1

Vaupel, Claudia

From: Vaupel, Claudia

Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 11:51 AM

To: Scott Andrews; tbasabe@swinomish.nsn.us

Cc: Suzuki, Debra

Subject: Swinomish TIP Implementation

Hello Scott and Tony,  

As we discussed on the call last week, I am reporting back on some of the topics regarding the implementation of the

Swinomish TIP. The first three items below summarize some discussions and agreements that we made. The last two

items provide follow‐up information that I received since the call. Please respond letting me know if you concur.      

(1) Issuing air stagnation advisories:  

We made an agreement that the Swinomish Tribe will take primary responsibility in calling bans on open burning for air

stagnations. This agreement is consistent with the Swinomish Tribe’s authority to declare burn bans when

meteorological conditions indicate impaired air quality (STC 19‐02.100(C)). However, this agreement is necessary

because the Regional Administrator may also call an air stagnation advisory and burn ban per 40 CFR 137(1)(i) and 40

CFR 137(4) and such an agreement will prevent overlap and potential confusion to the public.   

   

(2) Future revisions to the TIP:   

We discussed the importance of the Tribe working with EPA if the Tribe considers revising any of the provisions in the

TIP. We agreed to work together as early as possible in the process.     

(3) TIP Enforcement:   

We discussed that the Tribe will have primary responsibility for enforcing the TIP, however the TIP will also be

enforceable by EPA. Criminal enforcement will be governed by the MOA between the Swinomish Tribe and EPA.

(4) Meteorological information coordination:  

Gary Olson contacted Tony Basabe to discuss R10’s process for calling burn bans and to discuss Tony’s needs. Gary

explained that the R10 process includes input from tribes, monitoring information, modeling data and other

agency/circumstance information, before a decision is made to call a burn ban. Tony was concerned about not having all

the inputs that he needed to make burn ban calls and was hoping to have a way to get better information. Tony and

Gary agreed to the following approach:  (1) Tony would continue to be included in the conference calls where burn ban

needs are discussed and burn ban decisions are made. (2) Tony will consider some models that Gary suggested he could

use to assess the situation in the area of the Reservation. The models will be described at the Biennial meeting in April

which Tony is planning to attend. (3) Following the meeting and after having seen the models, Tony can request some

additional training on their use.   

(5) Outreach on the proposal:   

EPA plans to publish a notice in a local newspaper notifying the public of our proposed action on the Swinomish TIP.  

Thank you,

Claudia

‐‐‐‐ 

Claudia Vergnani Vaupel

Air Quality Planner

US Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, AWT‐107
2

Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 553‐6121

‐‐‐‐‐Original Appointment‐‐‐‐‐ 

From: Vaupel, Claudia  

Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 3:49 PM

To: Vaupel, Claudia; Suzuki, Debra; Scott Andrews; tbasabe@swinomish.nsn.us

Subject: TIP (call 206‐553‐0985)

When: Thursday, March 06, 2014 2:00 PM‐3:00 PM (UTC‐08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada).

Where: Debra Suzuki's Office

This call will be for us to discuss implementation of the TIP and outreach efforts.   
1

Vaupel, Claudia

From: Scott Andrews <sandrews@swinomish.nsn.us>

Sent: Monday, March 17, 2014 2:20 PM

To: Vaupel, Claudia

Subject: TIP 

Claudia:

I concur with the points in your e‐mail.  That is what we discussed and agree to.   

Thanks for your assistance throughout this process.

‐Scott Andrews, Assistant Director

Dept of Environmental Protection

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community