PROJECT STAFF: Maureen Zeise,MS, Tribal Air Quality Program Coordinator
Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director
PROJECT PERIOD: October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007
FUNDING SOURCES:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Multi-Media/General Assistance Program

PURPOSE:

The goal of the Tribal Air Quality Program (TAQP) is to support clean air initiatives at the local-community, regional and national level.  The TAQP strives to increase the awareness in tribal communities of the importance of maintaining good air quality and the human health effects of exposure to air pollution.  The TAQP develops and distributes educational material, provides staff support and technical assistance to tribal participants in clean air initiatives, promotes pollution prevention efforts, tracks policy development and changes related to air quality, and provides a forum for discussion of local and regional tribal air quality issues. 


ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

  • Developed and monitored the National Tribal Air ListServ.  The Tribal Air Listserv is an email group dedicated to providing tribal governments with timely information regarding air quality issues and initiatives for the purposes of decision-making, air program development and participation in the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulemaking processes.
  • Coordinated and facilitated the Arizona Tribal Air Quality Working Group.
  • Developed and disseminated air related information to tribal communities.
  • Scheduled air quality technical assistance “webinare” training at ITCA for AZ tribes to participate at a central location.  The training will be broadcast nation-wide with a conference call connecting all participating tribal programs. 
  • Began the process of partnership building by participating in meetings with the Gila River Indian Community to apply for a CARE grant.


ISSUES IDENTIFIED:

  • Lack of funds to develop and/or maintain tribal air programs 
  • Protection of tribal environmental sovereignty
  • Work towards improving air quality and/or maintaining pristine air quality within the boundaries of tribal lands
  • Encourage tribes to consider the benefits of applying for Treatment as a State under the Clean Air Act – Section 301 (d) or as an Affected State under Title V of the CAA.
  • The need for greater communication and partnerships among national, regional, and local organizations to assist tribal air programs with review, analysis, and dissemination of current air legislation.


WORKPLAN OBJECTIVES:

  • Prepare and disseminate researched information on programs and initiatives related to the implementation of programs funded under the Clean Air Act
  • Plan and coordinate the Arizona Tribal Air Quality Working Group meetings
  • Develop and provide educational and outreach materials to tribal communities
  • Administer and maintain the National TribalAir ListServ
  • Conduct air quality trainings and workshops via the Air Pollution Distance Learning Network
  • Compile success stories of Tribal Air Programs, and create a photo journal of programs that are successful and programs that are not yet started, but may face certain challenges in getting started


SPECIFIC TRAINING AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL COMMMUNITIES:

  • Satellite Downlink Training: The ITCA office has a satellite downlink site to provide satellite training from EPA.  The satellite system is part of EPA’s Air Pollution Distance Learning Network (APDLN).  Various training programs are broadcasted throughout the year.  The TAQP can also video tape selected broadcasts of special interest to tribes and provide copies of the broadcasts to tribes through a loan agreement.
  • Tribal Air Issue-Specific Workshops:  The TAQP sponsors special workshops as requested by Tribes.  Announcements for these special training sessions are mailed out prior to all training events.

ARIZONA TRIBAL AIR QUALITY WORKING GROUP:

The ITCA TAQP coordinates and facilitates the Tribal Air Quality Working Group meetings.  The meetings are held quarterly and may be supplemented by occasional conference calls and other issue-specific meetings.  The group utilizes electronic means of communication on a regular basis to ensure that new issues and information is shared in a timely manner.  The working group is comprised of tribal air quality professionals and environmental directors.  In addition, the working group serves as a forum to bring several other entities together that are involved with tribal air quality such as tribes from outside of Arizona, the National Tribal Environmental Council (NTEC), the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP), the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and others.

CONTACT INFORMATON:

If you would like more information on the TAQP, the TribalAir Listserv or the Arizona Tribal Air Quality Working Group please contact Maureen Zeise, MS, Tribal Air Quality Program Coordinator or Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director at (602) 258-4822.

Link:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TribalAir/promote

Copyright 2003 ITCA. All rights reserved.