Time Sensitive EAP Office of Water Tribal Participation

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Dear Tribal Partners and EPA Regional Indian Coordinators,
The EPA Office of Water would like to share some time-sensitive information on upcoming consultation and coordination events on two regulatory actions, and an update on the draft Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels. This information and these events may be of interest to tribes, and provide tribes an opportunity to engage with EPA on water-related topics. Please feel free to forward this information, as appropriate.



Upcoming EPA OFFICE OF WATER Tribal Consultation Events in 2012
Date of Event Topic Logistics

January 12, 2012 Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General Permit

Tribal Information and Consultation Session
Detailed presentation of VGP and sVGP requirements Presentation and Teleconference time: 2:00 - 3:00 p,.m. EST
Teleconference number: (866) 299-3188
Teleconference Code: 2025640719

EPA Contact: Robin Danesi, 202-564-1846
January 20, 2012 Draft National Primary Drinking Water Regulation on Perchlorate

National Tribal Information and Consultation Session Presentation and Teleconference time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EST
Teleconference number: (866) 299-3188
Teleconference code: 2025644689

EPA Contact: John Bennett, Bennett.johnb@epa.gov, (202) 564-4690


January 31, 2012 Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General Permit

National Tribal Consultation Teleconference
Presentation of VGP and sVGP Requirements Presentation and Teleconference time: 1:00 pm-2:00 p.m. EST
Teleconference number: (866) 299-3188
Teleconference Code: 2025640719

EPA Contact: Robin Danesi, 202-564-1846
February 28, 2012 Draft National Primary Drinking Water Regulation on Perchlorate

National Tribal Consultation Teleconference Presentation and Teleconference time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST
Teleconference number: (866) 299-3188
Teleconference code: 2025644689

EPA Contact: John Bennett, Bennett.johnb@epa.gov, (202) 564-4690

1. Attached are two consultation and coordination notification letters that have recently been mailed to all tribal leaders, and contain additional information:


Draft National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General Permit :


Note: Tribes may also want to participate in "public meetings" on the VGP in Washington DC (January 11, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) and in Chicago, Illinois (January 23, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time) EPA is planning another webcast, date yet to be determined. For more information on the public meetings, visit: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels.


Draft National Primary Drinking Water Regulation on Perchlorate:



2. Head's up regarding draft Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels

Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future. EPA is working to ensure that America's shale gas resources are developed responsibly so that public health is protected as the nation gains important economic and energy security benefits. To do so, the Agency is taking action to improve our scientific understanding of hydraulic fracturing, provide regulatory clarity with respect to existing laws, and use existing authorities to enhance health and environmental safeguards.

After broad outreach seeking input from a range of stakeholders, the EPA has developed a draft guidance outlining how the current UIC permitting requirements apply to oil and gas hydraulic fracturing injection wells using diesel fuels. The guidance will help permit writers ensure that these underground injection activities are conducted in a way that does not endanger underground sources of drinking water, consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act as amended in 2005.
EPA transmitted the draft guidance to the Office and Management and Budget for review. After OMB's review, the Agency plans to release the draft guidance for public comment in early 2012.
On June 2, 2011, EPA held a tribal webinar on this action. For a copy of that presentation, please visit: http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/u ... nar508.pdf



Please visit: www.epa.gov/tribal and click to: EPA Tribal Portal>>Consultation>>Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System to see all current and upcoming tribal consultation actions at EPA and related attachments. (Note there may be a delay in posting tribal consultation letters)



Happy Holidays!!



Felicia Wright, Tribal Coordinator
EPA Office of Water (OW)
Phone: 202-566-1886

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mailcode 4101M
Washington, DC 20460