About Us

Due to these unique factors, the RTOC

• Aims to keep EPA updated on the most pressing tribal environmental issues in Region 10 so that EPA may develop comprehensive budgets, policies, and regulations that adequately reflect tribal interests.
• In addition, RTOC attempts to disseminate to Tribes, information on these EPA budgets, policies, and regulations. In effect, RTOC operates as a two-way conduit of information between Tribes and EPA in Region 10.
• Beyond this relationship, RTOC also develops its own committee policies and agency recommendations to increase the effectiveness of Tribal input on EPA workings, as well as increase EPA’s effectiveness in assisting Tribes to build environmental program capacity.
• We often issue official comments on EPA proposed actions and rule makings which hold a lot of weight because the comments are based on what we hear from our Tribal Caucus, and they are representing the Region’s 271 tribes.

Note: There are two entities serving the same purpose:

1. Region 10 “RTOC” as described above

2. Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee Administrative Consortium (a non-profit organization), which purposes include: (A) to apply for and administer funding received by the U.S. EPA for the operation of the RTOC, and (B) to employ staff and contractors necessary to carry out the work of the RTOC consistent with direction from the Board, EPA grant requirements, and budgetary constraints. Elected members and their primaries are automatically default Board Members on for the Non-Profit entity sometimes referred to as the “Consortium”.

Our Mission 

The mission of the RTOC is to protect and improve tribal health and environmental conditions consistent with the EPA Indian Lands Policy, EPA’s trust responsibility, and federal treaties, laws, regulations, policies, and guidance.