Project Resources - Search Results

7 Generations, Addressing Environmental Issues for Future Generations of Native American in New Mexico

The New Mexico Environment Department Pollution Prevention Program understands the diverse needs of the 21 pueblos and tribes in our state. Our program has worked with several tribes and pueblos to reduce their environmental impacts. We have resources to assist pueblos and tribes with environmental community surveys. Through our “7 Generations, Addressing Environmental Issues for Future Generations of Native American in New Mexico” pueblos and tribes can prioritize and determine environmental needs specific to their communities.

For more information: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/Green_Zia_website/pdfs/7%20Generations.pdf

American Indian Health

Brings together health and medical resources pertinent to American Indian populations including policies, consumer health information, and research. Links are provided to an assortment of resources on subjects such as: Tribal Information, Health Topics, Traditional Healing, Environmental Health, Research, and Health care Access.

For more information: http://americanindianhealth.nlm.nih.gov/

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Brownfields State and Tribal Response Program

Montana State University provided the necessary training and educational guidance to successfully inventory and lab-pack hazardous chemicals at 5 schools on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. This work was accomplished in collaboration with the Cheyenne River Sioux Environmental Protection Department, Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School, Dupree School, Takini School, Timber Lake High School, and Tiospaye Topa School. Chemicals lab-packed include neurotoxins, carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, strong oxidizers, corrosive, caustic, toxic, ignitable, flammable, and potentially explosive chemicals. The schools’ total student population is 668 and 84% Native American. A total of 1,750 pounds of chemicals were lab-packed by a hazardous waste broker and removed from the school system to a proper disposal/storage facility.

For more information: http://www.peakstoprairies.org/library/healthy_schools/chemcleanout/inde x.cfm?Page=Appendix&Appendix=case_studies#head

Ecological Management for Culturally-Significant Wildlife

Don Hankins of California State University at Chico (a Sacramento Delta region Plains Miwok, a basketweaver, and a fire ecologist) spoke on the lack of cultural management that exists on a landscape scale. Cultural knowledge integration is one of his areas of investigation, and his exploration of the question showed him that traditional knowledge goals are the same thing as current wildlife management goals. A lack of cultural management in the landscape is closely tied to single species preservation approach. He presented several examples of tribal groups who are wedding wildlife and cultural management practices.

For more information: http://www.tribalp2.org/resources/in-depth_resources/ecological_manageme nt.php

Environmental Assessment Worksheet

Though a Commissioner's Order, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe began an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) review process, in order to have coordination between programs and departmetns with projects around the Reservation. Each EAW is assessed by different individuals with technical expertise regarding Air Quality, Archaeology/Cultural Resouces, Forestry, Land Leases/Titles, Solid/Hazardous Waste, Water Quality (both surface and ground) and Wildlife/Fisheries. Each category are then reviewed against both with Tribal Laws and Customs, and with Best Available Practices in environmental management. Often during this process, the short-coming of the community planners are flushed out so that they can better serve the public and the tribal resources. However, the process still lacks the ability to review for overall safety and with potential O&M costs impact to the tribe, so the DNRE is now working together with the other departments to try to close up these review loop-holes that can cause approvals of projects that negatively impact tribes' environmental and resource access. A recent change for the EAW process was to bring in a public comment period for all public infrastructure projects, in order to enpower the community with a voice on their resouces and environmetal access.

For more information: http://www.millelacsband.com/

EPA-Tribal Protocol Regional Haze TIP Development and Rule

The goal of the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) is to eliminate human-caused visibility impairment in national parks and wilderness areas across the country. It contains strategies to improve visibility over the next 60 years. This protocol was published to encourage a collaborative EPA-tribal process of developing and reviewing Regional Haze (RH) Tribal Implementation Plans (TIPs). It was developed jointly by representatives of the Gila River Indian Community, the National Tribal Environmental Council (NTEC), and EPA.

For more information: http://wrapair.org/tribal/FINAL_EPA-Tribal_Protocol.pdf

Fish Advisories

Information about contaminants that could pose health risks when consuming fish. Website includes links to local fish advisory programs, a national listing of advisories, a newsletter, federal, state, Tribal contacts and more.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/

Healthy School Environment Resources

Healthy School Environment Resources is your gateway to on-line resources to help facility managers, school administrators, architects, design engineers, school nurses, parents, teachers and staff address environmental health issues in schools.

