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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A midwinter pipe failure serves to emphasize the need for a reliable source of water for the people of Rocky Boy's Reservation.
The settlements, negotiated during the past eight years, were approved in December 2016 under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act.
This video provides a walk-through of a direct filtration plant and lots of details on each step of the process.
This is the first in a three-part series dedicated to operator math. The tips below are adapted from information provided by the South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.
A handy list of all the online tools available for water system operators to run many of the calculations needed for daily operations.
This blog post provides some additional resources in operator math and ideas for keeping those skills honed.