Time Sensitive Water Updates from EPA

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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 new upcoming training opportunities, a wetlands project, and an additional consultation event that will follow the webinar on Proposed Guidance on Waters of the United States. 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.



1. New training opportunity: EPA's Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Operation, Maintenance, and Management Training for Tribal Operators and Leaders

From June to October 2011, EPA will be sponsoring a series of in-person training workshops for Federally recognized Tribes and Alaskan Native Villages across the country to help increase participants’ skills and knowledge in the operation of wastewater and drinking water treatment systems.


The first training workshop will be in Seattle, June 21-23, 2011. Sign up soon! Registration is open until 24 hours prior to the workshop, but Seattle hotel arrangements should be made by June 1st to guarantee your reservation.


For more information, including the training schedule, how to register, and a 2-page training flyer, go to: http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/tri ... 7_2011.cfm

2. New Wetlands Water Quality Standards Development Project

Development of water quality standards for wetlands has proven to be a challenging topic over the years. As part of EPA's work with the states, the Association of State Wetlands Managers (ASWM) is undertaking a project through an EPA grant to identify best practices that can be used in creating standards for wetlands. To do this ASWM will:
• Gather information from the states about how wetland water quality standards are currently used in 401 certification and dredge and fill permitting programs, assessment reports, restoration activities and watershed plans;
• Hold a series of conference calls and webinars to share information and encourage discussion;
• Develop a list of best practices and publish these on the ASWM website at: http://www.aswm.org

Relevance of this project for Tribes. The ASWM recognizes there there will be significant differences between state and tribal water quality programs, and that there may also be commonalities to draw upon to inform and improve best practices. ASWM welcomes participation by interested tribal staff on the conference calls and webinars. If, in the course of those discussions, issues specific to tribes are identified, ASWM plans to work with EPA to hold one or more calls specifically for the tribes. To learn more, ask questions and/or participate in the conference calls and webinars, please contact Jeanne Christie jeanne.christie@aswm.org (207) 892-3399 or Jon Kusler jon.kusler@aswm.org (518) 872-1804 at the Association of State Wetland Managers.


3. Tribal Consultation on Draft Clean Water Protection Guidance re: Waters of the United States
Tribal Webcast: Thursday, May 26, 2011

Please join us for a one-hour Webinar on May 26. You must register in advance to attend this webcast.
This webinar will provide background and details regarding EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Draft Clean Water Protection Guidance. There will be time for questions. The target audience for this webinar is tribal leaders or their designees, and interested tribal representatives.

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/981245211

Title:Webinar: Tribal Consultation on Draft Clean Water Protection Guidance - Damaris Christensen
Date:Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time:1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

NEW: Tribal Consultation Teleconference between tribal consultation officials and EPA senior managers: Wednesday, June 15, 2011
All interested tribal representatives and designees are welcome to participate on the call.
Teleconference time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Teleconference call-in number: 1-866-299-3188
Conference code: 202 564 5066#

For more information, please contact Damaris Christensen at christensen.damaris@epa.gov or Felicia Wright at wright.felicia@epa.gov.


4. Underground Injection Control Permitting Guidance for Hydraulic Fracturing Activities using Diesel Fuels Webcast: Thursday June 2, 2011
EPA is developing permitting guidance under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class II wells for hydraulic fracturing activities that use diesel fuels in fracturing fluids. The Agency is holding technical webinars with specific audiences to gain information that will be used to help inform this guidance. This webinar is intended for tribal representatives to discuss the guidance and provide an opportunity for input. Space is limited. Please register at the following link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/436162619. For more information, please contact Sherri Comerford, at comerford.sherri@epa.gov.

Agenda:
2:00-2:40 – Underground Injection Control 101 and background on permitting guidance
2:40-4:00 – Participants provide input on key questions

EPA has updated the EPA Tribal Portal with this information as well at: http://www.epa.gov/tribal/calendar/webinars.htm


Thank you.

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

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