THE VALUE OF EPA AND TRIBES 

WORKING TOGETHER AS PARTNERS 

The National Pesticide 

Tribal Program: 

Achieving Public Health and Environmental Protection

in Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages 

Office of Pesticide Programs (7506P) EPA-735-F-09-007 

Washington, DC 20460 October 2009 
Contents 

Message from Assistant Administrator.......................................................1 

Tribal Facts and Figures ...............................................................................2 

Introduction ...................................................................................................3 

Means to Ensure Protection in Indian Country: 

1 :Effective Partnerships................................................................................4 

2 Working Efficiently ......................................................................................5

 3 Targeted Risk Assessment and Risk Management....................................6 

4 Protective Frontline Implementation ...........................................................7 

Special Section: Representative Tribal Pesticide 

 Protection Activities....................................................................................8 

5 Policy Development and Interpretation.....................................................11 

6 Program Performance Accountability .......................................................12 

7 Next steps in Indian country .....................................................................12 

Maps of Indian Reservations .....................................................................13
 

Map of EPA Regional Offices and Pie Charts ...........................................14
 

EPA Headquarters Pesticide Tribal Program Offices...............................15
 

EPA Regional Pesticide Tribal Program Offices.......................................15
 

Sources for Facts and Figures...................................................................16 

Front cover photos: First row, left to right: Applicators of Navajo Agricultural Products Industry wear 

proper protective equipment to treat for rodent control; EPA Staff and Hutterite farmer conducting 

Worker Protection Standard Inspection on Blackfeet Reservation; EPA Athens Lab employee on Poarch 

Band of Creek Indians reservation in Alabama demonstrating to two tribal members how to test soil for 

pesticides residues. Second row, left to right: Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Pesticide Circuit 

Rider conducts a worker protection safety inspection at tribal greenhouse; Confederated Salish & 

Kootenai tribes Pesticide Circuit Rider presentation on Circuit Riders; Colorado River Indian Tribe 

members disposing of pesticides. Third row, left to right: EPA employee conducting Integrated Pest 

Management training to tribal pesticide managers; Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe and USGS 

conducting surface water sampling; Santee Sioux Nation Environmental Coordinator, Niobrara, NB. 
A Message from Steve Owens, EPA Assistant 

Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and 

Toxic Substances 

Dear Readers: 

EPA has a long history of supporting tribal pesticide programs. EPA 

Administrator, Lisa Jackson reaffirmed this agency’s 1984 Indian Policy 

on July 22, 2009. That policy put in place the framework and principles 

by which the EPA’s relationship with tribes and our support for tribal 

programs are realized. Through the Policy, EPA recognizes the right of 

tribes as sovereign governments to self-determination and acknowledges 

the federal government’s trust responsibility to tribes. EPA works with 

tribes on a government-to-government basis to protect the land, air and 

water in Indian country. 

This brochure describes the priorities, challenges and successes of the 

Tribes, EPA, and stakeholders in the broad and complex arena of the 

National Pesticide Tribal Program. It describes how EPA and tribes work 

together as partners to achieve public health and environmental 

protection in Indian Country. Case studies of successful tribal pesticide 

programs are provided, and some key needs and program priorities are 

identified. 

I am extremely honored to have been chosen by President Obama to be 

the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and 

Toxic Substances. From my experience as the former director of the 

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, I had the opportunity to 

work with tribal governments on a daily basis, and I understand firsthand the challenges tribes face. I am strongly committed to continuing 

EPA’s support for tribal pesticide programs. The pesticide issues that 

affect tribes today will require 21st century solutions and approaches. 

Together we must improve upon our past efforts and focus our program 

goals on the overriding goal of protecting human health and the 

environment in Indian Country. To achieve this we must make the most 

efficient use of the resources available. We will continue to work closely 

with our tribal partners to achieve better protection in Indian Country 

and ensure the safety of all people. 

Thank you for taking the time to read about the National Pesticide Tribal 

Program and the value of EPA and tribes working together. 

Steve Owens 
Tribal Facts and Figures 

General Statistics 

2.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (2000 Census). 

564 Federally recognized tribes (Bureau of Indian Affairs). 

66 million acres of trust land in Indian country. 

Tribal Poverty rate is about 23%, compared to the national average of 12.5%. 

Agricultural Statistics 

There are a total of 79,703 American Indian or Alaska Native operators on 61,472 

farms and ranches across the United States. 

American Indian farm operators are more likely than their counterparts nationwide to 

report farming as their primary occupation, to derive a larger portion of their overall 

income from farming, and to own all of the land that they operate, rather than renting 

or leasing land. Farmworkers and their families have a high potential for exposure to 

pesticides. 

