CIEA would like to pay our respects and honor our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives. We draw on the words of our relative Kyle T. Mays (Saginaw Chippewa). “solidarity is not inevitable; it requires intensive labor, intentional compassion, and love. We will disagree, but we must work from a position of kindness and patience. We might get upset with one another, we might call each other out, but it should be done through love, and with the larger intention of ending the structural forces of antiblackness and settler colonialism. This work requires patience.”

We must do our part within the larger conversation and demand accountability as well as change. CIEA would like to take the time to offer space for our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives.

We stand in true solidarity with our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives and communities. We are committed to anti-racist work. CIEA would like to use our platform to denounce anti-blackness and colorism that our own Indigenous nations and communities have been complicit in. To our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives and community members, CIEA recognizes, honors, and celebrates you.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to [log in to unmask]

1. NAWMA Northern California
Hopland CA 02/06/2024
8:00 AM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4073

2. NAWMA Northern California
Hopland CA 02/07/2024
8:00 AM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4074

3. Southern California NAWMA
Pauma Valley CA 02/07/2024
9:00 AM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4102

4. Distribution 1 & 2 Expected Range of Knowledge Exam Prep
Needles CA 02/13/2024
8:30 AM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4037

5. Do the Math: Operator Certification Exam Preparation
Needles CA 02/14/2024
8:30 AM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4038

6. Revised Total Coliform Rule (California)
Online CA 02/27/2024
10:00 AM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4043

7. Revised Total Coliform Rule (California)
Online CA 02/27/2024
2:00 PM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4044

8. Central California NAWMA Quarter
CA 02/28/2024
9:00 AM
Register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=4108

The California Water Commission today approved a white paper that contains potential strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of drought. The white paper is in support of Water Resilience Portfolio Action 26.3, and will be shared with the Secretaries for Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Food and Agriculture, who requested the Commission’s engagement on this topic.

California is a drought-prone state. Climate change exacerbates drought conditions in California by creating hotter and drier baseline conditions, leading to more intense droughts. Additionally, climate change is creating the conditions for “weather whiplash” – a phenomenon California experienced in the 2022-2023 water year, swinging rapidly from severe drought to record-breaking precipitation events and flooding. To ensure California’s people and environment have sufficient water during times of drought, the State will need to adapt to this new normal of ongoing weather extremes.

“California has experienced two of the worst droughts in our state’s history in the last decade alone,” said Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “While we’ve invested billions across the state to become more drought resilient in light of this new reality, there’s more we need to do to prepare for the next drought, whenever it comes. These thoughtful recommendations by the Water Commission point the way forward and I’m eager to explore how these ideas can be applied in coming years.”

The Commission’s work on drought is forward-looking. The strategies proposed by the Commission integrate months of conversations with State agencies, experts, Tribes, water users, interest groups, interested parties, and the public. The Commission has taken the input it received and charted a through-line, developing four key strategies for augmenting California’s communities’ and fish and wildlife species’ drought resilience.

Scale up groundwater recharge. During flood events, when all other water rights and environmental needs are met, channeling excess flows to groundwater recharge can build drought reserves. The State can help scale up groundwater recharge by planning and preparing for recharge during times of high flow, promoting recharge efforts through outreach and financial incentives, efficiently permitting recharge projects, supporting the infrastructure needed to conduct recharge, and continuing to apply lessons learned.
Conduct watershed-level planning to reduce drought impacts to ecosystems. To enable fish and wildlife to be more resilient to drought, the State must support fish and wildlife during drought and work to recover ecosystem function during non-drought periods, supporting viable populations that can weather the next drought period. The State can help reduce drought impacts to fish and wildlife by improving water availability for species, advancing habitat restoration and conservation projects, integrating forest management into drought planning, and creating a plan to protect species during drought emergencies.
Better position communities to prepare for and respond to drought emergencies. During drought, communities need resources to ensure that vulnerable community members are safe in times of crisis. In advance of drought, they need support to help abate future vulnerabilities to water scarcity by improving water systems and integrating water use into land use planning. The State can help communities prepare for and respond to drought by offering climate disaster funding, ramping up efforts to improve water system resilience and regional water solutions, and supporting integrated land and water planning.
Support improved coordination, information, and communication in drought and non-drought years. In California, droughts need to be dealt with as a chronic phenomenon and not an occasional emergency. The State needs to continue to align its staff capacity, improve its data collection, and contextualize its drought communication, moving from a crisis mindset to recognizing drought as a natural and inevitable element of the state’s hydrologic cycle.
“Groundwater recharge to replenish our aquifers is a key water strategy for a hotter, drier future,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “It provides important ecosystem benefits, protects drinking water wells, and supports climate-resilient agriculture for healthy food production and thriving rural communities.”

