TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of February 7 – February 11, 2022
Top Stories
NTAA News!
The NTAA is currently seeking story submissions for the 2022 Status of Tribal Air Report!
We are asking that you draft the short story or nominate someone who you may think has a great idea! Please list or write a short paragraph below for one (or two) of the topics given in the Google Form. You may also submit another form response. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Friday, February 25th, 2022
Background:
The NTAA STAR is an annual publication intended to provide an understanding of the importance and impact of Tribal air programs. As such, one of the biggest components to the STAR is the unique perspectives of air programs within Tribal communities. In last year’s STAR, there was mention of needs not being met when it comes to implementing programs or projects due to the lack of funding and infrastructure. Our hope for this STAR is to emphasize funding, and not just the need for more funding for Tribes, but more emphasis on how Tribes are utilizing funds to implement projects and programs. So please provide your success and challenge stories, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Mariah.Ashely@nau.edu, NTAA Community Program Coordinator, for any questions.
NTAA is working on a Policy Resource Kit to help Tribes respond to EPA’s Proposed revisions for National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Primary Copper Smelters. Comments to EPA are due on February 25, 2022. You can find NTAA’s fact sheet here and stand by for template letter your Tribe can use to submit comments. to learn more, visit EPA’s website here.
NEW! FOR REGION 10 TRIBES!
NTAA has a Region 10 alternate executive committee seat open. As of January 28th, 2022, Carol Kriebs (Kootenai Tribe of Idaho) has stepped down from the primary representative role and Executive Committee Chair. As the alternate R10 representative, Lucas Bair will step into the primary representative role for the remainder of the term, which will end on June 30, 2023. Thank you to Carol for her significant contributions to tribal air quality work in the region and nationally.
On behalf of NTAA and in accordance with the NTAA Executive Committee’s Bylaws, EPA staff in Region10 (R10) are facilitating a call for nominations for the alternative R10 representative for the remainder of this term. Tribal staff can nominate themselves or another person.
How to Nominate:
To submit a nomination, please send the following information to Sandra Brozusky at brozusky.sandra@epa.gov by close of business February 11, 2022.
- Nominee’s name, Tribe, and contact info
- Why this person is a good candidate, or why you are interested in the position (300 words or less)
- Please feel free to contact Andy Bessler at andy.bessler@nau.edu or NTAA EC member Lucas Bair at lucas.bair@SpokaneTribe.com if you have any questions about NTAA or the Executive Committee. For more information on NTAA can be found at https://www.ntaatribalair.org/.
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes News
The Guardian – ‘Carbon footprint gap’ between rich and poor expanding, study finds
E&E News – EPA clashes with Fla. over use of Trump WOTUS rule
The Hill – Biden administration sides with tribes over North Dakota in mineral dispute
E&E News – How states could topple Biden’s Justice40 goals
The Washington Post – Urban air pollution affects 2.5 billion people worldwide, study says
Science – Global assessment of oil and gas methane ultra-emitters
The Hill – EPA science advisers recommend tighter soot air quality standards in draft document
CNN – EPA to bring back mercury pollution rules that were nixed under Trump administration
Indian Country Today – Nooksack Tribe demands retraction from United Nations
Here’s your link to this week’s NACAA Washington Update
Climate Change/Energy
AP News – Biden extends Trump-era solar tariffs, but loosens some
Bloomberg – Landmark Study Validates Satellite Tracking of Giant Methane Leaks
CNN – All the Beijing snow is human-made — a resource-intensive, ‘dangerous’ trend as planet warms
E&E News – House OKs China bill packed with energy, enviro spending
Yale Climate Connections – 12 reports identify small but steady steps forward in 2022
The Guardian – A third of Americans are already facing above-average warming
Canary Media – Chart: How 11 states are building the US offshore wind industry from scratch
Fast Company – Climate change means Alaska will be able to grow more food—now is the time to start planning
ITEP Tribes and Climate Change Monthly Newsletter
Toxics/Mobile Sources
WBUR – Communities of color get more gas leaks, slower repairs, says study
Washington Examiner – White House looking at options to lower gas prices amid surge
Fortune – Ford’s CEO just made a convincing case to break his company up and go full EV
Wall Street Journal – Where Is There More Lithium to Power Cars and Phones? Beneath a California Lake.
