National Tribal Water Council

Transcription

1 National Tribal Water Council

2 Who We Are The National Tribal Water Council is a technical and scientific body consisting of Tribal scientists with water related experience in Indian Country, including Alaska 2

3 What We DO We assist the EPA, federally recognized Tribes, including Alaska natives, with research and information for decision-making regarding water issues and water-related concerns that impact Indian Country 3

4 AGENDA Why was SP-14b Developed? What is Measure SP-14b? Who Will be Involved? How Does This Affect the Tribal Clean Water Act Programs? What are the Next Steps in This Process? Who can We Go To for Questions? 4

5 Why was SP-14b Developed? It is a measure developed to recognize Tribal efforts to protect and maintain water quality in Indian Country It is a Strategic Plan indicator measure proposed in the National Water Program Guidance for Consideration in future EPA Strategic Plans 5

6 What is Measure SP-14b? Focuses on identifying where protection and maintenance of water quality has occurred in Indian Country Tracks where water quality is meeting applicable benchmark water quality criteria over a two year minimum period that is current 6

7 What is Measure SP-14b? If you have more than two years of data that meets or exceeds applicable benchmark water quality criteria, include that as well The more data, the better Indicator measure that, at a minimum would start in 2012 into the current reporting period 7

8 What is Measure SP-14b? The data to be used is from existing monitoring locations This measure is not asking Tribes to do new monitoring just to use a current monitoring location that shows no degradation 8

9 SP-14b Definition WQ-SP14b.N11 - Identify monitoring stations on tribal lands that are showing no degradation in water quality (meaning the waters are meeting tribal water quality objectives). (cumulative) 9

10 SP-14b Definition PURPOSE: To pilot the identification and tracking of tribal monitoring locations in Indian country that meet water quality benchmark criteria and show no degradation from the criteria over a period of at least two years into the current reporting period. 10

11 Measure SP-14b WQ Criteria Benchmark Water Quality Criteria: EPA-approved Tribal water quality standards where available In all other situations, Tribes may choose benchmark criteria such as Draft tribal standards Tribal standards adopted under tribal law EPA recommended criteria Neighboring state water quality standards 11

12 Measure SP-14b WQ Criteria Benchmark criteria should be documented within a Tribe s EPA-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) Benchmark criteria must be at least as protective as EPA s Clean Water Act (CWA) section 304(a) national recommended water quality criteria 12

13 Spencer Springs, Hualapai Tribe 13

14 Spencer Springs, Hualapai Tribe Spencer Springs is a spring from the Canyon Wall which discharges into the Colorado River. The water quality from Spencer Springs is considerably better than the water quality found in the Colorado River Spencer Springs is an Outstanding Resource Water of the Hualapai Tribe. It is considered as a pristine source. This water meets the Tribal Designated Uses for Cultural Practices. The water chemistry which is shown in the next 2 slides is not relevant to the Tribal Designated Uses and meets the Water Quality Standards as approved by the Hualapai Tribe 14

15 Spencer Springs, Hualapai Tribe Temp C Escherichia ph /5/2013 9/10/14 0 9/5/2013 9/10/ /5/2013 9/10/14 15

16 Spencer Springs, Hualapai Tribe Specific Conductance us/cm 410 TDS g/l 2.5 Turbidity ntu /5/2013 9/10/ /5/2013 9/10/14 0 9/5/2013 9/10/14 16

17 Measure SP-14b Core Indicators The National Tribal Water Council proposed to EPA the minimum Core indicators for Tribes to participate are: ph Temperature Dissolved Oxygen Turbidity 17

18 Measure SP-14b Core Indicators If Tribes are collecting additional parameters, these should be included as well. This includes all relevant data. For Example, these can include but not limited to: Phosphorus Total Nitrogen, nitrate, NH4, etc. Pathogens 18

19 Measure SP- 14b Results Monitoring and Analysis to Demonstrate No Degradation Sampling, analysis, and assessment methods must be conducted in accordance with EPA-approved QAPP Report stations if tribal objectives set forth within the Tribe s QAPP for a particular station are meeting and maintaining associated benchmark criteria 19

