PROJECT STAFF: Maureen Perkins, MS, Tribal Air Quality Program Coordinator
Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director
PROJECT PERIOD: October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010
FUNDING SOURCES:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, 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 levels. 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.
  • Successfully Completed: Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. EPA. The project was completed in partnership with the Gila River Indian Community in March 2010.
  • Held two Geographic Information Systems Courses.

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
  • Provide technical assistance to tribal air programs

SPECIFIC TRAINING AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL COMMMUNITIES:

  • 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 King, 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.