Tribal Consortia in Region 10
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About Tribal Consortia
An “intertribal consortium” or “tribal consortium” is a partnership between two or more tribes that work together to achieve a common objective. An intertribal consortium that is authorized by the governing bodies of its member tribes may apply for assistance from the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) to help those tribes address their environmental priorities.
Learn more about intertribal consortia in EPA's Guidance on the Award and Management of General Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2022).
Learn how to apply for a GAP grant on our funding page.
Region 10 Consortia
Regional Consortia
Alaska Consortia
Idaho/Oregon/Washington Consortia
Consortia Activities
A consortium’s activities should meet its members’ needs. Following are a few examples of activities consortia in Region 10 have undertaken on behalf of their members.* These activities are grouped into five areas (although other areas are certainly possible):
- Communication with Members
- Grants Administration/Management
- Financial Assistance
- Partnership Building
- Environmental Assistance
* Please note that consortia should conduct the work outlined in their approved GAP workplans. If you wish to add new activities, contact your Tribal Coordinator.
Communication with Members
Tribal consortia can:
- Conduct a needs assessments with each member and use the results to tailor assistance without duplicating efforts. Reach out frequently throughout the year to continue assessing member needs and interests. Document the results.
- At least annually, request and document feedback on the value of the consortium’s services. Share these results with members.
- Help review members’ EPA-Tribal Environmental Plan (ETEP) and work plans.
- Develop newsletters, email listservs, Internet groups, and other communication channels to:
- Address environmental and administrative topics relevant to GAP.
- Share member tribes' successes and lessons learned.
- Provide information about upcoming events.
- Address common questions and concerns.
- Communicate effectively with tribal councils, keeping them apprised of important information related to GAP and including them in activities as appropriate.
Grants Administration/Management
Tribal consortia can:
- Provide mentoring to help new tribal staff understand the job. Help them learn how to:
- Apply for a GAP grant (i.e., develop a work plan and budget; complete federal forms; and upload documents in Grants.gov).
- Use ASAP, SAM, Grants.gov, and other Internet sites relevant to a GAP grant.
- Use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other computer programs essential to the grant work.
- Connect members to training, funding, environmental experts, and other resources that will help them meet their goals.
- Help members develop or update plans, such as Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), EPA-Tribal Environmental Plans (ETEPs), Small Community Emergency Response Plans (SCERPS), and Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans (ISWMPs). Develop regional plans if appropriate.
- Develop a GAP manual for the members that lists key contacts, important resources, key procedures, and other regional information.
- Find or create templates for job announcements, monthly budgeting spreadsheets, and other tools to help members do their jobs more efficiently.
Financial Assistance
Tribal consortia can:
- Help members understand the financial requirements of the grant (i.e., how to complete federal financial forms, complete drawdowns, track expenses, and maintain effective financial files) and respond to requests for financial information from EPA.
- Help members learn how to locate additional financial resources to help the tribe accomplish its environmental goals and/or develop effective grant applications.
- Fund regionally appropriate activities or items that serve the members. Examples include:
- Paying for backhaul disposal and related supplies, such as Freon removal kits.
- Sponsoring regional events.
- Purchasing air, water, or soil sampling supplies and loaning them to members.
- Purchasing and loaning equipment to members, and organizing training to ensure the members have the information they need to use the equipment properly.
- Awarding mini-grants to member tribes to help them pursue work plan goals.
- Host grant writing trainings that build capacity.
Partnership Building
Tribal consortia can:
- Develop effective relationships with state and federal government experts, training providers, other tribes and consortia, and other organizations that could assist members.
- Participate in local committees, boards, and/or councils.
- Host monthly or quarterly teleconferences with member tribes to encourage networking and information sharing.
Environmental Assistance
Tribal consortia can:
General
- Provide environmental education to members relevant to their work plans and/or organize presentations by environmental educators.
- Provide regular support to members on EPA consultation opportunities, proposed rules, environmental implementation actions, and guidance documents.
- Provide reference materials and talking points for members to use in establishing and supporting their positions during government-to-government consultation.
- Provide support for member tribes to meaningfully participate in land, air, and water quality management programs administered by EPA.
- Coordinate with EPA, other federal agencies, state environmental and health agencies, and tribal and environmental organizations to participate in policy making.
Solid Waste
- Arrange training for members on proper backhaul procedures, Freon removal, drum testing, and other activities related to removing waste from member communities.
- Collect and/or transport solid waste/recycling from member tribes to the local transfer station/recycling center.
- Arrange for and coordinate backhaul for members.
Air
- Engage with EPA and other organizations on climate adaptation and assessment.
- Support and coordinate tribal participation in regional forums on climate adaptation, pollution prevention, and environmental remediation.
- Assist tribes with approved air monitoring activities.
Toxics
- Develop the capacity of member tribes to meaningfully participate in chemical safety, risk assessment and pollution prevention consultation and processes related to the Toxics Substances Control Act.
- Support a coordinated regional approach with member tribes to monitor toxic chemicals.
- Develop and enhance staff expertise and skills to identify, address, and manage issues where toxic chemicals in commerce impact the health of tribal fisheries.
Water Quality
- Assist tribes with approved water monitoring activities.
- Help tribes develop a monitoring program framework to track toxics trends in fish, water, and sediments.
- Participate in TMDL implementation processes.
- Participate in state and local planning to better manage stormwater pollution.
- Participate in state and local efforts to control harmful algae blooms.
Emergency Planning
- Participate in regional emergency response planning and training.
- Develop the skills to evaluate threats from the accidental release of oil, chemical substances, or biological wastes.
- Develop partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies to design and implement protection and monitoring actions following accidental releases of oil, hazardous substances, or biological wastes.
- Compile relevant data on the impact of a spill release so members can make program development decisions.
- Participate in forums with federal, state and local partners to improve tribal participation in emergency response.