Announcements 2007

Archive of events and news of interest to those who live and work in Indian Country, including training, conferences, workshops and TribalAIR news.

Recent Announcements | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

12/21/07

2008 National Air Quality Conference

The "Call for Presentations" for the 2008 National Air Quality Conferences is now posted on www.airnow.gov at - http://www.epa.gov/airnow/2008conference/call_for_speakers.pdf

This year's conferences will be held in Portland, Oregon, on April 6-9, 2008. See the AIRNow web page for information about submitting abstracts for consideration as oral or poster session presentations at this year's conference.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS AND RESERVATIONS
The conferences are being held at the Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, which is located 15 minutes from the airport, on the scenic Willamette River in downtown Portland. The hotel conference rate is $106 a night for a single or double room, plus 12.5% tax. All reservations must be made by Monday, March 10, 2008. After this date, reservations are subject to space and rate availability. To make your reservation, please call 1-800-546-9513. Ask for in-house reservations, and then reference the EPA Air Quality Conference to receive the group rate.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Check the AIRNow web page for up to date information regarding this year's conference and registration. You will receive an e-mail notifying you when the online conference registration page is available, anticipated to be early January.

ACHIEVEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AWARD
Call for Nominations - due Jan 11, 2008

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency welcomes the nominations for the Achievement in Environmental Justice Awards. Nominations must be postmarked by January 11, 2008. National awards for achievements in environmental justice will be given to organizations in 5 categories: academic institutions, community-based organizations, non-governmental and environmental organizations, State and local government organizations, and Tribal government and indigenous organizations. Organizations should be nominated for their achievement in addressing environmental justice issues or achieving the goals of environmental justice in a manner that results in positive impacts to a community. The award competition will be open to all organizations within the United States. The nominated entity must have achieved a significant milestone or accomplishment within the past five years (2002-2007). Nominated entities should address six selection criteria which reflect the goals of addressing environmental justice issues in a way that positively affects the community. The criteria are: (1) innovation; (2) community responsibility; (3) community, equity, and public involvement; (4) partnerships and collaboration; (5) integration; and (6) demonstrated results, effectiveness, and sustainability. The awards will be presented by the EPA Administrator during a special public, media-covered event in June 2008. EPA will pay for the travel and lodging expenses of the representative who will attend the EJ Achievement Awards ceremony and receive the award on behalf of the winning organizations. Award winners will receive national recognition for their significant EJ achievements. EPA will publish a feature article in the Environmental Justice Quarterly newsletter focusing on the selected award recipients. Award winners will also be featured on the Office of Environmental Justice's Web site. National recognition may also open doors for the award winners to network and partner with other organizations across the U.S. that share a similar commitment to EJ excellence.

For more information, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/ej/ej-achieve-flyer.pdf
or contact Lisa Hammond at (202) 564-0736 or at hammond.lisa@epa.gov.

US EPA CARE 2008 Grants Request for Proposals Now Available -- Deadline March 17

The 2008 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CARE Cooperative Agreement Request for Proposals (RFP) is now available on-line at:
http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html#0802

This year the application time line has been extended to 3 months and the deadline is March 17, 2008. The CARE website has additional information related to the CARE RFP, including our upcoming Q&A Webcasts, so also visit: http://www.epa.gov/CARE

About the CARE RFP
Around $3 million will be available in 2008 to support community-based partnerships to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. EPA anticipates awarding CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities, and become self-sustaining. In 2007, $3.4 million in cooperative agreements were made available to more than 20 communities through the CARE program, a community-based, community-driven program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. Examples of projects include addressing abandoned, contaminated industrial and residential properties in Gary, Ind., dealing with agriculture- related toxics in Yakima County, Wash., and reducing air emissions from diesel trucks and buses in Woonsocket, R.I. Since 2005, the grants to reduce toxics in the environment have reached almost 50 communities in over 20 states.

Applications for the CARE grants are due March 17, 2008. Eligible applicants include county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, Jan. 18, Feb. 11 and 27, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process. Additional information about the CARE program, previous cooperative agreement recipients, and applying for the 2008 grants is available at: http://www.epa.gov/care

CARE Request for Proposals Q&A Webcast (also available on http://www.epa.gov/care ) The CARE program will conduct three national information sessions for cooperative agreement applicants via national Internet seminars, or Webcasts, in January and February 2008.

January 18, 2008 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. eastern time

February 11, 2008 1:00 - 12:30 p.m. eastern time

February 27, 2008 10:00 – 12:00 a.m. eastern time

To register for the upcoming CARE Internet Seminar for either of the above dates, please go to: http://www.cluin.org/studio/seminar.cfm.

12/18/07

Letter from EPA to Tribal Leaders Regarding Climate Change

The purpose of the letter is to provide information on recent and upcoming efforts related to climate change, to enhance communication between Tribal governments and EPA, and to encourage Tribal participation in ongoing activities related to climate change.

Letter to Tribal Leaders (PDF) (5pp, 3.7 MB)

12/14/07

The 17th Annual International Emissions Inventory Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon on June 2-5, 2008.

This year’s theme, ‘Inventory Evolution – Portal to improved Air Quality’ emphasizes new and evolving uses of the air emission inventories, the motivation for those uses, and the impact on emissions data development. This conference will provide a useful forum for exchange of ideas and information on the use of air emissions data among industry, federal agencies, state/local/tribal governments, regional planning organizations, and international agencies. The technical program topics of interest are listed in our Call for Papers now available on the 2008 Conference Website at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/conference/ei17/index.html . Please review the technical program timeline and consider submitting an abstract for paper by February 1, 2008. We are also seeking interest from private and public entities to participate in an emissions inventory ‘software showcase’ to demonstrate their wares to Conference attendees. Please see the Call for Papers for more details. We hope that you will participate in this year’s conference and we look forward to seeing you in Portland!

Opportunities for Native students, faculty, scientists, and interested participants

(1) LPI summer internship program http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lpiintern/
Application deadline = Jan.25, 2008!!!

(2) LPI Science Conference (March 10-14, 2008)
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/
Abstract due: January 3, 2008!!!

12/5/07

Agenda Items for the NTAA Call today

3:00 Eastern # 866-299-3188; code is 919-541-5624
2:00 Central
1:00 Mountain
12 Noon Pacific

Mike Trutna- Flexible Permits Rule
Larry Wallace- Emergency Episodes

REVIEW OF NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR LEAD: ADVANCE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.

On December 5, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/pb/s_pb_cr_fr.html) as part of its review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead.

11/27/07

NACAA to Hold Global Warming Conference February 12-13, 2008, in Washington, DC Area

NACAA will hold an innovative conference to discuss the role state and local clean air agencies should play in federal legislation and programs to combat global warming. Among the fundamental components of this role will be ensuring the ability of states and localities to enact more stringent requirements than the federal government. The conference will take place February 12-13, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. The two-day conference will include presentations by renowned experts of thought-provoking concept papers and facilitated small group discussions, with the goal of developing ideas to be used to inform Congress and other policymakers. Topics to be addressed include 1) the scope of the control program; 2) implementation (including enforcement, source monitoring and permitting); 3) data (including accounting, verification and registries); and 4) allowances and funding. We urge local, state and federal officials - particularly environmental, energy and utility regulators - to attend. [For further information: www.4cleanair.org/washingtondc/

11/20/07

Options Available for Tribes to Meet Independent Performance Evaluation Requirements for the Ambient Air Monitoring Programs

The 40 CFR Part 58 Appendix A QA requirements are specific to data that are collected for comparison to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Tribes monitoring for NAAQS comparison purposes must follow these requirements including participation in the NPAP and PEP programs. The document provides a number of options that for tribes to implement these programs. This paper was developed in April 2007 and presented at the 2007 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality in San Diego.
Tribal Options (PDF 31 PP, 443 KB)

11/15/07 (Revised Agenda)

REMINDER: A National Call with EPA,Tribal, State, and local ambient air monitoring agencies has been scheduled for:

Date: November 15, 2007
Time: 2:00 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time
1:00 - 3:30 PM Central Time
12:00 - 2:30 PM Mountain Time
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM Pacific Time

Call in number: 866 - 299 - 3188 - At the specified time, dial the Call-In Number. When prompted, enter your Conference Code, 9195415651, followed by #

A few logistical notes for the call:
- Please use one conference line per agency location to limit the number of lines in use. This will help make sure we have enough lines for everyone.
- Please do not put the call on hold as we sometimes end up with elevator music on such a large call.
- Please do use your MUTE button when not talking as this helps limit noise when we have such a large call.
- If you cannot get through, call our secretary - Linda Ferrell at (919) 541-5651 or email at: ferrell.linda@epa.gov

Invitation to Participate in a National Conference Call on PM Continuous Mass Monitoring Methods

You are invited to participate in a conference call to discuss PM continuous mass monitoring methods. Target participants should be monitoring, quality assurance, and data management staff and managers responsible for implementing and operating PM continuous mass methods.

Confirmed Agenda:

2:00 pm - Call Starts - roll, objectives
2:10 pm - Met One - Current plans and Q/A
2:35 pm - State/local speakers - Multiple instrument State/local comparisons - CT and BAAQMD
2:50 pm - Thermo-Fisher - Current plans and Q/A
3:15 pm - State/local speaker - FDMS user updates - Iowa, Wisconsin, Idaho; any additional BAM updates?
3:30 pm - Tisch - Current Plans and Q/A
3:55 pm - Additional discussion among State/local participants who have not prepared materials
4:00 pm - Grimm - Current Plans and Q/A
4:25 pm - Wrap up.

We look forward to your participation on this call.

Documents for the call:
EPA FEM Response - Tisch (PDF) (2pg, 793k)
EPA FEM Response Photo - Tisch (PDF) (1pg, 126k)
EPA Conf Call Preliminary Data (PDF) (4pp, 34k)
Grimm 180 Low Res (PDF) (2pp, 162k)
Grimm 180 for EPA Short (PDF) (26pp, 4.7 MB)

11/15/07

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut

EPA is approving a Tribal Implementation Plan (TIP) submitted by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut. The TIP establishes an enforceable cap on nitrogen oxide emissions from stationary sources owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and located within the external boundaries of the Mohegan Reservation. This action is intended to help attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for groundlevel ozone. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act. This rule is effective on December 14, 2007.

11/13/07

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) will hold a public teleconference call on November 20, 2007 from 2 to 4 p.m. EST.

