Posts Archive
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EPA Draft Fungicide Strategy Public Comment Opportunity – Comments due June 29, 2026
EPA is seeking public input on its Draft Fungicide Strategy, which outlines a new approach to protecting federally listed endangered and threatened species while maintaining flexibility for agricultural use. The draft strategy focuses on: • Identifying potential...
Draft FY 2026-2027 Strategic Plan and FY 2027 Evidence Plan Consultation – Ends May 14
TCOTS Link The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized Indian Tribes on the draft FY 2026-2030 EPA Strategic Plan and complementary draft FY 2027 Evidence Plan (which supports the agency’s Learning...
CAA NESHAP amendments: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities, Natural Gas Transmission and Storage – Ends May 22
TCOTS Link The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is initiating consultation with federally recognized Indian Tribes to obtain input on the Agency’s proposed amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) from Crude Oil...
Responding to Disasters in Indian Country Guide – December 2025
This guide is designed to help Tribal leadership and staff decide how to seek federal disaster assistance after a disaster. It includes an introduction to the disaster declaration process, the three types of declarations available to Tribal Nations, and the...
NOAA’s NIDIS – Snow Drought Status Update April 2026
NIDIS is an integrated information system that coordinates drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information and federal, tribal, state and local levels across the country. NIDIS's mission is to improve the nation's capacity to proactively manage...
EPA – TSCA Peer Review & Public Comment
EPA is advancing its review of four chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) - 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB), phthalic anhydride, o-dichlorobenzene (oDCB) and p-dichlorobenzene (pDCB)—by releasing draft...
EPA Updated Guidance Portal
EPA has updated its Guidance Portal, a public website that provides access to guidance on topics like air quality, water protection, and hazardous waste. The updated portal includes a more user-friendly search tool, allowing users to quickly find relevant documents...
Alaska Underground Injection Control Class VI Primacy – Ends May 15
TCOTS Linkhttps://tcots.epa.gov/ords/tcotspub/f?p=106:5::2439:::: The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission recently informed the public that they intend to request the EPA for approval to directly regulate Class VI injection wells in areas where the state has...
Proposed rulemaking process to address unreasonable risk for Formaldehyde (HCHO) – Ends May 25, 2026
TCOTS Link The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is initiating consultation with federally recognized Indian Tribes to obtain input on the Agency’s proposed consolidation of air curtain incinerator (ACI) requirements and provision for the temporary use of...
EPA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools
Winter weather can present unique indoor air quality challenges for schools, including frozen and burst pipes, increased spread of respiratory viruses, exhaust from idling vehicles trying to keep warm, condensation dripping off poorly insulated windows, and issues...
ALPAR Recycling Collection Event Mini-Grants (Alaska) – Apply by March 31, June 30 Sept. 30, Dec. 31
If you’re organizing a collection event for hard-to-recycle items, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR) mini-grants may be able to help. Applications are due at the end of each quarter (3/31, 6/30, 9/30, 12/31). Apply Need bags? ALPAR now has...
Resources from DEC’s Solid Waste Program (Alaska)
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Resources Webpage provides a wide range of solid waste resources. Here are a few of note: DEC’s Waste Index: DEC uses the Waste Index to score landfill sites when they do inspections. This Excel...
AI Data Centers at Superfund and Brownfields Sites: EPA Resources
EPA’s Superfund and Brownfields programs have assembled resources to help interested parties assess the viability of Superfund site properties and brownfield sites for redevelopment as possible locations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers or other...
WQX/STORET Data Assistance
Need assistance uploading water quality data? EPA’s WQX Helpdesk can answer your questions about data submission and retrieval. If you have a basic question, the fastest way to get an answer is to chat via email WQX Helpdesk (wqx@epa.gov). You may also request an...
Spark the Fire Grant Writing Course – April 7-July 7
Spark the Fire is offering a Spring 2026 Certificate in Grant Writing course. The training is designed for professionals who want hands-on experience developing competitive grant proposals. The course is conducted online and includes weekly sessions, writing...
