EPA Seeks Tribal Input to Improve AIRNow use in Communities

Monday, 13 June 2011 12:17 | Written by Jen Youngblood - NTAA Policy Communication Consultant |

At the National Tribal Forum, EPA requested Tribal input on the AIRNow Program and any improvements that can be made for its use in Tribal Communities.

Presentations from the 2010 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality - July 13-15 at the Hard Rock Resort/Casino, Isleta Pueblo, NM

Day 1 - Tuesday, July 13 - Morning

National Tribal Air Priorities	NTAA Executive Committee
State and Local Climate and Energy Program: Emerging Tribal Focus	Julie Rosenberg, OAP

Day 1 - Afternoon

Tribal Climate Change Case Studies

Climate Change Impacts to Alaska Tribes	Millie Hawley, Native Village of Kivalina
Climate Impacts on the Navajo Nation Sand Dunes	Margaret Hiza-Redsteer, PhD, USGS

Tribal Air Quality Program Case Studies: Mature to New Programs

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community	Ondrea Barber
Penobscot Indian Nation	Bill Thompson
Pueblo of Isleta	Ramona Montoya

The Legacy of Uranium Mining

Epidemiology of Uranium Exposure on Tribal Lands	Sheldwin Yazzie, UNM School of Medicine
The Legacy of Uranium Mining Impacts on Tribal Lands	Chris Shuey, Southwest Research and Information Center

Day 2 - Wednesday, July 14 - Morning

Making the Connection: Air Quality Impacts & Health Effects

CDC & ATSDR's Efforts in Air Quality and Environmental Public Health	Annabelle Allison, Tribal Liaison, Office of Tribal Affairs, CDC/ATSDR
Uranium Mining in the Grants Mineral Belt & the Impact on Indigenous Peoples	Manny Pino, Scottsdale Community College
Indoor/Outdoor Coal Combustion and Respiratory Health in the Navajo Nation	Perry H. Charley, Dine' Environmental Institute

New & Revised Rules Updates

New & Revised Rules Updates

Laura McKelvey, USEPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS)

Day 2 - Breakout Sessions - Track 1 - Sustainable Energy & Climate Change

Seventh Generation Initiative: Leech Lake's Solar Furnaces	Brandy Toft, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Taking on the Climate Challenge: Tools for Supporting Tribal Governments	Martin Chavez, ICLEI
DOE Tribal Energy Program	Sandra Begay Campbell, Sandia National Laboratories
Resources to Develop & Communicate Results from Climate Mitigation Programs	Neelam Patel, USEPA
Tribal Development of Air Regulatory Programs	Kyle Hunderman, Southern Ute Indian Tribe
How to Cut Down on Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Recycling	Syndi Smallwood, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians

Day2 - Breakout Session - Track 2 - Ambient Air Quality Projects

Noatak Dust Air Quality Project	Susie Wanda Page, Native Village of Noatak
Characterization of Benzene and Other Air Toxics in Akwesasne	Angela Benedict, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Emissions Inventory of Sources on the Navajo Nation	Anoop Sukumaran, Navajo Nation
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Environmental Protection and Natural Resources	Greg Little, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Sunnyside Elementary School Air Toxics Monitoring Program	Chris Ellis, Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Title V Permitting: Lessons Learned in Michigan	Robin Clark, Intertribal Council of Michigan, Inc.

Day 2 - Breakout Sessions - Track 3 - Indoor Air Quality/Ambient Air Outreach Projects

Relationship of Indoor and Ambient Air Quality to respiratory Diseases in the Navajo Nation	Perry H. Charley, Dine' Environmental Institute
Indoor Air Quality & Asthma Triggers	Darin Steen, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa

Mobile Sources Outreach	Jade Gabri, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Beyond Changeouts: Residential Woodsmoke Education & Outreach	Kristen Bremer, USEPA OAQPS
Using an Air Quality Index for Tribal Communities	Jason Mandly, Morongo Band of Mission Indians