The strategies and actions outlined in this paper are additive to the important work already underway by State agencies. The Commission expects State decision-makers to weigh whether and when to move forward with these suggested strategies.

“Drought impacts all of California’s water users, but some – small, rural communities and fish and wildlife – are particularly vulnerable,” said Commissioner Sandra Matsumoto. “The strategies proposed by the Commission will help the State protect these vulnerable water users in the event of drought. To move forward, water sectors, users, and managers must work together to minimize the impacts of drought on all Californians.”

The final white paper can be viewed by hitting the read more button below.

Every two years, the Estuary Partnership brings a focus to the management and ecological health of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. The State of the San Francisco Estuary Conference showcases the latest information about the region’s work to sustain and improve the estuary’s habitats, living resources, water quality, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship.

The 16th biennial State of the San Francisco Estuary Conference will be held March 12-13, 2024 in Oakland, CA at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts.

The pre-conference workshop “Environmental Justice 2.0 for the Bay-Delta Estuary: Lessons Learned from EJ Expert-Government Agency Partnerships and Models for the Future” will be held on March 11, 2024 at the Oakland Community Hub’s Community Event Space. The workshop is space-limited and tickets are first-come first-served.

Early bird registration ends February 9th

This training series is only open to California Tribal Environmental Departments (or equivalent Tribal programs) at this time. All courses will be held virtually over Zoom, and instruction will be recorded for posting online (Q&A will not be posted without the consent of attendees). All courses are free to attend. Each course will be less than 3 hours in length. Registration for each course will remain open until after the end of the course. Course announcements and updates will be shared via the California Water Board’s Tribal Matters and Safe to Eat Workgroup email lists.

What is Bioaccumulation?
The word bioaccumulation is used to describe the gradual buildup of pollutants in animals, including fish or shellfish. Bioaccumulation occurs when an animal absorbs the pollutants from their environment or through their diet. Pollutants that bioaccumulate include heavy metals like mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other chemicals. Humans are at the top of the food chain and when we eat animals that contain a lot of pollutants, we can experience several adverse health effects.

Bioaccumulation monitoring can give us information about which fish and shellfish are safer to eat, so we can enjoy the cultural and health benefits of eating fish and shellfish while minimizing our exposure to pollutants. Additionally, bioaccumulation monitoring can provide data and information to help evaluate how well government programs protect and restore water quality in California.

For more on bioaccumulation monitoring in California, see the SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program fact sheet (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Tagalog).

Training Series Background
The purpose of this training series is to support California Native American Tribes in developing programs in the areas of bioaccumulation monitoring, data analysis, and data use processes, and enable Tribes and other bioaccumulation monitoring groups to adopt those processes into their workflows and more easily partner with the Program and the Safe to Eat Workgroup.

The partnership between the Program and the California Indian Environmental Alliance in developing this training series is critical to ensure the training materials and content are tailored to broad and diverse audiences. Each training in the series will be recorded and the pertinent components of each recording and corresponding training materials will be published on the Program’s website so anyone can access and use them in the future.

If you have specific questions about the training series, please contact Anna Holder, STEW Co-chair & SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Coordinator at [log in to unmask] (preferred) or 916-341-5096.

To register, please hit the read more button to be directed to the registration link.

The Better World Group is partnering with the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) to develop an Environmental Justice Advisory Board to advance equitable ocean and coastal programs and policies along California’s Coast.

I hope you will please consider sharing this opportunity with folks in your network who are committed to environmental justice in California’s coastal regions. The application cab be found by hitting the read more button below. Application is due Friday, February 23, 2024. There are more details about the Advisory Board and what members can expect in the application.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Better World Group team at [log in to unmask]

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals’ Tribes and Climate Change Program (TCCP) is convening Volume 2 of the Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) report. The STACC report continues to seek and uplift the voices of Tribes/Indigenous Peoples on the impacts of and solutions to climate change in the context of the Indigenous peoples in the United States. The first volume was published in 2021. Volume 2 is focused on Indigenous and Traditional Knowledges.

A key component of the report, that distinguishes it from most other such efforts, is the inclusion of firsthand narratives at the beginning of each chapter that share experiences of responding to climate change from an Indigenous lens. We are seeking narrative contributions for the below topic areas to help elevate the impact of the report. The narratives are due on Monday, February 26, 2024.