Axios – Electric vehicles will shake up gas stations
Indoor Air Quality
Air Quality News – Half of PM2.5 from domestic burning comes from outdoor sources, says stove industry
News Direct – The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Ris Media – HUD Announces $4 Million Radon Testing Notice of Funding Opportunity
News Wires – IAQ Distribution Encourages SoFi Stadium to Prioritize Indoor Air Quality in Advance of Super Bowl
Medical News Today – Improvements in air quality may slow down the rate of age-related cognitive decline
UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES: Week of February 7 – February11, 2022
UPCOMING CALLS/EVENTS/NOTICES
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes
EPA’s Community and Tribal Programs Group has a publicly facing Tribal Actions and Events calendar for all to use!
This calendar is also linked under the “Tribal Air and Climate Resources” webpage under the “Policy and Planning” heading available at https://www.epa.gov/tribal-air.
The purpose of the calendar is to ensure that our Tribal partners are kept apprised of EPA activities that are relevant to them. If you have any questions about the calendars or any recommendations on how EPA can improve upon the calendars please do not hesitate to reach out to Toni Colon (colon.toni@epa.gov) and/or Loren Fox (fox.loren@epa.gov) with any feedback.
NEW! EPA: Clean School Bus Program’s Webpage Update
EPA has made a few updates to the Clean School Bus Program’s webpage (www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus) and has included the Report to Congress, which is required by January 31 of each year. The Clean School Bus – Initial Implementation Report to Congress mostly covers what’s in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and stakeholder outreach to date. The Report also mentions that EPA intends to open the Clean School Bus funding cycle as early as April 2022. The second web update is that EPA also added a signup on the website to a new Clean School Bus listserv.
EPA will be sending a listserv announcement on our DERA list to alert people that the Clean School Bus – Report to Congress is now available online and to encourage people to sign up for the new CSB listserv.
If you have any questions please send an email to cleanschoolbus@epa.gov. EPA will be logging feedback and responding to questions.
NEW! EPA to Evaluate Whether Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft Endanger Human Health and Welfare
On January 11th, EPA announced that it will evaluate whether emissions from piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded fuel contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare.
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA reviews information on air pollutants and sources of air pollution to determine whether they threaten human health or welfare. This is referred to as an “endangerment finding.” EPA currently plans to issue a proposed endangerment finding for piston-engine aircraft that run on leaded fuel in 2022 for public review and comment. After evaluating comments on the proposal, we plan to issue any final endangerment finding in 2023.
This action responds to petitions from Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Center for Environmental Health, Friends of the Earth, Montgomery-Gibbs Environmental Coalition, Oregon Aviation Watch, the County of Santa Clara, and the Town of Middleton, WI.
More information on the petition response and EPA’s activities on lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/petitions-and-epa-response-memorandums-related-lead
NEW! EPA to Hold Public Listening Session on Draft Lead Strategy For All Regions
February – March 2022 | Register Here For Your Regions Listening Session
EPA is hosting Zoom virtual public comment sessions in each of its ten geographic regional office areas from early February to early March 2022. The sessions will be an opportunity for the public to provide verbal input on the draft Lead Strategy to EPA. We encourage the public to share with the Agency thoughts on how to address lead issues in their communities during these regional sessions (e.g., Northeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, etc.).
EPA will use the feedback received during this public comment period to determine if additional revisions need to be incorporated into the Lead Strategy before it is finalized.
- EPA will accept public comments until March 16, 2022.
- Comments can be submitted in writing to docket EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0762 at Regulations.gov.