Drought Conditions on Tribal Lands: Drought.gov Webpage
The American West is experiencing increasing drought, which affects water resources and fish. Check out Drought.gov’s Tribal Nations webpage for U.S. drought maps with reservation boundaries, studies on resilience planning, and more.
Tools from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness
The National Center for Disaster Preparedness has developed an array of tools and resources to help communities prepare for and respond to disasters. Just two examples: the US Natural Hazards Index and the presentation, “How to Survive a Disaster in 5 Easy Action...
Alaska Emergency and Disaster Homeowner’s Handbook: Sea Grant Alaska
This handbook provides an overview of natural hazards in Alaska, from tsunamis to volcanic eruptions. It covers potential impacts to communities and homeowners, best practices for preparing your home and surrounding area, how to prepare for an evacuation event, and...
Salmon Recovery and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Grants (Washington) – Apply between Jan. 13 and May 15
Apply between Jan. 13 and May 15Salmon Recovery and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Grants (Washington) Learn more Attend the application workshop on Jan. 29.
Trifluoroacetic Acid – A Planetary Boundary Threat: Tribal PFAS Webinar Recording
On December 12, the Tribal PFAS Working Group hosted this webinar to discuss trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a small PFAS compound, and its increasing presence in the environment. Listen to the recording
EPA’s Tribal Reserved Rights Rule: NTAA/NTWC Webinar Recording
On December 9, the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) and National Tribal Water Council (NTWC) co-hosted a webinar on EPA’s Tribal Reserved Rights Rule. The rule directs states to consider the impact of state water quality standards on tribal reserved rights, such...
The Competition Process: EPA Webinar Materials
EPA hosted a webinar on how to apply for a competitive grant on December 17. The webinar presentation and helpful links are now available on the Competition Process Webinar webpage. The recording should be posted soon. Find recordings and materials for...
Washington’s Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant – Apply by June 30, 2026
Washington’s Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant is a non-competitive grant programs open to all Federally Recognized Tribes with impacts to rights and interest in their tribal lands within Washington state. This grant program focuses on the...
Washington’s Healthy Environment for All Tribal Capacity Grant – Apply by June 30, 2026
Washington’s Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Tribal Capacity Grant is a non-competitive grant opportunity open to all Federally Recognized Tribes with impacts to rights and interest in their Tribal lands within Washington state. The base award is $45,454 per Tribe....
USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes. The EWP Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to...
Record Retention
So, how long do you have to hang on to those pesky old grant records? Per 2 CFR 200.334, most records pertinent to federal award must be retained for three years from the date of submission of the final financial report.
Indigenous Access
IndigenousACCESS, provided by the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), is a rapid-response tool to help users locate information and resources related to extreme hazards and severe weather events in the Pacific Northwest. The website’s PNW Tribal Flood...
Tribal Technical Assistance to Brownfields
The Tribal Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program supports Indigenous communities in protecting and restoring sacred lands and accomplishing their revitalization goals. TAB is a collaborative partnership between Kansas State University, the Institute for...
Underground Storage Tank Operators in Indian Country: NEIWPCC Online Training
NEIWPCC is offering a free online training and exam (Class A or Class B) for Underground Storage Tank Operators in Indian Country. The course was developed in partnership with EPA. Learn more
Mercury in a Warming Arctic: CHE Webinar Recording
Hosted by the Collaborative for Health & Environment (CHE) on December 4, this webinar addresses permafrost thawing in the Arctic, which is releasing mercury into Alaska’s rivers and landscapes, creating risks for ecosystems and community health. Watch the...
Navigating Natural Hazards and Extreme Weather Events in Tribal Communities: Online Training
The National Center for Disaster Preparedness is offering a web-based training on the impacts of extreme weather events and the associated risks and hazards on emergency management, with a specific emphasis on Tribal Nation protocols. The course will teach tailored...
