cid:image001.png@01D23A6D.70D1F560 National Tribal Air Association

NTAA Weekly Update

Week of January 23rd – January 27th, 2017

 

Editor’s Note : In an effort to make this newsletter more reader-friendly, the NTAA Weekly Update now includes a clickable table of contents. To jump to a section, hover over the title in the Table of Contents, then click. Please let us know what you think and share any feedback regarding this change with Andy.Bessler@nau.edu . Thanks!

Table of Contents

HEADLINES.2

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes .2

Climate Change/Energy .3

Toxics/Mobile Sources .3

Indoor Air Quality .4

Photos from the field .4

UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS .5

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA ..5

Climate Change / Energy .10

Indoor Air Quality .10

RESOURCES.15

Now Hiring! 15

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes .16

Climate Change/Energy .17

Indoor Air Quality .17

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES .17

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes .17

Climate Change/Energy .22

Indoor Air Quality .23

Most Recent Listing: EPA Rules from the Federal Register 24

 

TOP STORIES

NTAA’s updated “Successes and Challenges” questionnaire for the 2017 STAR is now available. Last year, the Successes and Challenges portion of the STAR was poignant and powerful. We hope you will continue to share your stories. The deadline for submitting the questionnaires for inclusion in the 2017 STAR is Friday, February 10. To view, complete, and submit the questionnaire, please follow this link .

 

ProPublica - Trump Administration Imposes Freeze On EPA Grants and Contracts

Huffington Post - EPA Freezes Grants, Tells Employees Not To Talk About It, Sources Say

The Hill - Trump team plans big cuts at EPA

EPA – Justice Department, EPA, and the Navajo Nation Announce Settlement for Cleanup of 94 Abandoned Uranium Mines on the Navajo Nation

 

Seattle Times - Standing Rock Sioux Tribe prepares to push back against Trump’s Dakota Access Pipeline order

 

HEADLINES

 

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

 

Reuters – U.S. Army to begin environmental study of Dakota pipeline

 

Indianz – Dakota Access executive confirms crude already placed in pipeline

 

Indian Country Media Network – DAPL: EIS Under Way Amid Attacks on Water Protectors

 

U.S. EPA - EPA Extends Outdoor Burn Ban for Yakama Nation

Washington Post - Trump freezes hiring of many federal workers

 

The Hill - Trump wants to cut regs by 75 percent

 

NPR – States Could Take Lead on Environmental Regulation Under Trump

 

U.S. EPA - EPA Proposes Action on Fairbanks, Alaska Air Quality Plan

National Association of Clean Air Agencies – Washington Update

 

Climate Change/Energy

 

Climate Signals – Hottest Year on Record 2016

 

The Hill - Trump admin tells EPA to take down its climate change webpage: report

Tulsa World - Scott Pruitt gets grilled by Bernie Sanders on climate change, Oklahoma earthquakes

Wired – Rogue Scientists Race to Save Climate Data from Trump

 

Forbes – Wyoming Considers De Facto Prohibition on Solar and Wind Energy

 

CNN – Trump doesn’t represent American views on climate change: a visual guide

 

NPR – Scientists Concerned For Future of National labs as Rick Perry Seeks Top Energy Post

 

Associated Press – Energy Pick Vows to Boost Agency He Had Pledged to Eliminate

 

The Guardian – Trump urged to make America great again by embracing green tech

 

The Washington Post – Climate change will hurt crops more than it helps them, study suggests

 

Think Progress – Trump fills his final cabinet post with another climate denier

 

Toxics/Mobile Sources

 

Indian Country Media Network – Oil-by-Rail Quelled in Quinault Territory

 

Indian Country Media Network – WIPP Reopens After Three-Year Cleanup: Is It Safe?