The purpose of the teleconference meeting is to review the NEJAC's initial comments regarding EPA's Environmental Justice Strategic Enforcement Assessment Tool (EJSEAT). The draft agenda for the call is as follows:
2:00 p.m. Welcome and Introductions
2:10 p.m. Discussion and Presentations
3:30 p.m. Public Comment Period
4:00 p.m. Adjourn

There will be a public comment period from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. Those participants wishing to provide a comment during the public comment period must pre-register for the call and sign-up to give public comment. Comments are limited to five minutes to ensure that as many participants as possible wishing to provide a comment may do so.

To pre-register for the call and sign-up for the public comment period, please contact Ms. Julianne Pardi, ICF International, by phone at (703) 934-3873, by fax at (703) 934-3270, or by e-mail at jpardi@icfi.com. Please make sure to include your name, organization, and contact information (phone number and e-mail) in order to receive logistical information in a timely manner. Additionally, if you plan to provide comments, please indict that when registering. Pre-registration closes on November 16, 2007.In addition, members of the public can go directly to < http://www.nejacregistration.org/index.htm > to get the information.

11/6/07 (See Final Agenda above under 11/15/07 announcement)

Technical Guidance for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programsis available.
This intent of the guidance document is to help tribes gain a better perspective of the ambient air monitoring process and to provide information on resources and tools that help to build and sustain an air environmental monitoring program. The document might be considered the yellow pages of information on ambient air monitoring. A draft of the document was posted on the announcement section of the OAR Tribal Website on 4/13/07 and OAQPS scheduled four conference calls in May and June, 2007 with the Tribes to receive their comment and input. The document can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1pgm.html

A National Call with EPA,Tribal, State, and local ambient air monitoring agencies has been scheduled for:

Date: November 15, 2007
Time: 2:00 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time
1:00 - 3:30 PM Central Time
12:00 - 2:30 PM Mountain Time
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM Pacific Time
Call in number: 866 - 299 - 3188 - At the specified time, dial the Call-In Number. When prompted, enter your Conference Code, 9195415651, followed by #

Invitation to Participate in a National Conference Call on PM Continuous Mass Monitoring Methods
You are invited to participate in a conference call to discuss PM continuous mass monitoring methods. Target participants should be monitoring, quality assurance, and data management staff and managers responsible for implementing and operating PM continuous mass methods.

Tentative Agenda:
2:00 pm - Call Starts - roll, objectives
2:10 pm - Met One - (Invited) - Current plans and Q/A
2:40 pm - State/local speaker #1 with discussion of their PM continuous methods
3:00 pm - Thermo-Fisher - (Invited) - Current plans and Q/A
3:30 pm - State/local speaker #2 with discussion of their PM continuous methods
3:45 pm - Open discussion among State/local participants who have not prepared materials
4:00 pm - Additional Instrument company - (Were working on inviting one or two others)
4:30 pm - planned end time.

In preparation for the call, we are soliciting your input on specific questions and comments you may have on PM continuous mass monitors.

Please send any questions or comments that you would like to have addressed on the call to: Geri Dorosz at dorosz.geri@epa.gov by November 13th. Include your name, agency, and category of inquiry. Please choose from the following list of categories:

EPA policy on use of PM continuous mass methods
AQS/AIRNOW data reporting questions on PM continuous mass methods
Specific questions on continuous mass methods you would like addressed by an instrument company - we will forward these to the applicable instrument company in advance of the call.
Thermo-Fisher
Met One
Tisch
Others? - let us know if you have recommendations for other companies to engage.

We really would like the questions for the instrument companies in advance so that the right people can be invited to address them.We look forward to your participation on this call.
Mike Papp
EPA OAQPS
C304-06
RTP, NC 27711
919/541-2408

11/5/07

St. Regis Mohawks First Tribe to Receive EPA Approval for Tribal Implementation Plan

ALBANY, N.Y. --The Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 announced Oct. 30 that it has approved a tribal implementation plan (TIP) to control air pollution on the Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation in northern New York state.
The Saint Regis Mohawks are the first Native American tribe to receive EPA approval for their TIP plan, according to EPA.
The plan includes ambient air quality standards for sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, and other pollutants and an emissions inventory. It also includes regulations for permitting, source surveillance, open burning, and enforcement.
In addition, the plan defines the tribe's program for review of state permits and regional haze planning.
"Federal approval of our TIP is a significant achievement for the tribe since it signals both our commitment and long-standing efforts to protect and preserve our environment, including the air," the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council said in a statement.
"This is especially important since we have seen marked increases in recent years in the incidence of asthma and upper respiratory illnesses in our people," the council said. "As Mohawks, we are obligated to uphold the highest environmental standards for future generations."
The Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation is home to about 10,000 people and includes 14,000 acres in Franklin and Saint Lawrence counties in New York and additional land in Canada. Under the Clean Air Act, Native American nations can be treated in the same manner as states for the purposes of developing clean air plans, if certain criteria are met, according to EPA. EPA approved such treatment for the Saint Regis Mohawks in March 2003.

Copy of the TIP (PDF)
Further information on EPA's approval

10/25/07

Conference Call Rescheduled

Conference call to discuss the EAF Rule has been scheduled for Monday, 10/29/07

11:30-12:15 pm Pacific Time
12:30-1:15 pm Mountain Time
1:30 - 2:15 pm Central Time
2:30 -3:15 pm Eastern Time

The call in number is (866) 299-3188
Conference Code is 919 541 5624#

10/24/07

Conference Call Postponed

The conference call on the PSD Increment Modeling to be held today from 4:00 pm - 5:00 eastern standard time will be rescheduled. Once the meeting has been rescheduled we will send out another meeting notice. Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience.

Proposed NEWSHAP for EAf steelmaking facility.

The proposed NESHAP applies to each new or existing EAF steelmaking facility that is an area source of HAP. We are proposing that the owner or operator of an existing area source that does not have to install or modify emissions control equipment to meet the opacity limit for fugitive emissions comply with all applicable rule requirements no later than six months after the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. We are proposing that the owner or operator of an existing area source that must install or modify emission control equipment to meet the opacity limit for fugitive emissions may request a compliance date for the opacity limit that is no later than two years after the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal Register based on a demonstration to the satisfaction of the permitting authority that the additional time is needed. The owner or operator of a new affected source would be required to comply with all applicable rule requirements by the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal Register (if the startup date is on or before promulgation) or upon startup (if the startup date is after promulgation).
EAF Rule Summary (PDF 4 PP, 39 KB)

10/16/07

Encourage everyone to consider submitting proposals for this biennial conference.

Please share with people in your AA-ship who work on tribal issues, and encourage them to submit session proposal topics to you. If you have non-EPA federal contacts who work with tribes, please forward this message to them as well.
Ask those people to forward the information on to their regional tribal program contacts and their tribal contacts.
Regional contracts are asked to send the information to their contacts in the tribes. Proposals from tribes should be sent to Allyson Kelley , the tribal co-host project manager, NOT TO EPA. (See her contact information in the call for presentations, above.)

1. Federal proposals specific to your areas of environmental interest should funnel through you, and be CLEARLY ranked in order of importance to your management / program(s).
2, Then send them to me by the end of December ,2007. Proposals from other federal agencies should come directly to me as well.
3. I will forward the ranked proposals from federal programs to the tribal co-hosts. Then EPA HQ will get together with the tribal co-hosts in Billings to prepare a draft agenda.

NOTE: This same request is going out to the EPA RICS and to EPA NIWG members, who may have additional, tribal contacts. (RICS, NIWG, please send out to your tribal contacts.)
I am relying on HQ tribal program coordinators to disseminate through regional program connections.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Karen Rudek

Point of Contact: National Tribal Conference on Environmental Management
Tribal Program Coordinator
EPA Office of Water (4102M)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Ph. 202-564-0472
Fax 202-564-0488

10/15/07

A preliminary agenda for EPA’s 2007 Environmental Information Symposium is now available on the Symposium website:

http://www.epa.gov/oei/proceedings/2007/proceedings.htm
Once again this year, we will offer a variety of valuable training opportunities on the first day of the Symposium, November 14, 2007. Be sure to check out the website for details on the class offerings and to register to attend the sessions of your choice.

REMINDER: The room black at the Millennium Hotel closes Sunday, October 13. Be sure to make your reservation before then.

10/10/07

Here is the materials for the NTAA call today. We will be focused on the Flexible permit rule but have provided the slides on the PSD incremental modeling rule as well for your information.
Incremental Modelling
Fact Sheet

10/4/07

EPA/NTAA conference call on PSD flexible permitting; Interim Fire Policy; OAQPS
(Draft) Tribal Consultation Document.

Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Central
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Mountain
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Pacific (and AZ)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Alaska

Phone number: 866-299-3188
Pass code: 919-541-5624

The National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) and EPA Office of Air Quality Policy and Standards (OAQPS) will be co-hosting a call on three topics. The majority of the call shall focus on the Proposed Flexible Air Permitting Rule, which tribes can still submit comments to EPA until October 31, 2007. The call will also give some information on the Agency’s Interim Fire Policy (which EPA will have another call on the topic on October 18) and OAQPS’ (Draft) Tribal Consultation Document.

Attached are information about the PSD/Flexible Permitting rule to this announcement.

If you have any questions please call Laura McKelvey (919) 541-5497 or email mckelvey.laura@ epa.gov or you may contact Stephen Hartsfield (NTAA) at (505) 242-2175 x 106 or shartsfield@ ntec.org .

Fact Sheet (PDF 4 PP, 73 KB)
Recommendations (PDF 31 PP, 128 KB)
MOU-ND (PDF 4 PP, 117 KB)
Increment Modelling (PP 24 PP, 294 KB)

10/1/07

2008 Symposium on Innovating for Sustainable Results: Integrated Strategies for Climate, Energy and the Environment - January 7 – 10th, 2008, in Chapel Hill, NC.

2008 Symposium on Innovating for Sustainable Results: Integrated Strategies for Climate, Energy and the Environment will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about some of the key innovation challenges of the day. This event is being held January 7 – 10th, 2008, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in the heart of the University of North Carolina campus.

Representatives from EPA and other federal agencies, State, local and Tribal governments, and the not-for-profit community will be attending. Business and industry representatives will be attending by invitation. On January 8th and 9th, participants will hear plenary presentations and select from a variety of session topics that explore how to realize the full potential of innovative strategies, using holistic approaches to achieve sustainable results, and collaborating for environmental problem-solving. Participants will also have an opportunity to attend pre- and post-symposia workshops on January 7th and 10th.

