Region 10 (EPA) Tribal Operations Committee

 

11 elected tribal representatives & epa administrators Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

Learn more about Region 10 RTOC in this short video.

Tribes & Villages

AK Natives & American Indians in Region 10 (2010 Census)

It’s RTOC/NTOC Election Time in Region 1o!

Nominations for Candidates Due November 1, 2024

The RTOC and NTOC are partnerships between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and elected Tribal representatives, with missions to serve as forums for federally recognized Tribes to work with EPA senior leadership on policy and resource matters related to Tribal capacity building, and environmental program development and implementation in Indian country.

EPA Region 10 is seeking nominations from federally recognized Tribal governments in for a Tribal representative to serve on the National Tribal Operations Committee (NTOC) and Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) for the following positions:

Links to Nomination forms for open NTOC Positions

NTOC Alaska Position 2

NTOC Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Eastern Oregon

Nominees should meet the membership requirements as described below and be willing to serve a three-year term on the NTOC starting January 1, 2025.

Nominees must meet all criteria under either (1) the environmental experience option OR (2) the elected official option. If members meet the environmental experience option and are not Tribal elected officials, they must be designated in writing by their tribal leadership to act on behalf of their Tribe.

Environmental Experience Option:
At least 3 years’ experience as an environmental director, deputy director, or an equivalent position for a federally recognized Tribe;
Experience managing the implementation of a variety of tribal environmental programs for a federally recognized Tribe; and
Experience working with, or interacting with, EPA senior managers at the Regional or Headquarters levels; this interaction could include involvement with regional Tribal partnership groups.

Elected Official Option:
Serves as an elected official or a traditionally appointed representative of a federally recognized Tribe with broad responsibilities that include oversight of environmental, natural resources or human health issues.

If your Tribe would like to provide a nominee to serve on the NTOC, please email the enclosed nomination form, including a brief description of each nominee’s background and qualifications, to EPA by November 1, 2024. Lucas DuSablon is available to answer any questions. He can be reached at DuSablon.Lucas@epa.gov or 206 553 2573.

Links to Nomination forms for open RTOC Positions

RTOC Alaska Position 3

RTOC Idaho

RTOC Western Washington

Nominees must be an elected Tribal official or staff from a federally recognized Tribal government and be willing to serve a three-year term on the RTOC starting January 1, 2025.

The RTOC is a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and elected Tribal representatives. The mission of the RTOC is to serve as a forum for federally recognized Tribes to work with EPA senior leadership on policy and resource matters related to Tribal capacity building, and environmental program development and implementation in Indian country. Further, the RTOC identifies mechanisms for federally recognized Tribes and EPA to facilitate actions that protect human health and the environment in Indian country.

Lucas DuSablon is available to answer any questions. He can be reached at DuSablon.Lucas@epa.gov or 206 553 2573.

We Have the Power to Impact Our Future Generations, and We're Doing Something About It

Advising on Environmental Policy

The RTOC contracts with an Environmental Lawyer who assists our committee in analyzing and understanding environmental policies, law, federal comments and consultations. The RTOC Policy Advisor takes direction from the RTOC Chairman and committee to draft comments on behalf of our committee, based on input from Tribes in our region. We assist busy tribal leaders by providing template comment letters from which they can alter to their specific Tribal message.

Protecting Our Way of Life

Nobody knows better about how to protect our way of life than those who are actively living within tribal communities. Since our region is spread out over 4 states and thousands of miles, we utilize technology to help us become aware of the needs of those we serve. Each representative holds bi-annual virtual town hall meetings to get input from constituent tribes about the environmental matters closest to them. We encourage all tribal leaders and environmental staff to attend these community building meetings, where they can learn from others and be heard.

Elevating Tribes as Original Guardians

Our committee recognizes Indigenous people as the original guardians of mother earth. Drawing upon thousands of years of Indigenous Knowledge, we work now within both traditional and western systems to continue our guardianship. The RTOC counts on the 271 Tribes in our region to keep us up to date with current environmental issues affecting tribal communities. We have advanced many tribal concerns directly to Region 10 and National EPA Administration. Likewise, the NTOC (National Tribal Operations Committee) relies on all the regional RTOCs to elevate certain issues to the American Indian Environmental Office in Washington, DC, and to the National EPA Administrators.