 

Indian Country Media Network – Gold King Mine: EPA Refuses to Pay Spill Damages

 

Phys.org – Environmentally-friendly soy-based filter can capture toxic chemicals that other filters can’t

 

Indoor Air Quality

 

Indianz – Vi Waln: Let’s kick our smoking and tobacco habits in Indian Country

Business Insider Nordic – This Finnish startup revolutionizes indoor air quality – and it’s aiming to reach 1 billion people by 2025

 

Northwest Herald – On the radar: January marks National Radon Action Month

 

Photos from the field

 

Climate Central – NOAA’s New Satellite Sent Back Its First Amazing Images

 

A 16-panel image shows the U.S. in the two visible, four near-infrared and 10 infrared channels aboard GOES-16. These channels help forecasters distinguish between differences in the atmosphere. Photo Credit: NOAA

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS

 

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA

 

STAR 2017 Workgroup Call

Please join NTAA’s effort to publish the 2017 Status of Tribal Air Report and join the STAR Workgroup this Wednesday, January 25th at 1pm ET. Contact Elaine.Wilson@nau.edu or Andy.Bessler@nau.edu to join the call.

 

NTAA/EPA Air Policy Update Call

Thursday, January 26, 2pm ET. Contact Andy.Bessler@nau.edu to join the call.

NTAA/EPA Webinar Series: National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

The National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) are co-hosting a three-part webinar series on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for tribal air agencies.

  Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the EPA is required to set national air quality standards (NAAQS) and review those standards every five years for six common air pollutants (also known as “criteria” air pollutants). There are NAAQS for ground-level ozone (O3); particulate matter (PM); carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

These criteria air pollutants are found all across the United States and can harm your health, the environment, and cause property damage.

  In this webinar series, you will learn how the EPA: 1) sets, reviews and revises the primary (health) and secondary (environmental) standards; 2) designate areas that are meeting or not meeting these standards; and 3) works with areas to meet and maintain these standards. You will also hear from tribal environmental professionals on their perspectives and experiences with the NAAQS regulatory, designations, and implementation process.

  During each 1 ½ hour webinar, there will be an overview presentation of the topic followed by a question and answer session.

  Webinar #2: NAAQS - Designations

(This session will discuss the designations process, the different categories (i.e., attainment, nonattainment, unclassifiable, and unclassifiable/attainment), and what it means if your area of Indian country does not meet the NAAQS and what role the tribes can play in the designations process.) 

Date: Monday, February 13, 2017

Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM EST

Participant Dial-in Number: (800) 309-5450

Conference ID: 46429567

Webinar Link: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/naaqs-desig

  Webinar #3: NAAQS - Implementation

(This session will discuss how to attain & maintain the NAAQS and what role the tribes can play in the implementation process.)

Date: Monday, March 20, 2017

Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM EST

Participant Dial-in Number: (800) 309-5450

Conference ID: 43783074

Webinar Link: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/naaqs-implement

How to Participate :  You do not need to register in advance for these webinars. To participate, please click on the webinar link at the date and time shown above. Audio for the webinar will be delivered through the phone line. It is recommended that you call in 15 minutes before the webinar’s start time to ensure your participation.

To Join a Webinar :  Click on the link and follow these instructions:

1.        Click “Enter as a Guest”

2.        Type in your first & last name and organization

3.        Click “Enter Room”

4.        You will be in the room!

*Make sure to use the participant call in number and conference ID for audio*

If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, we highly recommend that you test your connection: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

  We look forward to your participation and encourage you to share this invitation with others in the tribal community who may be interested. Information about the NAAQS can be found at:  https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants#self andhttps://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/process-reviewing-national-ambient-air-quality-standards.

 

For questions about the webinars, please contact Andy Bessler at  andy.bessler@nau.edu  or Toni Colón at  colon.toni@epa.gov

 

Save the Date! National Tribal Forum on Air Quality will be held May 1-4, 2017, in Tucson, Arizona.

The NTF provides environmental professionals from tribes, EPA, and other organizations an opportunity to meet and discuss current policies, regulatory initiatives, technical and other relevant topics in air quality and climate change.

·         Optional training sessions on Monday 5/1.

·         $50 registration fee ~ online registration opens in January.

·         Scholarship support for tribal attendees.

·         Sponsorship opportunities available!

Check http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Conferences/confr_ntffor updates.

 

EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety Pollution Prevention is inviting tribal entities and representatives to apply to serve on the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee to negotiate a proposed rule that would limit chemical data reporting requirements under section 8(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as amended by the Frank. R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, for manufacturers of any inorganic byproduct chemical substances, when such byproduct chemical substances are subsequently recycled, reused, or reprocessed.