The 2008 Symposium on Innovating for Sustainable Results builds upon a series of State-EPA Environmental Innovation Symposia and National Air Innovation Conferences. Co-sponsors include the U.S. EPA, the Council for Excellence in Government, and the Environmental Council of the States. For more information, visit www.excelgov.org/sustainableresults

Flyer (PDF 1 PP, 364 KB)

9/21/07

Graded Approach Guidance for the Development of Quality Assurance Related Documents for the Ambient Air Monitoring Program

EPA policy requires that all organizations funded by EPA for environmental data operations (EDOs) develop quality management plans (QMPs) and quality assurance project plans (QAPPs). OAQPS revised the ambient air monitoring QA language in 40 CFR Part 58 Appendix A in the October 17, 2006 promulgation of the monitoring rule to be in agreement with the current EPA QA policy requirements. In that revision, we accommodate some flexibility in the development and approval of QMP and QAPPs which EPA allows through its endorsement of graded approaches.

With this flexibility in mind, OAQPS facilitated a QA Strategy Workgroup made up of Headquarters, EPA Regional QA coordinators and representatives from State, Local and Tribal monitoring organizations to create a graded approach for the development of QMPs, data quality objectives (DQOs) and QAPPs for the Ambient Air Monitoring Program Although this approach was developed for the overall monitoring community, we really had Tribes and smaller local organizations in mind since the approach allows time for these organizations to gain knowledge of QA concepts and build on experience as they improve their quality systems.

This document (PDF 7 PP, 235 KB)includes a cover letter sent to the EPA Tribal Air Coordinators and the Guidance Document.

9/19/07

Final Agenda for September 20, 2007 Teleconference on Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland and Prescribed Fires 1:00-3:00 PM EDT (2 hours)

Call in number is 1-866-299-3188 code 9195414081#

Purpose:
Share information about the process EPA will follow to revise the policy.
Discuss the role of partners and stakeholders in the process.
Provide you with an opportunity to share your perspectives the current policy (what has or hasn't worked and what changes are needed.

AGENDA
1:00 – 1:30
· Roll Call
· Process and timing for policy review
· Partner involvement
1:30 - 2:30 DISCUSSION
· Changes since May 1998
· What we’ve heard so far
· Scope of policy
· Issues (Quick review of discussion)
2:30 -3:00
· RTP Meeting (October 18, 2007)
· Next Steps

9/12/07

Rescheduling Septemtber 28 meeting

Due to many conflicts and the importance of this rule I would like to reschedule the meeting. Remember that the comment period closes on September 28th. So we need to move on this. Would Monday at 3:00 ET work for folks?
Also, I just learned that we published a proposal today that provides opportunities for "flexible permiting" for Title V and other major source permits. We should probably talk about that too.

Here are the materials for each of these proposed rules.
IncrementModelling (PP 24 PP, 294 KB)
FactSheet (Word 4 PP, 70 KB)

9/11/07

Summary Notes from Aug 9 -10 Tribal Meeting in RTP Posted.

OAQPS is in the process of finalizing a 2008 -20013 Tribal Program Plan which relies heavily on the information obtained from the 2005-2006 meetings held with tribal environmental professionals and national tribal organizations on several topics including the best placement within OAQPS for the Tribal Program, tribal priorities for addressing air quality issues, and ideas on how OAQPS could provide support to tribes across the U.S . On August 9 and 10, 2007 OAQPS invited representatives from the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA), the National Tribal Environmental Council (NTEC) and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) to a two-day meeting to confirm the priorities set by the tribes in the earlier meetings, to develop action plans and coordinate implementation of these priorities with the goal that EPA, NTAA and ITEP are working efficiently to implement the tribal program and move the tribes’ priorities forward. Summary notes from this meeting are attached.
TribalMeetingNotes (PDF 9 pp, 42 KB)
Strategy Mtg Agenda (PDF 1 PP, 9 KB)

Registration for Philadelphia Wood Combustion Workshop EXTENDED

Fellow wood smoke-busters:

If you're interested in learning how to reduce wood smoke emissions in your community, do not delay - take advantage of this great opportunity in Philadelphia, September 25-27, sponsored by MARAMA and the U.S. EPA! We are extending the deadline to register for the Philadelphia Residential Wood Combustion workshop until close of business, Wednesday, September 12, 2007 . You can register quickly and easily, and get information on the agenda and hotel at the following website: http://www.marama.org/calendar/events/2007_09RWC.html

Unfortuntately, the deadline for reserviations at the government rate at the Marriott Residence Inn (Philadelphia Center City) has passed. The hotel location is convenient to the workshop site (EPA's Region III Headquarters - http://www.epa.gov/region03/direct.htm). You can try calling the hotel at (410) 252-7373; they may still give you a room at the government rate. If not, contact Larry Brockman or Eric Crump (see below), and we may be able to arrange lodging at the government rate for you.

The workshop will provide opportunites to learn about the impact of wood smoke emissions on air quality, hear about EPA's Residential Wood Smoke Reduction Initiative, see and understand how clean wood burning technology works, and hear from other communities how to develop and manage wood stove changeout campaigns. We urge you to register promptly.

Larry Brockman
Great American Wood Stove Changeout, Team Leader
www.epa.gov/woodstoves
Phone: 919-541-5398
Fax: 919-541-2664
brockman.larry@epa.gov

Eric L. Crump, P.E., Captain, USPHS
Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (C304-05)
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
ph 919.541.4719 fx 919.685-3239
crump.eric@epa.gov

9/7/07

National PM2.5 Performance Evaluation Program (PEP) and National Performance Audit Program (NPAP) Training Scheduled for October.

In order to be able to implement audits for the PM2.5 Performance Evaluation (PEP) or National Performance Audit (NPAP) Programs, auditors must be trained and certified. This year Dennis Crumpler (PEP Program Lead) and Mark Shanis (NPAP Program Lead) have developed two modules of training activities to accomplish this task
1. Classroom Training- This portion (2, 4 hour sessions) of the training will take place remotely via conference calls or WebEx sessions and will involve training on the activities that do not needs hands-on training with the monitoring equipment or samples. Auditors must make both sessions.
2. Hand-on Training – This portion of the training requires travel to RTP for approximately two days worth of training, certification, and testing. Hands-on for PEP and NPAP will be scheduled in the same week for those wanting certification in both activities.

Both modules are required for certification.

Audit Class room sessions Hands-on (RTP, NC)
PEP Oct 22-23 12:00-4:30 EDT Oct 29 -30
NPAP Oct 15-16 12:00-4:30 EDT Oct 31- Nov 1

Those interested in these activities should contact Dennis Crumpler ( crumpler.dennis@epa.gov ) for PEP training or Mark Shanis ( shanis.mark@epa.gov ) for NPAP Training.

Revision of the Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland and Prescribed Fires

The EPA teleconference with state, local and tribal partners (air quality and forestry) to discuss the revision of the Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland and Prescribed Fires will be on September 20, 2007 from 1:00-3:00 PM EDT. The call in number is 1-866-299-3188 code 9195414081#. Participation on this call is expected to be high, so please plan to congregate to minimize line use per agency.

The purpose this call is to share information about the process
EPA will follow to revise the policy, the role of partners and
stakeholders in the process and to provide you with an opportunity to share your perspectives on where the current policy has worked (or not) and what changes are needed.

Proposed Discussion Topics:
Scope of policy
Smoke management practices/programs
Wildland fire
Agricultural fire
RTP Meeting (October 18, 2007)
Next Steps

9/5/07

OAQPS has completed a final draft of the document titled Guidance and Policy for Implementation of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs.

The intended purpose of this guidance document is to improve the ability of tribes and Regional Offices to prioritize monitoring needs, choose an appropriate level of funding for ambient air monitoring on tribal lands relative to other air management work, and ensure that monitoring funds are used to best effect on chosen projects. This document is also intended to provide a level of consistency between OAR and the Regions in our expectations of tribal monitoring programs. The intended audiences for this document are EPA Regional Office and Headquarters staff involved in resource allocations, tribal air grant award and management, program evaluation, strategic planning of monitoring networks, technical support to monitoring programs, or using ambient air data collected from tribal monitoring programs.

We welcome reviews of this document by the tribes and would appreciate receiving comments by September 28, 2007. Please email your comments to Michael Papp (papp.michael@epa.gov)

Tribal Guidance and Policy Final Draft (PDF 45 PP, 208 KB)

A National Call with EPA,Tribal, State, and local ambient air monitoring agencies has been scheduled for SEPTEMBER 20, 2007- Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM ET

Date: SEPTEMBER 20, 2007
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM ET
Call in number: 866 - 299 - 3188 - At the specified time, dial the Call-In Number. When prompted, enter your Conference Code, 919 541 5651, followed by #

Invitation to Participate in a National Conference Call on NCore Technology and Implementation

I would like to invite you to participate in a conference call to discuss the ambient air monitoring technology being implemented at candidate NCore multi-pollutant monitoring stations. Target participants should be monitoring, quality assurance, and data management staff and managers responsible for implementing and operating the candidate NCore stations.

In preparation for the call, we are soliciting your input on specific questions and comments you may have on NCore monitoring methods and related equipment such as zero gas generators, calibration systems, and data management systems. We will also address network siting questions that are general in nature (e.g., When will EPA start approving NCore stations ? ). Specific questions on a particular candidate site should be directed to the appropriate Regional Office, separate from this call.

Please send any questions or comments that you would like to have addressed on the call to: Geri Dorosz at dorosz.geri@epa.gov by September 14th. Include your name, agency, and category of inquiry. Please choose from the following list of categories:

1) High sensitivity gas methods for CO, SO2, and NO/NOy
2) PM methods (filter mass, filter-speciaton, or continuous mass)
3) Meteorological methods
4) QA/QC
5) Data Management (including AQS and AIRNow reporting)
6) General Network
7) Training
8) Other

Our plan is to address as many of the questions as we can in the two hour time frame that we have, then come back to more specific questions on technology and the network in future calls. We are planning on meeting every two months by conference call.

We look forward to your participation on this call.