Engaging with Tribal Leaders

In addition to our meetings and Town Hall outreach to Tribes and Consortia, our representatives each garner topics and issues of importance directly from the tribes in their representative outreach areas to guide our agendas, official comments and direct our committee. Each year we host a Tribal Environmental Leaders Summit (TELS) where Tribal Council members and Environmental staff gather to discuss issues of environmental concern to tribes. 

Happening Now

Water Wise – Strategies for Emergency Management: Idaho Office of Emergency Management Conference – Dec 2-5

The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) is hosting its Annual Preparedness and Cybersecurity Conference for government officials, including emergency managers, county commissioners, Tribal council members, and cybersecurity professionals. Topics will include emergency preparedness related to water resources, disaster recovery with a focus on water-related incidents, mitigation activities to protect water infrastructure, cyber preparedness, defense strategies for water systems, and more.

Lead Awareness Curriculum: EPA Train-the-Trainer Webinar – Oct 16

During this webinar, participants will learn simple actions to reduce lead exposure, become familiar with the Lead Awareness Curriculum materials, understand the curriculum is designed to be modified, and have a plan for how to use the curriculum materials in their own communities. Participants will receive a digital certificate of participation upon completion of the webinar. This webinar is being offered as part of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 20-26.

Certified Native Community Development Financial Institutions

The Native Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Network serve as a national voice and advocate for the 60+ U.S. Treasury-certified Native CDFIs. Native CDFIs help Native American communities overcome systemic barriers to entrepreneurial success, such as a lack of physical, legal, and telecommunications infrastructure, access to affordable financial products and services, and limited workforce development strategies. Native CDFIs in Region 10 include Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation and Rural Alaska Investment in Alaska, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indian (ATNI) in Oregon, and Lummi Community Development in Washington.

New AirKnowledge Training Materials

EPA’s AirKnowledge program develops training material focused on the Clean Air Act. New materials are now available:

  • A new self-instructional course describes the role, industrial use, components, operation, performance parameters, and design variables of cyclones, fabric filters, electrostatic precipitators, and wet scrubbers.
  • An updated self-instructional module explains what greenhouse gases are, in the context of their effect on climate.

What’s New in EPA Uniform Grants Guidance?

EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment has updated several policies to address the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 Revision at 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards). In April 2024, OMB published the revised guidance to 2 CFR 200, which become effective October 1, 2024. EPA has summarized the changes on its EPA Grants website.

Note that EPA Region 10 will host a GAP Notice of Funding Availability webinar that will discuss these changes in November. We’ll let you know as soon as it is scheduled.

National Tribal Operations Committee and Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee Nominations Due November 1, 2024

The RTOC and NTOC are partnerships between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and elected Tribal representatives, with missions to serve as forums for federally recognized Tribes to work with EPA senior leadership on policy and resource matters related to Tribal capacity building, and environmental program development and implementation in Indian country.

EPA Region 10 is seeking nominations from federally recognized Tribal governments in for a Tribal representative to serve on the National Tribal Operations Committee (NTOC) and Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) for the following positions:

NTOC Positions

NTOC Alaska Position 2

NTOC Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Eastern Oregon

Nominees should meet the membership requirements as described below and be willing to serve a three-year term on the NTOC starting January 1, 2025.

National Tribal Caucus Membership Criteria

Members and alternates should meet all criteria under either (1) the environmental experience option OR (2) the elected official option. If members meet the environmental experience option and are not Tribal elected officials, they must be designated in writing by their tribal leadership to act on behalf of their Tribe.

Environmental Experience Option:
At least 3 years’ experience as an environmental director, deputy director, or an equivalent position for a federally recognized Tribe;
Experience managing the implementation of a variety of tribal environmental programs for a federally recognized Tribe; and
Experience working with, or interacting with, EPA senior managers at the Regional or Headquarters levels; this interaction could include involvement with regional Tribal partnership groups.

Elected Official Option:
Serves as an elected official or a traditionally appointed representative of a federally recognized Tribe with broad responsibilities that include oversight of environmental, natural resources or human health issues.

If your Tribe would like to provide a nominee to serve on the NTOC, please email the enclosed nomination form, including a brief description of each nominee’s background and qualifications, to EPA by November 1, 2024. Lucas DuSablon is available to answer any questions. He can be reached at DuSablon.Lucas@epa.gov or 206 553 2573.

RTOC Positions

RTOC Alaska Position 3

RTOC Idaho

RTOC Western Washington

Nominees should meet the membership requirements as described within the letters linked above and be willing to serve a three-year term on the RTOC starting January 1, 2025.