  Those who wish to be appointed as members of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee should submit comments on the action and express interest to serve by submitting written comments to: Susan Sharkey,  Sharkey.susan@epa.gov, 202-564-8789, by Monday, February 6, 2017.

  The EPA Administrator will select members carefully to ensure that there is a balanced representation of interests on the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. EPA anticipates that the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee will contain representatives from industry, environmental groups, and state, local, and tribal governments. 

The attached PDF document provides a few high-level topic areas to clarify this action. For further information, please review the closed FR Notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/15/2016-30177/chemical-data-reporting-requirements-for-inorganic-byproduct-chemical-substances-notice-of-intent-to or contact Susan Sharkey, Sharkey.susan@epa.gov, 202-564-8789.

 

2017 TRIBAL EXCHANGE NETWORK CONFERENCE

  Viejas Casino & Resort, Alpine, California, February 28-March 1, 2017

(Post-conference workshop sessions are being planned for March 2, 2017!)

  The Tribal Exchange Network Conference provides tribal professionals, and those working with tribes, an opportunity to meet and learn about current initiatives, funding, and technical topics related to the Exchange Network . Come and share your experiences or to learn from and network with other tribal professionals! For more details, please visit the website at www.tribalexchangenetwork.org.  Click HERE  to download a DRAFT Conference Agenda--updates will be posted periodically. If you have suggestions for topics or presentations, please contact  ITEP.

Visit www.tribalexchangenetwork.org for travel details and other updates regarding the Conference.

 

Greetings from the Tribal Air Monitoring Support (TAMS) Center  Steering Committee .  As a Steering Committee comprised of Tribal environmental representatives from different regions of the country, we are announcing the TAMS Center Technical Needs Assessment to aid the TAMS Center to better understand the air quality technical support needs and priorities of Tribes. The link to the online questionnaire form is at  http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/tamsNA/. 

The Technical Needs Assessment will be open until March 10, 2017.  The Steering Committee plans on providing the results of the Technical Needs Assessment at the 2017 National Tribal Forum.    

 

U.S. EPA Announced an Extension of Public Comment Period for the Draft General Permit under the Clean Air Act Federal Indian Country Minor New Source Review Program – Gasoline Dispensing Facilities

  Extension of Comment Period: On September 30, 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided notice of, and requested public comment on, the EPA’s draft general permit for gasoline dispensing facilities for use in Indian country within California pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) Federal Indian Country Minor New Source Review (NSR) program for new and modified minor sources at 40 CFR 49.151 through 49.161.

  The EPA is extending the deadline for submitting comments on this action until January 31, 2017.  Any person may submit written comments on the draft permit during the public comment period. These comments must raise any reasonably ascertainable issue with supporting arguments by the close of the public comment period. All written comments on the draft general permit must be received or postmarked by January 31, 2017. Comments must be sent or delivered in writing to Lisa Beckham at one of the following addresses: E-mail:  R9airpermits@epa.gov. Online Docket: www.regulations.gov , Docket ID: EPA-R09-OAR-2016-0580. Send U.S. Mail to Lisa Beckham (AIR-3) U.S. EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3901

 

The U.S. EPA 2017 International Emission Inventory Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore on the Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD August 14-18, 2017. This conference will focus on how emission inventories meet the challenges posed by improving emissions inventory science and also streamline inventory creation processes to improve the resulting inventories.  Click here to learn more about the conference and how to submit abstracts.  

 

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals’ (ITEP’s )  Tribes and Climate Change Calendar  includes conferences, trainings, webinars and other events related to tribes and climate change.  Click here  for ITEP’s other trainings and events.  Click here  for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. New courses have been added, so check it out!

ITEP’s  2016 AIAQTP Course Schedule   

ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program Course Calendar:

Course Title

Dates

Location

 

2017

 

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Diagnostic Tools (for lower 48)

February 7-10

TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV

Management of Tribal Air Programs and Grants  

February 22-24

Phoenix, AZ

Air Pollution Technology

March 13-17

Flagstaff, AZ

Fundamentals of Air Monitoring (for lower 48)

April 4-6

TAMS Center, Las Vegas, NV

Introduction to Tribal Air Quality

June 6-9

Flagstaff, AZ

 

 

 

Quality Assurance (QA) Fundamentals

Open

Online

Building Performance: Improving Energy Efficiency & IAQ in Alaska

Open

Online

Radon Fundamentals

Open

Online

Emissions Inventory - Fundamentals

2017

Online

Emissions Inventory - Advanced

2017

Online

Disaster Planning for Air Quality 

2017

Online

Note: This schedule is subject to change.   Click here  for up-to-date information, course descriptions, and applications. If you have questions regarding the pre-requisites or your eligibility for this course, please contact Patricia Ellsworth, Air Quality Curriculum Coordinator, at  Patricia.Ellsworth@nau.edu  or phone 928-523-6721. For more information, please visit  ITEP’s website .

