanga Environmental Department, and Ruben Mojica Hernandez, U.S. EPA Region 9 Tribal Branch Manager. For more information or to become involved in this interactive workgroup, please contact Kelcey (kstricker@pechanga-nsn.gov) or Ruben (Moiica-Hernandez.Ruben@epa.gov). Funding Opportunities Stay up-to-date on federal grant opportunities by using the Grants.gov search page. U.S. EPA | Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program Funding: Up to $500,000 per grant, with smaller grants of up to $150,000 Eligibility: Community-based nonprofits that will build collaborative partnerships with other interested parties (e.g., local businesses and industry, local government, medical service providers, academia, etc.) Purpose: To develop solutions that will significantly address environmental and/or public health issue(s) in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks Applications due date: April 14, 2023 Application I Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program U.S. EPA | Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Cooperative Agreements Funding: Up to $1 million per grant Eligibility: Federally recognized tribal, state, and local governments in partnership with community-based non-profits, and U.S. territorial, free associated state, and state recognized tribal governments. Purpose: To support and/or create model government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health results in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks Application due date: April 14, 2023 Application I Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Cooperative Agreements U.S. Department of Energy | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Funding: Amount specified by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program formula Eligibility: Federally recognized tribal, state, and local governments Purpose: To fund projects and programs that cut carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and reduce energy use with flexibility Pre-award information sheets due date: April 28, 2023 Application due date: January 31, 2024 Application I Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program ------- Page 11 Spring 2023 Issue National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | America the Beautiful Challenge Funding: $200,000 to $5 million per grant Eligibility: States, tribal governments, municipalities, non-profits, local municipal governments, and educational institutions Purpose: To streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects around the United States. This program consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale, locally led projects that address shared funder priorities spanning public and private lands. Pre-proposal due date: April 20, 2023 Full proposal due date (by invitation only): July 20, 2023 Application I America the Beautiful Challenge 2023 U.S. Department of Energy | Clean Energy Deployment on Tribal Lands Funding: $100,000 to $5 million per grant Eligibility: Tribes, intertribal organizations, and tribal energy development organization on whose tribal lands the project(s) will be located Purpose: To install clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) for tribal building(s); deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or energy storage on tribal lands; install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation (independent of the traditional centralized electric power grid) to power a single or multiple essential tribal buildings during emergency situations or for tribal community resilience; or provide electric power to unelectrified tribal buildings Application due date: May 6, 2023 Application I Clean Energy Technology Deployment On Tribal Lands - 2023 U.S. Department of Energy | Clean Energy to Communities Program: In-Depth Partnerships Funding: Up to $3 million per grant Eligibility: All communities, rural, and metropolitan communities Purpose: In-depth technical partnerships help communities develop a realistic, validated plan to put clean energy ambitions into action and address key energy challenges. These partnerships offer teams- composed of local government, community-based organizations, and electric utilities and other key organizations that can represent the communitythe chance to work alongside national laboratory staff as they apply robust modeling and analysis tools and conduct hardware-in-the-loop testing of solutions adapted to the community's unique conditions and contexts. Application due date: May 17, 2023 Application I Clean Energy to Communities Program: In-Depth Partnerships U.S. EPA | Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program Funding: Up to $50 million per award Eligibility: community-based nonprofit organizations, partnerships of community-based nonprofit organizations, partnerships between federally recognized tribal governments and a community-based nonprofit organization, and a partnership between an institution of higher education and a community- based nonprofit organization. Purpose: To fund grantmakers, using efficient, simplified processes for historically challenged organizations ------- Page 12 Spring 2023 Issue to receive funding for community-based projects to reduce pollution through subawards. Grantmakers will design competitive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement a tracking and reporting system, provide resources and support to communities, all in collaboration with the U.S. EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. This program was created to reduce barriers to the application process and increase the efficiency of the awards process for environmental justice grants. Application due date: May 17, 2023 Application I Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking U.S. EPA | Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grants Funding: up to $500,000 for individual tribes or up to $1 million for groups of 2 or more tribes (tribal consortium or tribal partnerships) Eligibility: Tribes, territories, states, municipalities, and air pollution control agencies Purpose: To develop, update, and implement climate, energy, or sustainability plans, investment-ready policies, programs, projects, and technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and other harmful air pollution in the near term, as well as transition America to a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans Application due date: June 15, 2023 Application I Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grants 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 the 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. ITEP & National Tribal Air Association | National Tribal Forum on Air Quality Join the national conversation on how tribes are implementing the Clean Air Act in partnership with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the National Tribal Air Association, and the U.S. EPA to improve air quality in tribal communities at the National Tribal Forum on Air Quality. If you have questions about the event, please contact NTFAQ(a)nau.edu or Carolvn.Kellv(5)nau.edu. The event will take place on May 1 - May 4, 2023 at Gila River Resorts & Casinos Wild Horse Pass. Website I 2023 NTFAQ Conference U.S. EPA | 2023 Tribal Non-Point Source Training Webinar Series The U.S. EPA is hosting a six-part webinar series covering a variety of programmatic and technical topics to support tribal non-point source (NPS) management efforts. Each webinar will include presentations from tribal nations, the