# Presentation: 347920

## The EPA Report

**Announcements  from Region 9 Programs**
**October 21, 2008**

## Clean Water Act (CWA) Training for Tribes

- EPA has launched a new centralized website for information on upcoming EPA-sponsored CWA training sessions for tribes nationwide
- See: _http://www.epa.gov/water/tribaltraining/_
- Contact: Vijay Limaye at 415-972-3442 or limaye.vijay@epa.gov

##        STORET/WQX 	Training for Tribes

**When: **November 18-19, 2008
**For who: **Tribes in Region 9
**Where: **Region 9 Office, San Francisco, CA
**More information and to register go to: **http://snipurl.com/wqx-epa
**Contact: **Vijay Limaye at 415-972-3442 or limaye.vijay@epa.gov

## Tribal Air Funding

- Thirty FY09 grants began October 1, 2008
- Announcement for FY10 funds-October 2008 and      are due to EPA in January 2009
- Tribes will be notified of their funding status after R9 receives final tribal allocation—Spring 2009 (tentatively)
-  Contact: Sara Bartholomew at 415-947-4100 or       bartholomew.sara@epa.gov

## Greenhouse Gas Rulemaking

- In June 2008, EPA published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
- EPA is soliciting comments on how to regulate GHG under the Clean Air Act
- EPA sent letters to all tribal Chairmen in September 2008 asking for their input
- The comment period ends November 28, 2008
- Contact: Ben Machol at 415-972-3770 or machol.ben@epa.gov

## Lead Standard

-  EPA proposed to strengthen the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead in May 2008 from:
- 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3)
- to within the range of 0.10 μg/m3 to 0.30 μg/m3
-  The proposed standard would improve health protection for at-risk groups, especially children
-  The comment period ended August 4, 2008
-  EPA published the final rule on October 15, 2008
-  Contact: Ginger Vagenas at 415-972-3964 or vagenas.ginger@epa.gov

## Particulate Matter Designations

- In 2007 EPA finalized a more stringent PM2.5 NAAQS
- To implement the standard, EPA asked states and tribes to provide recommendations on which areas meet the new standard and which do not
- Three Region 9 tribes submitted recommendations
- EPA notified states and tribes concerning any modifications to their recommendations in July 2008
- EPA will issue final 24-hour PM2.5 designations by December 18, 2008
- Contact: Colleen McKaughan at  520-498-0118 or mckaughan.colleen@epa.gov

## Ozone Standard Implementation

- In March 2008 EPA proposed a more stringent Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS)
- Many R9 tribes are located in areas that do not meet the new standard
- States and tribes will be required to make recommendations to EPA about areas that meet or do not meet this new standard by March 2009
- EPA will make a final determination by March 2010 and Region 9 will work with tribes during the designations process
- Contact: Colleen McKaughan at  520-498-0118 or mckaughan.colleen@epa.gov

##  Lead Region for Tribal Solid Waste

- Region 9 has been selected as the sub-Lead Region for Tribal Solid Waste
- Began on October 1, 2008 - effective for two years
- The Team will be working with the RTOC Workgroup as well as the national EPA office to identify priorities and focus areas
- Contact: Heather White at 415-972-3384 or white.heather@epa.gov

## New Solid Waste Outreach Documents

- 'Print and Fill' documents for Tribal Communities
- Where your Waste Goes (general management)
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Don't Trash Our Land (illegal dumping)
- To download/print copies, please visit:  www.epa.gov/region09/waste/tribal/outreach
- Contact: Heather White at 415-972-3384 or white.heather@epa.gov

## New EPA grant for UST

**Title:**  Underground Storage Tank Compliance Assistance and Training Support in Indian Country (RFP NO: EPA-OSWER-OUST-08-11)
**Due Date**:   Must be RECEIVED by November 3, 2008, 5:00 p.m. EST
**Summary**:  To provide tribal governments with training, compliance assistance, and collaborative opportunities.
**Funding Amount**:  The estimated funding available is ~$2,000,000
- Contact:  Mary Keil at 415-972-3365 or keil.mary@epa.gov

## FY09 GAP  Application Process & Funding Level

- The FY09 GAP Notification will be distributed at the GAP session on Wednesday, October 23, 2008.
- You can access the notification at: www.epa.gov/region09/indian
- All FY09 proposals must be submitted into electronic GAP Online system
- If a Tribe does not have internet access, please contact your GAP Project Officer for further instructions
- GAP funding is expected to remain at the same level as last year for the new fiscal year
- Contact: Veronica Swann at 415-972-3699 or swann.veronica@epa.gov