Closeouts: Critically Delinquent Progress Reports
Heads up to an issue we recently learned about: A “deficiency” will be logged in SAM.govagainst a grantee for failure to submit final grant reports within one year of the end of the grant cycle. 2 CFR 200.344 says: (h) The Federal agency must make every...
Integrating Climate Considerations into Planning: A Quick Reference Guide
Assembled by the Alaska Tribal Resilience Learning Network, this reference guide provides templates for including climate future projections and climate data into Small Community Emergency Response Plans (SCERPs), Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs), and other common...
National Association of Environmental Professionals Conference & Training Symposium: Call for Abstracts
The National Association of Environmental Professionals Conference & Training Symposium will be held May 11-14, 2026, in Anchorage, AK. Environmental professionals from across the country will learn about new projects, share technical knowledge, network...
DOE’s Microgrid Technical Assistance
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP) brings together communities, Tribes, industry and other organizations working to advance microgrids, creating a forum for innovation. C-MAP is offering technical assistance to...
Superfund and Brownfields: EPN Webinar Recording
Hosted by the Environmental Protection Network, EPA 101: Superfund & Brownfieldsfeatured three EPA alumni discussing Brownfield and Superfund sites. Learn about the different types and how to use federal environmental programs to reclaim...
DOE’s Expert Match: Short-Term Energy Technical Assistance
The Department of Energy (DOE) Energy to Communities (E2C) program offers free, short-term technical assistance through Expert Match to help communities tackle near-term energy challenges. Eligible stakeholders can receive 40–60 hours of support over 3–4 months from...
GAP Calendar
If you are not already familiar with the handy-dandy GAP Calendar on our Region 10 Tribal Programs website, here’s a quick reminder that you can find the major deadlines for the GAP grant here. Up next: Annual Federal Financial Reports (SF-425s) are due December 30...
Understanding NOAA’s Sea Level Calculator: Webinar Recordings
This webinar series from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will help you make the most of the quick views in NOAA's Sea Level Calculator. The quick views present curated sets of data and interactive visualizations focusing on...
EPA Updates Lead Guidance to Accelerate Cleanup of Superfund, Hazardous Waste Sites
EPA has updated guidance and streamlined processes for investigating and cleaning up lead in residential soil at contaminated sites and emphasizing early collaboration with state and local partners communities. The updated guidance establishes: ...
NCAI Releases Survey on Tribal Impacts from 2025 U.S. Federal Shutdown
The Federal Government is shut down again, placing Indian Country in jeopardy as trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations go unpaid. Even with advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service, most other Tribal programs will be severely impacted, including...
National Adaptation Forum: Call for Proposals – May 12-24, 2026
The National Adaptation Forum is a convening for climate adaptation professionals to innovate, network, and focus on established and emerging climate adaptation issues. The goal of the Forum is to move beyond awareness into action by highlighting the breadth...
Tribal Funding Registry
The Tribal Funding Registry is a free, searchable grants database designed for Tribes and Native-led nonprofit organizations. The registry is hosted by the Hozhonigo Institute, a Native American-led nonprofit.
RTOC Webinar: (Un)Precedented Times: What the President Can and Can’t Do and What That Means for Tribes
Presented on May 14 by Grant Thompson, Ph.D., J.D. Link to Slides https://youtu.be/mqD3MXlTKB8
Reuse of Mining Waste: ITRC Guidance Document
Reuse of Mining Waste, from the Interstate Technology Regulatory Commission (ITRC), is designed to help communities determine if there is an appropriate use for solid mining waste. These materials have a range of physical and chemical properties that make them both...
EPA’s Environmental Justice Strategic Plan
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,...
EPA Indicators of Environmental Health Disparities
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...
Tackling Emerging Contaminants: EPA Technical Assistance – No Deadline
EPA has launched the Tackling Emerging Contaminants initiative, a technical assistance program focused on reducing exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities. This assistance...
EPA’s Policy for Meaningful Engagement and Public Participation in Agency Decision-Making Processes
On September 5, EPA released the final document, Achieving Health and Environmental Protection Through EPA’s Meaningful Engagement Policy. The new policy outlines how the Agency intends to engage with the public and provide meaningful public participation...
