CURRENT ISSUES
The EPA is currently seeking comments on the proposed lead standards under the NAAQS. The public comment period is open till August 4, 2008. The NTAA has developed two documents for tribes to utilize. The first is an informational handout which includes background information, studies/reports, model letters, the pro-posed rule, power points presentations, and how to submit public comments on the proposed rule. The handout is hyperlinked to various websites. The second document is a model letter which tribes may wish to utilize in developing their own public comments. For any questions on the proposed rule, please feel free to contact Stephen Hartsfield, NTAA Program Director at:
shartsfield@ntec.org.
Document One-[click here]
Document Two-[click here]
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Tribal Wood Stove Changeout Proposal
Many Tribal members use wood burning devices - often older, wood stoves and fireplaces inserts that are not EPA certified - as a significant source of heat in their homes. For example, about 90% of the Makah Tribe's 1700 members living on or near the reservation burn wood to heat their home and this yields approximately 35 tons of particle pollution into the tribal air shed. As a result, Tribal members and their neighbors can be routinely exposed to wood smoke - both outdoors, and also in their indoor air. We want to address this problem by changing out these old, polluting conventional wood stoves and replacing them with a new technology EPA-certified wood stove or pellet stove legislatively. [click here for complete information flyer]