 

Climate Change / Energy

 

January 25, 2 PM (ET) - Implementing Expanded Renewable Portfolio Standards in Oregon and Rhode Island

In 2016, both Oregon and Rhode Island strengthened and extended their RPSs. In this webinar, Rebecca Smith (Senior Policy Analyst at the Oregon Department of Energy) and Linda George (Senior Legal Counsel at the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission) will describe their states' new RPS laws and explain how the states are preparing for implementation.

Register

 

Toxic / Mobile Sources

 

The State of Washington’s Department of Ecology is hosting a Federal Volkswagen settlement webinar to be held Feb. 2, 2017

This webinar  will share information about the  federal Volkswagen settlement  and the monies available to our state. Washington is eligible to receive $112.7 million from the settlement. The Department of Ecology has been provided with guidelines on how to become a beneficiary and how the funds can be used.

 

Indoor Air Quality Bottom of Form

AIAQTP Webinar - Introduction to Building Science

Date: January 31, 2017

Time: 12:00 PM MST (10:00 am AKST, 11:00 am PST, 1:00 pm CST, 2:00 pm EST)

Reserve your Webinar seat now at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8973365462761525505

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The practical purpose of building science is to help us understand and optimize the dynamic “Building Ecosystem” for occupant wellness and building performance. For those attending the AIAQTP IAQ Diagnostics Course, this webinar is a part of the course.

Facilitator: Mansel Nelson, Program Coordinator Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities

Introduction to Building Science Basics: Jed Harrison, Building Scientist Questions: Contact Mansel A Nelson at mansel.nelson@nau.edu or 928-523-1275

Funding for AIAQTP is provided by the USEPA Office of Air and Radiation.

 

January is National Radon Action Month. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages you to test your school facilities for radon.

The only way to determine if your school building has elevated radon levels is to test. Testing for radon is simple and unobtrusive, and every school should have a plan to manage radon. Winter is a good time to test for radon because it is easier to maintain proper testing conditions, which require that doors and windows be closed except for normal entry and exit.

You can’t see or smell radon. The only way to know if radon levels are high is to test. Elevated levels of radon can occur anywhere, though radon concentrations may be higher in certain areas of the country. Testing each room within the school is important, as radon levels can vary even within the same building. Speak with your state radon office to learn if any schools have been previously tested and, if so, what the results were or if mitigating actions were taken. Your state radon program office can provide you with information and technical assistance to develop an action plan for radon education, testing and follow-up action. It also can help encourage a discussion of radon with stakeholders to ensure that all involved understand this important issue.

EPA recommends that all schools be tested for radon and retested after any renovations or changes to the building’s HVAC systems. Consider the following:

It’s important to track and maintain a record of your facility’s radon tests. Check out EPA's resources and resources available in your state to help you address radon.

Get the Word Out—Be an Advocate for Radon Testing

Help spread the message and raise awareness about the importance of radon risk reduction. EPA has free online resources that can help you address this important public health issue at www.epa.gov/radon and at sosradon.org.

Questions?
EPA offers free IAQ Tools for Schools resources—including the School IAQ Assessment Mobile App—to help schools maintain a healthy indoor environment by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools.

If you have any questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact the IAQ Tools for Schools Connector Coordinator at iaqschools@epa.gov.

 

 

U.S. HUD published our full Housing Needs Study of American Indians and Alaska Natives on January 19, 2017. A press release and further detail on the study is available here. HUD also posted this news to our Codetalk  website. 
The study found that American Indian tribes are building more housing units after enactment of the  Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA)  but housing conditions are substantially worse among American Indian households than other U.S. households.

There was an interesting briefing on the study yesterday, which should be available on  HUD’s youtube channel  soon. HUD plans to release a separate study of Native Hawaiian housing needs at the end of February.

 

NTAA’s Indoor Air Quality Work Group will hold its next call on Thursday, April 13th at 2 pm ET. To join the work group or the call, please contact NTAA Project Director Andy Bessler at andy.bessler@nau.edu.

 

NTAA has re-opened the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Needs Assessment for Indian Country! The NTAA IAQ Work Group has re-opened the IAQ Needs Assessment in hopes that more Tribes will complete the on-line form found here ! In re-opening the IAQ needs assessment, NTAA hopes Tribes who have not previously completed this online form will do so now thus helping Tribal and Federal governmental leaders understand the extent of IAQ needs in Tribal communities. The IAQ Needs Assessment will remain open until January 30th, 2017 . Please allow at least an hour to complete the IAQ Needs Assessment. For more information on the NTAA IAQ work group that created this needs assessment, please visit NTAA's website here .

Please allocate at least 60 minutes to answer all the questions. When you are finished, simply click on the "submit" button at the end of the survey to ensure your answers are properly counted.

 

U.S. EPA Request for Applications (RFA): “National Indoor Environments Program: Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants”

U.S. EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Indoor Environments Division (IED) has posted a new RFA (EPA-OAR-ORIA-17-02) here, www.epa.gov/grants/air-grants-and-funding, and here,www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=290725.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include those that result in (1) an increase in the number of homes and schools built with radon-reducing features, (2) an increase in the number of home visiting programs providing in-home asthma interventions by licensed providers in disproportionately affected communities, and (3) an increase in the number of homes, schools and office buildings with interventions that reduce exposure to multiple indoor air contaminants.

EPA expects to make between 10 and 20 awards. The selected indoor environments projects will be funded in the amount of $2–4 million annually, for up to 3 years (2018–2020). Closing Date: Friday, February 17, 2017, 4:00 p.m. EST.

 

Microbiomes Webinar Now Available Online!

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division thanks you for attending the September webinar on the current state of the science on microbiomes and the built environment.

Dr. Brent Stephens, Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, presented  What Have We Learned about the Microbiomes of Indoor Environments?  The webinar presentation is now available for viewing at  youtu.be/u_--F2c4b4o.

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

RESOURCES     

 

Now Hiring!

 

Clark County, Nevada is hiring for the position of Public Information Administrator – closes on 2/17/17. Open to the public:

http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/human-resources/Pages/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx

  Additionally, we are in the process of a recruitment for an Office Specialist and are required to use HR’s active list of qualified applicants for this title. If you already hold this same title and are interested in requesting a Management Reassignment, please contact me by no later than COB 1/27/17 for more information to be considered for the position. 

 

2017 ITEP Student Summer Internship

Apply now for an 8-week summer internship. Spend your summer working with tribal organizations to address tribal environmental issues. The internships have a technical, educational or policy focus. The internship program provides each student intern with a stipend, and limited housing and travel allowances.

Host sites are selected from tribal environmental organizations, government offices, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and others. Descriptions of the host sites will be found on the website after January 31, 2017.

Eligible students must meet the following:

•                     US Citizen

•                     Full-time undergraduate or graduate college student during Spring 2017 (12 hours undergrad, 9 hours grad) at any tribal college, college or university

•                     Have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA

•                     Majoring in an environmental or related field like science, engineering, planning, policy, law, management, political science, anthropology, or health

•                     Interested in pursuing an environmental career after graduating

•                     Proficient verbal and written communication skills

•                     Strong interest in working with Native American tribes or topics

To apply, submit an online application plus additional materials that are described on the website. You can also provide your preferences for the host sites you find interesting after January 31, 2017.

Deadline: February 28, 2017

Website: www.nau.edu/itepinterns

Questions? Contact Mansel Nelson at Mansel.Nelson@nau.edu or 928-523-1275

 

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

 

The Indigenous Governance Program at the University of Arizona offers many courses of interest. It is not too late to sign up for many of the courses (such as Intergovernmental Relations, Native Economic Development, Making Change Happen in Native Communities, and Cultural Property of Indigenous Peoples). Learn more here.

