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 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 2570.
Links to Nomination forms for open RTOC Positions
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 2570.
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
GAP Notice of Funding Availability
EPA has released the GAP Notice of Funding Availability for work beginning on or after October 1, 2025. The NOFA is comprised of the national notice and the Region 10 supplement. Proposals are due by January 21.
A reminder that you can find all the documents and forms you need on our GAP web page under Administrative Resources.
November 12
GAP Notice of Funding Availability – Overview: EPA Webinar
Join EPA Region 10 for an overview of GAP funding in FY26, including a discussion of recent changes to the Uniform Guidance and multi-year applications. The second webinar, which will focus on applications tips and forms, will be announced in early 2025.
RTOC Town Hall: Alaska – Nov 8
Join the Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee for a virtual town hall from 10:30-12:00 Alaska. EPA is looking for feedback from Tribes. RTOC will bring your questions forward to strengthen and create a more communicative relationship between Tribes and government agencies.
RTOC Town Hall: Idaho, Oregon & Washington – Nov 7
Join the Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) for a virtual town hall from 12:00-1:30 Pacific. EPA is looking for feedback from Tribes. RTOC will bring your questions forward to strengthen and create a more communicative relationship between Tribes and government agencies.
Sign up for ITEP Newsletters & Listservs
Visit the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Newsletters page to sign up for ITEP newsletters and listservs on a wide range of environmental topics.
Sign up for RTOC Emails
Sign up for the Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) email list to stay up to date with RTOC news.
Toward Holistic Approaches to Drought Management on Tribal Lands in the Upper Columbia and Missouri River Basins Drought Resilience: NIDIS Report
A new report from the National Integrated Drought Information Service (NIDIS) identifies outcomes and opportunities to manage drought on Tribal lands. The document captures a range of best practices and opportunities that Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and their partners identified to strengthen engagement and action around drought resilience.
Solar Panel Recycling: EPA Website
Diverting solar panels from landfills to recycling saves space in landfills in addition to capturing the value of the raw materials. So, how do you recycle a solar panel? Visit EPA ‘s Solar Panel Recycling web page for answers.
EPA’s New Recipient Training Requirement: Term and Condition
A reminder that the following term and condition, added 3/5/2024, applies to all new EPA grantees. Even if you are not a new grantee, this training is well worth your time! For a nice deliverable, email the certificate to your EPA Project Officer when you complete a module. The recipient agrees to complete the EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients and the How to Develop a Budget training within 90 calendar days of the date of award of this agreement. The recipient must notify the Grant Specialist via email when the required training is complete. For additional information on this training requirement, the recipient should refer to RAIN-2024-G01.
EPA Resources to Inform Renters and Buyers about Lead Hazards
There is no safe level of lead exposure, particularly for children. EPA has released updated sample lead disclosure forms that will give renters and homebuyers clearer and more specific information about lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 housing they are considering buying or renting. The updated forms 1) ask landlords and sellers to describe what is known about the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards in the housing, and 2) allow renters or buyers to indicate whether or not they received all records and reports relating to lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards.
- Learn about lead.
- View and download the updated sample lead disclosure forms.
- View and download the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule Fact Sheet.
If you have bought or leased pre-1978 housing and did not receive a disclosure of information on lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards form, report this disclosure violation to epa.gov/lead/violation or leadregulations@hud.gov
RTOC Town Hall for Alaska Tribes – Nov 8 at 10:30 AM Alaska
Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) will be hosting a Town Hall for Tribes in our Region for the states of Idaho, Oregon, & Washington.
EPA is looking for feedback from our Tribes, we are going to be bringing their questions forward to strengthen and create a more communicative relationship between Tribes and the government agencies.
Please feel free to forward this meeting to who you deem appropriate.
Alaska Town Hall
11/08/2024
10:30 – 12:00 Alaska:
11.08.24 RTOC Alaska Town Hall Agenda.docx
Meeting ID: 833 8328 8230
Passcode: 631694
Survey: Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee Consortium Town Hall Survey (constantcontactpages.com)
Past Town Hall Recaps
Election Season is upon us, get in your nominations by November 1st, 2024.
