UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

NEW! Hopi Food Sovereignty through Farming and Coalitions

A webinar hosted by the Indigenous Foods Knowledges Network

Join us on Thursday, May 7th, 10 am AKDT/11 am PDT & AZT/12 pm MST/1 pm CDT 2 pm EDT to hear presentations by Terri Honani (Hopi and Tewa) and Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson (Hopi). Honani will present about the Natwani Coalition and how the non-profit organization’s initiatives help to preserve Hopi farming traditions, strengthen the local Hopi food system and develop innovative sustainable strategies to promote wellness through “itam naapyani” or “doing the work ourselves.” Dr. Johnson will be presenting about the resiliency of Hopi agriculture and how conservation programs can reinforce American Indian Identity and culture. Registration is required. Questions: Contact Mary Beth Jager- jager@arizona.edu or Noor Johnson- noor.johnson@colorado.edu.

 

Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF) is accepting proposals for TLEF: A Virtual Gathering

Deadline: May 8, 2020

As announced a few weeks ago, we will not be conducting an in-person Tribal Lands and Environment Forum this year due to the pandemic. However, we are offering a special TLEF: A Virtual Gathering that will take place this August! This series of events will feature live online events, on-demand prerecorded sessions, and virtual field trips, and we’re also designing opportunities to join online and live group discussions with mentors, presenters and colleagues.

We are now accepting proposals from you! Please check out the TLEF website at www.nau.edu/tlef and click on the Proposal tab for more information and the online submission form. And do note, the deadline is May 8.

These are very uncertain times, when many are facing not only serious health concerns but economic, social, and psychological challenges as well. And yet we all find strength in working with one another. Those of you who have been to past TLEFs know how powerful and inspiring it is to share stories – successes and challenges! – and rekindling our relationships. So we do look forward to seeing your proposals for case studies, virtual tours of your sites and facilities, strategies you’re using to protect your lands and communities. We’ll be sending out additional information over the next few weeks, but in the meantime be sure to visit www.nau.edu/tlef. We wish all of you peace and good health.

 

Draft Guidance: Interpretation of “Begin Action Construction” Under the NSR Preconstruction Permitting Regulations

Comments due: May 11, 2020

EPA is providing an opportunity for interested stakeholders to review and comment on the draft guidance titled, Interpretation of “Begin Actual Construction” Under the New Source Review Preconstruction Permitting Regulations. This guidance addresses EPA’s interpretation of “begin actual construction” under the regulations implementing the New Source Review (NSR) permitting program. In this draft guidance, EPA is adopting a revised interpretation that is more consistent with the regulatory text. Under this revised interpretation, a source owner or operator may, prior to obtaining an NSR permit, undertake physical on-site activities – including activities that may be costly, that may significantly alter the site, and/or are permanent in nature – provided that those activities do not constitute physical construction on an emissions unit. EPA will accept comment on this draft guidance through Monday, May 11, 2020. The draft guidance, and a link for submitting comments, is available at: https://www.epa.gov/nsr.

 

NEW! NCAI’s Forum “COVID-19: Economic Impacts and Implications for Indian Country”

May 12, 1:00-2:15 p.m. ET

To register for the forum, please click here.

Part of NCAI’s ongoing COVID-19 Virtual Events series, this forum will document the data and other evidence emerging from Indian Country about the nature and gravity of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tribal nations, and their necessary implications for tribal governmental action and federal funding support.

 

E-Enterprise National Meeting: Envisioning the Future of Environmental Protection

EE2020 is the latest in a long-running series of meetings sponsored by E-Enterprise for the Environment and the National Environmental Information Exchange Network. On May 12-14, 2020, EE2020 will bring together a broad community of attendees from state, tribal, and local environmental agencies, U.S. EPA, vendors, and other stakeholders with an interest in improving the productivity and responsiveness of the environmental protection enterprise. The meeting integrates content on information technology, program modernization, and process improvement. Click here to learn more about EE2020, the benefits of attending, and ways to get involved.

 

Wildland Fire Community Engagement and Data Visualization Tools Webinar

Wednesday, May 20, 3-4pm ET

Register here.

This presentation will highlight two wildland fire smoke and health projects. Smoke Sense is a crowdsourcing, citizen science app which engages the public to broaden awareness of wildland fire smoke locally as well as health protective measures and behaviors. This presentation will share findings from the past two wildfire seasons including community engagement and data visualization tools. The Smoke Ready Communities project offers a model and framework to help communities improve their response. It supports collaboration and capacity building and also fosters preparedness and response to wildfire smoke episodes. This presentation will share a solutions-driven approach for helping reduce the public health burden of smoke intrusion at the community level. Participants will learn about how these projects can integrate a community capacity lens with resources specifically related to wildland fire smoke, air quality and health.