The RTOC is a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and elected Tribal representatives. The mission of the RTOC is to serve as a forum for federally recognized Tribes to work with EPA senior leadership on policy and resource matters related to Tribal capacity building, and environmental program development and implementation in Indian country. Further, the RTOC identifies mechanisms for federally recognized Tribes and EPA to facilitate actions that protect human health and the environment in Indian country.

Lucas DuSablon is available to answer any questions. He can be reached at DuSablon.Lucas@epa.gov or 206 553 2573.

Data Analyst – Apply by Jan 17, 2025

EPA is hiring a data analyst for a 6-month full-time or 12-month part-time temporary assignment via the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). This assignment is an ideal opportunity for an employee who works for a Tribal government with a research or analytical skillset to gain transferable experience in data management principles, data analysis, and training development. This opportunity would not be issued as a grant, but rather as an agreement between EPA and the Tribal agency where EPA would agree to pay for the salary and benefits of the individual for the duration of the IPA assignment. There may be an opportunity for an extension. This is a telework position. Some travel may be required to events or training opportunities at EPA’s expense.

EPA’s New Safer Choice Labels to Protect Waterways

EPA developed the Safer Choice label to help consumers and businesses find cleaning and other products that are safer for you, your family, and the environment. Every ingredient must meet strict safety criteria for both human health and the environment, including carcinogenicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, toxicity to aquatic life, and persistence in the environment. Last week, EPA released a new Outdoor Use Safer Choice label that identifies outdoor use products — like pet care products, fire defense products, and car, boat, or grill cleaners — that meet EPA criteria to protect waterways. In addition to the Outdoor Use label, labels are also available for fragrance-free products and products with business or industrial/institutional purposes.

EPA’s National Requirements to Protect U.S. Waterways from Pollutants Discharged by Vessels

EPA has announced the finalization of national discharge standards to control the release of pollutants and invasive species from approximately 85,000 vessels operating in U.S. waters. These standards, issued through EPA’s Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance final rule, address discharges that occur with normal operation of large vessels. EPA’s final rule will help address harmful pollutants, including bacteria, pathogens, oil, grease, and metals while reducing the spread of invasive species that can damage ecosystems and infrastructure.

EPA’s Environmental Justice Climate Corps

On September 25, EPA and AmeriCorps launched the Environmental Justice Climate Corps, a new partnership designed to open doors to careers that benefit disadvantaged and other low-income communities. The partnership will support more than 250 AmeriCorps VISTA members nationwide over three years, with each member completing a one-year term of service.Members will be paid a living allowance and reimbursed for selected expenses.

  • Applications for the Environmental Justice Climate Corps will open in early 2025. Subscribe to receive updates.

The Environmental Justice Climate Corps is part of the American Climate Corps, a workforce training and service initiative support by the White House, AmeriCorps, the US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Commerce, US Department of Energy, US Department of Interior, US Department of Labor, and EPA.

Region 10 Resources for GAP Staff

If you have new staff on board, please direct them to our New Staff Toolkit, designed to help new Tribal environmental staff understand the typical activities in the first year and throughout their GAP career. Another superb resource for new and continuing staff is EPA’s Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients, which offers six online modules that you can complete at your leisure. When you complete a module, you can send the certificate to your Project Officer as a deliverable.

GAP Deadlines
As we start a new fiscal year (October 1-September 30), it seems a good time to provide some reminders about GAP grant requirements. As stated in last year’s Notice of Funding Availability, the following reports are required for all grantees. Column 4 lists some EPA resources to help you get them done.

ReportDue Date (for awards starting October 1)Due Date (for awards starting January 1)EPA Resources
Progress ReportsQuarterly, biannually, or annually. Refer to the Tribe’s Grant Agreement for due dates. Quarter 1: Progress reports due January 30. Quarter 2: Progress reports due April 30. Quarter 3: Progress reports due July 30. Quarter 4: Progress reports due October 30Quarterly, biannually, or annually. Refer to the Tribe’s Grant Agreement for due dates Quarter 1: Progress reports due April 30. Quarter 2: Progress reports due July 30. Quarter 3: Progress reports due October 30. Quarter 4: Progress reports due January 30GAP Administrative Resources: Progress Reporting  
Annual Federal Financial Reports (FFRs)    Within 90 days of the end of the project period (December 30)Within 90 days of the end of the project period (March 30)SF-425 Form SF-425 Instructions  
Final Federal Financial Report (FFR)Within 120 days of the end of the project period (January 30 for fiscal year grants; April 30 for calendar year grants)Within 120 days of the end of the project period (January 30 for fiscal year grants; April 30 for calendar year grants)SF-425 Form SF-425 Instructions Tribal Grant Closeouts in Region 10  
Final Performance ReportWithin 120 days of the end of the project period (January 30 for fiscal year grants).Within 120 days of the end of the project period (April 30).Tribal Grant Closeouts in Region 10

