INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK (IEN)Environmental Protection of Tribal Lands and the EPA
Most Tribal environmental protection programs that have been developed are dependent upon EPA funding. Many of the proposed specific and across-the-board cuts within the Senate and House would significantly reduce funding levels for Indigenous environmental programs. If the House gets their way, there are no guarantees in their proposal for Indigenous environmental funding and all Indigenous programs could be eliminated. At least in the Senate proposal, the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program will be saved with a level of funding of $15 million, even though this level of funding is far below the amount that is needed. The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), other Indigenous environmental grassroots groups, Tribal governments, and people of color environmental justice networks, in the early 1990's charged the U.S. EPA with environmental racism due to their not fully implementing their Indian Policy of 1984. This inaction of EPA has created serious inequities in funding levels, grants and technical assistance available to Tribes, to develop environmental protection programs, as compared to states. Since then, with the new Administration, the EPA has taken action to address these environmental inequities, with initiatives to bring Tribal environmental protection on par with states. Tribal governments are just now in the beginning phases of developing nationwide capacity to address environmental problems and protect human health. At this time, most Tribes still do not have even one person on staff to address environmental protection needs. Any reduction to the EPA Agency at this time would significantly impact the health and environment of Indian Tribes in a profound negative manner. Legislative proposals amending section 518 of the Clean Water Act (such as HR 961) and the amendments of sections 24 and 26 of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (such as Title V of HR 1627) would change federal law and policy regarding Tribal authority to regulate the environment within reservation's political boundaries. These proposals will eliminate Tribal authority to implement programs under these acts for reservation lands owned in whole or in part by non-members of the Tribe. This is contrary to the tremendous strides during the past couple years in Indigenous environmental justice to gain Tribal authority to implement delegated environmental programs within all exterior boundaries of Tribal reservations. These proposals would undermine the Tribes ability to protect reservation environments through coherent management within Tribal political boundaries. In addition, legislative proposals further are recommending reduction in EPA enforcement programs. Because states do not have environmental jurisdiction within Indigenous territories and most Tribes do not have enforcement capacity, illegal toxic dumping and underground injection as well as other activities that harm the environment and threaten public health, may go unabated. EPA reduction in work force could also mean reduction in the Agency staff working on Indigenous enforcement issues and programs. Current legislative proposals definitely will eliminate EPA's ability to implement environmental programs, particularly water. Across Indigenous territories, protecting water quality is one of the highest priorities because of the significant impact water has on Tribal health, economic welfare, and cultural and religious values. Efforts to set water quality standards and monitor water quality status; minimize wetland losses; set appropriate permit limits for sewage treatment plants and industrial discharges; and enforce permit violations all would be affected.
WHAT YOU COULD DO. Call your Senators (202) 224-3121. Tell them you oppose any further attempts to weaken current environmental laws and tell them that you are concern about the proposed cutbacks in EPA funding. Tell them that these cutbacks would disproportionately impact the ability of our Tribes to protect our environment and health of our people. CALL THE WHITE HOUSE: (202) 456-111. Tell President Clinton to VETO the budget reconciliation bill if these environmental de-regulation and weakening of environmental laws are passed. Tell him you oppose the Senate and House legislative proposals to reduce funding to the EPA Agency which would devastate vital Tribal environmental and health funding. While you are talking with your Senators and the President: Tell them you oppose any language in the budget reconciliation bill that would: TRANSFER FEDERAL LAND TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE PROPOSED WARD VALLEY RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMP. This land transfer and siting of the radioactive dump is opposed by Ft. Mojave Tribe and other Colorado River Tribal Nations. TELL THEM THAT YOU OPPOSE LANGUAGE IN THE BILL THAT WOULD OPEN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TO OIL DRILLING. The opening of ANWR to oil leasing is opposed by the Athabascan Nations of the Arctic villages. TELL THEM THAT YOU OPPOSE PROVISIONS ADDED TO THE ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH "INTERIM" STORAGE OF HIGH- LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE IN NEVADA. THIS WOULD SET INTO MOTION THE UNPRECEDENTED TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE ACROSS 43 STATES. THE PROPOSED SITE FOR STORAGE OF THIS NUCLEAR WASTE IS ON "CLOUDED" LAND TITLE - YUCCA MOUNTAIN. THE WESTERN SHOSHONE NATION CLAIM THIS LAND UNDER THE RUDY VALLEY TREATY NEGOTIATED WITH THE U.S. DURING THE 1800'S. THE WESTERN SHOSHONE NATION OPPOSES NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE ON THEIR LAND!
INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK - NATIONAL OFFICE
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