Tribal Pollution Prevention

National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
Tribal Workgroup Conference Call

Tuesday July 21, 2009 at 2 pm EDT, 1 pm CDT, Noon MDT, 11am PDT

  1. Introductions
    • David Jaber, TribalP2 coordinator
    • Jean McGinnis, Mohegan Tribe
    • Garrett Smith, EPA Region I
    • Shannon Judd, TribalP2/Fond du Lac
    • Myla Kelly, TribalP2
    • Amanda and Adrian, Port Lions Alaska
    • Karletta Chief, Desert Research Institute
    • Pat Donovan, Michigan DEQ
    • Michelle Baker, EPA Region IX
    • Catherine Tunis, EPA HQ
    • Atta Stevenson, CA tribal water planning participant
    • and other guests
     

  2. Guest Speaker
    Atta Stevenson, Laytonville Rancheria, President of Inter Tribal Council of California - State Water Planning Process

    Water is increasingly an issue in many regions, whether it is tribal rights, access, drinking scarcity, or healthy river flows. Atta has been deeply involved in the California state water planning process as a tribal participant. She discussed the importance of tribal involvement, how the state process works, and water planning tools for tribes.

    Atta is part of three groups involved with water planning. The development of the 2005 CA Water Plan was the first time tribes were invited to participate in water planning. The CA state government agencies sent numerous mailings to tribes, inviting their participation, but no tribes responded. As a result, the Intertribal Council of California (ITCC) was contacted by the CA Dept. of Water Resources to learn how to speak to tribes. ITCC did outreach to get tribes from throughout California to be involved.

    They brought tools to the table to bring public education and cultural competency to agencies (BIA, DWR, other state agencies). They wanted to make sure there were direct tribal representatives with water use experience (rather than non-tribal attorneys or only EPA personnel). The state is planning long-term (20-200 years ahead) while the tribes are typically looking 5-10 years out for lawsuit/legal reasons.

    Lessons Learned in State Water Planning:

    1. Take a Long-term Focus. ITCC is working with tribes to think long-term. They were surprised that tribes in general had no long term vision for tribes or traditional uses. As traditional people, Atta and other representatives understood the tremendous connection to water.
    2. Take an Integrative and Cross-Media Approach. Land use and water use must be viewed together . With respect to agencies, this is why laws are haphazard -- everything has been departmentalized into different areas (land, air, water, etc.).
      • As for her tribe, they migrate and are a seasonal people [so see the interconnections and an array of issues]. She lives in Mendocino County, the beginning of the redwoods. They have no long term scientific data on salinity of peninsulas and bays and the rising of sea level [and the effect on freshwater resources]. Relicensing of dams is another issue. The Trinity River and relicensing affects tribes, as much water used for agriculture. They work with FERC to ensure in-stream flow for fish, basketry plants [as a core traditional practice], and medicinal plants. Other concerns include stagnant water, and algae blooms that are dangerous to fish and humans.
      • Timber harvest plans can increase stream temperatures. Energy corridors can also increase heat and wind energy can change wind patterns (weather patterns, and fog). Water use can also affect abalone and migration of whales. And there are even questions for ecotourism — how does that affect traditional water uses?
      • They pushed for language in Water Plan to broadly help the environment.
      • Vineyards are a specialty crop — they are great drinkers of water and an invasive species. Their water group has also worked to educate nurseries about invasive species.
    3. Supplement Science with Traditional Knowledge. ITCC also works to provide a tribal perspective vs. a scientific perspective (tribal needs and concerns are different and as valid as scientific). They pushed to incorporate traditional knowledge to supplement science and make sure they're always at the table on science issues.
    4. Create Templates For Tribes to Use [communications and analytical framework to comprehensively cover water planning issues to consider and include]…. Atta’s phone connection was lost.
     
  3. Tribal Announcements
    • Grant deadline has been extended for DOE conservation/energy efficiency block grants.
    • We should do a survey of TribalP2 members to determine why Recovery Act funding is not being tapped. We have seen agencies issue monies, but for some opportunities, particularly the Dept. of Energy EECBG (block grant for energy efficiency) which is already allocated money, tribes are not pursuing the funding. One challenge is limited staff to go after grants. Another is the limited amount of funds being allocated — it is not enough money to get a project off the ground — only enough to slightly supplements existing projects. Mohegan Tribe has also not gone after money for a similar reason — amount of effort to get limited funds is just not worth it.
    • ICLEI (International Council of Local Environmental)webinar present how to get grant money and what people are doing with it. What is the minimum size for membership? Also, what is the cost? Varies based on size, perhaps $600.
     
  4. Next Steps
    • Draft letter to Dept. of Energy (and other agencies?) to raise concerns about Recovery Act money
    • Siscuss discount rates for tribes with ICLEI
    • And as always, add resources, events, and other news anytime at http://www.tribalp2.org.
     

  5. Next call
    Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
    Time: 2 pm EDT, 1 pm CDT, Noon MDT, 11am PDT
    Call in Number: 888-296-6500 Pass code 547845