The states with the highest percentage of American Indian principal operators are 

Arizona (53.9 percent), New Mexico (21.5 percent), Nevada (12.5 percent), 

Page 2 
Achieving Public Health and Environmental Protection in 

Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages 

Pesticides are designed to 

harm insects, weeds, 

disease-causing organisms 

and other pests and, if not 

used properly, they have 

the potential to harm 

people and the 

environment. EPA’s Office 

of Pesticide Programs is 

responsible for ensuring 

that pesticides will not 

cause unreasonable 

adverse effects on human 

health or the environment. 

EPA’s Indian Policy 

“In carrying out our 

responsibilities on Indian 

reservations, the 

fundamental objective of 

the Environmental 

Protection Agency is to 

protect human health and 

the environment. The 

keynote of this effort will be 

to give special 

consideration to Tribal 

interest in making Agency 

policy, and to [e]nsure the 

close involvement of Tribal 

Governments in making 

decisions and managing 

environmental programs 

affecting reservation lands.” 

Environmental Justice is 

the fair treatment and 

meaningful involvement of 

all people regardless of 

race, color, national origin, 

or income with respect to 

the development, 

implementation, and 

enforcement of 

environmental laws, 

regulations, and policies. 

EPA has this goal for all 

communities and persons 

across this Nation, 

including tribal 

communities. 

Introduction 

In the United States, there are 564 federally recognized Indian tribes, with a population 

of 2.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives; and there are approximately 66 

million acres of trust land. Cultural practices, subsistence diets, location, and economic 

status can create special concerns from pesticide exposure for Native Americans living 

in Indian country. Unique jurisdictional issues and resource needs can complicate the 

ability to address pesticide risk issues and 

work toward the goal of protecting human 

health and the environment in Indian National Pesticide Tribal 

country. Program Strategic Goals 

The primary goal of the National 

The federal government has a special Pesticide Tribal Program is to help 

relationship with federally recognized protect human health and the 

tribes, which retain important aspects of environment by ensuring pesticides and 

sovereignty over their members and alternatives are available in Indian 

territories. Federal policy in the United country and can be used according to 

States recognizes this sovereignty and label directions without causing 

stresses government-to-government unreasonable risks. An additional goal 

relations between the United States and is to consider the unique exposures and 

tribal governments. cultural practices that pertain to tribes. 

The Program uses a mix of tools, 

activities, and programs to protect tribal 

Nature of Unique Challenges members from potential pesticide risks: 

• Risk assessment and risk Indian country is defined by statute at 18 management through pesticide U.S.C. and includes all land within 

registration reservation boundaries, dependent Indian 

communities, and allotments. Under the • Frontline program implementation 

statutory definition, Indian country (e.g., grants, guidance, training, 

includes lands held in trust for tribes even and technical assistance) 

if those lands have not been formally • Policy development and designated as reservations. Many tribes interpretation are in remote locations. According to • Advocacy and liaison recent reports by the U.S. Census Bureau 

and U.S. Indian Health Service: • Consultation 

• Program performance accountability • 43% of the Indian population resides 

in rural areas, with greater potential 

for exposure to agricultural 

pesticides—compared to 21% of the U.S. population as a whole. 

• A number of jurisdictional issues affect tribes, i.e., uniqueness of treaties, the 

patchwork of tribal and non-tribal land ownership within Indian country, tribal law, 

and court decisions can make managing and resolving environmental issues more 

complex. 

• Many tribes have limited staff, funding, and equipment to devote to pesticiderelated activities, and many tribes face difficulties hiring and retaining qualified 

personnel. 

• The general population of Indian country has larger families, less health insurance, 

and a poverty level nearly twice that of the rest of the U.S. population. 

• Because of varying practices among tribes, accurate data on tribal pesticide use are 

difficult to obtain, which makes measuring program progress and successes 

difficult. 

www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes 
The Value of EPA and Tribes Working Together as Partners 

Statutory Mandate 

The National Pesticide Tribal 

Program is undertaken 

consistent with the federal 

government's trust 

responsibility to federally 

recognized tribes, including 

consultation with tribes on 

actions affecting Indian 

country, government-togovernment relationship with 

tribes, and EPA's authorizing 

statutes and implementing 

regulations and policies. 

The Federal Insecticide, 

Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 

(FIFRA) addresses the sale, 

distribution, use, and labeling 

of pesticides, as well as the 

certification and training of 

pesticide applicators, among 

other things. EPA generally is 

the primary enforcement 

authority for pesticide use 

violations in Indian country. 

But several tribes have 

cooperative agreements with 

EPA to help enforce FIFRA. 

