environmental Strategist, between the lines: If you work with Indian Nations share this recent EPA memo with them. This “reaffirmation” means the EPA is going to be taking a closer look at environmental issues on tribal lands. This subtle warning about “Change” by the EPA means now is the time to make sure your environmental issues are in order.
With regard to EPA fines and penalties against individuals and/or businesses, the EPA has a 98% conviction rate.
Memirandum
EPA Indian Policy
Lisa P. Jackson
In 1984, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency became the first federal agency to adopt a formal Indian Policy. Today, 25 years later, I am proud to formally reaffirm that policy. By my action, EPA reiterates its recognition that the United States has a unique legal relationship with tribal governments based on the Constitution, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, and court decisions. EPA recognizes the right of tribes as sovereign governments to self-determination and acknowledges the federal government’s trust responsibility to tribes. EPA works with tribes on a government-to-government basis to protect the land, air, and water in Indian country.
EPA’s tribal program has evolved since the Indian Policy was first adopted. Many significant milestones and successes in the EPA-tribal environmental partnership during these years can be directly traced to the EPA Indian Policy and the EPA-staff commitment to the EPA Indian Policy.
Today, EPA faces unique challenges that both the President and I believe require a full commitment to our nation’s environmental and energy future: Leading the world in reversing our collective greenhouse gas emissions’ growth, decreasing our dependency on foreign oil, creating millions of new jobs in emerging clean-energy technologies, and reducing the pollution that can endanger our children. A clean energy environment is to this decade and the next what the Space Race was to the 1950s and 1960s, and, as America moves forward, tribes are essential partners in this future.
It is an important day in our partnership with tribes as EPA builds on past successes and strives to meet current and future environmental challenges in Indian country. Please join me in continuing to build a strong partnership with tribal governments to protect human health and the environment in Indian country.
Sincerely,
Lisa P. Jackson