For more information: http://cfpub.epa.gov/schools/index.cfm

Hopi Nation Straw Bale Home

Red Feather Development Group is a nonprofit whose mission is to educate and empower American Indian nations to create sustainable solutions to the severe housing crisis in reservation communities. They teach affordable, replicable and sustainable approaches to home construction. As part of Red Feather's Elder Housing Initiative, a strawbale home was recently completed on the Hopi Reservation. It was built as a replicable model to introduce straw bale homes as a viable solution and provide housing for one family and a learning tool for others. Straw bale construction, especially when built with a frost-protected shallow foundation, provides an affordable and energy-efficient house. The home was constructed with community involvement, transferring straw bale construction skills to tribal members. This home also demonstrates efficient layout in a small footprint, the use of low-impact products (on both health and environment), and barrier-free design.

For more information: http://homes-across-america.org/search/details.cfm?who=161&Feature=all&a ction=showDetails&Query=byState

Indigenous Permaculture

Indigenous Permaculture revitalizes urban and rural communities and supports self-sufficiency through traditional native farming practices, food security, and appropriate technology. The month-long (60-hour) Certificate Training builds skills needed to grow one's own food, develop supporting sustainable energy and water systems, and design projects in one's own community.

For more information: http://www.gardeners.com/2008-Garden-Crusader-Guillermo-Vasquez/8306,def ault,pg.html

Living in a Changing Alaska

This website is designed to help individuals and families in small communities plan for the impacts of climate change in Alaska. Has an adaptation planning tool and a manual that guide the user through steps of the planning process. Although written for Alaska, it can be used and adapted by communities in other parts of the country. Provides fact sheets on ocean acidification, climate change and subsistence, and sea level rise and storm surge.

For more information: http://seagrant.uaf.edu/map/climate/index.php

Mille Lacs Tribal P2: Action to Reduce and Eliminate Mercury in Tribal Life of the Misi-zaagaa'igani Anishinaabeg

Powerpoint presentation given at the 2006 Environmental Summit in Atlanta, GA. Summarizes tribal situation and history. Describes several approaches taken by the tribe to reduce mercury in the waste stream.

For more information: http://www.tribalp2.org/pdf/SuccessLippert_C_Env_Summit.pdf

Model TIP Template for Section 309 of the Regional Haze Rule

The 309 Regional Haze TIP template may be used by those federally recognized tribes located in any of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. The template contains general language and other elements that are necessary in obtaining U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of regional haze implementation plans. Adoption of a regional haze TIP is optional for tribes. The template is a "working" document that allows tribes to insert additional language in their plans. It is accompanied by a 60-page guidance document entitled "Tribal Guidance for Section 309 of the Regional Haze Rule."

For more information: http://wrapair.org/SIPStatus/309/documents/FinalDocs/FINAL_TIP_TEMPLATE. pdf

National Environmental Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse - Tribal Sector

A compendium of resources (many are on-line) dealing with tribal compliance issues. Subject areas include: schools, public water systems, solid waste, hazardous waste, construction waste, munitions waste, mining waste, wastewater management, general compliance, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), pesticides, regional tribal contacts, federal agency resources, and tribal organizations.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/assistance/sectors/tribal.html

Native American Land Conservancy

The Native American Land Conservancy is dedicated to the protective management of endangered Native American sacred sites and areas. Founded in 1998, the NALC has acquired threatened cultural landscapes, formed cooperative agreements with tribes, public agencies and conservation groups, and organized conferences to promote the preservation of Native American sacred lands.

For more information: http://nalc4all.org/

Native Waters

Native Waters, an outreach program based at Montana State University - Bozeman, is dedicated to increasing awareness and respect for tribal water resources. This community education initiative supports the efforts of tribal leaders, educators, and students to develop contemporary, scientifically accurate, and culturally sensitive water education resources, programs and networking opportunities. The web site offers a film, "A Dream for Water," and educational exhibit entitled "Native Waters: Sharing the Source" including an educator's guide.

For more information: http://projectwet.org/water-resources-education/water-native-american-ed ucation/

OPPTS Tribal Strategic Plan - Fiscal Years 2004-2008

The purpose of the Tribal Strategic Plan (TSP) is to promote the best use of resources to foster environmental gains in Indian country and other tribal areas, including Alaska (ICOTA). The Plan will serve as a guide to EPA/OPPTS and its regional partners as current programs and future initiatives are implemented in order to support successful pesticide and toxics management and pollution prevention. The TSP is based largely on the comments and recommendations made by over 100 tribal representatives.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/ocspp/pubs/tribal/tribalplan_signsep804final.pdf

P2Rx Publicly Owned Treatment Works Topic Hub

Information about several key processes used in POTWs and pre-treatment programs, waste streams, environmental compliance, worker health and safety, and economic impact of inefficient operations and technologies and operating practices that reduce the hazards, quantities and costs of waste. A bibliography of related on-line resources is presented for more detailed information.

For more information: http://www.zerowastenetwork.org/hub/p2rx-mod/index.cfm?page=toc&hub_id=6 01&subsec_id=7

Pokagon Tribal Complex Campus Plan

The Potawatomi believe that the health of their people is tied to the health of the land, and the intent of this Campus Plan is to ensure that the development of the tribal land protects this tie with Nokmes Kignan, our Grandmother Earth. The Band desired a plan to develop the Tribal Complex on its property within the watershed in a way that would not only serve their administrative needs, but would restore health and stability to the land and water resources within their care.

For more information: http://www.tribalp2.org/pdf/Pokagon_Band_Tribal_Complex_Report.pdf

Profile of Tribal Government Operations

The Tribal Profile presents information on many aspects of tribal government operations affecting the environment. It provides tribes with key information about environmental regulations and can also help tribes build their environmental compliance programs. The Tribal Profile contains material on an array of available EPA technical and compliance assistance tools as well as financial and pollution prevention opportunities applicable to tribal operations.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/assistance/sectors/ notebooks/tribal.html

Putting Tribes on the Environmental Radar Screen

An article published in the Rural Matters journal discusses how Congressional Acts have often overlooked tribal concerns and how this has affected solid waste issues on reservations.

For more information: http://www.rcap.org/

Reliable Prosperity - A Project of Ecotrust

ReliableProsperity.net provides a framework for an ecologically restorative, socially just, and reliably prosperous society. It includes "patterns", case studies and resources. The economic, natural and social capital patterns it includes are adaptable to local ecosystems and cultures, yet universal in their applicability.

For more information: http://www.reliableprosperity.net/

Removing Mercury Switches

48 second video from Michigan DEQ on dangers of Mercury Switches and specific examples of how to remove them from automobiles.

For more information: http://www.michigan.gov/deqmercuryp2

Sustainable Economies

This presentation outlines principles for sustainable communities and reviews strategies for tribal nation economic development. Several examples are provided of successful tribal sustainable development programs.

For more information: http://www.tribalp2.org/pdf/EconDevStrat_IPP2005.pdf

Transition to Green

This report highlights priority environmental recommendations for the Obama administration transition team endorsed by a coalition of national environmental and conservation organizations listed below1. Many organizations assisted in the creation of this report and we recognize their contributions. The report describes how the administration can resume Federal leadership on critical energy and environmental challenges affecting our economy, health and well-being in order to put our nation on a sustainable path now and for future generations.

For more information: http://www.tribalp2.org/pdf/Greenwireenvirodocument_gw_01.pdf

Treating Head Lice Infestation

Answers these common questions about this topic: How can I treat a head lice infestation?
My child has head lice. I don't. Should I treat myself to prevent being infested?
Should my pets be treated for head lice?
My child is under 2 years old and has been diagnosed with head lice. Can I treat him or her with prescription or OTC drugs?
What OTC medications are available to treat head lice?
What are the prescription drugs used to treat head lice?
Which head lice medicine is best for me?
Should household sprays be used to kill adult lice?
Should I have a pest control company spray my house?