NEW! EPA 2021 Annual State Indoor Radon Grant Activities Report is Now Available
State and Tribal radon programs are critical to the Agency’s national goal of minimizing and preventing radon-related lung cancer. States and tribes are eligible to receive grant funds from EPA through the State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) Program which can be used to help finance risk reduction and outreach activities.
EPA’s Indoor Environments Division is pleased to share the final 2021 State Indoor Radon Grant Program Activities Report. This report highlights the important work states, territories, and tribes are undertaking across the country to advance radon risk reduction.
Some successful approaches states and tribes are utilizing for reducing radon risk include:
- Education and outreach to the medical community,
- Inclusion of radon in state cancer control plans,
- Testing and remediation of schools in high-risk radon areas,
- Addressing radon in homes and real-estate transactions,
- Continuing education and technical support for industry professionals,
- Building support for adoption of radon-reduction strategies in building codes or state/tribal policy
NEW! EPA Webinar: How to Evaluate Air Sensors for Smoke Monitoring Applications
February 16, 3:00 PM ET | Register Here
In recent years, data from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) sensors have become an invaluable tool for communicating air quality information to the public during wildfire smoke episodes and broadening our understanding of the sometimes, local nature and often extreme air quality impacts from wildfire smoke. In 2021, EPA, released performance targets for PM2.5 air sensors. These targets provide a solid foundation for the evaluation of air sensors, but do not capture all the complexities of using sensors for smoke monitoring applications. This webinar will build on the performance targets with best practices for evaluating sensors over a wide concentration range, over multiple locations, and in network applications. Many of these lessons learned come from several years of using sensors for this application and from almost two years of including sensor data on the AirNow Fire and Smoke map.
NEW! EPA Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards (OAQPS) Seeking Input
February 17th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
EPA would like to seek early input from tribal ambient air monitoring programs on potential options to improve the monitoring and data calculations as part of the notice of proposed rulemaking for the PM NAAQS Reconsideration. We will cover several technical areas such as: data calculations, efficiencies to the PM2.5 FRM, approval of reference and equivalent methods, quality assurance, ambient monitoring, network design and relationship to EJ, comparability of PM2.5 FEMs, and probe and siting criteria.
If you would like to participate on this Microsoft Teams meeting scheduled for February 17th from 2:00 – 3:00 Eastern, please contact James Payne with the EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards at payne.jamesj@epa.gov.” This meeting will be recorded and available after; a call in number will also be available.
Biden order requires net-zero federal government emissions by 2050
There will be many opportunities to heat the more rural, northern federal buildings with wood, pellets and wood chips! The US Forest Service itself has many such buildings and understands the technology and benefits.
EPA releases new report on Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States: A Focus on Six Impacts
EPA’s new report quantifies the degree to which four socially vulnerable populations— defined based on income, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, and age—may be more exposed to the highest impacts of climate change. The report quantifies six types of impacts: air quality and health, extreme temperature and health, extreme temperature and labor, coastal flooding and traffic, coastal flooding and property, and inland flooding and property. Access the report. To download the report’s findings related to the disproportionate risks of climate change to American Indian and Alaska Natives. To find more information about climate change: https://www.epa.gov/climate-change
NTAA Upcoming Calls
Contact Andy.Bessler@nau.edu if you have any questions about any call! *Registration instructions* When you register for the GoToWebinar, please remember to include your Tribe, Region, or Organization in parenthesis after your last name. This allows you to see everyone on the call and prevents us from conducting a roll-call, ultimately saving everyone’s time.