 

NEW! EPA Tools & Resources Webinar: EPA Expands Research on COVID-19 in the Environment

Wednesday, May 27, 2020; 2-3pm ET

Register Here

EPA scientists are building on a foundation of world-class research by applying their knowledge to reduce the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This research will help states & territories, tribes, and local governments, including public health agencies guide homeowners, business owners, and others reduce the risk of exposure. This webinar will highlight research EPA is working on with CDC, including the following:

  • Environmental Cleanup and Disinfection
  • Wastewater Virus Detection
  • Salivary Antibody Assay Development

Tribal Grants Education and Technical Assistance Webinar Series Second Wednesday of Every Month at 1pm ET

For more information, click here!

 

NTAA Upcoming Calls. The toll-free number is 1-800-309-2350. If you do not need to call toll free, or would like to help conserve NTAA funding, you can call 1-805-309-2350. Both numbers use code 928-523-0526#. 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.

 

STAR Planning Call: The NTAA Status of Tribal Air Report (STAR) helps tell the story of Tribal Air Programs, why additional funding for Tribes is critical to advance air quality, and is a great resource for Tribes. Wednesday, May 6, 2 pm ET

This is also the deadline for submissions!

Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Thursday, May 7, 2pm ET

 

Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Thursday, May 21, 2pm ET
EPA Policy Call: Call in to hear updates from EPA on policies, actions, and tools relevant to Indian Country and Air Quality. Thursday, May 28, 2pm ET
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country. Thursday, June 18, 2pm ET

 

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional’s (ITEP’sTribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars and other events related to tribes and climate change.

Click here for ITEP’s other trainings and events.

Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. New courses have been added, so check it out!

 

 ITEP’s FY20 AIAQTP Course Schedule 

 

Course Title Dates Location Course Level
  2020    
Air Pollution Technology (Postponed!) TBD Flagstaff, AZ 2
Meteorological Monitoring (Postponed!) Fall 2020 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 3
Air Pollution Modeling Fall 2020 TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV 3
Air Quality Outreach TBD TBD 1
National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ) (Postponed!) May 2021 Tulsa, OK n/a
 
Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke Anytime Series of 6 recorded webinars n/a
Indoor Air Quality – Independent Study Anytime Independent Study 1
Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates Open Online 1
Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Warm Climates In development Online 1
Residential Building Science Review Open Online 1
Radon Fundamentals Open Online 1
Quality Assurance Fundamentals (QA 101) Open Online 1
Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) (QA 201-209) Open Online 2
Emissions Inventory Fundamentals Open Online 2
Emissions Inventory Advanced Open Online 3
Note: This schedule is subject to change.  For up-to-date information, course descriptions, and applications please visit http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/training_air/

 

Climate Change / Energy

NEW! May 6, 13, 20, and 27, Noon (ET) – Ask the Expert

Every Wednesday ENERGY STAR holds a Portfolio Manager “Ask the Expert” session. It’s a live webinar that gives all users an opportunity to ask their questions directly to EPA experts in an open forum. Want to talk to a “real” person? Have a question about how Portfolio Manager calculates your score? Want to learn more about entering Green Power? Join ENERGY STAR, and they’ll answer all your questions about ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager in this public forum.

Register

 

NEW! May 6, 2 PM (ET) – Portfolio Manager 101

Learn about EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool. Attendees will learn how to: navigate Portfolio Manager; add a property and enter details about it; enter energy and water consumption data; and generate template performance reports to assess progress.

Register

 

NEW! May 7, 2 PM (ET) – Replacing Diesel in an Alaskan Community: Cordova’s New Battery Energy Storage System

Join this webinar with the Cordova Electric Cooperative to learn about its recently installed energy storage system. Cordova installed its 1MW/1MWh utility-scale lithium-ion system in June 2019 to allow the utility to harness more hydropower and reduce reliance on diesel fuel. In this webinar, Cordova Electric will describe how its evaluation, analysis, and modeling led to the installation of the battery. In addition, Cordova Electric will explain the battery’s main functions on its hydropower microgrid and detail the battery’s performance during a 2-day operation last November in which the coop was able to avoid spilling hydro generation capacity. Lastly, the panelists will cover battery operation and project financing.

Register

 

NEW! May 13, 1 PM (ET) – Portfolio Manager 201

Continue to learn about EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool with a deeper dive into more advanced functionalities such as: editing property data; correcting and updating property use details; using the data quality checker; and sharing property data.

Register

 

NEW! May 14, 2 PM (ET) – Using ENERGY STAR Recognition in Strategic Energy Management Programs

Helping facilities earn recognition for energy performance can be an effective way to demonstrate the value of Strategic Energy Management (SEM) and build support energy management broadly. ENERGY STAR offers several different recognition opportunities for industrial facilities through the Challenge for Industry and the Find the Treasure Campaign that SEM programs can leverage. Join to learn more about these and other SEM resources.