How to Request a Federal Disaster Declaration for Tribal Nations

News sites are now calling Hurricane Helene one of the deadliest storms of the century. Communities along Helene’s path may take years to recover from the devastation. Federal aid comes in varied forms, but federal aid starts with a federal disaster declaration. Did you know that Tribes can request a presidential emergency or major disaster declaration independent of a state? FEMA has this site with more information.

https://www.fema.gov/disaster/how-declared-tribal-nations

Biden-Harris Administration Launches Nationwide Environmental Justice Climate Corps

Today, September 25, in commemoration of Climate Week NYC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and AmeriCorps announced the Environmental Justice Climate Corps, a new partnership launched as part of President Biden’s American Climate Corps to open doors for people to serve in careers that benefit disadvantaged and other low-income communities.

This partnership will support more than 250 AmeriCorps VISTA members nationwide over three years, with each new participating member completing a one-year term of service.This historic initiative is the largest environmental partnership in AmeriCorps’ history and EPA’s first nationwide service effort. The Environmental Justice Climate Corps represents the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to tackling the climate crisis and advancing environmental justice. It also reaffirms the Administration’s commitment to creating pathways to middle class jobs and a step to implement the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order to Promote Good Jobs by supporting workforce development through the American Climate Corps.

Environmental Justice Climate Corps members will be paid a living allowance and reimbursed for selected living expenses. In total, this allowance is equivalent to receiving more than $25 per hour throughout their year of service. Members will obtain the benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA service—including the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which is valued at $7,395 in FY24, and streamlined pathways into certain federal jobs—as well as gain mentorship and professional development opportunities. This program aims to recruit participants from communities disproportionately impacted by environmental justice challenges and seeks to recruit individuals with an interest in environmental justice careers.

The Environmental Justice Climate Corps is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Climate Corps—a workforce training and service initiative that will ensure more young people have access to the skills-based training necessary for good-paying careers in the clean energy and climate resilience economy. The American Climate Corps will mobilize a new, diverse generation of more than 20,000 Americans in the initiative’s first year, putting them to work conserving and restoring our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and advancing environmental justice—all while creating pathways to high-quality, good-paying clean energy and climate resilience jobs in the public and private sectors after they complete their paid training program.

Applications for the Environmental Justice Climate Corps will open in early 2025, with a goal for its first cohort to start later that year. To sign up for updates on the program, visit EPA’s Environmental Justice Climate Corps Program website.

Alaska Forum on the Environment – Feb 3-7, 2025

The Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) will be held both virtually and in person in Anchorage, AK. The conference will feature sessions on climate change, energy, environmental regulations, cleanup and remediation, fish and wildlife, solid waste, sustainability, and more. For a lower price, register before October 31 using the discount code EARLYBIRD at checkout.

AFE also offers more than 100 technical breakout sessions and keynote events throughout the year. With an All Access Conference Pass, you can attend AFE, as well as bi-weekly sessions throughout the year.

Alaska Federation of Natives Convention – Oct 17-19

The Alaska Federation of Natives Convention serves as the principal forum for the Alaska Native community to address issues of public policy and government. Thousands of official delegates and participants from membership organizations across the state attend. It will be held in person in Anchorage, AK, but will also be broadcast by multiple television channels across the state.The convention is free and no registration is required.

EPA’s Summary of Changes to the Uniform Guidance

The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly called the Uniform Guidance) is a government-wide framework for grants management and an authoritative set of rules and requirements for federal awards. The National Policy, Training and Compliance Division (NPTCD) in EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment has provided a summary of major changes to 2 CFR Part 200, which is the basis for the Uniform Guidance. See the attachment for details.

Is this a subtle way to remind you that the Office of Management and Budget will be hosting a listening session on changes to the Uniform Guidance on September 30? You bet it is! 😊

Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality: EPA Website

Weather-related and man-made emergencies can create a range of hazards in indoor environments. EPA has published a new Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality website where you can learn how to protect yourself and your community before, during, and after emergencies. Learn about indoor air quality impacts from emergencies, wildfires, flood cleanup, power outages, extreme heat, and winter weather.