8/31/07

EPA Announces Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Grants (June 26, 2007).
EPA has issued a request for proposals under its Mobile Source Outreach
Assistance Grants. EPA plans to award $557,000 to 5-7 cooperative agreements.
The grant program is designed to provide national support for community-based
mobile source public education and outreach efforts that support implementation of
the Clean Air Act Amendments. Projects that have a mobile source focus, but also
result in emission reductions from other sources will be considered. The program is
designed to provide seed money to initiate new projects, or advance existing ones
that are new in some way (e.g., new audiences, new locations, new approaches)
rather than expand ongoing projects. Interested parties should submit an ?Intent to
Apply? by July 31, 2007 and full proposal by 4:00 p.m. EDT on August 31, 2007.

Further information

8/24/07

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Petroleum Refineries - Proposed Rule.

On August 21, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed amendments to its 1995 air toxics standards for petroleum refineries. Toxic air pollutants, or air toxics, are known or suspected to cause cancer and other health problems.
The proposed amendments address the residual risk and the 8-year technology review provisions of the Clean Air Act. These provisions require EPA to review existing control technology standards that reduce emissions of air toxics from industrial facilities. EPA is to tighten those standards, if needed, to protect public health or because of improvements in emissions reduction methods. To review the complete fact sheet and for more information go to the EPA website http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html.

8/22/07

2007 NOFA for USDA Rural Development's High Energy Cost Grant Program.

The High Energy Cost Grant Program provides financial assistance for the
improvement of energy generation, transmission, and distribution
facilities serving eligible rural communities with home energy costs
that are over 275 percent of the national average.
The High Energy Cost Grant Program is not specifically tailored to
tribes, but tribes have been very successful in accessing funding
through this program (see the attachment for summaries of past awards).
Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes, entities
owned by federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Corporations.
Traditional and Renewable Energy projects can be funded through this
program.
The Electric Programs today published the Notice of Funding Availability
for $21.9 million in competitive High Energy Cost Grants. Applications
must be submitted by Monday, October 1, 2007.
More information on the NOFA, the Application Guide, and all materials
needed to apply can be found on the Electric Program's High Energy Cost
Grant Program webpage at
http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric/hecgp/overview.htm.

Information is also available through www.grants.gov under CFDA No.
10.859, Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities.
AAE has printed copies of the notice and the Application Guide
available.
Please spread the word. Applicants have just 45 days to prepare and
submit their applications.

Please call me if you have any questions.
Karen Larsen
Policy Analysis and Loan Management Staff
Office of the Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs
202-720-8787

HEGCP Project Summary (PDF 10 PP, 99 KB)

8/16/07

Two web conferencing events to provide tribes with information on the revisions to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone.

CORRECTION: OAQPS has a second WebEx event scheduled to provide tribes with information on the revisions to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone proposed by EPA on June 20, 2007. Erika Sasser from the OAQPS Health and Environmental Impacts Division will provide a presentation on the proposed rule, similar to a presentation given to the National Tribal Air Association on June 27, 2007. The presentation will last about 30 minutes and there will be 30 minutes provided for questions.

The presentation will be provided using WebEx. WebEx will allow the attendee to access the presentation on their PC via the WebEx internet site while listening to the presentation via a teleconference line.

Attendees can enroll early for either event by using the event address URL and clicking the “enroll” button. Once enrolled you will receive reminder messages and updates.

The presentation will start at the top of the hour (2:00 on 8/22) but we are providing 15 minutes for set up and for attendees to get into the event. If you have not attended a WebEx session before please come in early because the WebEx may need to upload appropriate software (free) for attendees to view the presentation.

Schedule:

Date: August 22, 2007
Time: 1:45 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -04:00, New York)
Teleconference information: 866-299-3188 Code 919-541-5624#
Topic: Tribal-Ozone NAAQS Presentation
Event Number: 714 779 350
Event Password: ozone
Event Address for Attendees: https://epa.webex.com/epa/onstage/g.php?d=714779350&t=a

8/15/07

Consulting with Tribal Governments and The OAQPS Indian Tribal Program Plan Draft Documents.

The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) has developed two draft documents -- "Consulting with Tribal Governments" and "The OAQPS Indian Tribal Program Plan." The Consulting with Indian Tribal Governments is a guidance document to be used by OAQPS staff to assist them with determining if there are potential effects or impacts on Tribes and how to conduct collaboration and outreach as well as full Tribal consultation. (Please note that the Agency is in the process of developing an Agency-wide consultation policy. The attached draft is guidance to be used by OAQPS staff and will be revised accordingly once the Agency policy is finalized.)
The OAQPS Tribal Program Plan focuses on OAQPS' Tribal priorities and its approach for addressing those priorities. This plan is intended to direct OAQPS' implementation of Tribal priorities in concert with the Office of Air and Radiation Strategy.
Even though the intent for both of these documents is to be used by OAQPS staff, we would like to hear your input and any other ideas you have. We will be conducting an internal OAQPS training course entitled "Working Effectively with Tribes" in November and would like to have both documents finalized by then to share with our staff. Therefore, if we can receive your comments by the end of September we can revise accordingly. We will be requesting time on the next Tribal air call to discuss with you further. If a separate meeting is needed to devote more time for discussion that could be arranged as well. We look forward to hearing from you.

8/14/07

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plan; Alaska

http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2007/August/Day-14/

8/10/07

Two web conferencing events to provide tribes with information on the revisions to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone.

OAQPS has scheduled two web conferencing events to provide tribes with information on the revisions to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone proposed by EPA on June 20, 2007. Erika Sasser from the OAQPS Health and Environmental Impacts Division will provide a presentation on the proposed rule, similar to a presentation given to the National Tribal Air Association on June 27, 2007. The presentation will last about 30 minutes and there will be 30 minutes provided for questions.

The presentation will be provided using web conferencing. web conferencing will allow the attendee to access the presentation on their PC via the web conferencing internet site while listening to the presentation via a teleconference line.
Attendees can enroll early for either event by using the event address URL and clicking the “enroll” button.
The presentation will start at the top of the hour (1:00 on 8/16 and 2:00 on 8/22) but we are providing 15 minutes for set up and for attendees to get into the event. If you have not attended a web conferencing session before please come in early because the web conferencing may need to upload appropriate software (free) for attendees to view the presentation.

Schedule:
Date: August 16, 2007
Time:12:45 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -04:00, New York)
Teleconference information: 866-299-3188 Code 919-541-5642#
Topic: Tribal Ozone NAAQS Presentation
Event Number: 712 917 878
Event Password: ozone
Event Address for Attendees: https://epa.webex.com/epa/onstage/g.php?d=712917878&t=a

*** See Correction Announcement at 8/16/2007 for details about the second web conference ***

Teleconference with State, local and Tribal partners (air quality and forestry) to discuss the revision of the Interim Policy on September 20, 2007 from 1:00-3:00 PM EDT

OAQPS will hold a teleconference with State, local and Tribal partners (air quality and forestry) to discuss the revision of the Interim Policy on September 20, 2007 from 1:00-3:00 PM EDT. This teleconference is not in lieu of the meeting originally planned for September in RTP, NC. Due to concerns about travel, OAQPS has decided to hold a "kick-off" teleconference first and follow up with the face-to-face meeting in October to allow for time to obtain the necessary travel approval. The October dates being considered for the workshop are October 17, 18 or 25. Please let us know if there are major conflicts with these dates.
The purpose of this call is to share information about the process EPA will follow to revise the policy, the role of partners and stakeholders in the process, etc and to have an open discussion to begin identifying issues and concerns. Additional details (conference line, agenda, etc) will be provided in advance of the call. Participation on this call is expected to be high, so please plan to congregate. This conference call and tentative meeting will not be the only opportunities for partner/stakeholder involvement in the process.

8/7/07

NTAA / EPA Tribal Air Call to be held this Wednesday at 1:30 - 3:00 pm

The Agenda for the NTAA / EPA Tribal Air Call to be held this Wednesday at 1:30 - 3:00 pm eastern standard time. Call in number is (866) 299-3188, Conference code is 919 541 5624#
Agenda
1:30 - 1:45 pm - Roll Call
1:45 - 1:50 pm - Tribal NSR Rules Implementation Workgroup - Laura McKelvey
1:50 - 2:10 pm - Lead NAAQS - Diedra Murphy (10-15 min)
2:10 - 2:20 pm - Ozone Announcements - Erika Sasser
2:20 - 2:30 pm - SIPs Updates - Barbara Driscoll
2:30 - 3:00 pm - Technical Document Updates - Michael Papp
Technical Guidance Document for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs Guidance and Policy for Implementation of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs
3:00 pm - Adjourn

8/6/07

Residential Wood Combustion Workshop - September 25 - 27, 2007

MANE-VU, U.S. EPA, and HPBA are co-sponsoring a Residential Wood Combustion Workshop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The workshop will be held in downtown Philadelphia and a room block is being established at a nearby hotel. The workshop is scheduled to begin at 12 noon on September 25th and end around noon on September 27th.
The workshop will include information on:
· The magnitude of the residential wood smoke issue, including fireplaces, wood stoves and outdoor wood boilers (OWB)
· Emission inventories and emission factors
· Mechanisms for addressing the problem: wood stove changeouts; outreach campaigns; rules and ordinances
· Case studies of local air district?s efforts to address wood smoke
· Discuss the benefits of and how to implement changeout programs
· Latest efforts and plans by states, locals and others to address OWB emissions
We anticipate about 30 planners from state and local air pollution control agencies will attend. We welcome state, local and tribal agencies to participate in this workshop. This meeting is not open to the public.

A preliminary agenda is available. Additional information will be sent out shortly including hotel information. Please check the MARAMA website ( http://www.marama.org/calendar/ ) after Wednesday, August 8 to register for the workshop and to see the latest agenda and ongoing workshop updates. If you have any questions regarding the workshop please contact Angela King ( aking@marama.org ) or Eric Crump ( crump.eric@epa.gov ).

2007 Air Toxics Monitoring Data Analysis Workshop will be held October 2-4, 2007.

The 2007 Air Toxics Monitoring Data Analysis Workshop will be held October 2-4, 2007, at the Westin O'Hare Hotel in Chicago, IL.

Open to anyone interested in the measurement, analysis, and use of ambient air toxics data, the workshop is designed to:
- Share results from recently completed Community Scale Air Toxics Ambient Monitoring grants;
- Present national, regional, state, local, and tribal air toxics data analyses completed during the past year;
- Provide relevant program office updates; and
- Discuss and plan for future data analysis needs.

