The NTWC was established to advocate for the best interests of federally-recognized Indian and Alaska Native Tribes in matters pertaining to water. It is the intent of the NTWC to advocate for the health and sustainability of clean water, and for the productive use of water for the health and well-being of Indian Country, Indian communities, Alaska Native Tribes, and Alaska Native Villages.

Additionally, the National Tribal Water Council is a technical and scientific body created to assist the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Tribes, and their associated tribal communities and tribal organizations, with research and information for decision-making regarding water issues and water-related concerns that impact Indian and Alaska Native tribal members, as well as other residents of Alaska Native Villages and Indian Country in the United States. Please note: The NTWC is not a policy-making body and its input is not a substitute for government-to-government consultation.

As the NTWC’s website evolves, it will contain NTWC’s policy analysis on water related policies that impact Tribes, important water quality resources for Tribes, and current water quality news. We hope that you will continue to visit the NTWC website as it evolves to better meet the needs of all who are interested in clean and healthy water and healthy Tribal communities.

Lastly, the NTWC is pleased to have the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals as the new administrator of the NTWC Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

I invite you to explore this website and thank you for visiting.

Sincerely,



Ken Norton, Chairman
National Tribal Water Council

The National Tribal Water Council produced a white paper regarding the concerns about the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 301(h) Waiver of the Asplund Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) in Anchorage, Alaska. The NTWC undertook extensive research into EPA’s CWA Section 301(h) Waiver to understand the issues and implications of the waiver provided to the Asplund WPCF. The NTWC is convinced that this waiver has far-reaching negative consequences by not renewing the permit according to a 5-year renewal cycle. Further, the NTWC has significant concerns about the inadequate environmental and human health protections in the Cook Inlet area. The white paper includes a list of recommendations for the US EPA and other appropriate agencies to address the issues associated with the Asplund WPCF.

To access the white paper, please click HERE.

The first section of the guidebook briefly describes the legal and administrative aspects of developing a water quality program. Having general familiarity with the legal background will help tribes more effectively create and operate the program.

The second section of the guidebook briefly describes the technical aspects of developing the program, including setting and administering water quality standards for waterbodies on tribal land.

While the federal government has set out a water quality management approach in the Clean Water Act and Environmental Protection Agency regulations, tribes may decide to take different approaches to water protection. Likewise, even when a tribe participates in the federal Clean Water Act system, the basic building block is still a tribal program, designed by tribal staff and adopted under tribal law.

To access the guidebook, please click HERE.