UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

NEW! National Congress of American Indians to Host Infrastructure Town Hall Today, August 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

As reported yesterday, the Senate passed H.R. 3684, a $1.2 trillion bi-partisan infrastructure package which includes key spending provisions related to transportation, water infrastructure, energy, climate resiliency, tax, and a five-year surface transportation authorization. The bill proposes more than $15 billion in direct funding for Tribal Nations. Click here to register for the town hall and click here for the full analysis.

NCAI is hosting a virtual Tribal Leader Town Hall today at 2:00 p.m. EDT to discuss the relevant tribal provisions. During the Town Hall, NCAI policy team members and guest speakers will discuss the next steps for this bill, strategic considerations, and will provide legislative analysis.

 

NEW! Environmental Justice and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

This webinar will discuss effective methods for considering environmental justice (EJ) in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews. The webinar will highlight content from the Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews report of the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (now the EJ Interagency Council). This webinar builds upon the NEPA and Tribes as Cooperating Agencies webinar held on July 21, 2021. This webinar is part of the U.S. EPA Environmental Justice Webinar Series for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples – to build the capacity of tribal governments, indigenous peoples and other environmental justice practitioners, and discuss priority environmental justice issues of interest to tribes and indigenous peoples.

August 26, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM (PT), 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (ET)

To register use this link.

 

NEW! Tribal – DHS Homeland Security Virtual Summit

Next week (August 9 – 12, 2021) the Department of Homeland Security will be having a series of Tribal – DHS homeland security conversations and sharing valuable information.

See for more information and registration.

 

EPA has decided to extend the deadline for new MSTRS membership for applications to Friday August 13, 2021.

EPA is seeking nominations from representatives of nonfederal interests such as community and/or environmental justice interests, state, tribal, and local government interests, environmental advocacy groups, future transportation options and shared mobility interests, transportation and supply chain shippers, marine and inland port interests, and mobile source emission modeling interests to serve on the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS). The MSTRS, a federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, provides the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee with independent advice, counsel, and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of programs related to mobile source air pollution and its control. The subcommittee’s website is at https://www.epa.gov/caaac/mobile-sources-technical-review-subcommittee-mstrs-caaac.

MSTRS members are appointed by the EPA Administrator for three-year terms with the possibility of reappointment to a second term. For more information how to submit a nomination, please see the Federal Register Notice announcing the request for nominations. EPA values and welcomes diversity and encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups. Nominations must be received by August 13, 2021.

 

Wildfire Smoke and Indoor Air Quality

This summer, wildfires have spread across the U.S. creating devastation and dangerous smoke events affecting millions of American lives. If you are in need of immediate wildfire guidance, see EPA’s wildfire webpage for more resources. Smoke from wildfires can adversely affect indoor air quality and put people’s health at risk from exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants. Read on to learn more about:

 

GAP Guidance Evaluation Phase 2 Revisions and Allocation: Tribal Participation Opportunity!

EPA is revising the 2013 Guidance on the Award and Management of General

Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Tribal Consortia. The Indian Environmental General Assistance Program, or GAP, is the largest tribal capacity building program in EPA. The GAP Guidance is for tribes at all levels of capacity building. All perspectives from beginning to advanced stages of tribal capacity development are encouraged on the revision workgroups. Click here to read more!

In addition to revising the 2013 GAP Guidance, EPA will initiate consultation with tribes on how EPA allocates Congressionally appropriated GAP funds to regions annually. Letters will be sent to Tribal Leaders notifying the start of consultation beginning July 19, 2021. More information on EPA’s consultation on the national GAP allocation will be available online at https://tcots.epa.gov.

 

EPA’s air quality training program is released three new training materials! These materials are foundational in level, and are being offered to tribal, state, and local air agencies in an e-learning format through our learning management system (LMS).

The materials include:

  • A course that explains the purpose of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) within the air quality management process.
  • A module that explains each of the six criteria pollutants under the Clean Air Act. This module represents “micro-learning”— a short, focused bit of training on a particular topic.
  • A module that explains what air toxics are. Similar to the criteria pollutants module, this module represents “micro-learning.”

To access the course and modules on the LMS (https://epaapti.csod.com), please register (if you haven’t already!), then log in and refer to the “What’s New” section on the home page.

NTAA Upcoming Calls

Contact Andy.Bessler@nau.edu if you have any questions about any call! *Registration instructions* When you register for the GoToWebinar, please remember to include your Tribe, Region, or Organization in parenthesis after your last name. This allows you to see everyone on the call and prevents us from conducting a roll-call, ultimately saving everyone’s time.

 

EPA Policy Call: Call in to hear updates from EPA on policies, actions, and tools relevant to Indian Country and Air Quality. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, August 26, 2pm ET
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here. YTD 5
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, August 19, 2pm ET

 
Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Attend by clicking here. Thursday, September 23, 1pm ET

 

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional (ITEP)

Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. Sign up for a self-paced course hosted by ITEP’s Waste and Response and Tribal Air Quality programs.  New courses have been added, so check it out!