Solid Waste Bootcamp: DEC Presentations
You wanted to attend the Solid Waste Bootcamp hosted by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation last week, but something came up? Happily, you can now download the presentations from the Solid Waste Bootcamp web page. Learn about recycling and backhaul,...
Pesticidal Air Treatment Devices: EPA Webinar Recording
On September 6, EPA hosted a webinar about research and regulation of pesticidal air treatment devices. The webinar provided an overview of EPA’s role in regulating pesticidal air cleaning and treatment devices, research on the effectiveness of these technologies...
Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee Clean Water Act Handbook
The Clean Water Act Handbook for Tribes: Protecting Tribally Significant Waters in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
U.S. Department of the Interior First Annual Report on Tribal Co-Stewardship
First Annual Report on Tribal Co-Stewardship: Implementing Joint Secretarial Order 3403 on Fulfilling the Trust Responsibility to Indian Tribes in the Stewardship of Federal Lands and Waters
Implications of the Supreme Court’s Sackett Decision for Protection of Wetlands and Waters: NAWM Webinar Recording
On May 25, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Sackett v. EPA, which established the standard for determining when a wetland, stream, or other water is a “water of the United States” (WOTUS) protected by the Clean Water Act. This webinar hosted by the...
USDA Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
USDA Rural Development funds grants for water and waste disposal facilities and services on federally-recognized tribal lands, colonias and rural areas that face significant health risks due to a lack of access to adequate, affordable water or waste disposal....
Western IPM Center Planning Documents Grants – Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Funding: Up to $15,000 per award, available 2022-2026 Details: These grants can be used to produce Pest Management Strategic Plans, Crop Profiles or other IPM-related plans. Proposals will be considered on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Deadline: None...
Federal Financial Reports and Closeouts: EPA Webinar Recording
On September 6, Nyketric Singletary, Financial Specialist for EPA’s Research Triangle Park Finance Center, and EPA Region 10 Tribal Coordinators Sophie Manaster and Susan Conbere hosted a webinar for a group of grantees on Federal Financial Reports (FFRs) and...
Presentation: How Tribes Can Influence Agency Decision Making
Public participation matters. Democratic, legal, and management principles justify why public comments make a difference in regulatory policy. Big Corporations, private citizens, industry polluters also comment, it is important that Tribal perspectives are represented...
Letter from EPA Administrator Regan to National Tribal Caucus Chair Wagner and Meeting Notes
Attachments: NTOC 2021 - Administrator Letter to Chair Wagner.pdf 2021 NTOC meeting - summary notes.pdf
Posted 7/14/21: EPA Response to Transition Letter from RTOC
EPA Responds to RTOC Transition Letter EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Jane Nishida sent this letter in response to a letter RTOC Chair Raymond Paddock sent regarding requests to the new EPA administration. Original post is here
Posted 6/4/21: Tips for Effective Comment Writing for Tribes Video
Tips for Effective Comment Writing for Tribes Video RTOC Legal Legal Intern for 2020-2021, Rachel Hill created this presentation on how to create more effective comments to EPA. The video is posted on our RTOC YouTube Channel
Posted 4/30/21: EPA – Consultation Plan and Response to Comment
RTOC received the following email regarding the US EPA Consultation Plan and Response to Comment. Please see the attachments linked at the end. (email below revised on 5/4/21) Colleagues, Attached and summarized below are final documents created in response to...
Posted 3/30/21: Tribal Science Council Presentation
National EPA - Tribal Science Council Presentation: Collecting Examples of Indigenous Research Frameworks, Protocols and Methodologies Tribal Science Council Co-Chair Neil Patterson, Jr. shared this presentation at the March RTOC meeting. He has graciously allowed us...
Posted 3/26/21: RTOC Letter to EPA on transition
Region 10 Requests in New Administration The RTOC sent this letter to US EPA with requests and suggested initial actions in response to President Biden's Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships.