E.P.A. Looks for Comments on Consultation Policy with Indian Tribes

WASHINGTON -- The E.P.A. (EPA) is requesting comments from federally acknowledged tribes on the suggested E.P.A. Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes.

On Nov. 5, 2009, under Executive Order 13175, President Obama directed all federal agencies to develop projects to assure regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials. E.P.A. began soliciting input from tribes in January on the agency's project to develop a consultation policy.

The suggested policy looks for to accomplish several important objectives: 1) establish clear agency requirements for the consultation process; 2) designate individuals across E.P.A. responsible for serving as consultation points of contact for both tribes and agency employees to promote consistency and coordination of the consultation process; and 3) establish a management oversight and reporting structure that will help ensure accountability and transparency.

E.P.A. has scheduled the following national consultation conference calls to answer questions and seek input on the suggested policy from federally acknowledged tribes:

Thursday, July 8, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Call in number: 866-379-5082 / Conference ID# 75500839

Mon., July 19, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Call in number: 866-379-5082 / Conference ID# 77274061

Any written comments on the suggested policy should be submitted by July 9, 2010 to:

David Guest
[email protected]
American Indian Environmental Office, MC 2690M
E.P.A.
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20460

More information on the consultation policy: http://www.epa.gov/indian

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