Defining Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Preserving, Protecting, and Honoring Indigenous Knowledges

Cultural Preservation and Revitalization in the Face of Climate Change

Indigenous Water Justice

Cultural Burning/Good Fire

Young Leaders and Their Roles in Climate Action

Legal Challenges and Opportunities for Indigenous-Led Conservation

Indigenous-Led Conservation

Economic Impacts on and Possibilities for Indigenous Communities

Indigenous Ways of Not Knowing/Humility Within Indigenous Knowledge Systems


We welcome submissions in the form of written pieces with a maximum of 500 words; photo submissions; and audio and video recordings ranging from 5 to 10 minutes in length which may be selected for inclusion in the report as a link and on the report website. For examples of how the written submissions might look and feel, please see Volume 1 of the STACC Report. For a general example of how audio submissions might be created, please listen to the audio recordings from Voices of Grand Canyon.

You can fill out the Informed Consent Form online by hitting the read more button below.

We would be honored if you would be willing to contribute a narrative. Please email your submission, the topic that it covers, and any questions to Bazile Minogiizhigaabo Panek, Indigenous Consultant, at [log in to unmask]

The Delta Stewardship Council invites you to the Delta Adapts Draft Adaptation Plan Workshop, scheduled from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM on March 1, 2024, as part of the Council Meeting at the Jean Harvie Community Center (14273 River Road, Walnut Grove, CA, 95690) and online via Zoom.

This event holds particular importance as we explore strategies for adapting to environmental changes, specifically focusing on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh. They want to thank those who have been involved in past Tribal engagement and consultations, both for Delta Adapts and other initiatives, that have informed their work to date.

During this workshop, they will delve into crucial topics such as addressing the impacts of climate change, determining actionable steps, identifying responsible entities for implementation, and strategizing how to secure the necessary resources for adaptation efforts. Ensuring that considerations for Tribes are made regarding these topics is essential.

It's important to emphasize that this workshop is just one step in their engagement process. This event does not preclude direct tribal consultation, as they anticipate releasing the Draft Plan to Tribes for a 75-day consultation period. They are committed to engaging in direct consultation to ensure that the adaptation plan thoroughly considers and respects tribal perspectives, values, and heritage. The consultation requests are planned to be sent in the spring, along with the Draft Plan.

While registration is not mandatory for workshop participation, they encourage those considering attending in person to register to assist them in planning for the event. Registration link can be found below by hitting the read more button. They look forward to seeing you at the event and the discussion.

COMMUNITY ACTION FUND (CAF) – PURPOSE & INTENT
We support frontline organizers, action and movements in their work to DEFEND.

Indigenous Peoples, communities and Nations, and protect our land, air, water, and natural resources.

Community Action Fund (CAF) grants support direct actions and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time sensitive. CAF prioritizes frontline, grassroots and community-based efforts that defend Indigenous peoples rights, communities and nations, including responses to climate disasters.

Grant Amount: The average grant award is $15,000 but can range up to $40,000.

Grant Term: Grant terms are a maximum of six months.

WHAT DOES SUPPORT LOOK LIKE
CAF supports community organizing and movement building work designed to shift the political and financial systems that negatively impact our communities.

This may include direct action and climate disaster response efforts, comprehensive organizing work; frontline and camp infrastructure, and community-based response to climate disasters such as flooding, fires, earthquakes.

Direct expenses may include funding for travel, climate response items, supplies, equipment, consultants, contractual services and staff that support various forms of NVDA (non-violent direct action), i.e., marches, camps, boycotts, prayer vigils and walks that are part of an action, organizing or protest to affect change. Action may also include community-based response to climate events such as flooding, fires and earthquakes.


THE COMMUNITY ACTION FUND DOES NOT SUPPORT:
Ongoing planned projects/activities/service delivery programs
Annual operating costs
Bridge/gap funding
Scholarships
Capital projects or land purchase
Events
Sponsorships
Beyond the direct grants, Community Action grantees may receive support and amplification from the NDN Collective platform to get the word out about campaigns. Grantees are encouraged (but not required) to leverage the grant as a match to secure additional supporters and funding for their causes.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE COMMUNITY ACTION FUND
Grant Applications can be submitted by clicking the read more below.

Note: In order to receive an NDN Foundation grant, you or your group/organization must have a Tax Identification Number. You can apply as a non-profit organization, as an individual, a Tribe/First Nation, or as a business. The tax identification of the organization or individual becomes responsible for accountability of the grant and/or taxable income if applicable, and must be submitted with the application.

Don’t have a Tax ID Number? Please reach out to [log in to unmask] if you would like to receive more information about alternative tax options.

For more grants information contact:
English and French speaking applicants: Thomas Kenote, Program Officer, at [log in to unmask]

Spanish speaking applicants: Helen Aldana, Program Officer, at [log in to unmask]

Fluxx Portal Technical Support: [log in to unmask]

All other general grant inquiries: [log in to unmask]

ELIGIBILITY
NDN’s geographic grantmaking focus is Turtle Island (North America) and related Island Nations, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Borikén/Puerto Rico and the U.S. “Territories”: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Grantmaking may be provided to the following recipients:

Indigenous-led non-profit organizations within the U.S.

