Draft

E ffective Public Involv ement for Permitting in Indian C ountry

As the Agency moves to finalize the Tribal NSR rule the Regions are trying to prepare for implementation of the rule. One area where the Regions are looking for guidance on appropriate mechanisms to provide effective outreach to tribal members and sources on proposed permits. Note that this public involvement is a separate step from Tribal Consultation which takes place at a Government to Government level in the permit development proce ss. Instead this document is designed to help the Regional Office consider ways to effectively outreach to community members and residents in Indian country that may be impacted by permitting actions under the rule. Additional resources
are available und er www.epa.gov/publicinvolvement

.

Key elements to remember that each Tribal Government and each community is
different so there will never be a one

- size fits all approach to effectively involving

commu nity members. So the first step is to understand and get to know the community you are working with.

1) Familiarize yourself with the community it’s history, groups, and issues 2) Research how the community and e ffected public receives information and
learn which sources they trust (social, civic, faith

- based, events or media such as newspapers, TV, radio, Tribal Government/environmental program website or the internet (local list

- serve) 3) Work with the Tribal Environmental professional for that tribe to help make contacts and identify vehicles for notification get advice on local outreach . This is key since the Tribal Governments want you to work with them in contacting their communities. 4) Work with other EPA staff or other Agencies that have worked in the

c ommunity before to build off of their experience 5) Identify any Community

- based organizations 6) Consider working with a neutral party to find and communicate with those who may be interested in the issue but may be uncomfortable working directly with the Agen cy, particularly with controversial permits. 7) Respect local work or traditional/cultural schedules for public outreach and communications make sure meetings and hearing don’t occur during key
cultural or ceremonial times. 8) Develop project specific mailing and contact lists using all appropriate methods including (door

- to

- door personal contact, telephoning, signup sheets and post card mailings). 9) Outreach methods should be tailored for each community and can include (electronic mail, printed flyers, mailings, meetings, door

- to

- door contact, radio,
tribal newspapers , common regional mainstream papers) 10) Make sure all communications and in plain language and include appropriate
contact information.11) Notices can be in local tribal offices, social, faith

- based, and c ivic organizations
and in mall s, banks, grocery stores, libraries, schools and senior centers 12) Where appropriate you may need to have information translated into native languages. For example, Ak

- Chin Indian Community translate s outreach materials/presenta tions in their native language for our elders to ensure they fully understand the subject matter. This is due to the fact that the majority of
our decisions are based on the elder's vote.

Examples: Nez Perce is a large reservation with a diverse populati on. They use many
different vehicles to reach out to their communities.

• They will develop information posters and put in Kiosks at the post office, grocery store and other gathering places

• They host events

• They develop outreach messages for the radio

• Th ey go to community events

• They work with established organizations like local environmental group and the fire
district offices

• They have a number of different new outlets included local papers, web

- newsletters

• They do mass mailings

Leech Lake does simil ar activities but will also do door knocking for community members that are most impacted.

Smaller reservations like ?? (Kevin I’ve drawn a blank on who you work for ) may rely on public meetings or door knocking to ensure the community is aware and involv ed in
activities.

Key messages to the Regions:

1) Be flexible each tribe and each community are different 2) Learn about the tribe before you go make contact with the tribal government or the community 3) Work with the Tribal Environmental Professional they can h elp you and you shouldn’t contact the community without the knowledge and support of the tribal
government 4) Choose the appropriate tool for the nature of the permit. Some permits will need
more outreach others will be less.