ON-LINE REGISTRATION FOR THE WORKSHIP IS NOW OPEN
Please visit this web site to register: http://www.cleanairinfo.com/airtoxicsdataanalysis/
The conference is free to attend.
PARTICIPANTS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS.
The web site above has information on the block of rooms reserved at the Westin O'Hare as well as hotel contacts for making reservations.
Make your reservations now! The block of rooms at the guaranteed government rate is only available through September 11.

PLEASE PASS THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON!
Help us spread the news about the workshop by forwarding this e-mail to colleagues who may be interested in attending.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact James Hemby at 919-541-5459 or hemby.james@epa.gov.
REGISTER TODAY! WORKSHOP SEATING IS LIMITED!

7/23/07

2007 Annual Quality System Training Event September 12-14, 2007.

Registration is now open for the 2007 Annual Quality System Training Event which will be held September 12-14, 2007 at the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The EPA Quality System Training Event provides a series of courses for EPA personnel and stakeholders who are involved in planning, implementing, assessing, and managing environmental quality systems. At the event, you will be able to personalize and maximize your training by selecting from various half-day, and full-day courses. Some courses are designed to introduce you to particular elements of the EPA Quality System, while others will help deepen your understanding and hone your skills in certain areas.
See the event Web site for details on the training schedule and to register http://2007qste.e2m.net/.

7/20/07

Register On-line Now for the 2007 Tribal Nations Children's Environmental Health Summit.

Scholarship application deadline: 7-20-07
Space is limited so please register early!
To register on-line, please go to http://epa.gov/region8/humanhealth/children/2007summit.html

On this site you will find links to:
The most recent Draft Agenda
Summit Registration Instructions
Summit Registration Form
Travel and/or Registration Scholarship Form
Hotel Information
Poster Presentation Instructions and Application Form

If you have general questions about the Summit feel free to contact:
The US EPA Regional Children’s Environmental Health Coordinator:
Region 6: Paula Selzer at 214-665-6663 or e-mail at selzer.paula@epa.gov
Region 8: Alicia Aalto at 303-312-6967 or e-mail at aalto.alicia@epa.gov
Region 10: Margo Young at 206-553-1287 or e-mail at young.margo@epa.gov;

for questions about on-line registration, contact Claire Gregorich at 303-739-1172 or e-mail at claire.gregorich@rmpdc.org; or, for questions about scholarships, your

Regional PEHSU Contact:
Region 6: Teresa Walker at 903-877-5884 or e-mail at teresa.walker@uthct.edu
Region 8: Claire Gregorich at 303-739-1172 or e-mail at claire.gregorich@rmpdc.org
Region 10: Rebecca Birdsong at 206-744-9380 or e-mail at rebecb@u.washington.edu

7/10/07

Tribal Indoor Radon Pilot Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9, Air Division, is soliciting applications from eligible Tribes and Tribal Consortia to fund Tribal Indoor Radon Pilot Projects. Projects must demonstrate the effectiveness of reducing health risks through the development of projects for the assessment and mitigation of radon. Applications must address one or more of the following priority areas:
* promote radon-resistant new construction techniques in new homes and schools
* disclosure, testing, and mitigation in conjunction with residential real estate transactions
* developing radon programs in high-risk areas
* developing coalitions that work in partnership with local governments, partner affiliates and others interested in reducing the risk of radon
* promote testing and mitigating of homes and schools for radon;
* implementing innovative radon awareness outreach activities.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) was mandated by Congress under Title III of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), also known as the Indoor Radon Abatement Act of 1988 (IRAA) and the Indian Radon Pilot Project Act (IRPPA), to fund tribal governments to provide education, outreach and encourage testing and mitigation for indoor radon exposures, so that indoor radon exposures may be eventually reduced to no greater than outdoor radon exposures.

There is no match requirement under this program.

These awards are intended for work to be carried out in Region 9 which consists of Arizona, California, Nevada, Guam, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands. EPA Region 9 anticipates that approximately $160,000 of federal funds will be available for Tribal Indoor Radon Pilot Projects. Region 9 anticipates awarding approximately 2-3 grant agreements ranging in size from no less than $25,000 and no more than $60,000 for work to be completed in either one or two years.

Important Dates:

August 24, 2007 Application packages must be received by this date by
5 PM PST or stamped electronically via Grants.gov by 8 PM Eastern Daylight Time
September 7, 2007 Initial Approvals Identified
September 28, 2007 Final Work Plans Submitted to EPA
December 1, 2007 2007 EPA Grant Awards made

Late proposals will not be considered: The above dates other than the August 24, 2007, proposal due date are anticipated dates and may be subject to change.

Contents of Full Text Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Application and Submission Information
V. Application Review Information
VI. Award Administration Information
VII. Agency Contact Information
VIII. Other Information
Attachment 1: Instructions Grants.gov

Louise Hill
USEPA, Region 9 (AIR-6)
Indoor Environments Program
75 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
Hill.Louise@ epa.gov
(415) 947-4192
FAX (415) 947-3583
Take the Smokefree Home Pledge: www.epa.gov/ smokefree
Test Your Home for Radon: www.epa.gov/ radon/

7/9/07

The Mobile Source Outreach Competition Request for Proposals (RFP) has been posted!

It can be accessed by visiting:

-- http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html#0709 (EPA's website)

-- http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=14555&mode=VIEW (grants.gov)

-- "www.AirShare.info" (AirShare)

or by contacting me, Susan Bullard, Outreach Assistance Competition Program Manager. I can be reached by phone @ 202/343-9856; email @ bullard.susan@epa.gov ; or fax @ 202/343-2803.

If you are alerting agencies to the availability of these funds, please be clear that, as always, proposals will be accepted from state and local air management agencies currently funded through Clean Air Act Section 105 authority. Only those agencies are eligible to compete for this funding. Other organizations which may want to submit projects must forge a partnership with an eligible agency which MUST submit the proposal and agree to take fiduciary responsibility for the life of the agreement. Proposals will be accepted until 4:00 pm EDT on Friday, August 31. Optional "Intents to Apply" are requested by email to me by Tuesday, July 31. It's important which speaking to agencies which have participated in this competition in the past to alert them to modifications in the process and requirements resulting from issuance of EPA?s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1) in October, 2005. This is the first Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition since that Policy was published. According to the Competition Policy, proposals may be submitted electronically or in hard copy. Detailed instructions can be found in the Request for Proposals.

6/29/07

Interest in PM2.5 designations

On July 12, 2007 from 2-3pm Eastern time, we will have a call to determine if there is sufficient interest in having a separate tribal work group for PM2.5 designations. The call in number is 1 - 866-299-3188. Access code is 919 5415339. Just follow the prompts. Amy Vasu will explain the PM2.5 designation process (see attached slides) which will be followed by a discussion on who might be interested in setting up a separate series of calls to discuss any issues pertaining to the PM2.5 designation process. For more information or questions, please contact Barbara Driscoll at driscoll.barbara@epa.gov or (919) 541-1051. Only a small percent of tribes were affected by the PM2.5 designations for the 97 standard -- most were in southern California. Many more tribal areas may be affected by these upcoming 2008 designations which implement the new PM2.5 2006 standard. Tribes could be part of a nonattainment area (which does not meet the standard) or downwind from one. A nonattainment designation has certain consequences for the affected area. PM2.5Slides

6/27/07

Agenda for June 27 Conference Call.

Here is an agenda for todays (Wednesday June 27th) conference call at 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm eastern standard time. The call in number is (866) 299-3188, conference code is 919 541 5624#

1:30 pm - Roll Call
1:40 pm - Welcome
1:45 pm - Updates on upcoming SIP training - Julie McClintock
1:50 pm - Updates on PM 2.5 Designation (info about call Thursday June 28th) - Julie McClintock
2:05 pm - Ozone NAAQS update - Rosalina Rodriguez / Erika Sasser
2:45 pm - Tribal NSR updates (if any) - Jessica Montanez
2:55 pm - Wrap up

Ozone NAAQS Presentation (PPT 16 PP 1,182 KB)

Final Ozone NAAQS Fact Sheet (PDF 5 PP, 28 KB)

6/27/07

Mobile Source Outreach Competition Request for Proposals (RFP) has now been posted.

I'm delighted to announce that the Mobile Source Outreach Competition
Request for Proposals (RFP) has now been posted!
It can be accessed by visiting:

-- http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html#0709 (EPA's website)

-- http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=14555&mode=VIEW
(grants.gov)

-- "www.AirShare.info" (AirShare)

or by contacting me, Susan Bullard, Outreach Assistance Competition Program Manager. I can be reached by phone @ 202/343-9856; email @ bullard.susan@epa.gov; or fax @ 202/343-2803. As always, proposals will be accepted from state, local and tribal air management agencies currently funded through Clean Air Act Section 105 authority. Only those agencies are eligible to compete for this funding. Other organizations which may want to submit projects must forge a partnership with an eligible agency which MUST submit the proposal and agree to take fiduciary responsibility for the life of the agreement. Proposals will be accepted until 4:00 pm EDT on Friday, August 31. Optional "Intents to Apply" are requested by email to me by Tuesday, July 31. It’s important which speaking to agencies which have participated in this competition in the past to alert them to modifications in the process and requirements resulting from issuance of EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1) in October, 2005. This is the first Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition since that Policy was published. According to the Competition Policy, proposals may be submitted electronically or in hard copy. Detailed instructions can be found in the Request for Proposals. I can't tell you know happy I am that this funding was restored and we once again have the opportunity to provide outreach support to implementation of state, local and tribal air quality/climate programs.

6/25/07

Kickoff conference call for the upcoming PM2.5 designations for Tribes.

You are invited to a kickoff conference call for the upcoming PM2.5 designations for Tribes. This will begin a series of calls if sufficient interest. Otherwise it could be an introduction to the subject and a plan to follow up with email messages, whatever those who attend this call prefer. The call is scheduled for June 28 at 4 pm eastern time. The call in number is 1 - 866-299-3188. Access code is 919 5415339. Just follow the prompts. For more information or questions contact Barbara Driscoll at driscoll.barbara@ epa.gov or Julie McClintock at mcclintock.julie@ epa.gov . The purpose of this meeting is to review how the designations process works, and to answer questions about how you might be affected by the 2008 PM2.5 designations. Only a small percent of tribes were affected by the PM2.5 designations for the 97 standard -- most were in southern California. Many more tribal areas may be affected by these upcoming 2008 designations which implement the new PM2.5 2006 standard. Tribes could be part of a nonattainment area (which does not meet the standard) or downwind from one. A onattainment designation has certain consequences for the affected area.