STAR Work Group: Join the bi-weekly Status of Tribal Air work group to provide input on the report. | Tuesday, February 8,
1pm ET |
IAQ Work Group: Join the bi-monthly calls of the NTAA IAQ work group. Attend by clicking here. | Thursday, February 17, 2pm ET |
Alaska Air Work Group: Join this work group to hear updates from EPA and Alaskans working on air quality. Attend by clicking here. | Tentatively set for March 30, 10 am AK |
EPA Policy Call: Call in to hear updates from EPA on policies, actions, and tools relevant to Indian Country and Air Quality. Attend by clicking here. | Thursday, February 24, 2pm ET |
Mobile Sources Work Group: This monthly work group addresses all mobile source pollution issues. Attend by clicking here. | Thursday, March 3,
2pm ET |
Indoor Air Quality Work Group: Join this work group every other month to help support IAQ work throughout Indian Country. Attend by clicking here. | Thursday, February 17, 2pm ET |
Wood Smoke Work Group: Join this work group every other month to address wood smoke issues in Indian Country. Attend by clicking here. | Thursday, March 24,
2pm ET
|
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional (ITEP)
Click here for ITEP’s new Tribal Environmental Management and Planning Online Courses. Sign up for a self-paced course hosted by ITEP’s Waste and Response and Tribal Air Quality programs. New courses have been added, so check it out!
ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP) hosts the Building Performance: Improving IAQ in Cold Climates, Residential Building Science Review, Radon Fundamentals, Quality Assurance Fundamental, Writing a Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emissions Inventory Fundamentals, and Emissions Inventory Advanced.
AIAQTP Schedule and Registration
Recorded Webinars
Looking for more information check out the Tribal Air Quality Media Space Channel. Recent webinars include an Introduction to Air Quality Programs, Emissions Inventories, Remote Professional Assistance, and Woodstoves in Indian Country. Older classics include a series on Air Quality Planning for Wildland Smoke, Tribal Air Program and Grants, Data Management, and the Clean Air Act.
ITEP’s Tribes and Climate Change Calendar includes conferences, trainings, webinars, and other events related to tribes and climate change.
EPA Tools and Resources Webinar Series
Click here to see all past and upcoming webinars hosted by the EPA.
Climate Change / Energy
NEW! EPA has updated the Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool
EPA’s free, spreadsheet-based Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool, first launched in 2013 and updated annually, is based on nationally and internationally recognized GHG accounting and reporting principles.
This year’s updates include:
- An optional market-based method to calculate Scope 2 emissions from electricity purchased through contractual instruments, such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
- Revised Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) factors from 1990 through 2019, as available.
- Updated default stationary energy emission factors and heat contents.
- Kerosene and distillate fuel oil as additional stationary energy fuel types.
Find the updated Tribal community and government operations modules and users’ guides here: https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/tribal-greenhouse-gas-inventory-tool
Are you a long-time inventory tool user with questions about the new updates? Or is this your first GHG inventory? Join this webinar or upcoming offices hours to learn more and ask questions:
February 22, 2 PM (ET) – Local and Tribal GHG Inventory Tool Office Hours. EPA is hosting online drop-in office hours for the Local and Tribal GHG Inventory tools on February 22. During this session, EPA staff will offer technical assistance on the tools, provide guidance on data collection, and answer questions about local and tribal GHG inventories. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-local-and-tribal-greenhouse-gas-inventory-tool-office-hours-tickets-247279388307
Save the Date: 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit
May 16 – 18, 2022 @ the Pala, CA | Register Here
In partnership with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Climate Science Alliance is excited to co-host the 2022 Southwestern Tribal Climate Change Summit (SWTCCS).
ITEP’s Climate Change Adaptation Training Courses registration is online!
Learn more about the courses and register here.
Toxics/Mobile Sources
‘Control of Air Pollution from Aircraft Engines: Emission Standards and Test Procedures Rule’ is in the comment period. Here is the relevant information (https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2019-0660-0130).
EPA is rescheduling the virtual public hearing for its proposed rule to February 17, 2022. This hearing is being rescheduled from the previous date of January 20, 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this hearing will be held virtually only using Zoom (i.e., there will be no in-person hearing). In order to attend the February 17, 2022 virtual public hearing, all attendees (including those who will not be presenting verbal testimony) must register. The EPA is requesting that you pre-register by February 14, 2022 to allow for the orderly scheduling of testimony. To register, visit Aircraft Engine Particulate Matter Public Hearing Webinar Registration EPA WEBSITE.