20 Measure SP- 14b Results Need to demonstrate no degradation of related parameters over two year period to report for Measure SP-14b with the caveat that a station can show a degrading trend and still qualify for SP-14b as long as it is still meeting applicable benchmark criteria 20

21 Measure SP- 14b Results Supporting documentation for stations where no degradation has occurred Locational information of Monitoring Station (use the same data fields for EPA WQX/STORET submissions) Present summary data for demonstrating no degradation of water quality 21

22 Measure SP- 14b Results A brief narrative describing why water quality shows no degradation, including what action(s) took place to account for the no degradation, if any Example: tribal ordinance in place, NPS projects implemented, etc. Tribes can provide Measure SP-14b information in reports as agreed upon between Tribes and CWA Regional Project Officers 22

23 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Oconaluftee River 23

24 Oconaluftee River, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians DO mg/l DO mg/l Lower threshold 24

25 Oconaluftee River, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 25 Temp C Temp C Upper threshold 25

26 Oconaluftee River, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 9 ph su ph Upper threshold Lower threshold 26

27 Who Will Be Involved? Volunteer Tribal CWA Programs EPA Regions EPA Headquarters This is a Way of Showing Positive Environmental Results Associated with CWA Programs in Indian Country! 27

28 EPA Identified Objectives 1. Provide tribes with a measure that can represent tribal efforts to protect water quality in Indian country 2. Identify tribal stations to pilot the indicator measure. Strive to meet NTWC goal of 50 stations reporting on SP-14b by Participate in tribal outreach to further develop tribal capacity to report on the measure 28

29 EPA Identified Objectives 4. Determine protocol for reporting and tracking the measure 5. Support reporting on SP-14b beginning September of 2014 and beyond this date 6. Evaluate success with the indicator measure and transition into the Strategic Plan 29

30 How Does This Affect the Tribal CWA Programs? This is a Volunteer measure, to assist EPA with Showcasing Environmental Results Occurring in Indian Country This is Not a Grant Requirement Because this is a volunteer effort, funding is NOT linked to this measure to perform the tasks to report at a monitoring station Whether or not a Tribal Program volunteers for this measure, grant funding will NOT be affected by this measure 30

31 How Does This Affect the Tribal CWA Programs? EPA Intentions for SP-14b EPA intends to work with Tribes to implement this indicator measure The information supplied by the Tribes will be used to develop a long term strategic plan measure that demonstrates the successful outcome of Tribal efforts to protect water quality 31

32 Why should my Tribe participate? 1. This initiative is a result of input from Tribes 2. It can be used to show Tribes are good stewards of the environment 3. This initiative will show that Tribes have great waters and are protecting their waters 4. To maintain these waters and protect them, Tribes need to continue to receive Section 106 funding 32

33 Why should my Tribe participate? 5. It is an avenue for Tribes to reflect on their water quality programs and improve them 6. SP-14b will be included in the next EPA Strategic Plan, thus being a measure for EPA 7. Tribal capacity to report on the measure may be increased 33

34 Why should my Tribe participate? 8. This may show either a direct or indirect connection between successful Section 319 NPS projects and Tribal Section 106 programs 9. Congress will see Tribes are using their Section 106 funds to maintain their Water Quality, thus viewing this as a beneficial program whose impacts go beyond the Reservation 34

35 What are the next Steps? Determine if your Tribe has monitoring station(s) that fit the criteria of no degradation over two or more years Contact your EPA Regional Section 106 Tribal Coordinator Develop the method with your Tribal Coordinator to become part of the Tribal Monitoring Station Network for Measure SP-14b 35

36 Who can we go to for Questions? Your EPA Regional Section 106 Tribal Coordinator Laura Shumway, EPA HQ, Susan Holdsworth, EPA HQ National Tribal Water Council Steve Terry, Senior Project Coordinator Ken Norton, Chairman, 36

37 Special Thanks! Audrey Johnson, Region IX, Water Division, Tribal Office Susan Holdsworth, EPA HQ, OWOW, OW Laura Shumway, EPA HQ, ORISE, OWOW, OW 37

38 Have a Question? 38