U.S. EPA, and/or partner agencies, and provide an opportunity for participant discussion. Each webinar is hosted on Zoom. Registration for upcoming webinars and past webinar recordings are available on the web page. Past and upcoming sessions include: ------- Page 13 Spring 2023 Issue Building a Tribal NPS Program (recorded on February 9, 2023) Incorporating Local & Indigenous Knowledge to Target Tribal NPS Work (recorded on February 23, 2023) Adopting the Watershed Approach in Managing NPS Pollution (recorded on March 23, 2023) Integrating Climate Resilience and Hazard Mitigation in Tribal NPS Work (May 4, 2023) Implementing On-the-Ground Tribal NPS Projects (May 25, 2023) Addressing Agricultural NPS Pollution: Key Partners & Strategies. (June 22, 2023) Website I Tribal NPS Resources and Training Native American Fish and Wildlife Society | Summer Youth Practicum The Native American Environmental Awareness Summer Youth Practicum is designed to provide Native American students (incoming 10th - 12th grade) an opportunity to gain hands-on and in-lecture experience in the interdisciplinary components of natural resource management and Indigenous Knowledge. One of the goals of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society is to educate Native American youth to understand the importance of professional natural resource management and the interconnectedness to culture, as well encourage them to continue their education and pursue careers in the natural resource fields. Application due date: May 5, 2023 When: July 15 to July 22, 2023 Application I 2023 National Summer Youth Practicum U.S. EPA | Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure / Facility Response Plan Oil Inspector Training Course U.S. EPA staff from the Office of Emergency Management and senior regional inspectors will teach the course. Instructors will use a combination of lecture, case studies, and interactive discussions to introduce tools and resources that will help them to inspect facilities for compliance with rule requirements. According to EPA Order 3500.1, "Training and Development for Compliance Inspectors/Field Investigators," the 40- hour course is a program-specific training requirement for oil inspectors, other U.S. EPA personnel, and grantees or contractors conducting compliance monitoring activities associated with 40 CFR part 112 (such as oil inspections or GIUEs). Order 3500.1 also includes requirements for other training such as on the job training, health and safety training, inspection report review, basic inspector training self-study, and refresher courses. There is no course registration fee. This training will take place at the U.S. EPA Region 9 Regional Office in San Francisco, California from June 5 - June 9, 2023. For more information, please contact Pete Reich (Reich.peter@epa.gov) or Janice Witul (Witul.Janice@epa.gov) from the U.S. EPA Region 9 Oil Program. Nevada Division of Environmental Protection | Brownfields Program Technical Assistance The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Brownfields Program (NDEP Brownfields Program) provides free programmatic and technical assistance to eligible entities, including tribes in Nevada, to guide site assessments and/or cleanups of contaminated properties under consideration for reuse. Funding is available to research historical property uses, conduct environmental sampling, and clean up environmental contamination. Interested tribes can apply at any time. No match is required, and all work is performed by ------- Page 14 Spring 2023 Issue state contractors on behalf of the recipient. Sites must meet the following criteria to be eligible for assistance: Real or perceived contaminants of concern including petroleum, asbestos, lead- based paint, or other regulated substances are hindering the reuse of the site. The site must have strong reuse potential where the reuse will benefit the community and has community support. Sites are NOT eligible if they are: Owned by the state or federal government. (Note: land held in trust by the federal government for the benefit of a tribe is eligible). Currently owned by the party responsible for the contamination. Subject to enforcement action. Listed or proposed to be listed on the National Priorities List. Please contact the Brownfields Program Coordinator (775-687-9572) to discuss your project's eligibility. Specialist Mary Reevis Website I NDEP Brownfields Program The National Renewable Energy Laboratory | Clean Energy Demonstration on Mine Land Technical Assistance On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory provides technical assistance to communities and organizations interested in pursuing clean energy demonstration projects on current and former mine land. The goal of the Clean Energy on Mine Land (CEML) program is to enable widespread clean energy deployment by demonstrating the technical and economic viability of carrying out clean energy projects on current and former mine land. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations has implemented a technical assistance program to inform decision-making on topics related to developing clean energy projects on mine land. Through this effort, NREL provides no-cost technical assistance to communities and organizations that supports the development of successful, impactful, and replicable projects in line with CEML program priorities. Application I Clean Energy Demonstration on Mine Land Technical Assistance Tribal Exchange Network Conference | Mentorship & Recordings of Presentations On The Tribal Exchange Network Group (TXG) works to address issues related to data management, technology access, and information exchange for tribal environmental programs. TXG members have a wide range of experiences implementing strategies to improve the data standards and information systems that support tribal environmental and natural resource management activities, and they serve as mentors and advisors for other tribal staff who are building capacity for managing and sharing data. The TXG hosted its conference October 18-20, 2022, in Flagstaff, AZ. TXG Mentorship I Requesting a TXG Mentor Recordings I Tribal Exchange Network Conference Presentations and Panels This QR code links to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's Brownfields website. ------- Page 15 Spring 2023 Issue ITEP & U.S. EPA | Hanford Superfund Site & Federal Facilities on Native Lands Webinar In this webinar from December 13, 2022, representatives from the U.S. EPA's Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) covered what the office can do for you at federal facility sites. They covered the types of sites in the program, identified online tools, and provided information on where to start for non-National Priority List sites. They shared a case study regarding the Hanford Superfund site where the U.S. EPA continues to work closely with the Yakama Nation and the U.S. Department of Energy. The presentation concluded with a Q&A with the FFRRO and Yakama Nation representatives. Webinar I Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO) and Hanford Case Study United States Environmental Protection 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 the U.S. EPA Region 9 on Facebook! www.facebook.com/EPAregion9 Follow us @EPAregion9 on Twitter! www.twitter.com/EPAregion9 Please see and subscribe to our U.S. EPA in the Pacific Southwest Newsletter for more general news about the U.S. EPA in Region 9. EMERGENCIES SEPA 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 ------- |