6/22/07

New Ozone Standard Proposal Fact Sheet and Presentation

Here are a presentation, fact sheet, and news release about the new ozone standard proposal signed June 20, 2007.

News Release (PDF 2 pp, 13 KB)

Ozone NAAQS Proposal Presentation (PDF 16 pp, 385 KB)

Fact Sheet (PDF 5 pp, 28 KB)

Contact: Jennifer Wood, (202) 564-4355 / wood.jennifer@ epa.gov or John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@ epa.gov

6/11/07

Tribal Data Development Work Group Meeting - July 17-18th, 2007

Location: Coeur d 'Alen e Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho
Category: Tribal Data Development
Event Description: This is the regular quarterly meeting of the TDDWG.

Meeting Documents
Agenda: See Attached
Learn how to "Green your travel"

Detailed Location & Lodging Information:

Coeur d'Alene Resort Casino
S Highway 95
Worley , Idaho
1-800-523-2464

A room block has been reserved for the TDDWG meeting on July 17 and 18, 2007 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Casino (a tribally-owned facility ). Rooms are being held for the nights of July 16 and 17. Guest room rates are at the rate of $ 76.45 per night. The tax rate is 7 %. Please call (800) 523-2464 and reference "TDDWG" in order to receive this contracted rate. The room block will remain open until July 2, 2007 . FYI, the FY2007 Federal Per Diem rate for this area is: M&IE: $59

Airport Transportation:
The Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel provides 7-passenger Limo and van service to and from the Spokane International Airport. This service is available with 24-hour advance reservations, please be advised that the hotel is located approximately 45 minutes from the airport, so arrangements for transportation should be made prior to arrival. The current fee is $25 per person, each way.
Posted By: Ken Cronin E-mail: KCronin@ntec. org

The 24-hr PM2.5 designations guidance for states and tribes was signed today!

EPA issued this guidance for states and tribes to use in identifying areas that meet or do not meet EPA?s recently revised national air quality standards for fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations over a 24-hour period. This PM standard was set in December 2006. The guidance and fact sheet are attached. They will both be posted today on: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1pgm.html
EPA regions will be contacting State Air Quality Directors and Tribal Environmental Directors in the next few days. It is important to note that while Tribes are not required to submit recommendations in the designations process, EPA invites them to participate.

6/8/07

Funding Opportunity [United We Ride]

Funding for Evacuation for Individuals with Specific Mobility Needs. See the requests for proposals for cooperative agreements for research and/or demonstration projects to improve emergency preparedness, disaster response, and disaster recovery for populations with specific
mobility needs in the event of a natural or man-made emergency.

The deadline for submissions is July 17, 2007.

From the home page of *www.grants. gov* < http://www.grants. gov > , interested parties can find the RFP by clicking "find grant opportunities" then clicking "basic search" and then entering "DOT-FTA-EMER" when prompted to enter the funding opportunity number. See: http://www.grants. gov/search/ search.do? oppId=13945& mode=VIEW

Proposals will be funded by the Transportation Equity Research Program (TERP), which was established by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) for research and demonstration activities that focus on the impacts that transportation planning, investment, and operations have on low-income and minority populations that are transit dependent. Cooperative agreement(s) will be three-year awards. The total available funding for the first year is for $214,000. Subsequent funding is authorized at $250,000 per year under (SAFETEA-LU) . Actual funding will be based on annual ppropriations.

Eligible recipients include city or township governments, county governments, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations , nonprofits having a 501(c)3 status, private institutions of higher education, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, small businesses, state governments, and public transit agencies.

*Funding for Evacuation Chart* <
http://www.unitedwe ride.gov/ Funding_for_ Evacuation_ Chart.doc >

I encourage you to consider applying for these opportunities or to forward this information to interested stakeholders.

Questions? Contact David Schneider
Equal Opportunity Specialist,
U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Transit Administration,
Office of Civil Rights;
Phone#: 202-493-0175; Fax#:
202-366-3809)

6/7/07

The MANE-VU Residential Wood Combustion Regional Haze SIP Day Meeting is a little over a month away. The meeting will be held on July 12, 2007 in Timonium, MD.

If you are planning to attend and have not yet made your hotel reservations, please do so immediately. The hotel is filling up and once the block is full I can not guarantee the same rate. The Holiday Inn Select North Baltimore is located at 2004 Greenspring Drive. Overnight space has been blocked for July 11 (as well as the 9 and 10 for the Science Meeting).

Single/Double rate: $92 plus 13%
Reference: "MARAMA" block
Reservation cut off date: June 18, 2007
Hotel number: Contact the Reservations Manager at 410-252-7373 ext 761

Information on the meeting and directions to the hotel can be found on the MARAMA website at http://www.marama.org under the calendar section.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at 410-467-0170 or via email. I look forward to seeing everyone in Timonium.

6/5/07

New Tools for Communicating Air Quality Information to the Public.

This session will cover two new tools which were highlighted during Air Quality Awareness Week: AirCompare and Smog City 2. This session will be condcucted via web conferencing and while there is no cost to attend, registration is required. Contact Mike Letke for more information. This session will be held on August 15, 2007 from 1-2:30 PM Eastern Time Zone

AirCompare provides local air quality information to help people make informed decisions about moving, vacationing or living in different areas of the country. A person with asthma, for example, can use AirCompare to select up to 10 counties across the country -- and with the click of a button, find out how many days the air was unhealthy for asthmatics last year.

Smog City 2 is an interactive Web site that teaches students and others how weather and human activities affect air quality. This on-line tool helps explain how and why ground-level ozone and particle pollution form and how polluted conditions can change by simulating actual city conditions.

5/23/07

SIP Training available.

Additional funding is available to provide the course - "Improve and Protect Air Quality in Indian Country, Through Understanding State and Local Air Quality Plans". To date, 4 trainings have been offered which included Tribes from Region 5,6,7, 8, 9 and 10. This course emphasizes working with state agencies. We are working on an additional training potentially for the Alaskan tribes, but are also interested in providing training for others. Is there interest in this training later this year in the mid-west such as Chicago or the East Coast - or elsewhere? We would like to hear from you on where you might want an addiitional training. Please contact Barbara Driscoll at 919-541-1051 (driscoll.barbara@epa.gov) or Julie McClintock at (919) 541-5339 (mcclintock.julie@epa.gov).

5/21/07

Conference calls to allow input on Technical Guidance for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs.

OAQPS had their first of three scheduled conference calls to allow the tribes and interested parties to provide comments on the draft document: Technical Guidance for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs. This document was posted on the announcement section of the OAR Tribal Website on 4/13/07 http://www.epa.gov/air/tribal/announce.html and a link to the document is provided below.

We did have three people call in to the first call but during our discussions it was clear that a reminder should have gone out about the call and possibly some additional information about the document. This intent of the guidance document is to help tribes gain a better perspective of the ambient air monitoring process and to provide information on resources and tools that help to build and sustain air environmental monitoring program. The document might be considered the ?yellow pages? of information on ambient air monitoring. It is not intended to provide the details of each specific monitoring program but it can provide the key attributes and web addresses that would lead one to those details. Since there was little participation on the first call the attendees were kind enough to allow us to postpone the call and attend the three calls that remain. The three calls are scheduled for:

Wednesday May 23, 2007
2:00 ? 3:30 Eastern
Call (919) 541-4154

Wednesday May 30, 2007
1:00 ? 2:00 Eastern
Call (919) 541-4154

Wednesday June 6, 2007
1:00 ? 2:30 Eastern
Call (919) 541-4154

The call will begin with a brief introduction about the document using the attached PowerPoint presentation and then we will illicit comments about the document. We are looking to determine:
· Is the document helpful?
· Is there something missing?
· Is it clear?
· Too much detail? not enough
· Can we get it out (with some final editing) and improve it over the years?
It is expected that those on the call will have had an opportunity to read the document prior to the call. Attached is a PDF version of the current draft.
Technical Guidance Document 04/12/2007 (PDF 180 PP, 1,256 KB)
Technical Guidance Document Powerpoint (PDF 5 PP, 34 KB)

5/15/07

Formation of PM2.5 Designation Tribal Work Group

EPA has offered to form a tribal work group on the 2006 PM2.5 designation process to assist the tribes in working through issues related to these designations and provide assistance with tribal requests. EPA would like recommendations on PM2.5 designations by December 2007. Previously, such a work group was formed to address issues with the ozone and particulate matter designation recommendations that were made in 2002. Please let Barbara Driscoll (919)541-1051, driscoll.barbara@epa.gov if you are interested in participating in this work group.

5/8/07

Tribal Air Conference Call today.

See 5/4/07 Announcement for details.

Review and comments on TAS Strategy due July 12, 2007.

Attached are the tribal parts of the TAS Strategy that went out for review last week. This is being posted to share it with air program staff to ensure all get a chance to review and comment (see below). There are air related parts of the main strategy, just scroll through to find them. For the tribes, EPA will hold two teleconferences to answer questions about the draft strategy, explain how it will work, and receive comments. The teleconferences will take place on Wednesday, May 30 th and June 20 th , 2007, from 2:00 ? 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The call-in number is 866-299-3188, conference code 5646121. For the state associations, EPA will hold one teleconference on Wednesday, June 13 th , 2007, from 2:00 ? 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The call-in number is 866-299-3188, conference code 5646121. All comments and feedback are due no later than July 12, 2007 and should be mailed to:
Ms. Carol Jorgenson, Director
American Indian Environmental Office
U.S. EPA (4104M)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460

Comments may also be submitted electronically to schaedle.candi@epa.gov.

Letter to Tribes (PDF, 2 pp, 100 KB)
TAS Strategy (PDF, 43 pp, 138 KB)

5/4/07

EPA Tribal Air Call will be held on May 8th 2007. The call in number is 1-866-299-3188, conference code is 919 541 5624 #. The agenda for this call is listed below.

Laura McKelvey - Tribal NSR Rule Workgroup formation
Christine Davis - Ecosystem Mapping project
Larry Wallace - Natural Events Rule
Amy Vasu - Designations
Barbara Driscoll - Formation of Tribal PM Designations Workgroup
Rich Damberg - PM 2.5 Implementation Rule
Erika Sasser - Ozone NAAQS

An updated version of the Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act.

An updated version of the Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act can be found on EPA's website, www.epa.gov/air/plainenglishguide. This document covers some of the important provisions of the 1990 Clean Air Act and may help you understand what is in the law and how it may affect you.