Under FIFRA section 23, 

EPA may enter into cooperative 

agreements with tribes. These 

agreements may include 

provisions for tribes to assist 

EPA in ensuring compliance 

with FIFRA by obtaining federal 

inspector credentials, 

conducting inspections, and 

recommending enforcement 

actions to EPA. Additionally, 

some tribes have their own 

inspection and enforcement 

authorities to ensure 

compliance with their own 

pesticide codes and ordinances. 

Page 4
 

Means to Ensure Protection in Indian Country: 

1. Effective Partnerships 

To meet program challenges and succeed in achieving health and environmental 

protection goals, a number of organizations collectively work with tribes. EPA 

works with tribal governments to implement pesticide programs under the 

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and provides tribes 

expertise, knowledge, and opportunities for partnership when pesticide issues 

affect Indian country. EPA provides funding to some tribes to offer pesticide 

education, technical assistance, and compliance and enforcement, and to develop 

and implement pesticide programs under tribal law. Each EPA Regional Office 

coordinates tribal programs within its respective region, except for Region 3, 

which does not currently contain federally-recognized tribes. 

The Office of Pesticide Programs’ (OPP) efforts related to tribes and pesticides are 

carried out in conjunction with EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance 

Assurance (OECA), Office of Science Coordination and Policy, Office of General 

Counsel, American Indian Environmental Office, EPA Regional Offices, and other 

federal agencies. EPA also works extensively with the Tribal Pesticide Program 

Council (TPPC), an organization funded by OPP and representing almost 40 

tribes, as our primary forum for maintaining effective tribal partnerships on a 

national level. 

About the Tribal Pesticide Program Council 

The Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) is a forum where tribal pesticide and 

environmental officials can raise pesticide program implementation issues to EPA, offer 

input on national pesticide policy that affects tribes, offers a network for tribal 

pesticide officials to share information, and promote and enhance tribal pesticide 

program development. The expected outcomes of working with the TPPC include: 

• Increased partnerships between EPA and tribes involved in various aspects of 

pesticide regulatory programs; 

• Improved understanding for EPA on tribal pesticide concerns to more effectively 

protect human health and the environment in Indian country and Alaska Native 

Villages; and 

• Enhanced capabilities of tribal participants through increased knowledge of how 

to implement quality pesticide programs, leading to better protection of human 

health and the 

environment in 

Indian country and 

Alaska Native 

Villages. 

Photo: OPP and TPPC 

at annual meeting 
Achieving Public Health and Environmental Protection in 

Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages 

The Coeur d’Alene 

Circuit-Rider 

EPA Region 10 provides funding 

through a Cooperative 

Agreement to the Coeur 

d’Alene Tribe located in 

northern Idaho to conduct 

pesticide program activities on 

behalf of EPA within that 

reservation, as well as for five 

other participating tribes in 

northern Idaho (Kootenai, Nez 

Perce) and eastern Washington 

(Colville, Spokane, and 

Kalispel). Eric Gjevre, who has 

served in the Coeur d’Alene 

Circuit-Rider position for over 

10 years, conducts inspections 

to assure that pesticides are 

sold and used properly within 

the six reservations. Eric also 

provides technical assistance, 

education and training on the 

legal and safe use of pesticides. 

Eric works closely with Idaho 

and Washington State pesticide 

agencies on cross-jurisdictional 

issues and to share training 

opportunities. 

2. Working Efficiently 

To make the most efficient use of limited resources, the National Tribal Pesticide 

Program pursues policies and approaches that can address the most serious 

pesticide concerns and benefit the most tribes. For example, OPP distributes 

funds to the EPA Regional Offices to support tribal pesticide programs using a 

needs-based formula that accounts for the number of federally recognized tribes, 

and the total population and acreage in Indian country in each region. Tribes 

and EPA are preparing Pesticide Use Assessments to help identify pesticiderelated concerns in Indian country and prioritize our efforts. In addition, we are 

developing training and circuit rider programs that can benefit multiple tribes, 

where appropriate. Circuit riders maximize our resources because one tribal 

pesticide expert can offer several tribes pesticide technical assistance, education, 

training, and in some cases, assistance with assuring compliance with pesticide 

laws and regulations. This initiative has allowed significant increases in program 

coverage — an increase in the number of tribes, population, and acreage 

covered — meaning information on how to safely use pesticide products travels 

farther and faster (see chart below). To date, eight tribal circuit riders have 

been established, providing program coverage for 30 tribes and more than 

330,000 people on more than 12.8 million acres. 

Between 2007 and 2009, EPA funded four new pesticide tribal circuit riders, 

covering an additional 13 tribes, 283,000 people and approximately 7.9 million 

acres in Indian country. 

