SAN FRANCISCO - The E.P.A. announced over $15 million in backing to invest in Arizona tribes for environmental programs, water and wastewater infrastructure development, community education and capacity building. The announcement was made at the 23rd Yearly Regional Tribal Conference in Reno, Nev.
"Tribes have made great progress in protecting the environment and improving public health in Indian Country," said Jared Blumenfeld, regional administrator for EPA's Pacific Southwest office. "These grants will help support the significant accomplishments that have been achieved through the collaborative efforts of the tribes in Arizona and the federal government."
This year, about $10 million will support water quality plans and water infrastructure for Arizona tribes. Approximately $3 million was awarded to Arizona tribes to support a wide variety of water quality plans including watershed protection and restoration, water and energy efficiency, wastewater reclamation, and treatment systems. Another $6.9 million will go to the Phoenix and Tucson Indian Health Service offices to support tribal drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, plant operator training, and technical assistance.
For example, this year, the Havasupai Tribe will use funds for wetlands restoration and protection. The plan will enhance the overall water quality at 3 natural spring sources degraded by flooding and reduce sedimentation to Havasu Creek by restoring critical spring wetland habitat, which will help support and protect aquatic life.
The Arizona tribes will use an additional $3.4 million to continue tribal environmental programs, cleanup open dumps, targeted community outreach, and community education-the cornerstone of tribal environmental programs.
For example, this year, the Tohono O'odham Nation received $186,000 in General Assistance Plan backing to support the development of indoor air quality outreach materials, develop a tribal environmental plan, and expand the Tribe's recycling pilot program. In addition, the Gila River Indian Community is partnering with E.P.A. in the
Making a Visible Difference in Communities effort and is receiving $150,000 to support its sustainability goals around buildings and homes, renewable energy, cleaner transportation, and sustainable materials management.
In addition to the backing above, E.P.A. provided $1.8 million to support other environmental efforts at tribes in the state, including development of programs to monitor, protect, and enhance air quality, clean up contaminated lands, and share and analyze environmental data to support decision-making.
These funds are critical in building the capacity of tribes to carry out environmental work. Because most tribes in the Pacific Southwest have small governments, one goal of the backing is to assist tribes in developing their ability to establish environmental protection programs and make informed decisions about issues that impact the health of their people and the quality of their environment. The funds are used to develop environmental and public health ordinances, and coordinate with adjacent jurisdictions.
The EPA's Pacific Southwest Region is home to 148 tribal nations with half of Indian Country nationwide concentrated in 3 states; Indian Country in California, Arizona and Nevada is about equal to area of the 6 New England states combined.
For more information please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/tribal
