1: Consultation, Communication, Coordination and Outreach

Improve the Government-to-Government Relationship with Federally-Recognized Tribes through Effective and Meaningful Consultation, Communication, Coordination and Outreach

Other Information:

Ongoing Activities – Goal 1 OPPTS already has several program activities associated with Goal 1. Many of these efforts directly or indirectly serve multiple goals and objectives contained in the Strategic Plan. The following project and program summaries include information on which OPPTS office has primary involvement (OPP, OPPT or OSCP). Additional EPA activities, including notable regional activities that support OPPTS tribal program goals are summarized in Appendix E. OPPTS Tribal Websites OPPTS has Internet web pages that focus on toxics and pesticide related topics that are of direct interest to ICOTA. These sites also provide links to other important EPA home pages, and to other governmental and non-governmental sites that can help tribes protect their environments. Information can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/oppts/tribal.htm OPPTS Tribal News As part of an overall effort to increase awareness of toxics, pollution prevention and pesticide issues in tribal communities, OPPT and OPP collaborate to produce the quarterly OPPTS Tribal News. This publication is mailed to all federally-recognized tribes and posted on the OPPTS web site. In addition to disseminating important information to members of the tribal community, the news- letter educates tribal youth with its popular “Kid’s Page” feature. In Winter 2004, OPPTS sponsored a special pilot edition, entitled “EPA Tribal News,” Fall 2003-Winter 2004. This pilot included articles from most of EPA’s media offices and also reflected tribal perspectives on a variety of environmental concerns, such as tribal traditional life ways. Design for the Environment Program OPPT’s Design for the Environment Program (DfE) provides training and education on environmental issues and seeks to build capacity within minority communities through partnerships between tribal and community colleges, government, industry and minorities. In 1997, Design for the Environment teamed with the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE) to recognize community and technical colleges as an important national resource for workforce development, small business outreach and public information. Tribal colleges across the country are important members of the PETE network, which has held several tribal college workshops devoted to fostering communication among participants. Over 40 faculty and administrators representing 18 tribal col- leges attended the first tribal college workshops in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The outcome of these meetings was to add new “tribal perspectives” to environmental curricula. The “All Nations Tribal College Environmental Program Capacity Building Workshop”, was held in Des Moines, Washington State in November 2001 at Highland Community College. Panel members highlighted priority goals for program initiatives and to develop native American environmental professionals. This effort was geared towards developing tribally managed environmental stewardship and sustain- ability. This workgroup also provided input into development of this TSP. Programs, Resources, and Grant Opportunities (OPPT) In 1999, OPPT published its fi rst comprehensive resource guide entitled, “Programs, Resources, and Grant Opportuni- ties.” This guide provides information on OPPT’s programs, resources, and grant opportunities that support tribal efforts to promote pollution prevention and protect human health and the environment from toxic substances. This guide is intended to be updated periodically, as occurred in FY 2000 when information on the OPPT Blood-Lead Screening and Lead Awareness Activities Grant Program was added. The resource guide is being revised again in 2004 with the updated version to be sent to all federally-recognized tribes. Tribal Medicine Project (OPP) OPP coordinated efforts to educate tribal healthcare providers and environmental managers on the identification, treatment, and prevention of acute pesticide poisoning. In FY 2001, three tribes in the north- west and southwest acted as initial hosts. During the FY 02-03 project cycle, three additional tribes hosted the workshops. In addition to addressing potential poisoning caused by pesticide application and drift, storage and disposal, this project looked at potential poisonings or unacceptable exposures associated with pesticide residues remaining on repatriated tribal artifacts. Partnering with the Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) and the Tribal Affairs Project (TAP) OPPTS works closely with the TPPC and the TAP to ensure good communication on important toxics, pollution prevention and pesticide issues. OPPTS engages in dialogue with these groups to obtain tribal perspectives on Agency decisions and actions of concern to tribes in our program areas. The organizations meet on a regular basis and communicate via conference calls to help ensure a constant exchange of thoughts and perspectives on toxic, pollution prevention and pesticide issues in Indian country and other tribal areas including in Alaska. Providing Tribal Governments with Emergency Pest Control Options (Sect. 18s) FIFRA Section 18, which authorizes EPA to provide emergency exemptions from federal requirements when needed to protect against pest infestations, does not specifically reference tribes. In response to discussions initiated by TPPC members, the Navajo Nation, OPP and USDA/APHIS have cooperated in a process by which APHIS may apply for Section 18 exemptions that cover Navajo Indian country. The exemptions allow for pesticide applications that do not meet product label requirements, when emergency conditions exist. The process is now ready to test on Navajo, and similar processes may be avail- able for other interested tribes in 2004. Facilitation of Cooperative Activities Be- tween National State and Tribal Pesticide Working Groups (OPP) OPP encourages leadership of the TPPC and a corresponding state organization, the State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG), to work closely together to develop common solutions for mutual pesticide related concerns. Regular communication between the two groups is facilitated by OPP and each is encouraged to send participants to the others’ regular meetings, and to work collaboratively with OPP on pesticide issues that impact both states and tribes.

Objective(s):

1.1: Consultation and Coordination

1.2: Communication

1.3: Pesticides, Toxics and Pollution

1.4: Human and Environmental Risks

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