Posts Archive

The U.S. Census Bureau is hosting a 2025 Indigenous Data Sovereignty Symposium on February 12, 2025, that will showcase world-renowned Indigenous scholars and researchers to speak on the topics of Indigenous Tribal Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance. The...

Project WET (Water Education Today) works to solve critical environmental challenges by teaching the world about water by providing hands-on, science-based water education resources to educators around the world. The Project Wet Conference will be held in person in...

The Alaska Marine Science Symposium brings together scientists, educators, resource managers, students, and interested members of the public to discuss the latest marine research being conducted in Alaskan waters. Research topics range from ocean physics, fishes and...

ASHRAE Guideline 44, “Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events,” released in December, recommends building measures to minimize occupant health impacts from wildfire and prescribed burn smoke events. It is the first guideline...

Native Climate, a project that supports climate adaptation efforts in Native American communities of the Southwest and Northern Plains, compiled local climate projections for 633 tribally controlled areas in the United States, including Alaska Native Villages. The...

On December 23, EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights released the agency’s Environmental Justice Strategic Plan. The plan lays out three goals for agency: Promote environmental justice and civil rights at the federal, Tribal, state, local,...

n its FY2022-2026 Strategic Plan, EPA committed to assembling a set of indicators of disparities in environmental and public health conditions relevant to the agency’s work, consistent with the broader effort to advance environmental justice. EPA has now released the...

Through E-Enterprise for the Environment, EPA, states, and Tribes are working together to improve environmental program management by streamlining processes and modernizing technology. It is governed by three goals: Early and meaningful dialogue with partners who make...

On Jan. 3, EPA announced the addition of 9 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). TRI data is reported to EPA annually by industrial and federal facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use...

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Carbon monoxide symptoms can be flu-like or may look like other health problems. At high levels, carbon monoxide can be deadly. Share this excellent fact sheet with your community.  

EPA Region 10 is updating its web page, Training and Technical Assistance Opportunities for Tribes in Region 10. If you have other opportunities you think we should include, please email Susan Conbere at Conbere.Susan@epa.gov. In the meantime, take a gander at a wide...

Pathways to Science compiles research and funding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Some of these opportunities are in federal agencies, including EPA. Paid Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research...

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Indigenous Climate Internship Program will support up to 8 Indigenous climate interns who are current college or university students: two during the academic school year and up to six interns for the summer....

Students across the Northwest are encouraged to raise public awareness of radon hazards by participating in the 2025 Northwest Radon Poster Contest. Youth between the ages of 9 and 14 living in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington are eligible. First, second, and third place...

EPA recently published updates to the agency’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing, which help federal government purchasers and other buyers select products that are more sustainable and contain safer chemical...

Brownfields 101: Tribal Funding Panel: A presentation from EPA given at the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council Conference. Brownfields 101 Practical Ways to Navigate Cleanup and Redevelopment: A presentation from the Washington Department of Ecology, EPA,...

EPA has posted fish graphics that show parts of a fish that should not be eaten because of possible exposure to chemicals. This is particularly true for sensitive populations (e.g., pregnant people, children) and people who are subsistence fish consumers. Download the...

This report presents the results of an EPA analysis of blood mercury and fish consumption data for 1999 through 2020 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for U.S. women 16-49 years of age. A key finding is that while the estimated amount of fish...

As a new year is upon us, it seems exactly the right time to reintroduce the New Staff Toolkit. Chock full of resources, the toolkit is designed to help new Tribal environmental staff understand the typical activities of the GAP Program in the first year and...

Pathways to Science compiles research and funding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Some of these opportunities are in federal agencies, including EPA. Paid Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research...

The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) is hosting the next National Tanks Conference in Spokane, WA, Sept. 22-25, 2025. The event brings together hundreds of UST/LUST professionals, including tank inspectors; cleanup specialists;...

EPA’s Tribal Water & Natural Resources Conservation Guide aims to provide resources to Tribal environmental programs about federal assistance opportunities that can support Tribally led efforts to protect and restore waters, protect air quality, protect wildlife...

EPA added the Upper Columbia River Site in northeast Washington to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), the list of sites throughout the United States and its territories where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose...

As we enter the new year, the Info Box thought it might be helpful for readers to have the grant reporting deadlines all in one place.   ReportDue Date(for awards starting Oct. 1)Due Date(for awards starting Jan. 1)Progress reports that document progress in...

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) are seeking contractors to work on a multi-media outreach project and a climate analyses project to accompany the report, The Estimated Unmet Need of Coastal Tribes in...

Join the Environmental Law Institute in person or on the web to hear what lies ahead for environmental law in the coming year. The conference, designed for attorneys, will explore the potential impacts of a new administration and Congress on future environmental...

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) will host its winter convention in Portland, OR. ATNI conventions are a place to gather, learn, develop policy positions, and share knowledge. Early bird registration ends Jan. 13.   Register

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has released Guideline 44, “Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events.” It is the first guideline of its kind to provide recommendations...

First published in 2019, Alaska’s Changing Environment, published by the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, highlights environmental changes and extremes that impact Alaskans lives and livelihoods. All regions of the state have been impacted, from...

EPA’s report, Climate Change Considerations When Prioritizing, Developing, and Implementing Total Maximum Daily Loads, provides examples and a selection of approaches for incorporating climate change considerations into Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) processes that...

