It is EPA policy to work with Tribes on a government-to-government basis to enhance environmental protection in Indian Country and Tribal communities. In 1992, Congress passed the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act, which authorizes EPA to provide General Assistance Program (GAP) grants to federally-recognized Tribes and Tribal consortia for planning, developing and implement solid and hazardous waste program on Tribal lands. The goal of this program is to assist Tribes in developing the capacity to manage their own environmental protection programs, and to develop and implement solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with individual tribal needs and applicable federal law and regulations.
The Port Graham Village Council has been funded under EPA’s Indian General Assistance Grant (IGAP) from October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2004. Over the past four years we have learned enormously about environmental issues in Alaska, in our region, and our community. We have developed relationships with those dedicated to preserving and improving the environment, and identified key issues and contacts. We are learning more about the environment in our village, involving our local Tribal members in discussing environmental issues of concern, and together have learned much about how to protect our water, land, food, and our health.
The Tribal members are heavily dependent on the traditional subsistence resources, therefore, the community members are very concerned with the impacts of contaminants for the Traditional foods. Additionally, Port Graham is facing many health related issues such as cancer, asthma, and respiratory complications occurring in our children and elders. Water quality and safe drinking water are high priorities for the community. Stresses from growth in transportation systems, housing, and timber and tourism development are an increasing risk to the traditional lifeways. Resulting from the development is added responsibility for the community in reviewing permits that impact our resources.
Focus Areas of EPA
Region 10 will work with Tribal Governments to protect and restore the natural resources on which tribal communities rely for their physical, cultural and economic well-being. Environmental influences have a vast impact on tribal “way of life” regarding subsistence, cultural resources, traditions, and human health risks. We respect and support the sovereignty of tribes as they develop and operate their own environmental programs, or choose to partner with other entities to manage natural resources.
Assistance for Capacity Building
• By October 2008, Region 10 will develop an improved approach to awarding and managing Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) grants that better assures effective use of funds and allows tribal coordinators to be more responsive to the broad interests of the tribes they serve. EPA will increase the number of tribes receiving grants by 10% each year; through additional pre-award monitoring and closer management, reduce by 10% each year the number of new tribal grant enforcement actions; and reduce grant workload to an average of 15 to 20 grants per Tribal Coordinator.
Environmental Newsletters
2008
Environmental Health Committe Meeting
Links for EPA IGAP
-For fiscal years 2007-2011, Region 10 will focus on the following six strategic endeavors.
-2007-2011 Region 10 Strategy: Enhancing Tribal Environments
-Tips for New GAP Grant Recipients and Employees
-Indian General Assistance Program Grants Preparation and Administration Resources
-Indian General Assistance Program (GAP) Funding
Environmental Program
PORT GRAHAM VILLAGE COUNCIL
CIRCUIT RIDER PEER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
FY 2010
The Port Graham Village Council previously entered and successfully closed out the first 4 year Cooperative Agreement with EPA. Port Graham has entered into a Cooperative Agreement with the USEPA for the Circuit Rider Peer Assistance program to support the Tribes of Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound, the Kodiak Region and Illiamna area Tribes needing assistance in effectively managing the IGAP program. The Port Graham Village Council is proposing to provide training on fiscal, administrative capacity building and technical assistance through the USEPA Circuit Rider Cooperative Agreement. We understand the need for more direct assistance with fiscal and administrative requirements of current and potential tribal grantees and the ongoing changes of the USEPA Indian General Assistance Program. Our assistance to the Tribes will provide long-lasting positive impacts for future grant administration and implementation.
The proposed commitments include the provision of technical assistance to Tribes located within the aforementioned service areas under the following points of interest:
The Port Graham Village Council Peer Assistance Program has contracted with Stephanie Ruff with NWBS Consulting to assist with the Circuit Rider Peer Assistance training.
*********
EPA IGAP Grant
The PortGrahamVillage Council has been funded for another 2 years under the EPA Indian General Assistance Program. The focus of the next 2 years is to continue to build capacity to continue a Environmental Program in our community. Another focus is to look at Energy Conservation due to the high cost of fuel.
Under the EPA funding, the PortGrahamVillage Council received funding under a Cooperative Agreement with EPA to provide grants management with Tribes in the Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound and the Kodiak Tribes. To date, we have provided 2 subregional trainings; 1 in Anch and another training in Kodiak. The PortGrahamVillage Council has contracted services of Stephanie Ruff, a CPA with North Pacific Rim Housing Authority to bring a on-site training to Tribes in their communities. We are providing training to Tribal Governments on effective grants management and bringing awareness to Tribal Governments regarding what the Office of Management and Budget is requiring of the Federal funding and of their grantees.