Expanded Tribal Coverage by 

Promoting Multi-Tribal Circuit Riders 

This Circuit Rider program 30 

benefits participating tribes by 

providing low cost or no cost 

access to a trained pesticide 25 

specialist who can provide 

pesticide education and 

compliance monitoring 20 

activities within their 

Reservations. The program 

also benefits EPA by providing 15 cost-effective pesticide 

program coverage over a large 

geographic area of Indian 10 

5 

0 

Number of Tribes Millions of Acres Covered Ten-Thousands of Population Covered 

1999 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009
 

www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes 

The Value of EPA and Tribes Working Together as Partners 

Tribal Exposure to
 

Pesticides:
 

• Agricultural pesticide use. 

• Pesticide spray drift for 

workers and for those living 

close to agricultural fields. 

• Special exposure scenarios, 

e.g., subsistence diet and 

exposure to pesticidetreated cultural artifacts. 

• Pesticide use in schools and 

community buildings. 

• Pesticides in water 

resources. 

• Pesticides used in homes to 

control pests. 

• Illegal disposal of old or 

unused pesticides. 

3. Targeted Risk Assessment and Risk Management 

Tribal members may be subject to different pesticide risks than other Americans 

because of unique tribal lifestyles and exposure patterns. OPP works to consider 

and address these factors when registering pesticides: 

• EPA has considered tribes and other subpopulations in risk assessments, 

including consideration of factors such as atypical pesticide use patterns, 

differences in diets (e.g., subsistence diets, traditional foods, and other 

differences in food consumption), and bioaccumulation (especially for 

subsistence fishermen and breast milk). 

• EPA’s risk assessment for the pesticide lindane specifically addressed 

concerns of Arctic tribal members. EPA also worked with the Indian Health 

Service to phase out the use of lindane in shampoo to control lice. 

• Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can adversely impact on 

tribal traditional lifeways, particularly in Alaska. These products are generally 

no longer used in the United States. However, POPs migrating through the 

air from other countries are deposited in the Arctic, contaminating the food 

chain. OPP’s efforts to eliminate lindane use in the United States are expected 

to reduce the production of lindane in other countries, which should result in 

reduced deposits in the Arctic. 

• To ensure better science, EPA is developing exposure assessment tools, such 

as the Tribal LifeLine software. This software is intended to provide 

databases and models that allow risk assessors to consider the traditional 

diets and activities of tribes. The Tribal LifeLine Project will provide 

regulators with the tools to better characterize exposure and risk for focused 

populations and will build capacity within the Native American communities 

for informed decision-making about health and environmental concerns. 

Although the impetus for the project has been better science for tribal 

populations, the software is valuable for use with any focused population 

(e.g., farm workers, sports fishers, and coastal communities with high fish 

consumption). 

Page 6
 
Achieving Public Health and Environmental Protection in 

Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages 

Personal protective equipment is 

demonstrated at Pesticide Inspector 

Residential Training (PIRT). 

Pesticide Inspection on the Colorado 

River Indian Tribe (CRIT) reservation.
 

4. Protective Frontline Implementation 

Action at the point of pesticide use is critical to whether the Pesticide Program is 

successful at translating the intended risk mitigation of our regulatory mandates, 

licensing actions, and policies into real world protection of human health and the 

environment in Indian country. Examples of these activities include: 

• Focused Assistance. EPA regions work with tribes to build capacity to 

implement tribal pesticide programs. Activities include pesticide training, risk 

communication, and technical assistance. Improved tribal understanding of 

program requirements, operational processes, recent actions, and emerging 

issues allows tribes to be more effective in their protection activities. 

• Funding helps support local programs. EPA funds cooperative 

agreements and grants with tribes for pesticide program implementation to 

enable tribes to support effective pesticide risk management. This funding is 

used for a variety of tribal activities, including training, outreach, and 

education, and encouraging integrated pest management. For example, EPA 

Region 2 recently entered into a Performance Partnership Agreement (PPG) 

with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and provided funding to evaluate potential 

pesticide concerns as well as to establish a pesticide outreach and education 

program unique to the Mohawk community’s culture and values. EPA also 

awards cooperative agreement grant funding to support tribal pesticide 

enforcement activities to address pesticide use in Indian country. The 

purpose of a tribal pesticide enforcement program is to conduct compliance 

and enforcement activities under FIFRA or to ensure compliance with tribal 

pesticide codes. 

• Direct Implementation. EPA generally has pesticide program 

implementation and enforcement responsibility and seeks tribal partnership to 

support that work. 

