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Newsletter #36 for January 2017
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Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program 

In 2016, a grant for $100,000 was awarded to partners in Northern California, including the Yurok Tribe, to protect 47,000 acres within four watersheds in northern California's temperate rainforest. If this seems like the kind of project your tribe could benefit from, consider applying for a 2017 grant!  Deadline for Proposals: February 1, 2017. Click here to get started, or to find out more.

Red Canyon Water Brings Infrastructure Funding to Indian County

 A new program called Red Canyon Water LLC donates $0.12 per bottle sold to fund projects that provide tribes access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, including, but not limited to, well construction, water delivery infrastructure, the delivery of water, fill station engineering and in-home improvements. Manager and co-owner Ryan Smith has worked in the U.S. Senate where he secured the passage of legislation providing federal funding for Indian tribes throughout the United States. He continues to work as an attorney, working with tribes to obtain funding for critical water infrastructure. Red Canyon Water will fund projects in Native American reservations throughout the United States. To get more information please click here

FY 17 Tribal Competitive Clean Water Act Section 319 Grants

January 25th is the deadline to submit proposals for watershed-based plans and on-the-ground projects that make progress towards solving Nonpoint Source impairments on a watershed-wide basis. Eligible tribes and intertribal consortia need to have approved NPS assessment and management programs and TAS status as of October 14, 2016. Eligible entities are encouraged to submit proposals that develop and/or implement watershed-based plans designed to protect unimpaired waters and/or restore NPS-impaired waters. Eligible tribes and intertribal consortia may apply for competitive funding by submitting a proposal for up to a maximum budget of $100,000 of federal CWA section 319 funding (plus the additional required match of the total project cost). Click here for more information.

FEMA Finalizes Pilot Guidance for Tribal Disaster Declarations Process for Stafford Act Disasters

FEMA has announced the release of its Tribal Declarations Pilot Guidance and the start of the pilot phase of tribal declarations under this new guidance. The pilot guidance is the product of over three years of tribal consultation and development of a Stafford Act declarations process specifically for tribal nations. It incorporates key changes based on comments FEMA received from tribes. The final pilot guidance can be found here

Events for Tribal Water Systems

NAWMA January 2017 Training
Wednesday, January 25 | Alpine, California
Hosted by Rural Community Assistance Corporation

NAWMA sessions occur on a regular basis throughout the year and are coordinated by RCAC technical assistance providers. January topics include: Region 9 Regulations Update, Protecting Water Quality in the Distribution System and the Sanitary Survey Learners Guide. This free training is eligible for 4 continuing education contact hours. | Click here for more information.

Very Small Water System Training and Exam
January 23-27 | Topeka, Kansas
Hosted by Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc./Tribal Water Systems Program

The General Module training course is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of Tribal personnel entering into the career path of water and wastewater system operations for the first time. The General Module provides a solid foundation of understanding of the principles of electricity, hydraulics, water and wastewater systems, basic math, and federal regulations. This training is highly recommended for those who endeavor to apply for Level 1 water or wastewater operator certification. | Click here for more information.

Effective Practices for Writing An Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG)
Tuesday, January 31st, 1 pm Central Time
Hosted by the Native Learning Center

This free webinar will provide an overview of the components of the ICDBG application, how to develop a successful application, and the scoring process. | Click here for more information. 
Want to find additional training opportunities for operators,
including events in your area?
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Featured Resources

Field and Laboratory Guide to Freshwater Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms for Native American and Alaska Native Communities 
U.S. Geological Survey

The USGS has responded to threat of Harmful Algal Blooms on Tribal lands by producing The Field and Laboratory Guide to Freshwater Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms for Native American and Alaska Native Communities. It can be found here: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015–1164, 44 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151164. More information can be found here.

The author of this report, Dr. Barry Rosen, is actively seeking live samples from Tribal waters. Contact for sending samples or questions: Barry Rosen, brosen@usgs.gov; phone: 407-803-5508.

Have a different question?
You can find thousands of helpful resources in our database.
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In the News

Pueblo of Laguna Granted Federal Authority to Protect Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting the Pueblo of Laguna N.M. authority to administer its own water quality standards and certification programs under the Clean Water Act. Laguna is the 54th tribe of 567 federally recognized tribes nationwide to receive authority over the water quality standards and certification programs.

Alaskan Village, Citing Climate Change, Seeks Disaster Relief in Order to Relocate
The small Tribal village of Newtok wants the federal government to declare the impact of climate change in their community an official disaster. Villagers say it's their last chance at unlocking the funds needed to relocate the entire community.

EPA Funding for Arizona Tribes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced $13 million in funding for Arizona tribes to support environmental programs, infrastructure for drinking water and wastewater and community education.

Incoming Chair of Senate Committee On Indian Affairs Wants Water Protectors to Leave Camp
The incoming chairman of the U.S. Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator John Hoeven (R – North Dakota) is in favor of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Tribe Official Faces Criminal Charges in Flint Water Investigation
A tribal official from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians has been charged for making false claims and circumventing funds in connection with Flint water investigations.

EPA Orders Navajo Tribal Utility Authority to Address Sewage Leak
The US EPA has ordered the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority to replace a damaged pipeline that delivers raw sewage to the Shiprock Wastewater treatment facility.

Chippewa Cree Seek Action Following Water Crisis
A midwinter pipe failure serves to emphasize the need for a reliable source of water for the people of Rocky Boy’s Reservation.

Tribal Leaders Celebrate Four More Water Right Settlements in Indian Country
The settlements, negotiated during the past eight years, were approved in December 2016 under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act.
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