Register

 

NEW! May 15, 2 PM (ET) – Decarbonizing Electricity: The Critical Role of Firm Low-Carbon Resources

Wind, solar, and batteries will be star players in a 100% carbon-free electricity sector. But reaching zero emissions cost-effectively requires completing the low-carbon team with one or more “firm” low-carbon resources. This webinar will summarize research on deep decarbonization of the electricity sector and the portfolio of solutions needed to reach this key goal at an affordable cost. At the conclusion of a presentation by Jesse Jenkins of Princeton University, there will be opportunity for audience questions.

Presenter: Jesse Jenkins, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Andlinger Center for Energy & Environment, Princeton University

Register

 

NEW! May 19, 1 PM (ET) – Portfolio Manager 301

With a good background on the basic functionality of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool, learn about some advanced features including: using spreadsheet upload templates to update property data; setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties; creating custom reports; and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist.

Register

 

NEW! May 20, 2 PM (ET) – Tracking GHG Emissions in Portfolio Manager

This webinar will provide a closer look at tracking and reporting your GHG emissions using the EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool.

Attend this webinar if you’re interested in:

  • Understanding the Portfolio Manager GHG emissions inventory
  • Learning how to track emissions benefits from green power use in Portfolio Manager
  • How to use Portfolio Manager’s reporting functionality to track GHG emissions for the properties in your portfolio

Register

 

NEW! May 21, 2 PM (ET) – Renewable Energy Options for Small Businesses and Congregations

Electricity use is often the single largest source of an organization’s emissions and air pollution footprint, not to mention being a significant expense. Making the simple choice to use renewable energy can offer environmental, economic and community benefits. On this webinar, you will learn about the various options available in the market to buy green power through retail purchase, self-generation and direct purchase from a renewable project. You will learn about how to align your desired energy and environmental outcomes to specific green power supply options. You will learn about the role of renewable energy certificates and how they can support your organization meeting its renewable energy and carbon footprint reduction goals. Speaker: James Critchfield, Program Manager, EPA Green Power Partnership

Register

 

NEW! May 27, 1 PM (ET) – Tribal Energy Project Technology Options

The energy landscape continues to evolve rapidly. In many areas, costs continue to drop as technology improvements and other market drivers create greater opportunity for distributed generation. This webinar will provide an overview of several common energy technology options. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy, the 2020 Tribal Energy Webinar Series will focus on how to accomplish specific tasks related to energy development on tribal lands. Presenters will provide instruction and sharing tools and resources.

Register

 

NEW! May 28, 2 PM (ET) – Strategies for Setting Effective Energy Performance Goals

Are you aiming to set meaningful energy performance goals for your buildings? Join this webinar to hear from three ENERGY STAR partners how to use a technical approach to estimate the energy efficiency improvement potential of a building and set effective goals. Boston Properties will share how they used a scientific method for setting performance goals for targets to make them realistic and achievable. In addition, CommonWealth Partners will talk about how they provide guidance on tracking emissions through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to all their properties and established science-based emissions targets. Finally, Hudson Pacific Properties will discuss how they setting performance goals and updating targets for their buildings, and how to incorporate carbon reduction goals into a program.

Speakers:

  • Ben Myers, Director, Sustainability, Boston Properties
  • Jessica Loeper, Director of Sustainability, CommonWealth Partners
  • James Soutter, Vice President, Engineering, Hudson Pacific Properties

Register

 

NEW! June 3, 2PM (ET) – Equity in Action: Heat Planning in Greater Phoenix

This 90 minute webcast will cover how The Nature Conservancy Arizona, Arizona State University, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and other partners developed the Heat Action Planning Guide for Neighborhoods of Greater Phoenix. This team worked directly with community members using a participatory process to identify challenges and create community driven solutions to mitigate and adapt to future heat. Specific cooling solutions include revitalizing vacant lots with trees and vegetation, and increasing shade along transit routes and at bus stops. The process was designed to develop awareness, agency, and social cohesion in underserved communities.