U.S. based Tribes, tribal non-profit entities or tribal programs, Alaska Native Villages or their non-profit entities

First Nations or Inuit and Metis communities, groups and organizations based in Canada

Indigenous communities, groups and organizations based in Mexico

Individual Indigenous people leading direct action or movement building work.

EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.

For more information, please hit the read more button below to be redirected to the EPA's website.

CIEA would like to wish our relatives across California an early Happy Winter Solstice.

The CIEA office is open by appointment. Staff is still available via email and through out telephones.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

Does your system have a capital improvement project and you are trying to figure out where to start in the state funding process? In this class you will learn about the resources available to identify funding opportunities, the requirements of a state funding application and how to request assistance so your system is prepared to execute a funding agreement.

Participants will learn:
· How to request technical assistance and the types of assistance available
· Resources for identifying state funding opportunities
· What to expect when completing a funding application

The recommended audience includes managers, board members and operators.

To register, please hit the read more button below.

The public comment period for the California Water Commission’s draft white paper “Potential State Strategies for Protecting Communities and Fish and Wildlife in the Event of Drought” is open through December 15, 2023.

Public comments can be submitted to [log in to unmask]

The draft white paper can be viewed by hitting the read more button below.

Commission staff will consider feedback from the Commission and the public to produce a final draft of the white paper that will be submitted for Commission approval at the January 2024 meeting.

$45 million in funding is available for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities.

Of the $45 million in funding available, $20 million is specifically available to U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and organizations that represent tribes through formal legal agreements, through direct awards or subawards:

A direct award is an award where the tribe is the applicant, receives an award from NOAA, and administers the award.
A subaward to a tribe is an award where a non-tribal applicant receives a direct award from NOAA, but provides a specific amount of funding to a tribe to carry out a portion of the award.
The remaining $25 million will be available to all eligible applicants, to support opportunities for tribes and underserved communities to meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities.

Proposals must be received through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern time on December 19, 2023. For more information, please hit the read more button to be redirected to NOAA's website where the info is housed.

For more info, please hit the read button below.

The National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) is a voluntary program that provides direct technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic organism passage and aquatic connectivity for the benefit of Federal trust resources. In doing so, NFPP aims to maintain or increase fish populations to improve ecosystem resiliency and provide quality fishing experiences for the American people. Activities that restore fish passage also support the modernization of the country’s infrastructure such as road culverts, bridges, and water diversions contributing to enhanced community resilience to the impacts from climate change and other public safety hazards. NFPP funds a variety of project types including, but not limited to, dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, and the installation of fishways. This funding is available through annual appropriations to the NFPP and is separate from NFPP funding provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). The NFPP is delivered through the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program (FAC) across all States and territories. FAC staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders, and other Service programs to identify and collaboratively implement projects within regional priority areas. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from FAC staff. Projects must be based upon sound scientific principles, advance the Service mission, and promote biological diversity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should contact the regional NFPP Coordinator that corresponds to the location of the project for additional information on regional priorities and coordination with FAC staff prior to applying for funding. Contacts are listed at end of this announcement. We use our staff and cooperative partnerships to provide: (1) information on habitat needs of fish and other aquatic species; (2) methods for fish to bypass barriers; (3) technical engineering support to develop or review project designs and recommend the most cost-effective techniques; (4) assistance to partners in planning and prioritizing fish passage projects; and (5) assistance in fulfilling environmental compliance requirements. Activities proposed under this award may include project planning and feasibility studies, engineering and design, permitting, on-the-ground fish passage restoration, near-term implementation monitoring, project outreach, and capacity to manage these project-related activities.

The AquaticNuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF) was established by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990, 16 U.S.C. 4721-28, as amended. The ANSTF serves to develop and implement a program for waters of the United States to prevent introduction and dispersal of ANS (also known as aquatic invasive species or AIS), monitor, control, and study such species,and disseminate relatedinformation.

Co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the ANSTF consists of Federal agency representatives and ex-officio representatives that work in conjunction with six regional panels and issue-specific subcommittees to coordinate efforts related to AIS across the Nation.Although prevention is the most cost-effective approach to eliminating or reducing the threat of invasive species, Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) serves as a failsafe when prevention measures are ineffective or unavailable.

The Department of the Interior (DOI or the Department) in coordination with federal agencies, states, tribes, territories, and other partners published “Safeguarding America’s Lands and Waters from Invasive Species – A National Framework for Early Detection and Rapid Response” in 2016. This report called for a focus on coordination and partnerships, science and technology, and strategic on-the-ground actions to detect invasive species that pose the greatest risk and swiftly respond to eradicate them before they establish, spread, and cause adverse impacts.