• Enforcement and compliance training provides tribes with knowledge 

and experience to implement effective pesticide enforcement and 

compliance programs in Indian country. OECA provides Pesticide 

Inspector Residential Training (PIRT) courses annually for state and tribal 

inspectors. All PIRT courses include training to improve basic inspection 

skills, mock inspections and worker safety. In 2008, OECA developed a 

tribal-specific PIRT course in Structural Pest Control. Participants were tribal 

inspectors who conduct pesticide use inspections and investigations to assure 

that pesticides are sold, distributed, and used in accordance with federal and 

tribal pesticide laws. This course provided information about conducting use 

inspections and investigations for pesticides used in structures such as 

schools and other buildings. OECA also offers the Tribal Compliance 

Assistance Center at http://www.epa.gov/tribalcompliance/. This is a Webbased tool that serves as resource for tribes to access comprehensive, easyto-understand compliance information targeted specifically for environmental 

issues in Indian country. 

Continued on page 10... 

www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes 
Representative Tribal Pesticide Protection Activities 

Case Study: Collaboration Promotes Expertise 

and Efficiency 

It’s essential that all tribal pesticide programs, especially a 

one-man-show like many tribes operate, including Salt 

River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), reach 

out to one another and outside agencies to pool 

resources, and work with the allocated grant funds. All of 

these tribal programs, SRPMIC included, are at some 

intermediate growth stage and look outside to the horizon 

for opportunities to learn from others facilitating their 

growth to successful maturity. 

- Mark Aaron, Indian Community Senior Environmental 

Specialist, Pesticides and Hazardous Substances, Salt 

River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, AZ 

Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Division 

The regulation and use of pesticide products are complex 

programs. Sharing knowledge and collaborative learning 

opportunities can accelerate development of program 

expertise, thereby enhancing protection. SRPMIC has 

aggressively pursued such opportunities. 

Mark Aaron has established a network with the two 

Arizona agencies that regulate pesticides (Arizona 

Department of Agriculture and the Office of Pest 

Management), the Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian 

Community (GRIC), and the Colorado River Indian Tribes 

(CRIT). The Arizona Department of Agriculture and the 

Office of Pest Management have scheduled special training 

sessions for tribal inspectors at the SRPMIC’s requests. 

Mark has been allowed to shadow inspectors who 

coordinate personnel within their agencies to answer 

questions regarding verification of state licensure, product 

registration verification, and compliance and enforcement 

actions they have taken in their jurisdiction, and to 

provide forms, boilerplate language, and training manuals. 

Mark has also attended multi-agency inspections with 

GRIC coordinated by EPA as a training exercise at 

producer establishments, and joined the Navajo Nation on 

State of Arizona follow-up inspections, and WPS and 

maintenance yard inspections. He has shadowed CRIT on 

an inspection and attended meetings with agricultural 

applicators to provide Worker Protection Standard 

compliance awareness. CRIT has also provided Mark with 

an in-depth look at how it manages its database of 1080-

Notice of Intent Pesticide Applications, which allows CRIT 

to plan an effective schedule of daily inspections before 

arriving on site. 

Case Study: Federal Assistance Grants Produce
 

Beneficial Environmental Results
 

Collaborative protection efforts are enhanced by effective 

resource support to advance critical projects. For 

example, with federal assistance grants, the Navajo 

Nation EPA Pesticide Enforcement Program (NNEPA) 

conducts compliance inspection, monitoring, and 

investigations on Navajo Nation, and has achieved some 

significant accomplishments. Inspections have resulted in 

multiple instances of violations that were corrected, 

including: 

• Application of pesticides at a residential construction
 

site without proper personal protective equipment.
 

• Herbicide treatments at several electrical substations 

without proper personal protective equipment, and 

reentry into treated areas before specified time. 

• Spot treatment of areas in an occupied office building 

that were prohibited by the label. 

• Illegal disposal of a pesticide. 

• Herbicide application at oil wells, around tank
 

batteries, with improper application equipment.
 

EPA Region 9 has assisted the Navajo EPA Pesticide 

Program in funding a position for an individual to work 

within the Navajo EPA Pesticide Program to:
 

• Improve the USEPA/NNEPA Program inspection 

process. 

• Provide their inspectors with the knowledge and skills 

needed to successfully meet program goals and 

enrich the dialogue between the USEPA and NNEPA, 

and 

• Assist the NNEPA in its development of vital pesticide 

enforcement documents. 

Colorado River 

Indian Tribes 

(CRIT) photo of 

applicator wearing 

proper personal 

protective 

equipment during 

agricultural 

pesticide 

application. 

Page 8
 
Case Study: Compliance Assistance and Outreach 

Programs Reduce Violations 

Protection through education and timely information 

exchange are important tools to help growers minimize 

pesticide risks. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) 

pesticide program conducts a comprehensive compliance 

assistance and outreach program for all the agri-business 

in the community. 

One tool CRIT provides to growers is a check list 

identifying the components necessary to be compliant 

with tribal and federal codes and regulations and to 

perform a self-evaluation of its current operations. At a 

pre-determined date, pesticide inspectors review the selfassessment check list with the participant, point out areas 

of concern, and answer any questions by the participant. 

