Time-Sensitive U.S. EPA Office of Water Information

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Time-Sensitive U.S. EPA Office of Water Information

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From: Gude, Karen
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2018 8:44 AM
Subject: Time-Sensitive U.S. EPA Office of Water Information and Tribal Participation Opportunities - May 2018

Dear Tribal Partners and EPA Regional Indian Coordinators –
The EPA Office of Water would like to share some time-sensitive information and important participation opportunities and activities related to the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. This information and these events may be of interest to tribes, and provides tribes an opportunity to engage with EPA on water-related topics. Please feel free to forward this information, as appropriate.
I. Idaho Tribal Fish Consumption Survey Results Webinar Scheduled for May 22.
On May 22 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Pacific Time), EPA Region 10 will hold a webinar for tribal governments throughout the U.S. to share information on a survey of tribal fish consumption in Idaho completed in 2016. The survey characterized current fish consumption rates (FCRs) using state of the art statistical modeling methods as well as historic (i.e., heritage) FCRs. EPA will present the survey methodology and findings. Joe Oatman from the Nez Perce Tribe, one of the four tribes that participated in the survey, will offer tribal perspectives on the study and use of its resulting data in environmental regulation. The surveys, along with other background information, can be found on EPA’s Idaho Tribal Fish Consumption Survey website. Join the webinar on May 22 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through EPA’s Adobe Connect Idaho Tribal Fish Consumption Survey website. Audio is also available by calling 202-991-0477, and enter conference code 3335164. For more information, please contact: Mary Lou Soscia (503-326-5873; soscia.marylou@epa.gov) or Lon Kissinger (206-553-2115; kissinger.lon@epa.gov).

II. EPA Issues Request for Comment on Discharges via Direct Hydrologic Connection to Surface Water. Comment period closes May 21.
EPA has issued a request for comment on how pollutants that are discharged into groundwater that flows through a direct connection into jurisdictional surface waters should be treated under the Clean Water Act. Over the years, the courts, EPA, states, tribes and local communities have addressed this type of pollutant source in different ways under the Clean Water Act. The Agency wants to hear from all stakeholders about a number of key issues, including whether EPA should provide guidance or rulemaking or should review and potentially clarify any previous Agency statements on the issue of how discharges from point sources that reach jurisdictional surface waters through groundwater is treated under the Clean Water Act and in the Agency's permitting program. This input will help inform potential next steps that could provide clarity on this issue. The 90-day public comment period will close on May 21, 2018. The Federal Register notice is available here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documen ... to-surface. For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/industrial-wastewater.

III. EPA Announces WIFIA Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects. Letters of Interest due July 6.
EPA has announced the availability of approximately $5.5 billion in credit that could finance over $11 billion in water infrastructure projects through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Prospective borrowers seeking WIFIA credit assistance must submit a letter of interest by July 6, 2018. EPA’s WIFIA program will host webinars and information sessions for prospective borrowers to foster a greater understanding of the WIFIA program requirements and pave the way for successful applications to the program. A WIFIA Letter of Interest Submission and Selection Process Question and Answer Session has been scheduled for May 30, 2018, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ET). To register, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/wifia/wifia-resourc ... tionanchor

• To learn more about this year's Notice of Funding Availability: https://www.epa.gov/wifia/how-apply-wif ... e-0#notice
• To read EPA's News Release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-an ... e-projects

IV. 2018 National Capacity Development and Operator Certification Workshop Scheduled for August 8-10, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, in coordination with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, is planning a national Capacity Development and Operator Certification workshop to be held at the Westin Indianapolis Hotel from August 8 – 10, 2018. This workshop is held every three years and focuses on capacities related to drinking water utilities. New for the 2018 workshop is a tribally focused meeting beginning August 8. Sessions of the workshop may focus on training and certification of tribal drinking water utility operators; asset management; coordination between technical assistance providers; and coordination with federal agencies for infrastructure development. The workshop will provide the opportunity for participants to share success stories and brainstorm new ideas on program functions. Organizations involved with tribal capacity development and operator certification from across the country are invited to participate. Space is limited, so please contact Sam Russell at (russell.sam@epa.gov, 202-564-4012) if you are interested in attending or have any questions.

V. 2018 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum Scheduled for August 13-16, 2018, in Spokane, Washington. “Early Bird” Registration Ends June 29; Online Registration Closes August 3.
The 8th annual Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF) will be taking place at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington, August 13-16, 2018. This year’s forum will feature special trainings, field trips, and breakout sessions focused on the conference theme: A National Conversation on Tribal Land and Water Resources. Topics highlighted at the forum include solid/hazardous waste management, brownfields, UST/LUSTs, Superfund sites, and emergency response. Tribal water program topics – water quality, drinking water, and habitat restoration (including wetlands, streams and fisheries) will also be included with breakout sessions, trainings and field trips. Please visit the TLEF conference website at: https://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Conferences/confr_tlef to:
• Register for this year’s TLEF at the Spokane Convention Center
• Reserve your vendor space
• Research lodging options
• Access materials from past TLEFs
VI. EPA Releases Mobile Version of EPA's EJSCREEN
EPA recently launched its new mobile device optimized version of EJSCREEN, the Agency's nationally acclaimed environmental justice screening and mapping tool. This mobile version makes accessing EJSCREEN easier than ever. This new mobile version contains the same key functions and features as the full version of the EJSCREEN tool in a more compact layout. This includes the ability to select locations, access reports, and to map environmental, demographic and EJ indicators. EJSCREEN was built as an online computer tool for EPA staff to look at environmental and demographic factors related to environmental justice as we develop programs and policies that impact low-income, minority, and other overburdened communities. However, it was built for use on standard desktop and laptop computers. The Agency found that this desktop format is not always accessible to many stakeholders working in environmental justice communities. After we released EJSCREEN to the public, we received feedback that the tool could be more mobile device friendly. In addition, website analytical data showed that more than 50% of users accessed the EJSCREEN tool from a mobile device. As a result, we developed this mobile version to be responsive to our user’s needs. And EPA will continue to make enhancing EJSCREEN based on feedback a top priority.
• For more information on the mobile version of EJSCREEN, please read the blog: https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2018/04/ejscr ... -near-you/.
• For more information on EJSCREEN: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen.



Karen Gude
Tribal Program Coordinator
U.S. EPA/Office of Water
Phone: (202) 564-0831

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