5/1/07

Process of revising the tribal STAG allocation.

This memo summarizes the process of revising the tribal STAG allocation that took place over the last two years. This process has been implemented for the FY07 fiscal year and will be used for future years, although with the ongoing possibility of additional revisions. Everyone is welcome to contact me with any questions or comments.
Darrel Harmon
US EPA Office of Air and Radiation
202-564-7416
harmon.darrel@epa.gov

4/25/07

Conference Calls for Scheduled for Comments on the Document Technical Guidance Document for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs.

Three conference calls have been scheduled in order to provide an opportunity to comment on the document titled: Technical Guidance Document for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs (see 4/13/07 Announcement below).
Conference calls are scheduled for:
5/16/2007 3:00 – 4:00 Eastern (919) 541-4154

5/23/2007 2:00-3:30 Eastern (919) 541-4154

5/30/2007 1:00 – 2:00 Eastern (919) 541-4154

4/13/07

First draft of Technical Guidance Document for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs is out for review and comment.

The first draft of the document titled: Technical Guidance Document for the Development of Tribal Air Monitoring Programs is out for review and comment. This intent of this document is to help tribes gain a better perspective of the ambient air monitoring process and provide information on resources and tools that help to build and sustain air environmental monitoring program. The document might be considered the “yellow pages” of information on ambient air monitoring. It is not intended to provide the details of each specific monitoring program but it can provide the key attributes and web addresses that would lead one to those details. The review period is approximately 6 weeks so we would appreciate receiving comments by May 31, 2007. Please send comments to Mike Papp at papp.michael@epa.gov.
Tech Guidance Document (PDF 180 PP, 1,256 KB)

World Asthma Day May 1

To commemorate World Asthma Day Rosebud IHS and AATCHB will hold an asthma fair at 8:00 am on May 1st, 2007 at the Rosebud Hospital in Rosebud, South Dakota. Later that day, AATCHB and Todd County North & South elementary schools will sponsor a World Asthma Day Walk at 1:00 pm and 2:15 pm in Mission, South Dakota.
World Asthma Day Info (PDF, 1 pp, 15 KB)
World Asthma Day Flyer (PDF, 1 pp, 140 KB)

4/6/07

Emissions Inventory Conference will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina from May 14- 17, 2007.

The 16th Annual International Emissions Inventory Conference "Emission Inventories: Integration, Analysis, and Communications" will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina from May 14 ? 17, 2007 . This year the conference theme emphasizes new ideas for integrating emission inventory data across pollutants and source categories, analyzing emission inventory data to provide new insights and directions to air quality management, and communicating emissions inventory information in a clear and understandable manner to a broad range of stakeholders.
More information on this conference is available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/conferences.html

4/4/07

PM 2.5 Implementation Rule Conference to be held in Chicago .

Following last week's signature of the PM2.5 implementation rule, we are planning a 2-day PM2.5 workshop for States and Tribes on June 20-21 in Chicago, Illinois. The workshop will cover implementation issues for the 2008 plans and the upcoming designations process (for the revised 2006 standards). We also plan to have a 1-day pre-meeting in Chicago with EPA headquarters and Regional Office staff on June 19. The meetings will be at the offices of EPA Region 5 (Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building, 77 West Jackson Blvd) in downtown Chicago. Additional information on registration, hotels, and a draft agenda with start/end times will be sent out very soon. We will have blocks of hotel rooms reserved so that attendees can arrive the night before. For more information on these meetings, please contact Tom Link or Julie McClintock.

4/2/07

Clean Air Implementation Rule has been signed.

On March 29, 2007, EPA issued a final rule defining requirements for state plans to clean the air in 39 areas where particle pollution levels do not meet national air quality standards. Fine particles or "PM2.5" can aggravate heart and lung diseases and have been associated with premature death and a variety of serious health problems including heart attacks, chronic bronchitis and asthma attacks. This rule will help state and tribal environmental agencies develop and implement plans that will improve air quality for millions of Americans.
Final Rule (PDF) (485 pp, 723KB)
Fact Sheet

4/2/07

Hello everyone. I am contacting you on behalf of E.P.A's Office of Air and Radiation in Washington D.C. My name is Marnie Dufort and I am an intern from Arizona for Pat Childers (Senior Advisor) and previously for Darrel Harmon (Senior Indian Program Manager). We are very excited about this year?s Tribal Air Quality Forum and Clean Air Excellence Awards. We have been coordinating both of these events for the day of May 9, 2007 at Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. The reason why many of you are receiving this e-mail is because your e-mail address was given to me from persons who think you may be interested in attending and/or spreading the word out about the Tribal Air Quality Forum on May 9, 2007.
Attached below is a draft agenda for the meeting and invitations to both the Tribal Air Quality Forum and the Clean Air Excellence Awards. We are trying to get as many people as we can to attend the Tribal Air Quality Forum so it can be a big success and we can have the chance to teach the public about tribes and their communities, and also to formulate future topics of interest for tribes and tribal air quality. Please pass this information on to as many people as you would like and anybody that has an interest and/or works with tribal air quality and tribes in general. Thank you so much and if you have any questions please feel free to contact myself at (202) 564-1931/dufort.marnie@epa.gov or Pat Childers at (202) 564-1082/childers.pat@epa.gov
Public Tribal Meeting Agenda (PDF, 2 pp, 18 KB)
CAAAC Award Invite (PDF 1pp, 81 KB)
Tribal Forum Invitation (PDF 1 pp, 81 KB)

3/21/07

EPA Funds On-line Tribal Environmental Training

The Indian Country Environmental Hazard Assessment Training Project (ICEHAP) was funded by EPA Office of Emergency Management(then OSWER-CEPPO) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2002. This hands on training was presented on-site to tribes including Crow, Taos Pueblo, Winnebago, and Makah from 2002 to 2005 and covered environmental risks including radon, lead, mercury, and contaminated properties that had direct impacts on tribal lands and people.

In May of 2006 the United Tribes Technical College (Founded 1969 Bismark,North Dakota) and the Food and Drug Administration met to discuss making ICEHAP available on-line. EPA continued working with FDA to ensure that this valuable training would become available to all Tribes at relatively low cost after the grant funding was exhausted.

The two attachments below give all the details on this great opportunity for Tribes to learn more and become active in addressing their environmental risks, while benefiting EPA (and our fellow federal agencies) in building Tribal capacity. Note. ICEHAP/UTTC is looking for instructors!

ICEHAP - An online training program developed by volunteers for indigenous people and government employees (PDF, 2pp, 425k)
Indian Country Environmental Hazard Assessment Training Project Seeks IH Instructors and Mentors (PDF, 5pp, 677k)

3/21/07

Satellite Broadcasts Scheduled for April 2007

April 5, 2007, 1:00pm – 3:00pm EDT - 2007 Clean Air Act Update
April 19, 2007, 1:00pm – 3:00pm EDT - Overview of the Final Rule on Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning (CTE in cooperation with FHWA, National Teleconference Series, NC State University, Third Parry Broadcast)

More Information

3/2/07

Tribal New Source Review webcast to be held March 5.
The U.S. EPA has proposed two Tribal New Source Review rules to address significant regulatory gaps in the protection of air quality in Indian country, to clarify jurisdiction where states are issuing permits in Indian country, and provide a level playing field for economic development in Indian country. These rules may affect businesses located in Indian country and may affect Tribal governments and communities.
The goal of this webcast is to:
Reach as many Tribes as possible
Present the proposed rules
Explain how the rules will work
Ensure tribes gain an adequate understanding of the provisions of the rules to enable them to comment on the rules. The comment period has now been extended to March 20, 2007.

Date: March 5, 2007 from:
1:00-2:30 PM, Eastern Time
12:00-1:30 PM, Central Time
11:00-12:30PM, Mountain Time
10:00-11:30 PM, Pacific Time
9:00-10:30 PM, Alaska Time
8:00-9:30, Hawaii Time

Moderator:
Jessica Montanez
Speakers:
Laura McKelvey - Community and Tribal Programs Group Leader
Racqueline Shelton - New Source Review Group Leader
Raj Rao - Environmental Engineer New Source Review Group
Jessica Montanez - Environmental Engineer New Source Review Group
Webcast requirements:
The computer you use needs to have speakers and access to a high speed internet connection.

To login to the webcast:
Use the following link. You can register in advance or on March 5, 2007. Please login a couple of minutes in advance of your timezone webcast time. http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=38523&s=1&k=A1C4B384D4D3149377ADE2F9B88CBECC

If you have any questions contact Jessica Montanez at 919-541-3407 or at montanez.jessica@epa.gov.
Jessica Montañez
OAQPS/AQPD/NSR
109 TW Alexander Drive MD: C504-03
RTP, NC 27711
Phone: 919-541-3407
Fax: 919-541-5509
montanez.jessica@epa.gov

2/27/07

Review of Authorities Available for Tribal Program Financial Assistance Awards
More Information (PDF 18 PP, 88 KB)

The Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) has distributed a request for proposal (RFP) and below is some information on two webcasts they are hosting on February 26, 2007 and March 1, 2007 to discuss information and tips for writing a strong proposal. Please take a look at the information at the CARE website. Below is the link for the last 2 CARE webcasts with regards to the RPF. This webcast gives folks interested in applying for the 2007 CARE grants an opportunity to hear from EPA staff on what they need to do in order to apply for the grants. EPA staff are able to answer most general questions about the CARE program, RFP requirements, clarifications of the solicitation, eligibility, etc. All questions and answers are post on the CARE website for future reference. Interested parties can go to a nearby Regional office (listed below) or go directly to the webcast site to participate.
Here's the site. http://www.cluin. org/studio/ seminar.cfm# upcoming

just click on the appropriate date in the calendar and follow signs to register for the telephone simulcast.