 

ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP) hosts the Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates, Residential Building Science Review, Radon Fundamentals, Quality Assurance Fundamental, Writing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emissions Inventory Fundamentals, and Emissions Inventory Advanced.

AIAQTP Schedule and Registration 

Recorded Webinars

Looking for more information check out the Tribal Air Quality Media Space Channel. Recent webinars include an Introduction to Air Quality Programs, Emissions Inventories, Remote Professional Assistance, and Woodstoves in Indian Country. Older classics include a series on Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke, Tribal Air Program and Grants, Data Management, and the Clean Air Act.

ITEP’s Tribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars, and other events related to tribes and climate change.

 

Climate Change / Energy

NEW! US EPA Announces Upcoming Climate and Energy Webinars for State, Local, and Tribal Governments

The US EPA announces there will be 25 upcoming webinars on climate and energy topics offered by federal agencies and others. All webinars are free of charge, but space may be limited or require registration in advance. The webinars begin August 2nd – 26th. For more information subscribe to the US EPA’s State and Local Energy Newsletter.

ITEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Training Courses registration is online! Learn more about the courses and register here.

 

Toxics/Mobile Sources

NEW! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to strengthen federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks by setting stringent requirements for reductions through Model Year (MY) 2026. The proposed 2023-2026 MY standards would achieve significant GHG emissions reductions along with reductions in other pollutants. The proposal would result in substantial public health and welfare benefits, while providing consumers with savings from lower fuel costs. The proposal would incentivize technology available today to make vehicles cleaner and to encourage more hybrid and electric vehicle technology.

EPA be offering a webinar on the proposed rule for our tribal stakeholders on Wednesday, August 18 from 2-3pm EST. You can register for this webinar by clicking here and for more information, please contact Jessie Mroz (mroz.jessica@epa.gov).

 

The U.S. EPA is in the process of conducting a residual risk and technology review of the 2002 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Major Source Primary Copper Smelting and a technology review of the 2007 Primary Copper Smelting Area Sources NESHAP.

After EPA publishes the rules in the Federal Register, EPA plans to accept comment on these proposals for at least 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. Interested parties can download additional information and a copy of the proposed rules (when they are officially issued by EPA) from EPA’s website and this website. The proposed rules and other background information will also be available either electronically here, EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system. Materials for the proposed actions can be accessed using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2020-0430. For further technical information about the rule, contact Tonisha Dawson, EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, at (919) 541-1454 or dawson.tonisha@epa.gov.

 

Green Transportation Summit & Expo

August 16-18, 2021 Tacoma, Washington | Registration

The 10th annual Green Transportation Summit & Expo (GTSE) is the region’s premier clean transportation convening event. There has not been a time when clean transportation has had as much potential. With this year’s theme of Reflecting + Refocusing on a Resilient Future, we are giving particular attention to recent events affecting our communities and livelihood. We will be creating space to ensure these critical topics are addressed. All Tribes can get a 20% discount, contact Andy.Bessler@nau.edu for the code!

The recent additions to OTAQ’s website in June 2021. You can access these additions as well as new press releases and Federal Register notices related to OTAQ on our website.

The recent additions to OTAQ’s website are listed here. You can access these additions as well as new press releases and Federal Register notices related to OTAQ on our website.

 

Indoor Air Quality

US EPA Presents a free webinar in Spanish and English on how to protect your home and family from air pollution: healthy Air: Indoors and Out on August 12, 2021 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM (PT)

Join us to learn about indoor and outdoor air pollution in the U.S.-Mexico border region and what you can do to protect your home and community. Presenters will share information on common air pollution sources, potential health impacts from poor air quality, and tips and tricks for creating safe environments. All members of the public are welcome!

Please join this webinar here from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available. For more information, please contact Francisco Dóñez, EPA at Donez.Francisco@epa.gov.

Summer is the perfect time to brush up on ventilation practices for schools!

Are you prepared for schools to reopen this fall? Take some time to view these webinars available on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website, which focus on virus mitigation strategies, including ventilation, filtration and supplemental air purification.

·       Let’s Clear the Air: Using Ventilation Practices to Promote Healthy IAQ in Schools – recorded July 30, 2020

·       Ventilation and Virus Mitigation in Schools: Creating a Game Plan to Reduce COVID-19 Risk and Make Lasting Improvements to IAQ – recorded on February 25, 2021

 How Indoor airPLUS Homes Help Reduce the Occurrence of Asthma Triggers in the Home

Here are ways an Indoor airPLUS home can help reduce asthma triggers in the home.

 

Be sure to subscribe to CodeTalk, HUD’s Office of Native American Programs newsletter, for webinars and opportunities!