EPA Seeks Input From American Indians

 WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting comments from federally recognized tribes on the proposed EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes. 

On Nov. 5, 2009, under Executive Order 13175, President Obama directed all federal agencies to develop plans to assure regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials. EPA began soliciting input from tribes in January on the agency’s plan to develop a consultation policy. 

The proposed policy seeks to accomplish several important objectives: 1) establish clear agency standards for the consultation process; 2) designate individuals across EPA responsible for serving as consultation points of contact for both tribes and agency employees to promote consistency and coordination of the consultation process; and 3) establish a management oversight and reporting structure that will help ensure accountability and transparency. 

EPA has scheduled the following national consultation conference calls to answer questions and seek input on the proposed policy from federally recognized tribes. Please note new dates for the conference calls and the public comment period. 

Thursday, July 8, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT 
Call in number: 866-379-5082 / Conference ID# 75500839 

Monday, July 19, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT