Tribal Environmental Self Governance and the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP)

This presentation was delivered as an On Demand session at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum: Virtual Gathering in August 2020.

This is a pre-recorded training course on the Indian Environmental Assistance Program (GAP) that illustrates how tribal governments can implement pollution control programs instead of relying on program implementation by EPA.

Introduction: Intergovernmental Partnerships & Program Delegation

Theme: Intergovernmental partnerships are a cornerstone for how EPA achieves national environmental protection standards; Environmental program administration by a tribal government in lieu of EPA is a form of “Self-Governance” and an expression of tribal sovereignty.

Featuring: 

Deb Szaro, Deputy Regional Administrator, EPA R1

Cheryl Newton, Deputy Regional Administrator, EPA R5

Jeff Besougloff, American Indian Environmental Office, EPA

Luke Jones, American Indian Environmental Office, EPA

Part 1: Lower Sioux Indian Community Lead Abatement Program

Theme: Lead exposure mitigation under an EPA authorized tribal regulatory program. (Toxic Substances Control Act)

Featuring: 

Deb Dirlam, Director, Office of Environment, Lower Sioux Tribe

Jeff Besougloff, EPA-AIEO (former Director, Office of Environment, Lower Sioux Tribe)

Part 2: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Air Quality Program

Theme: Managing ambient air quality by regulating emissions under an EPA authorized pollution control program. (Clean Air Act)

Featuring: 

Danny Powers, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Air Quality Program Manager

Alexis North, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, EPA R8  

Part 3: How GAP Supports EPA’s 1984 Indian Policy Principles (14 min) 

Theme: Tribal leaders, environmental program managers, and subject matter experts who articulate how the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program helps fulfill principles established under the “EPA Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian Reservations” – a.k.a. EPA’s 1984 Indian Policy.

Featuring:

James Grijalva, Professor, University of North Dakota School of Law

Ann Marie Chischilly, Director, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

Jill Grant, Tribal Environmental Attorney, Jill Grant and Associates

Ken Norton, Chair, National Tribal Water Council

Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Dean, Utah College of Law 

Kevin Washburn, Dean, Iowa College of Law (Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs)

Pilar M. Thomas, Tribal Environmental & Energy Attorney

Gary S. Morishima, Technical Advisor to the President, Quinault Indian Nation

Lorraine Loomis, Chair, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Lisa Gover, Director, Campo Environmental Protection Agency

Deborah Broken Rope, American Indian Health Policy Advisor 

Eric D. Eberhard, Associated Professor, University of Washington School of Law

This presentation was delivered as an on demand session at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum: Virtual Gathering in August 2020.