U.S. EPA decision acknowledges tribal sovereignty for
“Treatment as State” approval supports Tribes air quality program
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the “Treatment as State” application
for the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.
Under a provision of the Tribal Authority Rule.
“With
this decision, the EPA recognizes the tribes exceptional environmental programs
and their dedication to cleaner air,” said Wayne Nastri, Administrator of the
EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “Treatment as a state guarantees a Tribe additional
authority for several important air programs." For the Pala Band of Mission Indians,
this designation requires major sources of air pollution within 50 miles to notify
the Tribe, in the same manner states are notified, when these sources of air pollution
are proposed or modified. This gives the tribe the ability to comment formally
as a sovereign entity.
The Pala Band of Mission Indians
is located in northern San Diego County, where a majority of the 918 enrolled
members live on the 12,273-acre reservation. The Pala Band of Mission Indians
is governed by an Executive Committee composed of six members elected by the General
Council. For the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community’s “treatment as state,”
the Tribe will receive Clean Air Act Section 105 funding which guarantees future
funding for their air program. The Tribe has demonstrated their capacity and ability
to manage and protect air resources. This designation also requires major sources
of air pollution within 50 miles to notify the Tribe, in the same manner states
are notified, when these sources of air pollution are proposed or modified. This
approval gives the tribe the ability to comment formally as a sovereign entity.
The Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, created
by Executive Order on June 14, 1879 is located on 53,600 acres in Maricopa County,
aside the boundaries of Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and metropolitan
Phoenix. Comprised of the President, Vice President and seven elected Council
members, the Community Council governs the population of over 7,000 people. The
tribe maintains 19,000 acres as a natural preserve and approximately 12,000 acres
are under cultivation in a variety of crops including cotton, melons, potatoes,
onions, broccoli and carrots.
U.S EPA awards more than $50,000 to Soboba Band of
Luiseno Indians for childhood lead poisoning reduction outreach Grant focuses
on prevention and screening
Outreach in Luiseno language and mobile
lead screening for tribal children are among the goals of a $50,042 childhood
lead poisoning reduction grant recently awarded to the Riverside County, Calif.-based
Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
By
providing information to the Soboba Band's tribal members about lead hazards,
this grant will help reduce childhood lead poisoning and ensure a healthy community,”
said Katherine Taylor, Associate director, Communities and Ecosystems Division,
EPA Pacific Southwest Region. “The funds will be used to reach out to tribal members
in many different ways—newsletters, workshops, and brochures.”
The childhood
lead poisoning reduction grant goals include: Prepare and distribute a monthly
newsletter for tribal families focusing on lead prevention, lead hazard product
recalls, and childhood blood lead screenings; Organize quarterly lead prevention
preschool workshops for parents and children in Soboba tribal homes; Oversee quarterly
mobile lead screening for tribal children at Soboba environmental facilities;
Develop a brochure on common lead hazard prevention practices aimed at Soboba
tribal members, incorporating Luiseno language and culture.
Through the
tribe’s "Tribal Families in Need Program,” the two-year childhood lead poisoning
reduction grant project will also assist the approximately 10,000 Native Americans
residing in Riverside County.
Young children are susceptible to lead poisoning
since they are more likely to ingest lead paint chips, flakes, or dust and are
more sensitive to the effects of lead. Elevated blood lead levels in young children
can trigger learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing,
and brain damage.
The use of lead-based paint in U.S. residential housing
was banned in 1978. Approximately 75 percent of the U.S. housing stock built before
1978, or 64 million homes, contain some lead-based paint.