Date wrapper:
Dec
2

Webinar on Tribal Water Rights

When
December 2, 2020 - 10:00 AM
Where
Online
Sponsors
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cost
Free—public meeting

Siuslaw River wetlands.\Photo by Rena Olson, with support from Lighthawk.

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) is seeking a stronger role in management of water quality.  Oregon Shores strongly supports this effort.

An information webinar on this issue is being hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-noon.

What is happening is that CTCLUSI has applied to EPA Region 10 for “treatment in a similar manner as a state” (TAS) for the purpose of developing and administering water quality standards under Section 518 of the Clean Water Act.

Approval of the application would allow the CTCLUSI to adopt, review, and revise water quality standards pursuant to Section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act, and to certify that discharges comply with those water quality standards pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act for all surface waters within the boundaries of CTCLUSI’s Reservation and trust lands.  For more information, and to view key documents, go here.

The topics to be covered during the webinar include:

  1. The authorities provided to tribes and EPA under CWA Section 518(e).
  2. The criteria established by the CWA and applied by EPA when evaluating a TAS application.
  3. The lands the CTCLUSI assert jurisdiction over.
  4. An overview of the state/tribal water quality standards development process and EPA review and action under CWA Section 303(c).

There will be an opportunity to ask questions during the webinar. The proceedings will be recorded for the official agency record.

The webinar is open to all members of the public. A valid email address is required to access the webinar, which will take place in Microsoft Teams. If you do not have a Teams account, you can join on the web, using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.  To register, contact renkens.rachael@epa.gov, and provide your name, affiliation if any, and contact information.

To join the webinar by phone only, call 1-206-800-4483 and enter conference ID 864877216#.

 

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