As part of strategically implementing funding made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, DOI identified advancing a National EDRR Framework as a priority and took steps to invest in supporting some of the institutional components of such a framework. To that end, DOI is working with partners to identify, enhance, and collaborate on EDRR activities, build new tools, and support coordinated processes to proactively find and eradicate new invasive species before they establish, spread, and cause harm. Specifics include identifying high risk invasive species and invasion hotspots across the nation to inform early detection efforts, developing molecular tools to aid detection capabilities, expanding capacity for on-the-ground rapid response actions, including the establishment of a pilot Rapid Response Fund for aquatic invasive species, and creating an online clearinghouse where managers can share current information to guide implementation.

The Rapid Response Fund addresses the need for readily available financial resources to assess and support response actions for quick containment or eradication of newly detected species. The Fund is a critical component of a National EDRR Framework and a priority need identified within the ANSTF’s Strategic Plan for 2020-2025 (Objective 3.3 https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ANSTF-Strategic-Plan-2020-2025.pdf). Accordingly the ANSTF’s Rapid Response Fund Working Group developed “The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species” (https://www.fws.gov/media/model-process-rapid-response-fund-aquatic-invasive-species) in 2023 to outline a structure and process for a Rapid Response Fund for AIS. This Notice of Funding Opportunity follows this process as detailed in the sections below. General information about the Fund and a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found through the read more button below.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of the draft policy, Achieving Health and Environmental Protection Through EPA’s Meaningful Involvement Policy, that outlines updates on how the Agency will engage with the public and provide meaningful public involvement in all of its programs and regions. This policy is grounded in the acknowledgment that EPA's actions further strengthen health and environmental protections when they are informed by individuals with lived experience.

This draft policy updates EPA’s 2003 Public Involvement Policy, and incorporates lessons learned over the past twenty years as it has worked to promote an agency-wide approach to providing meaningful involvement opportunities. EPA will apply the draft policy to all national program and regional actions that may benefit from public input. The draft policy describes 3 steps for meaningful involvement:

Identifying the decision(s) in an EPAaction that may be influenced by public input,
Using the public participation spectrum, and
Using the public participation model.

The draft policy will be available for a 60-day public comment period, ending on January 16, 2024.

Tribes may request consultation regarding this policy by January 5, 2024, by visiting EPA’s Tribal Consultation Tracking Opportunities System (TCOTS) website.

Comments can be submitted via:
Emailing: [log in to unmask];
Submit the contact us form: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/forms/epas-meaningful-involvement-policy-public-comment-submission
The draft policy docket: EPA-HQ-OEJECR-2023-0326at regulations.gov.

For more information, please hit the read more button below. If you have questions, please contact [log in to unmask]

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is calling for applications for the new cycle of the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grant program. This year’s call for proposals is aimed at organizations supporting environmental initiatives that will involve and empower Indigenous Peoples and communities and enhance climate adaptation by respectfully applying and protecting Indigenous knowledge systems.

The CEC recognizes the importance of working with Indigenous Peoples and communities—the original guardians and caretakers of territories in Canada, Mexico and the United States and whose environmental knowledge and practices, and unique perspectives are increasingly recognized, both at local and international levels, in many places today.

The 2024–2026 NAPECA grant cycle will support projects and partnerships that are led by or promote the active participation of Indigenous governments, organizations, communities and individuals, in full recognition of Indigenous rights and the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in environmental decision-making, including climate adaptation.

Information on the application process and the selection criteria are available in the call for proposals. The deadline for submitting proposals is 18 January 2024 (5:00 p.m. EST) and projects will begin in June 2024.

The CEC encourages applicants to submit proposals up to C$185,000. Eligible applicants are tribal nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities, entities which are incorporated as non-profit organizations, and academia in Canada, Mexico or the United States. There is no requirement that the proposed project necessarily be implemented in Indigenous communities. Rather, the requirement is that the project be implemented in collaboration and partnership with one or more Indigenous partners.

Eligible projects could address topics such as:

the sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems through Indigenous knowledge systems and practices
reducing habitat loss to conserve biodiversity and land
strengthening climate action to achieve a low-carbon emission economy (considering scientific, technical and Indigenous Knowledge)
improving air quality
improving community support networks for times of crisis
implementing nature-based solutions
Priority will be given to long-term environmental solutions that can demonstrate, through qualitative and/or quantitative indicators, a direct impact on communities, their well-being and health, their territories and capacities to address and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

To apply for the NAPECA grant program, get more information, or learn about previous grant recipients, please hit the read more button below.