The Alaska Forum on the Environment is back again in 2025, February 3-7 at the Dena’ina Center or Virtually!



Registration is Open for AFE 2025!
Alaska’s premier environmental conference is back again in 2025 featuring a hybrid event Feb. 3-7, 2025 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage, Alaska and online in AFE’s Virtual Attendee Hub.

For the third year in a row, the Alaska Forum on the Environment will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options for both attendees and exhibitors! Watch sessions live in-person, catch up on recorded sessions that you missed in the Virtual Attendee Hub later on, visit exhibitors in-person and virtually and stay connected with AFE all year long. AFE offers more than 100 technical breakout sessions and inspiring keynote events throughout the year. With your All Access Conference Pass, you can watch sessions live in-person, recorded sessions and live virtual sessions throughout the year through the Virtual Attendee Hub. This year, we will continue to offer sessions on climate change, energy, environmental regulations, cleanup and remediation, fish and wildlife, solid waste, sustainability, and so much more. After the week of AFE Feb. 3-7, technical sessions will be offered virtually bi-weekly. View AFE 2025’s pricing structure

Register before Oct. 31, 2024 using discount code EARLYBIRD at checkout and receive $100 off an All Access AFE Registration. Register Today  

Be an Exhibitor at AFE 2025
As Alaska’s largest statewide gathering of environmental professionals, AFE is a unique opportunity for businesses, government agencies and organizations to share information about their efforts, products and services by being an exhibitor at the conference. As an exhibitor, you can expect to reach up to as many as 1,400 or more individuals from across Alaska, to share information on important environmental issues. And new this year, conference exhibitors also opt into having a virtual exhibitor booth to connect with virtual attendees.  Read more about exhibitor booth information and register today to be an exhibitor!

Present at AFE!
The Alaska Forum on the Environment provides an unmatched venue to watch presentations, view posters and films on topics that address technical, scientific or general information on environmental issues.  Do you have a topic you want to present on at AFE? Submit your presentation, poster or film to us! Submission for presentations closes Nov. 1, 2024.  Learn more about presenting, posters and films at AFE 2025 and submit a presentation today!

Travel Accommodations and Information
Whether you’re traveling in from rural Alaska, the lower 48 or joining AFE from Anchorage, this travel accommodation information will help make your travel easier.  Each year, Alaska Airlines generously offers a travel discount for those traveling in on Alaska Airlines. Book at Alaskaair.com using discount code: ECMK804.  The Anchorage Downtown Marriott will provide AFE’s host hotel services for the conference this year and is offering a discounted rate of $179.00/night.

Book your reservations early, space will fill up fast!  Anchorage Downtown Marriott
820 W 7th Ave. 
Anchorage, AK 99501
Toll Free Reservation Line: (888) 236-2427

Support the Alaska Forum on the Environment Is your organization interested in being a partner of the Alaska Forum on the Environment?  The Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) is statewide gathering of environmental professionals and has become one Alaska’s largest annual events. AFE is in part a success because of the diverse support received from businesses, organizations, and government agencies across the state. Alaska’s businesses and organizations maintain a key leadership role in the Alaska Forum’s mission to promote a healthy environment through communication and education and are provided several options to actively participate. Contact us to learn about partnership opportunities for AFE 2025.  

Register Today!   AFE is your opportunity to learn more about the environment and meet with other Alaskans that work in the environmental field. We encourage you to register online and join us for our 27th annual conference.
Alaska Forum | PO Box 212409 | Anchorage | AK | 99521 | US

State of the Climate in 2023: American Meteorological Society Report

The American Meteorological Society’s annual State of the Climate report provides a detailed update on global climate indicators, notable weather events, and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments located on land, water, ice, and in space.

The Arctic Chapter summarizes decades-long trends observed across the Arctic, including warming surface air and sea-surface temperatures, decreasing snow cover, diminishing sea ice, thawing permafrost, and continued mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet and Arctic glaciers. These changes are driving a transition to a wetter, greener, and less frozen Arctic, with serious implications for Arctic peoples and ecosystems, as well as for low- and mid-latitudes.

  • Read selected highlights. Just a few highlights include:
    • Earth’s greenhouse gas concentrations were the highest on record.
    • Ocean heat and global sea level were the highest on record.
    • Antarctica sea ice sets record lows throughout 2023.
  • See the Quick Guide to Climate Reports for a comparison of 5 major climate reports.

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