Day 2 - Breakout Sessions - Track 4 - EPA Rule Updates

Background on the Tribal New Source Review (NSR) Rule	Laura McKelvey, OAQPS
Designations	Laura McKelvey, OAQPS
Oil and Natural Gas Sector Regulatory Update	Bruce Moore, OAQPS

Day 3 - Thursday, July 15 - Morning

Current Federal Policy and Resources on Climate Change

Taking a Legislative Approach Concerning Indian Tribes and Climate Change	Bob Gruenig, NTEC
Federal Funding for Tribal Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Efforts	Garrit Voggesser, National Wildlife Federation
EPA Climate Activity: Regulatory Actions and Current Funding Opportunities	Neelam R. Patel, USEPA
Tribal Renewable Energy Opportunites	Bob Gough, Intertribal Council on Utility Policy

Tribal Climate Change Case Studies

Climate Change in Alaska	Rosalie Kalistook, Orutsararmiut Native Council Violet Yeaton, Port Graham Village Council
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point Algae to Oil Project	Steve Crawford, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point
Taking on Climate Change - Renewable Energy Projects at the Pueblo of Jemez	Governor Joshua Madalena, Pueblo of Jemez

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2010 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality Management and Policy

We're happy to report that the 2010 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality was very successful. With over 160 registrants (up from 110 last year!), great facilities, and first-time-ever participation by EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy, the words "best NTF yet" were heard often. Highlights included:

A presentation on National Tribal Air Quality Priorities by the NTAA Executive Committee
An excellent keynote address by none other than OAR Assistant Administrant Gina McCarthy
Powerful discussions on the impacts of Uranium Mining and Climate Change on Tribes
Presentations on the connection between Air Quality and Health Effects
Updates on EPA Rules and Climate Change legislation and the potential impact to Tribes
Breakout Sessions on:
- Sustainable Energy & Climate Change
- Tribal Ambient Air Quality Projects
- Indoor Air Quality/Ambient Air Outreach Projects
- EPA Rule Updates
Opportunities for meaningful interaction with Tribes, Federal agencies, and Tribal Organizations during the Eco-Cafe.

Click here for the documents and presentations from the 2010 NTF.

Congratulations to Toni Richards of the Bishop Paiute Tribe - the 2010 recipient of the Virgil Masayesva Award!

Thanks and Appreciation to the many presenters and organizers who made it all possible!

Please check ITEP's website for more information and pictures.

Planning for the 2011 NTF is already under way... it will be held somewhere in the Pacific Northwest area - if you have a suggested facility, please let us know.

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2009 National Tribal Forum: Summary

Monday, 04 January 2010 07:00 | Written by Angel McCormack |

The National Tribal Forum (NTF) conference on Air Quality Management and Policy was held June 2 – 4, 2009 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Forest County Potawatomi’s conference facilities. This year’s NTF conference was the third consecutive year that the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) jointly hosted the meeting. The Forest County Pottawatomi Tribe served as host for the conference.

Approximately 110 people attended the conference. A total of 49 tribes were represented at the conference along with 5 EPA regional offices and EPA headquarters, 3 Inter-Tribal Councils, several federal agencies, and other non-governmental organizations. The total includes staff of ITEP and NTAA.

Examples of the topics this year at the NTF conference included:

Air Quality, Public Health and Environmental Protection
Importance of Quality Assurance and Auditing for Tribal Programs
Indoor Air Quality, Radon and Public Health
Tribal and USEPA Initiative on Climate Change

The final Agenda (hyperlink to PDF of conference agenda) is available.

Power Point presentations delivered at the conference can be downloaded on the ITEP NTF website.

The 2009 recipient of the 2009 Virgil Masayesva Environmental Excellence Award was the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe for being granted Class I air status for the Tribe’s Reservation located in Northern Wisconsin. The annual award is presented by ITEP in memory of their co-founder.

Recipients of the 2009 Virgil Masayesva Environmental Excellence Award: (L to R) Joe Cebe and Natalene Cummings with the Forest County Potawatomi’s environmental program and Jeff Crawford , Attorney General for the Tribe.

National Tribal Air Association