For any questions, please contact [log in to unmask]

SGC is accepting proposals for the Tribal Capacity Building Pilot Program’s technical assistance (TA) provider solicitation and is hosting an informational webinar on Tuesday, December 5. We seek a TA provider that has significant experience working with California Native American tribes and providing technical assistance for climate-related federal and state grants.

The TA provider will work with 4-6 awarded tribes for a two-year grant term to evaluate capacity building needs and provide tribes with no-cost, flexible support that will respond to each tribe’s needs. The TA provider could offer support including trainings; assistance with grant application and management; support for planning and implementation; building partnership; facilitating peer learning; and fostering staff and economic development.

This Request for Quotes (RFQ) is published online in the California State Contracts Register. To view and ensure you receive any future addenda to this solicitation, we encourage you to register online at Cal eProcure by hitting the read more button below.

Proposals are due January 19, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. PT. Sign up for the December 5 webinar through this link,

The staff of the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) released the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Application materials for SGC’s newest grant program, the Tribal Capacity Building Pilot Program, on November 7. The pilot program provides funding and technical assistance to California Native American tribes to enhance staff capacity to advance tribes’ climate-related work. The program aims to assist tribes in developing long-term capacity to secure funding and implement tribal-led climate solutions.

The pilot program will award two-year grants to 4-6 tribes and fund staff salaries and activities that advance each tribe’s climate-related work. Activities may include planning, securing funding for, and implementing projects related to climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Eligible applicants include all California Native American tribes listed on the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) Contact List, including federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribes. A non-federally recognized tribe is eligible to apply if they are registered as a nonprofit, a for-profit corporation, or a limited liability company. SGC will award between $150,000 and $250,000 to each tribe it selects for the pilot two-year grant term.

Applications are due February 5, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. PT. For more info, please hit the read more button below.

On July 1, 2023, the settler colonial nation known today as "Canada" celebrated the construction of their anti-Indigenous nation that dispossessed and made their livings off the backs of our Indigenous relatives across Canada. CIEA stands in solidarity with our Indigenous relatives in Canada. Indigenous communities have suffered under the colonial structures built that serve as a tool to reinforce systems of racial and cultural inequality within settler colonial societies.

We must do our part within the larger conversation and demand accountability and reparations such as land back and other acts of Indigenous resistance. CIEA would like to take the time to offer space and a moment of silence for those children who were taken so soon from us.

We stand in true solidarity with our Indigenous relatives and communities in Canada and commit to anti-racist work. CIEA would like to use our platform to denounce anti-Indigeneity perpetrated by settler colonial societies like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and across the globe.

The CIEA office is physically closed to the public unless you have an appointment or meeting with us. We will continue to work remotely and are available via email and through our phone, our messages are checked daily.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

The Living Cultures Grant seeks to sustain and strengthen traditional arts in the state of California with $5,000 grants to individual artists/culture bearers and $12,500 grants to California-based nonprofits and Tribal Nations, as well as other organizations and community groups who work with fiscal sponsors.

Through this grant program, ACTA supports nurturing cultural continuity, sustaining cultural practices, and engaging our own communities and others through public programs. Projects involving any genre of traditional art—including but not limited to dance, music, foodways, material arts, and oral traditions—are welcome. For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The California Water Commission respectfully invites you to participate in a discussion about drought strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife from the impacts of drought. These drought discussions are a continuation of the Tribal small-group discussions on drought impacts that the Commission hosted last November.

The Commission has been tasked with supporting the Governor's Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative on policy options for managing drought. The focus of the Commission's investigation is on small, at-risk communities and water dependent ecosystems. This is a forward-looking effort, in anticipation of future droughts. The Commission is bringing in different viewpoints to better understand the issue and will ultimately produce a white paper that will be delivered to State decision-makers for their use when setting policies and making investments related to drought.

Since November, the Commission has developed a suite of preliminary drought strategies nested under the following, overarching concepts:

Improve Coordination and Communication During Drought and Non-Drought Years
Scale Up Groundwater Recharge
Reduce Ecosystem Impacts of Drought
Better Position Communities to Respond to Drought Emergencies


These concepts were presented to the Commission at its April meeting. You can view the PowerPoint here: https://cwc.ca.gov/-/media/CWC-Website/Files/Documents/2023/04_April/April2023_Item_9_Attach_1_PowerPoint_Final.pdf.

The Commission is now looking to get feedback on these strategies and to delve into areas that are missing.

Water Commission staff would like to hear from Tribal representatives from around the state. We would be honored to have your participation in this effort. We invite you to attend one or more of the following discussions (the agenda will be the same for all of them). You can register at any time, including the day of the event.