Indoor Air Quality
February 16th, 1:00 PM ET | Register HereNEW! EPA Webinar: Committee on Indoor Air Quality (CIAQ) Meeting
At the meeting, CIAQ member agencies will provide updates on indoor environmental quality–related activities at their agencies. Following member updates, presentation(s) on current relevant IAQ-related issues have been invited.
The agenda for the February meeting will be provided on the CIAQ website shortly.
NEW! EPA Webinar: Solutions and Resources to Address COVID-19 in Schools: Establishing Lasting Improvements to Ventilation and IAQ
February 10th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET | Register Here
During the webinar, you will learn how to—
- Make the case to implement building upgrades to improve IAQ, reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and optimize school building energy performance;
- Determine your building system type and implement ventilation best practices and building design guidelines, such as mechanical ventilation, natural ventilation, filtration, in-room air cleaners, and germicidal UV (UVGI);
- Use federal stimulus funding to make lasting improvements to school buildings and ventilation systems; and
- Replicate best practices to improve building health and energy efficiency used in school district case studies.
Choose the Right Portable Air Cleaner for the Home
Whether you are in the market for a portable air cleaner for your home or you were thinking about gifting one this holiday season, EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home can help you make a well-informed decision.
Tips for selecting and using a portable air cleaner:
- Never buy or use an air cleaner that generates ozone, a lung irritant.
- Choose an air cleaner with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) that is large enough for the size of the room. The higher the CADR the more particles an air cleaner can capture and remove from the air and the larger the room it can be used in.
- Running your air cleaner at a higher speed and for a longer time will help improve the air cleaner’s effectiveness.
- Place your air cleaner in the rooms where you spend more of your time such as your living room or bedroom.
- Replace filters regularly and follow all air cleaner manufacturing maintenance instructions.
Read EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home for more details and tips.
U.S. Department of Education Encourages Use of American Rescue Plan Funds to Improve Ventilation and IAQ in Schools
Indoor air quality is critical to reopening schools safely and keeping them open. The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance encouraging the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to improve ventilation systems and make other indoor air quality improvements in schools to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 and tackle longstanding school ventilation improvement needs. The new Department of Education guidance highlights EPA resources to support investments in improved ventilation and indoor air quality. Use the following resources from EPA to supplement the information in the guidance:
- Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Visit this page for the latest guidance on best indoor air practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.
- Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Ventilation is an important approach to lowering concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including viruses. Increase the ventilation in your school with outdoor air when possible.
- Air Cleaners, HVAC filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Air cleaners and HVAC filters can help to reduce viruses and pollutants in the air. Consider upgrading the HVAC filters in your system and using safe, effective portable air cleaners to supplement HVAC filtration. Note: Do
not use air cleaners that intentionally generate ozone in occupied spaces.
- Implementing a Layered Approach to Address COVID-19 in Public Indoor Spaces: A layered risk reduction approach is best to limit airborne transmission of COVID-19 – learn how to combine increased ventilation and filtration with other CDC recommendations, such as wearing masks and social distancing.
Be sure to subscribe to CodeTalk, HUD’s Office of Native American Programs newsletter, for webinars and opportunities!
RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: Week of February 7 – February 11, 2022
RESOURCES & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Now Hiring!
TAMS Tribal Air Monitoring Technology Specialist
Being Age 55 or Older is Good for The Environment! The Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program offers unique opportunities in Scientific, Technical, and Administrative / Office support for individuals age 55 and over to support the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a grant administered program through National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC). This is a unique program where your talents, expertise and experience will truly be valued. The EPA provides a wonderful work atmosphere, and you’ll be working side-by-side with EPA staff that are doing important work every day. Pay & Benefits: Pay rate: $18.01 /hr. Benefits: Paid Health Insurance Premium if working 30+ hours per week, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Time, Paid Federal Holidays plus one Individual Holiday, and optional Vision and Dental Insurance available. Must be U.S Citizen and age 55 or older to apply. The duties of this position must be performed onsite at the EPA office location in Las Vegas, NV.
