Tribal Solid Waste and Pollution Prevention
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Tribal Solid Waste and Pollution Prevention
The goal of EPA Region 5's tribal solid waste and pollution prevention program is to encourage comprehensive integrated solid waste management and waste reduction practices in Indian Country that are protective of human health and the environment.
Region 5 works with tribes to build tribal capacity for developing and implementing integrated waste management activities through grant funding, technical assistance, resources on solid waste and pollution prevention issues, and partnerships among tribal, local, state and federal entities.
Grant Projects
The Region 5 program awards grants to tribes in the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin to implement solid waste programs and pollution prevention activities on their reservations.
EPA provides on-site pollution prevention assessments at tribal facilities upon request. The purpose of the assessments is to identify opportunities to reduce waste, save energy, and save money in tribal facilities. Typical facilities assessed include casinos/hotels, administrative offices, schools, health care facilities, etc. Contact Burdell Chapman chapman.burdell@epa.gov at (312) 353-9564 for more information.
(1) Integrated Waste Management Plans
- Five Elements of a Tribal Integrated Waste Management Plan (PDF) (41pp, 193K)
- Summary Document (PDF 2 pp, 17 K)
Slide Presentations:
- Five Elements of an Integrated Waste Management Plan (PDF) (15pp, 757K)
- Integrated Waste Management Planning and Housing (PDF) (16pp, 762K)
(2) Self-Sustaining Tribal Integrated Waste Management Programs
- Introductory Document Sustainable Tribal Solid Waste Program (PDF) (3pp, 47K) Tool for Evaluating Key Indicators of a Self-Sustaining Tribal
- Integrated Waste Management Program Sustainable Tribal Solid Waste Programs May 22 2007 (PDF) (14pp, 165K)
(3) Construction and Demolition Debris Management
Compliance Management Practices for Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Landfills in Region 5 Indian Country (PDF) (49pp, 1.26Mb)
C&D Landfill Compliance Fact Sheet (PDF) (5pp, 99K)
Appendices:
- State Solid Waste Regulations and Siting Restrictions (PDF) (1pp, 25Kb)
- Examples of State C & D Landfill Siting Restrictions Regarding: Floodplains, Endangered Species, Surface Water, and Groundwater (PDF) (8pp,37Kb)
- Examples of State C & D Landfill Siting Restrictions Regarding: Safety & Wetlands (PDF) (6pp, 34Kb)
- Landfill Fires Guidance Document: California 2007 (PDF) (3pp, 43Kb)
- Nett Lake Reservation Permit (PDF) (28pp, 82Kb)
- C&D Landfill Site Visit Checklist (PDF) (6pp, 31Kb)
- C&D Landfill Compliance Management Practices Slide Presentation (PDF) (36pp, 53Kb)
The ABCs of C&D Debris: Tribal Construction and Demolition Debris Management Training - June 15-17, 2004
EPA Region 5 and the Tribal Association of Solid Waste and Emergency Response cosponsored a pilot course in C&D debris management—The ABCs of C&D Debris. The course was hosted by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Tower, Minnesota on June 15, 16, and 17, 2004. Participants represented tribal solid waste, construction, housing, planning, and environmental staff. The training provided an overview and hands-on exercises of C&D debris management including planning and funding, C&D debris source reduction, deconstruction and recycling, C&D landfills, waste screening, and safety. The course also provided information on compliance including applicable regulations and best management practices. Tribal specific issues, experiences, and case studies were featured throughout the course. The training also included a site visit to the Bois Forte C&D landfill providing a practical example of how a tribe can plan, site, and fund the operation of a C&D landfill facility on a scale best suited for its reservation.
View the training manual: Tribal Construction and Demolition Debris Management Training Course (PDF) (25 pp, 1.66K)
(4) Tribal Illegal Dumping Prevention
EPA prepared a packet for tribes to address illegal dumping. The packet contains: a Fact Sheet (PDF) (15K) describing successful projects and how to conduct an assessment PA Cleanways booklet (Cleaning Up Your Neighborhood and Keeping It Clean!) on how to involve your community.
Illegal Dumping Prevention Guidebook on best practices for preventing and mitigating illegal dumping.
Tribal Waste Journal on "Respect Our Resources: Prevent Illegal Dumping" (PDF) (22 pp, 1.13K)
(5) Pollution Prevention
Region 5 Pollution Prevention Program
National Tribal Pollution Prevention Web Portal
Tribal Ecological Design and Sustainable Development Workshop - October 26-27, 2000
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians hosted a Tribal Ecological Design and Sustainable Development workshop in Odanah, Wisconsin. The workshop provided tribes with practical approaches to designing and implementing environmentally sustainable community development projects. During the workshop, attendees discussed the design of a future tribal elder center. The workshop feedback and the Bad River Band community's input was incorporated into draft architectural plans(PDF) (26pp, 190K) for their tribal elder center in February 2001. View the summary (PDF) (35K), agenda (PDF) (69K) and proceedings (PDF) (11pp, 191K).
- MOU Multi-Agency Workgroup
- Solid Waste Subgroup (PDF) (10 pp, 159K)
- National Pollution Prevention Roundtable Tribal Workgroup
Waste Management in Indian Country
EPA Region 5 Solid Waste Program
EPA Region 5 Hazardous Waste Program
EPA Region 5 Brownfields Program
EPA State and Tribal Response Programs
USDA Rural Development Solid Waste Funding
For more information, contact
Dolly Tong
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5
77 W. Jackson Boulevard (DW-8J)
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: (312) 886-1019
Fax: (312) 353-4788
E-mail: tong.dolly@epa.gov