 

Alliance for Green Heat - New AGH zip code search for stove incentive programs  

Thinking about upgrading your wood or pellet stove? These tips can help you make an affordable choice. Our zip code search lets you find stove change-out and incentive programs in your area. If your stove is 20 years old or more, it’s time to try out a new one.

 

Tribal Fact Sheet on Methane

The National Wildlife Federation and the Clean Air Task Force have revised their Tribal Fact Sheet on Methane .

 

EPA Region 2 Seeks Nominations for Environmental Champions

Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes and honors environmental trailblazers – individuals, businesses and organizations that have contributed significantly to improving the environment and protecting public health. EPA is seeking nominations of environmental stewards within its region covering New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight federally recognized Indian Nations who have gone above and beyond for environmental change in local communities. Winners will be honored with this annual award at a ceremony in the Spring of 2017 at EPA's regional office in Manhattan. The Agency is accepting nominations for its Environmental Champion Awards until February 3, 2017.

To nominate an individual or organization, please visit EPA's Environmental Champion Award webpage at  http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/environmental-champion-awards.

 

Climate Change/Energy

 

ITEP's Tribal Climate Change Newsletter :  This monthly newsletter provides news items, resources, announcements about funding opportunities, conferences, and training, and other information relevant to tribal climate change issues.

 

Toxics / Mobile Sources

 

Updated Emission Factors of Air Pollutants from Vehicle Operations in GREET Using MOVES

 

 

Indoor Air Quality

 

U.S. HUD’s Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) Code Talk:

Codetalk Homepage:

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES  

Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes

 

U.S. EPA Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Grants:

Applications close January 25, 2017.

Funding amount: $100,000 to $2,500,000

EPA is soliciting proposals pursuant to Section 319 of the Clean Water Act from eligible tribes and intertribal consortia to develop and/or implement watershed-based plans and on-the-ground projects that will result in significant steps towards solving Nonpoint Source (NPS) impairments on a watershed-wide basis. Eligible entities are strongly encouraged to submit proposals that develop and/or implement watershed-based plans designed to protect unimpaired waters and/or restore NPS-impaired waters.

Details at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=290459

 

Partners for Places Grant, Funder’s Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities

Applications due January 30, 2017.

Funding amount: $25,000 - $150,000

Partners for Places is a successful matching grant program that creates opportunities for cities and counties in the United States and Canada to improve communities by building partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations. National funders invest in local projects to promote a healthy environment, a strong economy, and well-being of all residents. The grant program provides partnership investments between $25,000 and $75,000 for one year projects, or $50,000 and $150,000 for two year projects, with a 1:1 match required by one or more local foundations. Eligible Grant Recipients: Local, place-based foundation, a public charity (501c3) created by a city or county government to accept grants, or a partnering nonprofit organization.

Details at http://www.fundersnetwork.org/partnersforplaces

 

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program 2017 Request for Proposals, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Applications close January 31, 2017.

Funding amount: $20,000 - $50,000

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Approximately $2,500,000 is available nationwide for projects meeting program priorities.

Projects include a variety of ecological improvements including: wetland, riparian, forest and coastal habitat restoration; wildlife conservation; community tree canopy enhancement; and/or water quality monitoring and stormwater management; along with targeted community outreach, education and stewardship. Priority will be given to projects in urban, suburban and/or rural areas that advance water quality goals in environmental justice communities such as neighborhoods with high concentrations of minority and low-income populations. Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Indian tribes and educational institutions.

Details at http://www.nfwf.org/fivestar/Pages/home.aspx

 

2017 Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities

Application closes February 1, 2017.

Funding amount: $50,000 - $300,000

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities seeks applications for the 2017 Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program. The Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program goal is to accelerate strategic protection of healthy, freshwater ecosystems and their watersheds. Up to $2 million is available for the 2017 grant round. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, for-profit companies, tribes, intertribal consortia, interstates, state, and local government agencies including water utilities and wastewater facilities, and colleges and universities are eligible for funding.

Details at http://www.usendowment.org/healthywatersheds.html

 

Small Grants Program, Center for Health, Environment and Justice

Applications close February 1, 2017.

Funding amount: $1,000 - $20,000

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice’s Small Grants Program helps grassroots, community organizing groups build their capacity. Grant activities can include board development, membership outreach, and fundraising efforts. Project activities could also include meetings to develop an organizing strategic plan, training events, educational activities which are directly connected to your strategic plan, or membership recruitment.