For Full Description and to Apply Click Here
ETR (Education, Training, and Research) is seeking a Project Coordinator.
The Project Coordinator will report to the Director of Tribal Projects, this position will be responsible for coordinating, developing, and executing the California Clean Air Project (CCAP) scope of work (SOW) components of the project. These include but not limited to, facilitating and training Tribal representatives, coordinating other capacity building assistance and related activities, coordinating and ensuring delivery of day-to-day deliverables, planning and designing specific project deliverables, contributing to ideas to project/department strategic planning and resource development, and assisting in writing reports, proposals, re-applications and progress reports, all with general oversight of supervisor.
For More Information and to Apply for this Position click here
ETR (Education, Training, and Research) is seeking a Project Coordinator II Tribal Community Coordinating Center (TCCC). The Project Coordinator II (TCCC) will report to the Director of Tribal Projects, the Project Coordinator manages the day-to-day operations of one large project or multiple small projects (600K or less). Plans, coordinates, designs, and delivers project activities in the ATOD content area, specifically Tribal Community Coordinating Center (TCCC) Project. Writes reports, supervises staff, assists in resource development, and contributes to business unit strategic planning. California-based position.
For More Information and to Apply for this Position click here
Spark Northwest is seeking a Program Director for their Seattle, Washington Office.
Spark Northwest seeks a dynamic leader who is passionate about clean energy and social justice to join our team. The Program Director oversees the design and delivery of Spark Northwest’s clean energy programs. This position is responsible for all aspects of program administration including charting strategic direction, overseeing the project managers, and evaluating success. The Program Director also manages institutional funding relationships with local governments, utilities and foundations. This position reports to the Executive Director.
How to Apply
Position will remain open until filled, but applications received by Friday February 11th will receive priority consideration. Expected start date is early April. Please submit the following to jobs@sparknorthwest.org with the subject line: “Your Full Name, Program Director”:
- A cover letter explaining how this position aligns with your previous experience and career goals
- A current resume with specific dates of employment (month/year)
- A writing sample reflecting your original work
Spark Northwest is seeking a Part-Time Policy Manager for their Washington & Oregon Offices
Spark Northwest seeks a Policy Manager to serve as our point person on community generated clean energy policy in Oregon and Washington. We are looking for someone who shares our vision of a just transition to clean energy. The Policy Manager cultivates relationships with allies and deploys our policy strategy to advance clean energy that benefits BIPOC and low-wealth communities.
How to Apply
Position will remain open until filled, but applications received by February 12th will receive priority consideration. Expected start date in early April.
Please submit the following to jobs@sparknorthwest.org with the subject line: “Your Full Name, Policy Manager”:
- A cover letter explaining how this position aligns with your previous experience and career goals
- A current resume with specific dates of employment (month/year)
- A writing sample reflecting your original work
The Clean Energy Corps is hiring. We need talented, diverse, kind, and hardworking people like you to join this team.
With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Clean Energy Corps is charged with investing more than $62 billion to deliver a more equitable clean energy future for the American people by:
- Investing in American manufacturing
- Creating good paying jobs
- Expanding access to energy efficiency and clean energy for families, communities, and businesses
- Delivering reliable, clean, and affordable power to more Americans
- And building the technologies of tomorrow through clean energy research, development, and demonstrations
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is hiring a Sustainability Specialist and want to reach as wide an audience as possible. You can also get there through this link.
Public Lands Internship Program (PLIP)
The Public Lands Internship Program (PLIP), which is a partnership between Northern Arizona University and various land management agencies, such as the National Park Service (NPS). The Northern Arizona University (NAU) Public Lands Internship Program (PLIP) aims to place 10 or more interns and practicum students from the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) as well as other partner colleges at NAU each year.
Current internship opportunities are available at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Flagstaff Area, Aztec Ruins, and Montezuma Castle National Monuments; and Grand Canyon National Park. Indigenous and Native American students are strongly encouraged to apply. Visit the PLIP website for more information and please share these internship opportunities with your networks.
