TOP STORIES/HEADLINES: Week of November 7 – 9, 2022

NTAA News!

REMINDER! NTAA 2022 STAR Webinar Announcement! You are invited to join NTAA for a free webinar to showcase the 2022 Status of Tribal Air Report (STAR)

November 16^th, 2022, | 3:00 PM E.T. | You can join with this Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 874 6085 4795.

Webinar Password: star.

Or you can dial by phone: Find local Number

The NTAA’s 2022 STAR is an annual publication intended to provide an understanding of the importance and impact of Tribal air programs. Nationally vetted Tribal needs, priorities, and recommendations are all outlined, and the successes and challenges experienced by the environmental professionals are highlighted by way of personal narratives submitted by the Tribes themselves. A highlight of this year’s STAR is the Baseline Needs Assessment (BNA) that provides the first-of-its kind assessment that demonstrates the need for increased funding for Tribal Nations to address air quality and climate change on and around Tribal Lands. Join NTAA and Partners for this year’s release of the 2022 NTAA STAR!

REMINDER! U.S. EPA Informational Webinar for Tribes on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funding Programs

November 15, 2022, | 2:30 PM ET | Register Here

Consistent with EPA’s Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes (Policy), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering Tribes the opportunity to consult on the financial assistance program(s) identified in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Tribal governments are critical partners in achieving EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment, especially as the climate changes.

EPA is seeking input from Tribes on how EPA can use the IRA funding, based on the eligible activities and entities in the law. EPA would like to hear how we can support the efforts of Tribal governments and Tribal and indigenous communities to advance environmental and public health protection in Indian country and in other areas of interest to Tribes and indigenous communities in the United States, to include U.S. territories and free-associated states.

Tribal consultation will be held to obtain input from Tribes, based on the general programs authorized by the IRA. This consultation period will take place from October 28, 2022 – December 27, 2022.

NEW! Selections for the ARP Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring Competitive Grant

EPA is selecting 132 projects, in 37 states, to receive a total of $53.4 million to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants in communities across the country with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA will start the process to award the funding by the end of 2022, once the grant applicants have met all legal and administrative requirements. This table can be sorted by clicking on each column header. A downloadable version is available here.