Details at http://chej.org/smallgrants/

 

U.S. EPA Air Grants and Funding:

          EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) announces competitive funding announcements for projects and programs relating to  air quality , transportation,  climate change ,  indoor air  and other related topics.  This page provides access to information about current funding opportunities under ‘Open Announcements’ and also provides as a reference tool, all previously announced funding announcements listed below and in archives under ‘Closed Announcements’. 

 

Cliff Bar Foundation Small Grants

Details at http://clifbarfamilyfoundation.org/Grants-Programs/Small-Grants

Application closes February 1, 2017.

These grants are awarded for general organizational support as well as funding for specific projects. Small grants average approximately $7,000 each. Priority is given to applicants that:

 

People, Prosperity and the Planet Award Program, EPA

Details athttps://www.epa.gov/research-grants/14th-annual-p3-awards-national-student-design-competition-sustainability-focusing . Application closes February 3, 2017. Funding amount: Up to $15,000 per Phase I grant and up to $75,000 per Phase II grant

The United States Environmental Protection Agency invites submissions to the 14th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet. P3 focuses on scientific projects and engineering designs that address the three components of sustainability: people, prosperity and the planet.

The P3 Program is intended to support science-based projects and designs developed by interdisciplinary student teams that benefit people by improving their quality of life, promoting prosperity by developing local economies, and protecting the planet by conserving resources and minimizing pollution. Public nonprofit institutions/organizations (limited to degree-granting public institutions of higher education) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (limited to degree-granting private institutions of higher education) located in the U.S. (includes eligible institutions of higher education located in U.S. territories and possessions) are eligible to apply to be the recipient of a grant to support teams of undergraduate and/or graduate students.

 

Groundwork USA Program Funding and Technical Assistance

Details at http://groundworkusa.org/groundwork-network/start-a-new-groundwork-trust/Letters of Interest due by February 1, 2017.

The Groundwork Program of the National Park Service builds community capacity to improve the environmental, economic and social conditions in communities impacted by brownfields and derelict lands. It supports the establishment and early success of locally organized and led nonprofit organizations, called Groundwork Trusts, dedicated to carrying out the mission of the Groundwork network. Funding is now in place to select up to two new communities for exploration of the Groundwork Program. Selected communities will be eligible for up to $200,000 in funding and technical assistance from the National Park Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, and Groundwork USA. Funding will support the planning, establishment, and building capacity of a new Groundwork Trust organization in each community.

 

First Nations Launches Two New Grant Opportunities Under Its Native Ag and Food Systems Initiative

First Nations Development Institute (First Nations ) has launched two new grant opportunities under its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative ( NAFSI ). Proposals for both grant programs will be accepted online and must be submitted by no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Friday, February 17, 2017. 

With the generous support of the  W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Agua Fund , First Nations will award up to 12 grants of up to $35,000 each to support projects that aim to strengthen local food-system control; increase access to local, healthy and traditional foods; and decrease food insecurity and food deserts, all with an emphasis on serving Native American children and families. For this grant opportunity, examples of allowable activities include, but are not limited to:


First Nations will also award up to 10 grants of up to $15,000 each to Native communities looking to conduct food sovereignty assessments in order to gain a better knowledge and understanding about the historical, current and future state of their local food systems. Under this grant opportunity, examples of allowable activities include, but are not limited to:


The Request for Proposals for program grants can be accessed at  http://www.firstnations.org/grantmaking/2017NAFSI  and the Request for Proposals for the food sovereignty assessment grants can be accessed at  http://www.firstnations.org/grantmaking/2017FSA .  Organizations are invited to apply for one or both of these opportunities.

Entities eligible to apply include U.S.-based, Native American-controlled, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribes and tribal departments, tribal organizations, or Native American community-based groups with eligible fiscal sponsors committed to increasing healthy food access in rural and reservation-based Native communities and improving the health and well-being of Native American children and families. 

 

Climate Change/Energy

 

DOE SunShot Initiative Launches Challenge to Expand Solar Access to More Communities, Including Tribes

In an effort to make solar energy more accessible for every American, the DOE SunShot Initiative has launched the $5 million Solar in Your Community Challenge, a new prize competition that aims to improve solar electricity access for low- and moderate-income households; state, local, and tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations.