You can find a great listing of Indian Country jobs on NCAI’s website here.
Ambient Air Quality/EPA/NTAA/Tribes
NEW! EPA is accepting air quality monitoring grant applications!
With funding from the American Rescue Plan, EPA is opening a grant competition for a total of $20 million to enhance ambient air monitoring in communities with health outcome disparities from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Entities eligible to apply include States (including the District of Columbia); local governments; U.S. territories and possessions; Indian tribes; and community-based, nonprofit organizations. For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.
Applications must be submitted no later than February 25, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST. EPA expects to award the grants in summer 2022.
Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through www.grants.gov. For tips and more information on how to apply through Grants.gov, visit the EPA Grants page: https://www.epa.gov/grants.
NEW! Communication Channels for NASA Funding Opportunities
Please consider signing up for the following communication channels. These channels will ensure that you are informed of student engagement and other funding opportunities:
- Register for an account with NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). You’ll need to create an account, if you don’t already have one. Once you have an account you’ll be able to sign up for notifications to be alerted when new funding opportunities are released. There are sometimes opportunities released specifically for Minority Serving Institutions (including TCUs and other indigenous serving higher education institutions) so it’s good to receive the notifications to stay on top of new opportunities.
- Sign up for our MUREP Newsletter which goes out every 2 weeks on Fridays.
- Check our MUREP website for announcements regarding MUREP specific funding opportunities.
NEW! EPA recently shared documents from the May 2021 Workshop on Wildfire Smoke and Children’s Health.
The workshop summary recaps expert presentation and topics discussed during the May event. The recommendations were drafted by multistakeholder workgroups and contain a collection of evidence-based information for decision making and for developing educational materials.
You can find the documents attached and posted on the AirNow website: https://www.airnow.gov/wildfire-guide-post-publication-updates/
At this site you will also see a link to A Story of Health, a multimedia eBook from the Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit that explores how our environments interact with our genes to influence health across the lifespan. The latest chapter, Sofia’s Story, explores the health effects of wildfires. Go directly to Story of Health here: https://wspehsu.ucsf.edu/main-resources/for-clinical-professionals/training/a-story-of-health-a-multi-media-ebook/. For more information, contact EPA’s Martha Berger at Berger.Martha@epa.gov.
Office of Research and Development recently conducted planning discussions regarding the WSMART program. One decision we are activating now is a testing partner loan option during periods of lower wildfire activity (winter through early spring), with loans for up to 3 months. The website FAQs were updated today to outline that option (refer to: “Can I request this equipment to try out before the next wildfire season?”): https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/wildfire-smoke-air-monitoring-response-technology-wsmart-pilot
To view and/or receive ITEP’s American Indian Air Quality Training Program newsletter, Native Voices, click here!
Climate Change/Energy
Join NCAI’s Climate Action email listserv here!
Sign up for the Alliance for Green Heat’s newsletter!
To view and/or receive ITEP’s Climate Change newsletter, click here!
Toxics/Mobile Sources
Recent additions to OTAQ’s website in August 2022
You can access these additions as well as new press releases and Federal Register notices related to OTAQ on our website.
Indoor Air Quality
Resource for Healthy Indoor Air Quality
Check out the website https://forhealth.org/ for many resources related to healthy homes and indoor air quality!
The Tribal Healthy Homes Network (THHN) has a webpage dedicated to Funding Opportunities! Additionally, THHN has developed a Funding Guide for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities.
Most Recent Listing: EPA Rules from the Federal Register can be found here.
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PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD: Week of January 31 – February 4, 2022
PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD
Indian Country Today – Ruling stands, McGirt not to be overturned
Kelsey Cooper holds a sign and argues with the panel to address post-McGirt concerns on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 in Tulsa, Okla. The panel ended early as frustration grew among audience members with the panel. (Michael Noble Jr./Tulsa World via AP)