Both parties then agree on the amount of time necessary 

to address targeted areas for improvement. 

With cooperation from farmers, pesticide dealers, 

applicators, inspectors, pesticide control advisors (PCAs), 

and local agri-businesses, CRIT has developed a Pesticide 

Tracking System to provide inspectors with the necessary 

information needed to proactively deal with pesticide 

issues. The system allows CRIT to identify and track 

pesticide aerial, chemigation, and ground applications in 

every single agricultural field of the 85,000 acres that are 

currently under production. 

CRIT is also able to track tribal and state pesticide 

certifications and permit expiration dates of dealers, PCAs, 

growers, pesticide handlers, and applicators. Information 

in the tracking system is also portable by way of laptop 

computers in vehicles that inspectors carry in the field. 

This allows pesticide staff to observe an application in 

progress and identify the field and the grower in real time. 

They can then look at the Pesticide Tracking System, and 

verify if a form 1080, Notice of Intent, has been submitted 

for that application. 

Case Study: Tribe Uses Grant to Establish School 

IPM Program to Control Pests and Reduce 

Pesticide Use 

In 2002, EPA provided a grant to support the development 

of an integrated pest management (IPM) pilot project in 

the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community schools. 

The funds provided in that grant were used by the tribe to 

perform an IPM assessment to identify the extent of the 

pest issues in their community schools and to identify 

strategies for ecologically sound pest management 

approaches, such as: 

• Improved hygiene standards. 

• Exclusion methods. 

• Habitat manipulation. 

• Biological control species, such as ladybugs, 

mantids, geckos, and housecats. 

• Selection of target specific control products that 

have low toxicity and environmental impact, such

as insect growth regulators 

• Non-chemical pest control products, such as glue 

boards and ultraviolet lights. 

The goals of this pilot were a 90% reduction in chemical 

pesticide usage in the piloted schools, an 85% reduction 

in pests, a better understanding of IPM, the ability to 

further implement an IPM program in tribal schools, and 

the knowledge to implement IPM methods in tribal homes 

within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 

Worker Protection 

Safety Training 

conducted at 

Colorado River 

Indian Tribes (CRIT) 

farm. 

EPA Region 8 

staff conducting 

IPM training for 

tribal inspectors 

at local school. 

Proper food 

storage in 

school’s kitchen 

is discussed. 

Pesticide compliance assistance information 

is available for tribes at www.epa.gov/ 

tribalcompliance/currentaffairs.html. 

www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes 

The Value of EPA and Tribes Working Together as Partners 

Colorado River Indian Tribe (CRIT) 

shreds pesticide containers for 

recycling at the Woods Crop Dusting 

facility. 

USGS Water Sampling: EPA Region 

8, USGS, and Confederated Salish & 

Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Personnel. 

Protective Frontline Implementation continued... 

• Training improves the effectiveness and efficiency of tribal programs 

and the TPPC. In the spring of 2009, OPP offered a course targeted 

specifically to tribal environmental and pesticide program managers and TPPC 

members through the Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP). The 

goal of this course was to provide training in leadership, management, and 

program skills that could benefit both the individual tribal programs and the 

TPPC organization as a whole. 

• Clear and effective guidance leads to improved environmental 

protection. OPP developed guidance on meeting pesticide container and 

containment requirements in Indian country. Information like this can be 

useful for programs such as the pesticide container recycling program 

implemented by the Colorado River Indian Tribe (CRIT), which provided a 

central location for farmers to dispose of their used pesticide containers free 

of charge. Currently, with the cooperation of applicators and farmers, a total 

of 24 tons of plastic pesticide containers have been removed from the 

reservation for recycling, avoiding the need to burn or landfill these 

containers. This program provides a way to avoid air, water, and soil 

contamination. 

• Good data are essential for sound decision-making. EPA Region 9 and 

the Albuquerque District of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) jointly funded a 

Groundwater Vulnerability and Aquifer Sensitivity Study with the Navajo 

Nation to help obtain information on the nature and severity of potential 

water quality concerns due to pesticide use. This study, which was 

conducted as part of the Navajo Nation’s Pesticide and Groundwater 

Management Plan, included information on geology, precipitation, soil 

properties, slope of the land surface, and the location of stream courses. 

This information is useful to help identify potential for pesticide contamination 

and areas to focus on remediation. 

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes: 

Water Quality Monitoring 

Within the reservation boundary of the Confederated Salish & 

Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), there are approximately 180,000 acres of 

rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. Pesticide applications to nearby 

orchards and farms may impact water quality through runoff and 

agricultural return flows. In addition, non-native fish and vegetation 

are often controlled through direct pesticide applications to water. 

EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey awarded a grant to CSKT to begin 

baseline water quality monitoring. The data generated from these 

types of baseline monitoring projects can direct a tribe to areas that 

may be impacting water quality and help to focus outreach and 

inspection activities within the areas of greatest concern. 

Page 10
 
Achieving Public Health and Environmental Protection in 

Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages 

Native Americans weaving plants 

to make baskets. 

Policy Development and 

Interpretation 

in Navajo Indian Country 

The implementation of a 

Federal Plan for the 

Certification of Restricted Use 

Pesticide Applicators in 

Navajo Indian country 

provides federal certification 

allowing individuals 

possessing a valid 

certification with the states of 

Arizona and Utah to legally 

apply restricted use pesticides 

within the exterior boundaries 

of the Navajo Nation, 

including the satellite 

reservations. 

A Memorandum of 

Understanding has been 

established between USEPA 

Region 9, Navajo Nation, 

Arizona State Department of 

Agriculture, Arizona Office of 

Pest Management, and the 

Utah State Department of 

Agriculture Pesticide Program. 

More information can be 

found at http://www.epa.gov/ 

oppfead1/safety/ 

applicators/2007/navajo.htm. 

• Special Projects. The Agency also welcomes opportunities to collaborate 

with tribal organizations. OPP worked with the California Basketweavers 

Association to develop a brochure informing tribal basketweavers about 

potential exposure to pesticides while collecting native plants and weaving 

baskets. 

5. Policy Development and Interpretation 

EPA has developed several policies in recent years to help assure equal access to 

pesticide tools for growers in Indian country and equal protection of human 

health and the environment. We rely on the TPPC to help identify where policies 

or programs need to be developed to address pesticide issues in Indian country. 

EPA gives special consideration to tribal interests in making Agency policy and 

honors tribal sovereignty through government-to-government consultation with 

federally recognized tribes on issues that may affect tribes and Indian country. 

Two recent examples are: 

• Use of Pesticides for Emergency Use and Special Local Needs. FIFRA is 

silent on whether the benefits of emergency (FIFRA sec. 18) or special local 

need (FIFRA sec. 24(c)) pesticide products are available to tribes and farmers 

in Indian country. With considerable help and input from the TPPC, EPA 

instituted a three-year, nationwide pilot program ensuring that, under certain 

conditions, pesticide users in Indian country have the same access to 

emergency and special local need pesticide products that are available 

outside of Indian country. Tribes may exercise their sovereignty by electing 

not to participate in the pilot program. Visit http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/ 

tribes/pilot-project.htm. 

• Certification and Training of Pesticide Applicators. In most cases, 

restricted use pesticides (RUPs) are not available for use in Indian country 

because of the lack of approved tribal certification plans/programs. EPA is 

developing options to make RUP certification available in Indian country 

nationwide. This will help ensure growers in Indian country have access to 

the same pest control tools available outside Indian country, and that 

applicators are properly trained to use these hazardous pesticide products 

safely. 

www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes 

The Value of EPA and Tribes Working Together as Partners 

Attention to structural pest 

control is an important effort 

where there are large housing 

complexes in Indian Country 

that are treated on a regular 

basis. 

6. Program Performance Accountability 

Government agencies must ensure the maximum return on our investment of 

public funds, focus on the greatest concerns, work toward achieving strategic 

goals, and monitor our performance. For these reasons, performance 

requirements and accountability are built into tribal cooperative agreements. 

OPP measures our progress in Indian country by tracking increases in the 

Pesticide Tribal Program coverage for the number of acres, tribes, and people 

living in Indian country. We are also investigating other ways to measure 

environmental gains in Indian country. For example, we believe that Pesticide 

Use Assessments in Indian country that help identify tribal needs and set 

priorities may also be useful in measuring the performance of the Program. 

These assessments could also replace the needs-based formula currently used to 

determine resource allocations. Finally, multiple activities targeted at reducing 

pesticide risk in areas of high concern could be developed based on the outcome 

of the assessments. 

7. Next steps in Indian country 

Tribes, EPA, and other stakeholders face many challenges because the National 

Pesticide Tribal Program is broad and complex. We’ve made good progress in 

addressing some key needs and program priorities with the resources available. 

Nonetheless, there still remains work to be done. For example, out of the 562 

federally recognized tribes, only about 30 have pesticide cooperative agreements 

with EPA. We need to continue effective planning and efficient program 

management to target resources and attention to the highest needs. Working 

with tribal partners, we can achieve better protection and meet the challenges of 

the 21st century. 

Visit EPA’s Tribal Portal at www.epa.gov/tribal.
 

Here you can access all EPA related tribal information.
 