The Solar in Your Community Challenge encourages the development of innovative financial and business models that serve low- and moderate-income communities that may have been left out of the solar boom. Offering $5 million in cash prizes and technical assistance over 18 months, the challenge supports teams across the country to develop projects or programs that reach underserved customers in their communities, while proving that these business models can be widely replicated and scaled up.

The early application deadline to participate in the challenge is Jan. 6, 2017, and the regular deadline is March 17, 2017. Learn more about how tribes and other communities can participate in the competition  and apply today .

 

DOE Makes Up to $6 Million Available to Deploy Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy on Indian Lands

DOE expects to make approximately $4 million to $6 million of federal funding available for new awards under this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on congressional appropriations. DOE anticipates making approximately 6 to 10 awards under this FOA. On November 14, during the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Program Review, Office Director Chris Deschene announced a new funding opportunity to install energy efficiency measures and deploy clean energy systems on Indian lands.

The application deadline is Feb. 7, 2017 . Learn more and apply. 

NOAA Climate Program Office FY2017 - Understanding Climate Impacts on Fish Stocks and Fisheries to Inform Sustainable Management  (Dept. of Commerce) 
 The goal is to inform sustainable fisheries management and promote resilience of the nation’s fish stocks and fisheries in a changing climate. For FY17, this OAR/NMFS partnership, through the Coastal and Ocean Climate Applications (COCA) Program, will continue to take a regional approach to improving the resilience and adaptation of fisheries in a changing climate by soliciting proposals under two competitions. Eligibility includes Indian tribal governments. Funding opportunity # OAA-OAR-CPO-2017-2004998. Deadline: 01/30/17.

 

Indoor Air Quality

 

US EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, Indoor Environments Division (IED) has posted a new Request for Applications (RFA)

New RFA for 2018–2020 now available!
Closing Date: February 17, 2017

Request for Applications (RFA): “National Indoor Environments Program: Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants”

U.S. EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Indoor Environments Division (IED) has posted a new RFA (EPA-OAR-ORIA-17-02) here,  www.epa.gov/grants/air-grants-and-funding, and here, www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=290725.

EPA expects to make between 10 and 20 awards. The selected indoor environments projects will be funded in the amount of $2–4 million annually, for up to 3 years (2018–2020).

U.S. EPA Cooperative Agreements for the period 2018–2020
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OAR-ORIA-17-02
Closing Date: Friday, February 17, 2017, 4:00 p.m. EST

Currently, the Indoor Environments Program focuses on critical aspects of indoor air quality that pose significant risks to public health, particularly to children and other disproportionately affected segments of society. The Program’s priorities include, yet are not limited to (1) radon, (2) indoor environmental asthma triggers, and (3) multiple indoor air contaminants.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include those that result in (1) an increase in the number of homes and schools built with radon-reducing features, (2) an increase in the number of home visiting programs providing in-home asthma interventions by licensed providers in disproportionately affected communities, and (3) an increase in the number of homes, schools and office buildings with interventions that reduce exposure to multiple indoor air contaminants.

To learn more about IED’s currently funded (2014–2017) cooperative agreements and partners, visit  www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/cooperative-agreement-funding-indoor-air-quality . To learn more about healthy indoor environments and indoor air quality, visit  www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq. Opt in here to receive periodic email updates about healthy indoor air.

 

U.S. HUD - HUD recipients can request technical assistance on basically any subject, as long as is it related to NAHASDA. The requests come in to the ONAP Area Office, which typically considers whether the tribe has any other TA needs, and then assembles a TA request package for HQ to consider. From what I have been able to gather, training on indoor air issues has never been requested - but it could be. ONAP has contracts with certain TA providers for these TA requests. Those TA providers may subcontract as needed. The link below names the TA providers and discusses the process. A link to the ONAP CodeTalk website is provided below in case you are interested in getting a better feel for ONAP's Area Office structure. TA process: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=onaptaannouce.pdf

CodeTalk: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/ih

 

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Most Recent Listing: EPA Rules from the Federal Register

 

There are no contents of the Federal Register for  Wednesday, January 25, 2017.

(Past copies can be accessed  here) .

 

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