EPA Office of Water Consultation August 1 & 9

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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 webinars for tribes regarding a new water quality monitoring measure that shows where tribes are having success in protecting quality waters in Indian country. 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. Upcoming tribal webinars on New EPA Strategic Plan Measure SP-14b for water quality monitoring stations in Indian country --July 24 & August 1
EPA is initiating consultation and coordination with Indian tribes on the definition for a new EPA strategic plan measure to demonstrate progress and success in protecting and maintaining quality waters at monitoring stations in Indian country. EPA introduced measure SP14b in the Fiscal Year 2012 National Water Program Guidance in response to tribal requests for EPA to adopt a measure that shows where tribes are having success in protecting and maintaining quality waters in Indian country, as supported under Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 106 and 319 grant funding. Tribes eligible under the CWA to receive Sections 106 and 319 funding may be impacted by this measure, as EPA seeks to work with tribal water programs in measuring tribal water quality. We are seeking input in defining this measure, including what tribal benchmark criteria should be used, and how best to determine "no degradation" of a quality water.
EPA is hosting two information webinars (Note: an internet link to register for the webinar will be sent out next week):
July 24, 2012
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 Eastern Standard Time
Teleconference number: 1-(866) 299-3188 Code: 2025661273
and
August 1, 2012
Time 12:00 - 1:00 Eastern Standard Time
Teleconference number: 1-(866) 299-3188 Code: 2025661273
EPA will also be hosting a final consultation conference call on August 9, 2012 from 3:00 - 4:00 Eastern Standard Time, using the same teleconference number (1-(866) 299-3188, Conference code 2025661273). The EPA contact for this action is Laura S. Johnson, 202-566-1273.
Here is a copy of the consultation notification package that was mailed to tribal leaders last week:
This will also be posted to the EPA Tribal Portal Tribal Consultation Database.
Thank you.

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

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