NTOC Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Eastern Oregon
Sign-up for our RTOC Mailing List to stay involved.
Sign-up for the R10TribalInfoBox, it contains resources, events, funding and technical assistance opportunities, Tribal consultations, and opportunities for public comments for Tribes in Alaska, Idaho, Idaho, and Oregon.
Please spread the word, have your co-workers or Tribal Leaders participate, we would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
The RTOC Team
RTOC Town Hall for Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Tribes – Nov 7, 12:00 PM Pacific/1:00 PM Mountain
Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) will be hosting a Town Hall for Tribes in our Region for the states of Idaho, Oregon, & Washington.
EPA is looking for feedback from our Tribes, we are going to be bringing their questions forward to strengthen and create a more communicative relationship between Tribes and the government agencies.
Please feel free to forward this meeting to who you deem appropriate.
Idaho, Oregon, & Washington:
11/07/2024
12:00 – 1:30 Pacific/1:00 Mountain:
11.07.24 Idaho, Oregon, & Washington Town Hall Agenda.docx
Meeting ID: 832 9355 0227
Passcode: 431288
Past Town Hall Recaps
Election Season is upon us, get in your nominations by November 1st, 2024.
NTOC Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Eastern Oregon
Sign-up for our RTOC Mailing List to stay involved.
Sign-up for the R10TribalInfoBox, it contains resources, events, funding and technical assistance opportunities, Tribal consultations, and opportunities for public comments for Tribes in Alaska, Idaho, Idaho, and Oregon.
Please spread the word, have your co-workers or Tribal Leaders participate, we would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
The RTOC Team
Funding Handbook for Access to Clean Drinking Water in Tribal Communities
The Universal Access to Clean Water Initiative has released the Funding Handbook for Access to Clean Drinking Water in Tribal Communities. This is a reference guide for Tribes seeking to access and use funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to increase, improve, and maintain access to clean drinking water.
EPA’s National Pollution Prevention Training and Conference – Dec 10-11
EPA’s National Pollution Prevention Training and Conference will focus on practices to eliminate or prevent pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. This event will be held both virtually and in person in Washington, D.C.
- Register by November 1.
BIA Provider’s Conference (AK) – Dec 3-5
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Provider’s Conference will be held at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage.
Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Chum Salmon Research and Monitoring Action Plan: Report
Since the late 1990s, Chinook salmon in the watersheds of the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim (AYK) region have experienced sharp reductions in abundance. The decline in productivity of AYK Chinook salmon has resulted in widespread commercial fishing closures and restrictions in subsistence harvests. As a result of the decline in adult run abundance in the region, restrictions and closures were implemented on the subsistence and small-scale commercial fisheries. These restrictions have caused nutritional, economic, and cultural hardship for thousands of people in the AYK region who depend upon salmon stocks.
The following questions need to be addressed: 1) Are the variables or driving factors that have contributed most significantly to the patterns of declines observed in Chinook salmon and are those variables acting alone or in combination? 2) Are the major stressors responsible for the declines acting predominantly in the freshwater or the marine phase of the Chinook salmon life cycle? In response to the need to focus on these critical issues, the AYK Sustainable Salmon Initiative (SSI) developed a Chinook salmon research action plan to identify which variables and processes are the most likely causative factors of the AYK Chinook salmon declines and to produce a more detailed set of research priorities and questions to better understand the key drivers of salmon abundance in the region.
Gravel to Gravel: Keystone Initiative for People, Salmon, and the Land
The Department of the Interior — coordinated through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — is partnering with Tribes, Indigenous leaders, other agencies, and community partners to launch and carry forward the Gravel to Gravel Keystone Initiative. The effort is designed to enhance the resilience of the region’s ecosystems and communities through transformational federal, philanthropic, and other investments. On October 16, the Department of the Interior celebrated the signing of three landmark agreements with Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations to advance co-stewardship on public lands and waters.