2/20/07

Funding for 20-30 Grants Avaialable - March 14,2007 Deadline.
Support is provided for the strengthening of tribal governments ororganizations through capacity building in order to identify, plan, develop and implement environmental programs in a manner that is consistent with Tribal culture for Native communities. Approximately $1.5 million is available to fund twenty to thirty grants of up to $250,000. Deadline(s): 03/14/2007
More Information (PDF 1 PP, 10 KB)

2/14/07

$2.7 Million Available to Local Communities to Reduce Toxic Exposure
Contact: Dave Ryan, 202-564-7827 / ryan.dave@epa.gov EPA will award about $2.7 million in cooperative agreements in two levels through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. Level I cooperative agreements will help establish community-based partnerships and set priorities for reducing risks from toxics in a community. Examples of projects include addressing water quality in Puget Sound, helping to rebuild St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana, helping the Cherokee Nation deal with toxic waste, and reducing air toxics in Tucson. One of last year's recipients of a Level I cooperative agreement was the Cherokee Nation, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Under their agreement, Cherokee Nation communities are collaborating as they identify sources of toxic exposure such as polluted runoff from poultry farms and the toxic byproducts of methamphetamine production improve risk reduction, and focus on environmental improvement. EPA anticipates awarding eight to 10 cooperative agreements under Level I, ranging from $75,000 to $100,000. Level II cooperative agreements are for communities that already have undertaken a comprehensive process to assess risks from all sources of toxics, formed a broad-based collaborative, have identified risk reduction priorities and are ready to implement risk reduction strategies. EPA expects to award six to eight cooperative agreements, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000. A range of community groups may apply for funding, including county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, February 20 and 26 and March 1, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process. Applications are due April 9, 2007. The CARE program, which began in 2005, helps to build broad-based local partnerships for reducing risks from toxic pollutants that come from numerous sources. Additional information about CARE, projects awarded in 2005 and 2006, the conference calls, or how to apply for the cooperative agreements is available at: http://www.epa.gov/care

2/9/07

Marine Mammal Biologist job announcement
Contact: Jim Woods (360) 645-3151
More Information (PDF 4 PP, 25 KB)

The comment period for the Tribal New Source Review Rules has been extended for a second time. The new deadline for submitting comments is March 20, 2007.
Federal Register Notice (PDF 2 PP, 57 KB)

Northern Plains Tobacco Policy Workshop , March 8 th and 9 th, 2007
The Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board would like to invite you to participate in a Northern Plains Tobacco Policy Workshop , March 8 th and 9 th, 2007. The Workshop is being co-sponsored by AATCHB and the National Native Tobacco Prevention Network and will cover a variety of topics from policy planning to enforcement. Anyone interested in learning more about policy change is encouraged to attend. There are a limited number of travel scholarships so register and request a scholarship today. Registration forms can be faxed to the attention of Terry Salway or completed online at www.tobaccoprevention.net . Click on "whats new." Please see registration form and a workshop flyer attached to this email.

Tribal New Source Review Rules Webcast
A Tribal New Source Review Rules training/webcast will be held on March 5, 2007 from 1-2:30 PM EST. At present we do not have the information about how to log in and register just yet, but EPA wanted to let the tribes know in advance so interested persons can make plans to attend. The video/training will be about 40 minutes long with about 30 minutes for live questions and answers. There will also be some time allowed for tribes to connect and solve any log in issues that may come up. Any tribes interested will need a high-speed internet connection. More information will be posted as soon as we work out the details. Jessica Montanez is the individual leading this effort and can be reached at 919-541-3407, e-mail montanez.jessica@epa.gov.

2/6/07

We are very excited to announce that the 2006 CARE Cooperative Agreement Request for Proposals (RFP) is now available on-line at: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12472&mode=VIEW.
The CARE website has additional information related to the CARE RFP, including our upcoming Q&A Webcasts, so also visit: http://www.epa.gov/CARE

Please share this information far and wide. The 60-day timer for applications has begun and the deadline is April 9.

About the CARE Request for Proposals
The US Environmental Protection Agency will award about $2.7 million in cooperative agreements in two levels through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. Level I cooperative agreements will help establish community-based partnerships and set priorities for reducing toxic risks in a community. EPA anticipates awarding eight to ten cooperative agreements under Level I, ranging from $75,000 to $100,000. Level II cooperative agreements are for communities that already have a broad-based collaborative partnership, have identified risk reduction priorities and are ready to implement risk reduction strategies. EPA expects to award six to eight cooperative agreements, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000. A range of community groups may apply for funding, including county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, February 20, 26 and March 1, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process. Applications are due April 9, 2007.

The CARE program, which began in 2005, helps to build broad-based local partnerships for reducing risks from toxic pollutants that come from numerous sources. For additional information about CARE, projects awarded in 2005 and 2006, or how to apply for the cooperative agreements, visit EPA’s Web site at http://www.epa.gov/care.

*************************************************************
CARE Request for Proposals Q&A Webcast (also available on http://www.epa.gov/care)
The CARE program will conduct three identical national informational sessions for potential applicants via a national Webcast on the following dates and times:
     February 20, 2007       3:00 - 4:30 p.m. eastern time
     February 26, 2007       3:00 - 4:30 p.m. eastern time
     March 1, 2007             10:00 - 11:30 a.m. eastern time
To register for the upcoming CARE Internet Seminar for either of the above dates, please go to: http://www.cluin.org/studio/seminar.cfm#upcoming and click on the registration link for the "CARE Request for Proposals Q&A".

2/2/07

The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards "Community-Scale Air Toxics Ambient Monitoring" Request For Proposals has been posted at http://www.epa.gov/air/grants/07-01.pdf .

Residential Wood Smoke Training/Workshop in Reno, NV, March 14-15, 2007
HURRY! TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS! DEADLINE IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2007

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) is hosting a training/workshop in conjunction with the Hearth EXPO (http://hpbexpo.org/) on woodstove changeout and burn clean campaigns. It will be held March 14-15, 2007 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (see updated agenda).
For those of you who have already responded - thank you! For those of you still mulling it over . . .
Wednesday, March 14 is a half-day (1 - 5 p.m.) introductory/overview session featuring a tour of the EXPO outdoor burn area. You'll be able to see over 400 appliances like EPA-certified woodstoves, wood pellet stoves, fireplace insert woodstoves, gas, propane and corn burning stoves.
Thursday, March 15 is a full day (8:30 - 5 PM) as experienced woodstove changeout campaign "veterans" around the country share their experiences and lessons learned as they planned, funded and implemented their changeouts. You'll learn about the various tools (e.g., brochures, fact sheets, example tracking forms) available for your use and where to get them. Tony Ward of the University of Montana will speak on wood smoke indoor air quality monitoring projects he is working on in Libby, Montana and with the Nez Perce Tribe. We do not plan to focus on outdoor wood-fired heaters (OWH), but rather hope to hold an additional workshop in the eastern part of the U.S. for later in the year that would include OWH.
Workshop Registration: To register for the workshop, please contact Eric Crump at crump.eric@epa.gov or 919-541-4719 and include your name, phone number, fax, e-mail, job title and organization by February 29, 2007.
Hotel Information: Hotel space in Reno will be at a premium; fortunately, HPBA is holding a block of discounted hotel rooms - but they cannot hold them beyond Monday, February 5, 2007. Please fill out and fax the attached form by February 5 to Lynda Lyons at (703) 522-0548 to reserve your room. After that date, you will be on your own to find lodging. (We will still accept workshop registrations without hotel room until the end of February.)
Airline Tickets: The Hearth EXPO draws a large crowd and flights are filling up fast - please make your airline reservations soon.
Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in this workshop. If you have questions, comments or ideas for the workshop, please contact Eric Crump (see contact info above under "Workshop Registration").
Agenda (PDF 2 pp, 17 KB)
Hotel Form (PDF 1 pp, 63 KB)

1/22/07

What: Improve and Protect Air Quality in Indian Country
Location: Seattle area, Washington
Date: March 20-22, 2007

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), in coordination with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP), the National Tribal Environmental Council (NTEC), and the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA), will hold a training workshop for tribal environmental professionals, "Improve and Protect Air Quality in Indian Country."

The workshop will focus on improving air quality by giving the participant the skill to identify off-reservation sources with GIS, reviewing and learning about Federal, state and local programs affecting Tribal air quality, and tools to build effective relationships with state and local agencies to improve air quality in Indian country. Learning will be interactive and fun.
This workshop is particularly suited to address the needs of Region 8 and 10 tribes. However, others may apply. Applications for the workshop are currently being accepted. Travel and lodging resources are available to qualified applicants. Please click on this link for more information or to apply by February 19.
For more information contact: Julie McClintock at 919 541-5339 or
Barbara Bauer at 919 493-3144 ext 188

1/16/07

Satellite Broadcast Training Course: Great American Woodstove Changeout and Burn Clean Campaign
Date: Wednesday, January 17 (1 PM - 2:30 PM eastern time)
CONFERENCE ROOM : C301A

Please contact the USEPA/RTP Site Coordinator: Lena Epps-Price at 919-541-5573 to attend this broadcast. This broadcast will help bring to light the harmful effects of residential wood smoke and describe the tools available to assist states, local and tribal communities in planning and promoting wood smoke campaigns, particularly woodstove changeouts. This topic is particularly timely given the recent strengthening of the fine particle standard and more people turning to wood as a source of heat. The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards will highlight a few recent woodstove changeout campaigns, (e.g., Libby, Montana, SW PA, Dayton, Ohio) and the lessons learned. Video footage from these locations and the August 23, 2006, Sacramento Fireplace & Woodstove Changeout press conference is featured in this broadcast along with an interview with the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association's John Crouch, a key partner in any woodstove changeout campaign. Alison Davis will moderate the live panel, which includes Chebryll Edwards and Larry Brockman who will address the questions live.

Target Audience
This broadcast is developed especially for state, local and tribal air pollution agency employees such as: SIP planners, indoor air quality specialists, public affairs, and educational outreach employees.

Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems
Volume IV: Meteorological Measurements (Draft)
Complete Document (PDF, 164 pp, 6,429 KB)

1/10/07

Air Quality VI - Call for Abstracts

The EERC is accepting abstracts for Air Quality VI: International Conference on Mercury, Trace Elements, SO3, Particulate Matter, and Greenhouse Gases to be held September 24-26, 2007, at the Marriott Crystal Gateway in Arlington, Virginia. The deadline for submitting abstracts is Thursday, February 1, 2007.
Click here to find out how to submit your abstract. If you have questions, please contact Anne Fiala, Event Manager/Technical Program Coordinator, by phone at (701) 777-3119, by e-mail at afiala@undeerc.org, or by fax at (701) 777-5181.
Program Topics
Air Quality is the nation's premier international conference on the current state of science and policy on mercury, trace elements, SO3, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases in the environment. This year's event will focus on:
Air quality impacts on policy.
Health and ecosystems.
Emission prevention and control.
Measurement methods and atmospheric reactions and modeling.
Greenhouse gas issues.
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Announcements 2007

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