## Tribal Travel Fund

**Purpose: **to pay for unexpected GAP-eligible travel
**Who can use the fund: **tribal environmental program staff, tribal government members, and limited number of tribal invitees
**Trip Limit**:  8 per fiscal year per tribe
**Process:**_ _
**	**1)  Email your form to Tribal_travel@epa.gov
-     2) Mail original receipts w/ form to OVIWC
**Contacts: Erica Yelensky **at 415-972-3021 or yelensky.erica@epa.gov, or **Rosanna Marrujo **at** **760-873-3300 or travel@oviwc.com

## 2009 RTOC Meeting Information

**Winter RTOC****	****	****	**
- _When_: February 3-5, 2009
- _Where_: San Carlos, AZ
- _Host_: San Carlos Apache 		       Tribe
**Summer RTOC**
- _When:_ July 28-30, 2009
- _Host:_ EPA
- _Where:_ Oakland, CA (tent)

**Spring RTOC**
- _When:_ April 28-30, 2009
- _Where:_ Oakland, CA (tent)
- _Host:_** **EPA
**Fall RTOC**
- _When:_ October 19-20, 2008
- _Where:_ Tucson, AZ
- _Host:_ Tohono O’odham Nation

- For more information: http://www.epa.gov/region09/indian/rtoc/upcoming.html
- Contact: Tina Davis at 415-972-3784 or davis.tina@epa.gov

## Process for hosting RTOC

- If your tribe would like to host an upcoming RTOC meeting, please follow these steps:
- Seek Tribal Council preliminary approval to host, prior to contacting Tribal Co-Chair
- Contact RTOC Tribal Co-Chair, Dan Mosley at 775-574-0101 x11 to notify him of your interest
- Seek final Tribal Council approval to host
- EPA RTOC Manager Tina Davis will then contact you with guidance on hosting the RTOC
- Contact: Tina Davis at 415-972-3784 or
- 	davis.tina@epa.gov

## 18th Annual Tribal EPA Conference, 2010: Call for Host

- Apply to host the Conference as a separate GAP Grant proposal, details are included in the GAP notification
**Date**: TBD by host tribe and EPA
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Contact:** Pamela Overman at 415-972-3781 or overman.pamela@epa.gov

## Announcing New Staff in EPA Region 9 Tribal Program Office

- Two positions have been filled:
- The TPO welcomes **Laura Mayo** and **Morena Villanueva**
- They will be working with tribes in Nevada and California
- Current list of PO and assigned tribes is available at RTOC and Conference
- Contact: Jean Gamache at 415-972-3554 or gamache.jean@epa.gov

## January 2008 TAS Strategy online

- Strategy for Reviewing Tribal Eligibility Applications to Administer EPA Regulatory Programs including Water and Air now online at:
- 	http://www.epa.gov/region09/indian/docs/strategy-for-reviewing-applications-for-tas-01-23-08.pdf

## Recruitment opportunities EPA

- Please take a flyer to post at your tribal office!
- EPA is seeking qualified candidates for the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP).  The FCIP offers valuable work experience and you may be eligible for permanent employment after successfully completing the 2-year program
- To be eligible for this opportunity you must have graduated from college or are graduating by December 2008
- You _must_ submit your resume to Heidi Acquisti by e-mail to acquisti.heidi@epa.gov  or by fax to 415-947-8024 on 10/31/08
- Contact: Region 9 Human Resources at 415-972-3817

##  New Requirements to Protect Children from Lead-Based Paint Hazards  

- To further protect children from exposure to lead-based paint, EPA recently issued new rules for contractors who renovate or repair housing, child-care facilities or schools built before 1978
- The "*Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program*" rule, taking effect in April 2010, prohibits work practices creating lead hazards
- The rule covers all rental housing and non-rental homes where children under six (6) and pregnant mothers reside
- Contact: David Tomsovic at 415-972-3858 or tomsovic.david@epa.gov

## For more information...

- Visit the R9 EPA, RTOC website at: http://www.epa.gov/region09/indian/rtoc.html
- Visit the Tribal Program Monthly Newsletter at:
- 	http://www.epa.gov/region09/cross_pr/indian/newslet.html
- Email Maria Castain at castain.maria@epa.gov or see her today to be added to our mailing list