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Subject: Tribal Meeting on Clean Water Act
Author: Denise Bambi Kraus <bambi@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu> at SMTP
Date: 5/25/95 11:46 AM
Tribal Clean Water Act Meeting in Washington, DC
From: The National Tribal Environmental Council
2221 Rio Grande, NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104
505/242-2175 fax: 505/242-2654
NTEC is concerned about H.R. 961, particularly House amendments to
Sec. 518 that will seriously affect tribal authority to regulate
water quality programs in Indian country. In response to these
actions, NTEC is facilitating a three-day meeting in Washington, DC
for tribes to mobilize and express their tribal positions regarding
H.R. 961.
H.R. 961 contradicts tribal sovereignty and the federal Indian
policies of self-governance and intergovernmental cooperation. EPA
established the treatment as a state (TAS) program, with approval by
Congress, to authorize tribes with the primary authority to develop and
implement water quality programs to protect the health and welfare
of the reservation populations. The current language of H.R. 961
will effectively eliminate tribal authority over lands owned in
part or whole by non-members. Tribes will also be subject to
overly burdensome administrative review and face greater challenges
in federal district court over tribal authority.
Several tribes have sent letters to Congress to urge the
elimination of amendments to Sec. 518; however, the House
leadership has continued to march toward the destruction of Sec.
518. Tribes need to work with the Senate to deter any efforts to
include similar language in a Senate Clean Water Act bill.
NTEC proposes to accomplish this purpose by convening a forum for
tribes to receive a briefing and to strategize for Congressional
meetings. A one-day session will be held on June 20 with all
invitees. The briefing will assist tribes with scheduled meetings
on June 21-22 on the Hill. NTEC is also considering scheduled
meetings with other national environmental organizations for the
attending representatives from tribal organizations.
NOW is the time for tribes to work together and prevent any
potential amendments to Sec. 518. NTEC will develop an agenda for
June 20 and distribute at a later time, however, a draft plan is
attached for your consideration. If your tribe/organization will
be attending, please fax the attached confirmation form to NTEC as
soon as possible. We look forward to working with you and seeing
you in D.C.
If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Pardilla (Penobscot),
Executive Director, NTEC, or Jill Peters, NTEC, at 505-242-2175.
PLAN FOR TRIBAL CLEAN WATER ACT MEETING
Hosted by the NTEC
Proposed Dates: June 20-22
Purpose:
Host one-day strategy meeting for Tribes regarding recent activity
on Clean Water Act Amendments. Two-day lobbying activities for
Tribes to visit congressional delegation.
INVITED PARTICIPANTS
TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS:
National Congress of American Indians; Council of Energy Resource
Tribes; All Indian Pueblo Council; Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona;
Nevada Indian Environmental Coalition; Native American Fish &
Wildlife Society; United South and Eastern Tribes; Columbia River
Inter-Tribal Fish Commission; Affiliated Tribes of Northwest
Indians; Tribal Operations Committee
TRIBES:
Member Tribes of NTEC (64 Tribes)
Other Tribes as determined
PARTICIPANTS:
Don Wharton, Native American Rights Fund
Kevin Gover, Gover, Stetson & Williams
Sam Deloria, American Indian Law Center
Dean Suagee, Hobbs, Strauss, Dean & Walker
George Waters, Consulting Services
Eric Eberhard, LynDee Wells, Dorsey & Whitney
Bob Pelcyger, Fredericks & Pelcyger
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF:
Steve Heeley, Staff Director, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Loretta Tuell, Minority Counsel, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Chris Stearns, Subcommittee on Native American and Insular Affairs
ARRANGEMENTS:
All participants will be responsible for own travel and lodging
arrangements.