Draft

Effective Public Involvement for Permitting in Indian Country

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 process. 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 under 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 

community 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 effected 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 

community 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 Agency, 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 civic organizations 

and in malls, 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 translates outreach

materials/presentations 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 population. 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

• They 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 similar 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 involved 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 help 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.