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Solid Waste Management on Tribal Lands
EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) Tribal Solid Waste Program works with tribal environmental agencies in California, Arizona and Nevada to ensure the safe and effective management of solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Solid Waste Program works directly with tribal governments to address solid waste issues, such as cleanup of open dumps, development of integrated solid waste management programs, including composting and recycling, curbside collection, and transfer station development. We assist tribes in understanding RCRA solid waste and landfill regulations. We provide technical assistance, training and funding, and facilitate peer networking and community education. We also assist tribes with site-specific flexibility determinations for municipal solid waste landfills.
EPA's 1984 Indian Policy lays the groundwork for EPA involvement in Indian Country. EPA commits to close involvement, in a government-to-government relationship, with tribal governments in making decisions and managing environmental programs affecting reservation lands.
Digital Television Transition and Potential Impacts to Tribal Governments
After June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations will broadcast only in digital, as required by the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. You will not be affected by the transition, if you own a television with a digital tuner or subscribe to a TV service (e.g., cable or satellite). Many entities, including tribal governments, may experience higher rates of disposal and/or dumping of old televisions and related e-waste during this time.
EPA is encouraging consumers that receive over the air broadcasts, either through "rabbit ears" on their sets or a roof antenna, on analog TV sets to extend the life of their TV by purchasing a digital converter box. Tribal governments can address this transition by providing e-waste recycling programs and by providing outreach to their communities to encourage reuse through the purchase of a digital converter box. For consumers that choose to buy a new digital TV, EPA recommends energy efficient sets with the ENERGY STAR label.
Recycle Unwanted TVs
For information on where to recycle unwanted TVs, where to find energy efficient TVs, and additional resources such as the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, please see the Digital Television Transition web site.
e-waste Collection Outreach
To discuss e-waste collection program development and outreach options, please contact your liaison (see the list to the left of this box).
Contacts
For more information on preventing open dumping, landfill regulations, transfer station siting, or general solid waste questions on tribal lands in the Pacific Southwest, please use these contact resources.
Team Leader and Some Arizona Tribes »
Heather White
(415) 972-3384
Northern California Area Tribes (North of Bakersfield) »
Michelle Baker
(415) 972-3206
Nevada and Southern California Tribes (South of Bakersfield) »
Nancy Sockabasin
(415) 972-3772
Arizona and Colorado River Tribes »
Charles Swanson
(415) 947-4219
Solid Waste Circuit Rider
Larry Danos
(415) 972-3383
Mailing Address
US EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street WST-7
San Francisco, CA 94105
Programs and Resources
- Regulations for Open Dumps, Landfills, and Transfer Stations
Includes information on the closure of open dumps, regulations governing landfills on tribal lands and guidance on siting waste transfer stations. - Funding Opportunities
Includes a complete listings of all EPA solid waste grant programs, as well as other tribal solid waste funding opportunities. - Developing Solid Waste Codes and Ordinances
General tips and frequently asked questions for developing and updating tribal solid waste codes, plans and ordinances. - Developing Solid Waste Management Plans
General tips and frequently asked questions for developing a tribal solid waste management plan. - Open Dump Cleanup
Includes resources on illegal dumping assessment, prevention and cleanup. - Outreach Materials
Includes resources on general waste management and recycling, household hazardous waste, composting.
- Solid Waste Resources
Links to publications in solid waste, sample waste codes, and plans, as well as links to other useful tribal and solid waste organizations. - Success Stories
- Training
Lists any current training's offered and links to other training providers. - Other EPA Programs in Tribal Solid Waste
- Federal and State Partners
- Tribal Interagency Solid Waste Workgroup Meetings
Dates, meeting notes, and information about yearly tribal interagency solid waste workgroup meetings held in California, Arizona and Nevada. - Household Hazardous Waste Management
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
Includes information on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and buying recycled.