EPA has announced the three Alaska Native organizations that will receive more than $3.8 million in grant funding to assess and clean up legacy contamination on lands conveyed through the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). These grants are part of more...

Here’s some good news to fuel your day: EPA’s FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan included a new strategic goal focused on addressing climate change and an unprecedented goal to advance environmental justice and civil rights and we’ve made a lot of progress in FY24!...

Man, does EPA have resources! If you are looking for ideas to include in your GAP work plan for FY26 or beyond, take a gander at the following: EPA’s GAP Technical Assistance Handbook: The handbook provides a roadmap of activities that may be useful to Tribes and...

The Salmon Recovery Conference in Yakima, WA, will include discussion of innovations being used in partnerships, projects, coordination, community involvement, and funding to integrate salmon recovery with other interests while reflecting diversity, equity, inclusion,...

The Alaska Forum on the Environment has released a draft agenda. Participants can register to attend in-person or virtually. Review the agenda Register 

Grants.gov conducts routine system maintenance on the third weekend of every month. The table below lists the next two anticipated dates the system will be down. One of these is Jan. 18-20. Note that GAP, 106, and 319 applications are due January 21. If you need to...

Check out EPA Region 10’s recently updated Tribal Solid Waste and Sustainable Materials Management page, which now includes a section on Environmental Justice and Solid Waste, information on organics and composting, the latest EPA contacts, and a whole lot more. 

EPA’s Compendium of Tools and Methods to Estimate Environmental Benefits for Nature-Based Solutions identifies open-source tools and methods that can be used to estimate and communicate environmental benefits related to water quantity, climate mitigation, air quality,...

Vehicle tires contain the chemical 6PPD, which helps prevent degradation and cracking of rubber compounds. When 6PPD reacts with ozone in the air, it forms a transformation product called 6PPD-quinone, which has been shown to exhibit acute toxicity toward some aquatic...

This Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, funded by EPA Region 10, is now offering free, no cost technical assistance to communities across the Northwest, including support navigating government systems, increasing administrative...

EPA's free Water Technical Assistance services support communities to identify water challenges, develop plans, build capacity, and develop application materials to access water infrastructure funding. To implement WaterTA, EPA collaborates with states, Tribes,...

If you are working to educate your community about the impacts of wasted food on the environment, take a gander at EPA’s graphics, which any community is welcome to use in its education efforts. Two fact sheets are also available: Food Waste and Methane Fact Sheet...

EPA’s Burn Wise website provides many handy resources to help you educate your community about safe ways to burn wood this winter:   Brochures and Flyers Example: Does Your Wood Stove Have a Dirty Little Secret (brochure) Example: Test Your Wood with a Moisture...

EPA has released its National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution outlining opportunities for action to protect communities from the impacts of plastic production and waste and detailing how government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and communities can take...

On November 12, EPA published RAIN-2025-G01. This Recipient/Application Information Notice (RAIN) informs EPA grant recipients of the process to amend fully funded grants and cooperative agreements to incorporate the Office of Management and Budget’s revisions to 2...

The Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department’s wetland biologists have spent considerable time inventorying, assessing, monitoring, and ultimately restoring or enhancing wetlands on the Tulalip Reservation. The Tribe has posted three excellent videos on its wetland...

On Nov. 13, EPA released its final supplement to the risk evaluation and final risk determination for the solvent 1,4-dioxane under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA has determined that this chemical poses an unreasonable risk of injury to human health....

FY 26 GAP NOFA Webinar What's New in the Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 On November 12, EPA Region 10 provided an overview of GAP funding in FY26. Initial proposals are due to your EPA Project Officer by January 21, 2025. (And would we take them early? You bet!!) ...

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review new science on the public health and environmental impacts of air pollutants every 5 years and revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), as necessary. EPA lowered the annual NAAQS for PM2.5 from 12.0 to 9.0...

On November 14, EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to gather information on the potential risks associated with N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD)...

The ELI Digital Consultation Hub serves as a comprehensive platform to build the capacity of Tribal, state, and local policymakers in implementing best practices in government-to-government consultation. The database includes documents from Tribal, state, and federal...

The National Science Foundation’s Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science is an undergraduate-to-graduate bridge program. The program broadens participation of marginalized communities in the atmospheric and related sciences. Students...

The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC) produced two coloring and activity books for youth this fall: Water and Watersheds (~5th ~8th grade), and Watersheds and Ecology (~8th ~12th grade). Both are focused on the Yukon River.

Brand spanking new and hot off the presses! If you’ve thought of combining your EPA-Tribal Environmental Plan (ETEP) with your GAP work plan – which should make it easier to keep both documents aligned and up to date – EPA has a new, optional template that can help....

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) will hold its winter convention in Portland, OR. Members will come together to engage in discussions, presentations, and committee activities related to policy, legislation, and the future of Indian Country in the...

The Firewood Community Safety Initiative is aimed at any firewood bank or high wood burning town. Those who participate will receive technical assistance from the Alliance for Green Heat to improve the safety of low-income households that heat with wood. A free...

EPA’s Trash Free Waters program has mapped estimated escaped trash density on land and at risk of getting into waterways in its newly released the Escaped Trash Risk Map, which displays trash density across the United States as of September 2024. This tool is designed...

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...