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Achieving Public Health and Environmental Protection in 

Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages 

Map of Indian Reservations in the 

Continental United States Map of Indian Reservations in Alaska 

This map shows the location of Federal 

Indian Reservations in the continental 

United States, with numbers indicating 

the locations. The key to the reservation 

names is available at http:// 

www.nps.gov/history/nagpra/ 

DOCUMENTS/ResMapIndex.htm 

Map of Indian Reservations in 

Alaska 

This map shows the reservations in Alaska 

and the green dots represent the 

federally recognized tribes and Native 

Villages. 

www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes 
The Value of EPA and Tribes Working Together as Partners 

Tribal Population in Each EPA Region Tribal Land in Each EPA Region 

Region 2 Region 4 

Region 1 

0.3% 

1.9% Region 1 0 . 1% 

Region 8 

1.7% Region 2 Region 4 

0.4% Region 5 0.3% 4.5% 

Region 10 

Region 5 

11.6% R egio n 10 Region 6 
 

16.9%
 6 . 1% 8.4% 

Region 6 Region 7 

9.4% 1. 0 % 

Region 7 

1.7% 

Region 9 

39 . 7 %
 

Region 9
 Region 8 

34.6% 39 . 7 % 

22.1% 

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Achieving Public Health and Environmental Protection in 

Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages 

EPA Headquarters Pesticide Tribal Program Offices 

• Office of Pesticide Programs (7506P), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 

20460 

• Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances (7101M) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue 

NW Washington, DC 20460 

• Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance(2225A), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue 

NW Washington, DC 20460 

EPA Regional Pesticide Tribal Program Offices 

Region 1 U.S. EPA Region 1 Region 2 U.S. EPA Region 2 

(ME, VT, NH, 1 Congress Street, (NY, NJ, VI, Raritan Depot 

MA, RI, CT,) Suite 1100 

Mail Code SEP 

Boston, MA 02114 

617-918-1535 

PR) 2890 Woodbridge Avenue 

Mail Code 500MS500 

Edison, NJ 08837 

732-321-6769 

Region 3 Currently no federally Region 4 U.S. EPA Region 4 

(DC, DE, MD, recognized tribes are in (AL, FL, KY, 61 Forsyth Street, S.W. 

PA, WV, VA) Region 3 GA, MS, NC, Atlanta, GA 30303 

SC, TN) 404-562-9171 

Region 5 U.S. EPA Region 5 Region 6 U.S. EPA Region 6 

(IL, IN, MN, 77 West Jackson Blvd (AR, LA, NM, 1445 Ross Avenue, 

MI, OH, WI) Mail Code LC-8J OK, TX) Suite 1200 

Chicago, IL 60604 Mail Code 6PDP 

312-886-5994 Dallas, TX 75202 

214-665-7564 

Region 7 U.S. EPA Region 7 Region 8 U.S. EPA Region 8 

(KS, IA, MO, 901 North Fifth Street (CO, MT, 1595 Wynkoop St. 

NE) Mail Code WWPDTOPE ND, SD, UT, Mail Code 8P-P3T 

Kansas City, KS 66101 WY) Denver, CO 80202 

913-551-7139 303-312-6020 

Region 9 U.S. EPA Region 9 Region 10 U.S. EPA Region 10 

(AZ, CA, HI, 75 Hawthorne Street (AK, ID, OR, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 

NV) Mail Code CED-5 WA) Mail Code OCE-084 

San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA 98101 

94105 

415-947-4217 

206-553-0682 

www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes 

The Value of EPA and Tribes Working Together as Partners 

Sources for Facts and Figures 

• Agricultural Statistics and Map: 2007 Census of Agriculture: American Indian 

Farmers 

• Map of Indian Reservations in the Continental United States: http:// 

www.nps.gov/history/nagpra/DOCUMENTS/RESERV.PDF 

• Map of Alaska Native Villages: Bureau of Indian Affairs. September, 2002 

Indian Lands and Native Entities in the United States (IND3_2002) 

• Number of federally recognized tribes and acres: Bureau of Indian Affairs at 

http://www.doi.gov/bia/ and www.doi.gov/facts.html 

• Acres of trust land: Bureau of Indian Affairs at http://www.doi.gov/bia/ and 

www.doi.gov/facts.html 

• Population of tribes: Census Bureau Table 2 at http://www.census.gov/ 

prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-15.pdf 

• Facts on Indian Population: Indian Health Service, January 2008 at http:// 

info.ihs.gov/Population.asp 

• Numbers of Americans With and Without Health Insurance Rise: U.S. 

Census Bureau, Income Stable, Poverty Up, Census Bureau Reports, New Release, 

August 2004 at http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/ 

income_wealth/002484.html 

• Fact Sheets on American Indian Demographics: Census of Agriculture at 

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Fact_Sheets/ 

Demographics/American_Indian_Fact_Sheet.pdf 

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www.epa.gov/pesticides/tribes