Climate Adaptation Planning in Alaska – Lessons Learned
Alaska Sea Grant investigated barriers to climate adaptation planning at the regional and community levels, reviewing Alaska climate action plans, climate adaptation plans and assessments, and associated publications, reports, and articles. The findings are now available in the report Climate Adaptation Planning in Coastal Alaska Communities: Challenges, Opportunities, and Equity Considerations.The report’s findings are also visualized and summarized in an ArcGIS Story Map.
HUD’s Radon Videos
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released three animated videos with detailed information on radon gas, the process of testing for the presence of radon gas, and how to mitigate if high levels of radon are detected. These are great to share with your community. View the videos in conjunction with the accompanying fact sheets and infographics.
EPA Tools Help Small, Rural, and Tribal Communities Manage Wastewater Lagoons and Protect Waterbodies
EPA has released new tools to help protect public health and local water bodies in communities that rely on lagoons for wastewater management. Lagoon wastewater treatment systems are typically used in communities that are smaller than 3,000 people and can lack the necessary financial and technical resources to comply with the Clean Water Act. EPA’s new tools are intended to help local decisionmakers effectively and efficiently protect public health and the environment, address compliance challenges, and improve asset-management planning.
- Learn more about lagoons in videos from EPA’s Bruno Pigott and Kathryn Kazior.
- Read the press release and access the new tools.
- Don’t miss EPA’s upcoming webinars:
Access to Capital Clearinghouse – A multi-agency strategy to improve awareness of, access to, and utilization of federal funding resources for Tribal governments, Tribal enterprises, Native entrepreneurs, and Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) is taking critical steps to improve access to capital across Indian Country, including through the launch of an online clearinghouse that will serve as a searchable repository for an up-to-date list of all federal funding opportunities, including grants and loans, available to Tribal Nations and Native businesses. The Biden-Harris administration has made historic amounts of funding available to Tribal Nations through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda.
The WHCNAA and the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs created a central database that will ensure that Tribes are able to easily navigate and access the financial opportunities provided across the federal government. The version of the website being unveiled today has over 500 federal funding programs and will serve as an initial version, with the goal of soliciting feedback to continually improve user experience. To ensure the effectiveness of this resource, agencies are directed to continually update and maintain this database—or an equivalent resource—as part of President Biden’s Executive Order, announced today, on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self Determination.
“Indigenous communities have long faced barriers to gaining access to federal resources. Through the White House Council on Native American Affairs, we want to make sure that we’re not just delivering more resources for Indian Country, but that they are getting to Indian Country,” said Secretary Deb Haaland, who serves as co-chair of the WHCNAA. “The Administration’s Access to Capital Initiative is playing an important role in ensuring funding opportunities are available to Tribes to help revitalize Indigenous communities.”
The Council is also announcing a new draft Request for Information (RFI) as part of the Access to Capital Initiative that is aimed at assessing the current status of Tribal Nation’s funding needs, barriers to obtaining federal and non-federal funds, and priority areas of need. The WHCNAA will hold Tribal consultations and listening sessions starting in January 2024 to hear from Tribal leaders and experts on the RFI. Once completed, this data call will help the WHCNAA gauge the awareness, accessibility and utilization of federal sources of funding by Tribal Nations for areas of housing, education, healthcare, social services, food and agriculture, justice, economic development, and infrastructure.
The White House Tribal Nations Summit provides an opportunity for the Biden-Harris administration and Tribal leaders from the 574 federally recognized Tribes to discuss ways the federal government can invest in and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships as well as ensure that progress in Indian Country endures for years to come. Increasing access to capital across Indian Country has been a central focus of the Biden-Harris administration. These announcements are part of the WHCNAA’s “Access to Capital Initiative,” announced at the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, with the goal of increasing awareness, access, and utilization of financing opportunities for Tribal Nations.
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