Monday July 3, 12 pm - Registration:
https://stantec.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tJMpcu6hrjspHNbRgtsdQjjG0OpcrqDoI0Hz#/registration

Wednesday July 5, 11 am - Registration: https://stantec.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tJ0lceitqj4iGNy4t2ePzZ5Hls141Q0e6swT#/registration

Thursday July 6, 1 pm - Registration:
https://stantec.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tJYucu2rrTwqEtSYtNHhDOWzkXcOjyKZrgak#/registration

If you have any questions, please email Laura Jensen: [log in to unmask]

The Supreme Court’s delivered another ruthless blow to the environment in Sackett v. EPA.

In a 5-4 decision, the Court eliminated longstanding Clean Water Act protections for wetlands that lack a "continuous surface connection" to larger bodies of water. Over 118 million acres of formerly protected wetlands now face an existential threat from polluters and developers.

In Sackett v. EPA, Earthjustice submitted an amicus brief on behalf of their clients — 18 tribes who depend on clean water for food, economy, and culture. But the Court rejected their concerns in favor of a deregulatory approach that serves industry at the expense of people downstream who rely on clean water for their health, livelihoods, and way of life.

The conservative justices went out of their way to rewrite the Clean Water Act, ignore the text of the statute, and gut protections for wetlands. Even conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh found this ruling extreme, pointing out that the majority has replaced "adjacent" waters with "adjoining" waters — directly contradicting the plain text of the Clean Water Act:

"Put simply, the Court's atextual test - rewriting ‘adjacent’ to mean ‘adjoining’ - will produce real-world consequences for the waters of the United States and will generate regulatory uncertainty. I would stick to the text. There can be no debate, in my respectful view, that the key statutory term is ‘adjacent’ and that adjacent wetlands is a broader category than adjoining wetlands. To be faithful to the statutory text, we cannot interpret ‘adjacent’ wetlands to be the same thing as ‘adjoining’ wetlands."

The Court ignored both science and the text of the law in this case. Wetlands are often connected to larger bodies of water through underground connections, temporary surface connections, and other types of flow.

“The Court’s decision to deregulate wetlands will hurt everyone living in the United States. Earthjustice will continue to fight to protect our waters to ensure the health of communities and ecosystems for decades to come.”

This Supreme Court represents a major challenge for the environmental movement, but we are not deterred. Over two-thirds of Americans want stronger environmental regulations, and your contributions allow us to bring hundreds of cases to court across the country.

In the 50 years since the Clean Water Act was passed, tremendous progress cleaning up our nation’s waterways. Do not stop working to strengthen water protections at the EPA, engage in lawsuits to protect communities from water pollution, and restore Clean Water Act protections through the legislative process.

What does this program do?

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Who may apply?

This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

Most state and local governmental entities
Private nonprofits
Federally-recognized tribes
What is an eligible area?

Areas that may be served include:

Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less -- check eligible addresses
Tribal lands in rural areas
Colonias
What kinds of funding are available?

Long-term, low-interest loans
If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.
How may the funds be used?

Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
Storm water collection, transmission and disposal
In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

Legal and engineering fees
Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
Start-up operations and maintenance
Interest incurred during construction
Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list
What is the loan term and rate?

Up to 40-year payback period, based on the useful life of the facilities financed
Fixed interest rates, based on the need for the project and the median household income of the area to be served
Contact us for details and current interest rates applicable for your project

Are there additional requirements?

Borrowers must have the legal authority to construct, operate and maintain the proposed services or facilities.
All facilities receiving federal financing must be used for a public purpose.
Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and nonprofit entities that offer financial assistance are encouraged.
Projects must be financially sustainable.
How do we get started?

Visit RD Apply

Applications are accepted year round and may be filed electronically using RD Apply. The RD Apply Customer Help Guide is provided to help you get started and work through the application process
Applications are also accepted through your local RD office.
Program resources are available online (i.e., forms, guidance, certifications, etc.).
Who can answer questions?

Contact the local representative who serves your area
Participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training
What governs this program?

Basic Program – 7 CFR, Part 1780
Loan Servicing – 7 CFR, Part 1782
Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses. Good practices can save tax dollars, improve the natural environment, and help manufacturers and businesses to locate or expand operations.

NOTE: Program details may change over time. Before you begin an application, please confirm you have the most current information by contacting a program specialist in your local RD office for assistance or consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Governs this Program?"

This Department of Energy grant will support Tribes to install clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal buildings; deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or energy storage on Tribal lands; or install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation to power essential Tribal facilities during emergency situations or for Tribal community resilience. Awards range from $100,000 to $5,000,000.