Speakers:

  • Victoria Ludwig, U.S. EPA Heat Island Reduction Program
  • Melissa Guardaro, Arizona State University
  • David Crummey, Retail, Arts, Innovation & Livability Mesa

Register

 

NEW! Registration Is Now Open: National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference

August 31-September 3, 2020, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) is honored to host the United States’ first Biennial National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference (NTICC) along with support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Resilience Program. The NTICC is open to all US tribal nations and Indigenous Peoples from throughout the world, with an emphasis on including our Elders and

Youth. The NTICC will convene experts on climate change and will include a balance of Traditional Indigenous Knowledges and Western Science. We invite people to submit proposals before May 29, 2020, discussing climate-related impacts, assessments, tools, adaptation planning, mitigation and actions in one or more of the following tracks:

 

  • Indigenous Knowledges
  • Air, Health & Well-Being
  • Land
  • Water
  • Relocation
  • Infrastructure
  • Energy Systems
  • Food Sovereignty
  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity

 

 

 

South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center: Earth to Sky Workshop

Earth to Sky is a partnership between NASA, NPS, and USFWS that enables and encourages informal educators to access and use relevant NASA science, data, and educational and outreach products in their work. The partnership’s focus is on climate change science and communication. Join us for three days of training with native informal educators from across the South Central region who recognize the importance of teaching climate change. The workshop will take place July 15-17 in Sulphur, OK. Learn more here.

 

Save the Date: Southwest Tribal Climate Resilience Camp

Date: July 26-31, 2020

Location: Navajo Technical University – Crownpoint, NM

The Tribal Climate Resilience Camp will support teams of Tribal Leaders, climate change coordinators, planners, and program managers to build skills, gather information, and develop Tribal policies and plans needed for Tribal Nations to address climate change impacts. Information about travel, lodging, and registration will be available soon. You may contact Althea Walker, Tribal Climate                                                   Science Liaison, at AWalker@aihec.org or (480) 258-3963 with questions.

SEEKING TRIBAL DELEGATES

We are currently recruiting 10 Southwest Tribes to participate in the 2020 Camp. Each Tribe should identify three delegates per Tribe. The delegates must participate for the entire week curriculum. Delegates may include climate change staff, tribal policy leaders, Tribal Council, natural resource and environmental managers and staff, administrators, department staff from health, public works, education, housing, and other relevant departments that should engage in climate change planning. FOR APPLICATIONS Visit this link.

 

Save the Date: Shifting Seasons Summit 3, October 6-8, 2020, Keshena, WI

Contingency dates: March 2021

The Shifting Seasons Summit is a gathering that focuses on climate resilience planning and implementation within Tribes and across Tribal ceded territories in the Northeast Region. This summit will also include network-building opportunities and initiatives developed outside of the Northeast by capacity building organizations, academic institutions and Tribes. Visit www.NICRN.org for more details.

 

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

 

Toxics/Mobile Sources

NEW! Tribal Consultation Period Extended for EPA’s Draft Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian Country

Extended through August 3, 2020

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) – Office of Pesticide Programs is provide notice to federally-recognized tribes that EPA’s Tribal Consultation on the Draft EPA Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian Country is extended through August 3, 2020 to accommodate a recent tribal request. The timeline for the consultation and consultation period will extend from February 10–August 3, 2020. During this period, a third consultation session will be conducted. To participate, the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) invites you and/or your designee to join us during the following consultation session:

  • Session 3: Wednesday, July 15th from 12:00pm-2:00pm ET

Conference Line: 866-299-3188; Code: 202-566-0603

Adobe Connect: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/draftepaplan3

 

Postponed: Green Transportation Summit & Expo and the West Coast Collaborative Partners Meeting has been postponed until August 24-26, 2020

After careful consideration of the growing public health concerns associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Green Transportation Summit & Expo and the US EPA West Coast Collaborative is postponing our GTSE | WCCPM event until

August 24 – 26, 2020, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) and the Green Transportation Summit & Expo (GTSE) have partnered to provide 25 complimentary full-conference passes to the Green Transportation Summit & Expo. The GTSE is the Pacific Northwest’s premier clean fleet and transportation event, focusing on fleets, fuels, technologies, policy & practice, with a regional focus and a national scope. We will provide you the opportunity to see, touch, drive, and learn about new transportation technologies firsthand, such as electric, hydrogen, natural gas and propane-powered heavy-duty vehicles, off-road utility vehicles, generators, and others. Workshops on DERA, VW funding, other federal funding opportunities, and alternative fuels will be presented. Please join us at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center for the 10th annual GTSE to learn about clean transportation, how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants, and costs in your fleet operations. To learn more about the conference, check out our website. To receive the code for the complimentary passes, please contact ITEP’s Dara Marks Marino at Dara.Marks-Marino@nau.edu.

 

Indoor Air Quality

NEW! Cleaning Schools to Control for Viruses and Bacteria: Maintaining Healthy Indoor Learning Environments

Save the Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020; 2:00-4:30pm EDT

Register here.

Cleaning for health, using effective and efficient products, policies and practices, has always been the first line of defense for schools when it comes to controlling the spread of infectious disease and providing healthy, safe and productive indoor learning environments. This webinar is designed to help school district facilities and custodial staff put action plans in place to meet modern day environmental health challenges, while maintaining good indoor environmental quality, ensuring staff safety and protecting occupant health.

 

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