EPA Acting Deputy Administrator Nishida and National Tribal Caucus Chair Wagner Co-Chair 2024 National Tribal Operations Committee Meeting

EPA Acting Deputy Administrator Nishida and National Tribal Caucus Chair Wagner Co-Chair 2024 National Tribal Operations Committee Meeting

October 29, 2024

"Never has the strength of the EPA-Tribal partnership been more important. The impacts of climate change and other emerging challenges, which disproportionately affect Tribal communities, require our joint resolve," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Through the unprecedented funding secured by President Biden in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is providing Tribes with critical investments to build capacity for solutions to protect indigenous communities from pollution."

In her welcoming remarks, Acting Deputy Administrator Nishida highlighted the 40th anniversary of the signing of the EPA Indian Policy. Signed by EPA Administrator William Doyle Ruckelshaus in 1984, this seminal guidance lays out the vision and principles for EPA's partnership and engagement with Tribes in protecting the environment and public health. EPA was one of the first federal agencies with a formal policy specifying how it would interact with Tribal governments and consider Tribal interests in carrying out its programs to protect human health and the environment. The EPA Indian Policy remains the cornerstone for EPA's Indian environmental program.

EPA established the National Tribal Operations Committee in February 1994 to improve communication and build stronger partnerships between the Agency and federally recognized Tribes. It is comprised of Tribal members from each of EPA's ten Regions (these members are collectively referred to as the NTC) and EPA's senior leadership team, including EPA's Administrator, Deputy Administrator and the Agency's Assistant Administrators and Regional Administrators.

The NTOC meeting featured a wide-ranging discussion from increasing Tribal capacity to implementing environmental programs, with a special emphasis on how EPA can assist Tribes by removing barriers for Tribes to access federal resources in line with Executive Order 14112, Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations To Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination.

In addition, the NTOC meeting also featured discussions on how Tribes and EPA can work together to address the adverse effects of climate change and challenges posed from emerging contaminants. The dialogue included ideas and opportunities to protect Tribal lifeways and communities.

Background on EPA's Tribal Programs

To accelerate progress under the Indian Policy, in 1994, the modern structure of the EPA Tribal Program was developed, including the creation of EPA's American Indian Environmental Office. The AIEO leads EPA's efforts to protect human health and the environment of federally recognized Indian tribes, with a special emphasis on helping tribes administer their own environmental programs. In addition, AIEO is the national program manager for the EPA's Indian Environmental General Assistance Program, or GAP - the largest of EPA's tribal grant programs.

More information about the EPA Indian Policy and EPA's programs in Indian Country