Yesterday, we received an inquiry that I don't know how to begin to
address. Marjorie Meyers, Planning Director for the Narragansett Tribe
had recently attended a local EPA session on general conformity with the
Clean Air Act, and shared her dilemma on how conformity requirements
impact on transportation and planning. Her question: How do tribes
self-regulate to meet EPA Clean Air requirements while still promoting or
sustaining economic development? Even though little or no air pollution
is generated from their own tribal lands, they must still stay within
compliance levels for the geographic area. If the pollution is already
bad in the area, the tolerance margin is so low that tribes are hampered
in economic development possibilities. She said, <How do you have
development from a zero baseline?> She wonders how the Clean Air Act,
state implementation programs, ISTEA legislation and tribes are to fit
together in developing rules that accomodate self regulation and
development, while allowing for compliance.
If you have information or clarity to offer on this subject, please
respond. Thank you.
Alice Karsama
Tribal Technical Assistance Program
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 487-3475
fax (906) 487-3409
email aakarsam@mtu.edu