For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_head_lice_treating. htm

Tribal Composting Nourishes Land and Tradition

This issue of U.S. EPA's Tribal Waste Journal focuses on a variety of innovative composting approaches, including: backyard, fish and wood waste, food waste and biosolids, vermicomposting in schools, green waste composting in an arid climate, mixed solid waste composting in Alaska, and cultural gardens and green roofs. It features the stories and experiences of the: Blackfeet Tribe of Montana, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Fond du Lac Reservation, Haines Sanitation, Inc., Ho-Chunk Nation, Kake Tribal Corporation, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Oneida Tribe of Wisonsin, Redwood Valley Rancheria, and Slat River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona. It also contains an extensive list of useful resources, tribal, village, and state contacts; and the Kids Page. The Journal is published annually. It is available on the Web or free printed copies are available from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)--phone: 800/490-9198; e-mail: ncepimal@one.net. Document #: (EPA530-N-05-001).

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/tribal/index.htm

Tribal Guidance for Section 309 of the Regional Haze Rule

A tribe that develops a Regional Haze (RH) Tribal Implementation Plan (TIP) will actively contribute to helping reduce or eliminate haze in its airshed. This document is intended for the 185 federally recognized tribes located in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. It describes the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) and discusses in some detail the intricacies of adopting a TIP. This guidance accompanies the "Model TIP Template for Section 309 of the Regional Haze Rule."

For more information: http://wrapair.org/SIPStatus/309/documents/FinalDocs/040917FINAL_TIP_Gui de.pdf

Tribal Lifeline Project

LifeLine™ software is designed to estimate exposures and risks from one or more chemicals reaching individuals in selected populations via their diet, water supply, pets or from their use of consumer products. In 2002, US EPA responded to the need to expand that capability to consider Native Americans living on reservations and practicing traditional Native American lifestyles. The LifeLine Group was contracted to produce amendments to the basic LifeLine Software that would represent exposure scenarios for two types of Native American communities. Traditional diets based on hunted meats and gathered vegetables, seasonal changes of lodging, use of sweat lodges and other unique exposure scenarios are now part of the risk assessment model. The LifeLine Group is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization who creates and distributes state-of-the-art exposure and risk assessment software and related materials. The LifeLine Group copyrights its software and documentation and maintains ownership and version control for all of its programs. All software, including that developed under this contract, is made publicly available, without charge.

For more information: http://www.thelifelinegroup.org/tribal/index.htm

Tribal News - Echoes of Green in Indian Country

This 64 page newsletter includes news and events, discusses new technologies with case study examples, and referes to new resources. Some of the specific topics covered in this issue include: wind and solar power; green agriculture; green buildings, facilities and landscaping; green chemistry; green cleaning; green energy and lights; green engineering; green labels and purchasing; green meetings; and green tourism.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/tribal/pubs/t-news-fall2004.pdf

Tribal Solid Waste Management Assistant Project

The Tribal Solid Waste Management Assistant Project helps tribes close or clean up high-threat open dumps, develop alternative disposal options, and establish integrated solid waste management and enforcement programs. Eligible entities applied for funding under one of four categories:

1. proposals to develop integrated solid waste management (ISWM) plans and tribal codes and regulations;
2. proposals to characterize/assess open dumps;
3. proposals to develop and implement alternative solid waste management activities/facilities (including equipment acquisition); and,
4. proposals to develop and implement cleanup, closure, and post-closure programs for open dump waste sites in Indian Country.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/tribal/index.htm

Tribal Water Quality Accomplishments

Tribes in the American southwest have made great strides in their efforts to monitor and control nonpoint source (NPS) pollution on reservation lands. Many of these tribes’ projects were recently highlighted in this publication. The document describes how the Indian tribes have used Clean Water Act Section 106 funds for water quality monitoring, thus enabling them to develop NPS pollution runoff control and management programs that ultimately improved environmental quality. The document describes the long-term results of water quality monitoring from the NPS management programs and other management efforts by 12 tribes in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Thanks to EPA and the other federal agencies that offer training and environmental program development and project support, increasing numbers of tribes are managing comprehensive water quality programs to protect, improve, and enhance natural resources for the benefit of all Tribal members.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/tribal/pdf/tribal-water-quality-accompl ishments.pdf