For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

Model EJG2G programs should leverage existing resources to develop processes or tools that integrate environmental justice considerations into governmental decision-making at all levels. Formerly known as EPA's State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Program (SEJCA), this program has been renamed to better reflect the spectrum of entities eligible for this funding.

For more information, please hit the read more button.

Completion of the recent Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment in 2022 was the first step in developing a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan, which is a priority of the City of Palo Alto’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The Assessment identifies potential hazards from sea level rise that are anticipated later this century. The development of the Adaptation Plan will include strategies and a timeline for adapting and protecting the City, community, and natural assets in the decades ahead.

For more information or to read the assessment in its entirety, please hit the read more button below.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is continuing consultation and coordination with federally recognized Indian tribes on a proposed rulemaking that would establish federal baseline water quality standards (WQS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) for waters on Indian reservations that currently do not have CWA WQS in place.

EPA conducted tribal engagement and consultation on the concepts reflected in this proposed rule on two separate occasions – the first in 2016 to inform the Agency’s 2016 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Federal Baseline Water Quality Standards for Indian Reservations and the second between June and September 2021, prior to drafting the proposed rule. We are resuming consultation and coordination because EPA has just signed the proposed rule and will soon be initiating public comment. This proposed rule reflects input received during the pre-ANPRM and pre-proposal consultation periods.

This invitation for consultation and coordination provides tribes an opportunity to share input and comments with EPA on the proposed rule now that it has been released for public review. The proposed rule was signed by the EPA Administrator on April 27, 2023 and will soon be published in the Federal Register for a 90-day public comment period.

The invitation also provides an opportunity for tribes whose waters may be covered by the baseline WQS to engage in dialogue with EPA in circumstances where the tribe seeks to be excluded from coverage by the baseline WQS rule. The timeframe for a tribe seeking to be excluded from the rule to communicate to EPA begins upon publication of this proposed rule in the Federal Register and ends 90 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

To download a copy of the pre-publication version of the proposed rule, please visit the following website: https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech/promulgation-tribal-baseline-water-quality-standards-under-clean-water-act.

The tribal consultation letter and consultation and coordination plan and an accompanying Questions & Answers document are attached. These consultation materials are also available on EPA’s Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System (TCOTS) website located at: https://tcots.epa.gov.

EPA will hold a listening session via webinar for Rribal leaders and staff on Thursday, July 6, 2023, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm (ET). To register, please visit EPA’s website for this rulemaking by hitting the read more button below.

The 90-day consultation and coordination period for this action is from May 3, 2023 – August 1, 2023.

For any questions, please contact James Ray by email at [log in to unmask] or by phone at (202) 566-1433.

You are invited to a California Water Commission workshop to explore ways that the State can adapt to changing hydrology and ongoing weather extremes. Following three years of severe drought, California experienced a winter of extreme wet weather this year. Being able to endure the next severe drought is dependent upon making smart, preemptive water management decisions during non-drought years.

In support of Action 26.3 in California’s Water Resilience Portfolio, the Commission is developing proposed strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife during drought. At the workshops, the Commission will gather information regarding the impacts of drought on communities and species and will discuss drought strategies.

The public is encouraged to share their ideas and opinions.
The Commission hopes to hear from a diverse set of participants. Please feel free to forward the invitation to anyone you think may be interested.

Time: Noon to 3 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Register here
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tZYqdu2gqzwrGtGiQsveOAfH6P35DB8yf-Og

Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Register here
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tZArcOmgqjoqE9aWVCa60NhqbSCAUN3nZHOP

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, July 27, 2023
Register here
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register
/tZMvduiupjsvGdZ3y5yUKVRUYn4-YNU0AoDM

The EPA Office of Research and Development is making available air monitoring technology to support supplemental air monitoring in areas affected by wildfire smoke and with observational data coverage gaps.

The primary measurement of the supplemental technologies is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), with carbon monoxide (CO), total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs), and black carbon also measured in some systems.

The current systems that are available upon request are two stationary sampling systems – a PM2.5 sensor and multipollutant sensor (PM2.5, CO, tVOC) system – and a portable system called the Vehicle Add-on Mobile Monitoring System (VAMMS).

If you are representing a state, local, or tribal air agency and wish to request one or multiple air monitors, please fill out the online form available by hitting the read more button below.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Office of Brownfields is pleased to announce that Round 2 of the Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) will open on August 14th, 2023. An estimated $85 million will be available to fund the assessment, investigation, and cleanup of sites in California communities for beneficial reuse.

To help you prepare for success, DTSC office of Brownfields and its Brownfield Technical Assistance Provider, the Center for Creative Land Recycling, will host several webinars in July and August designed to provide you with the information you need to apply with confidence. Additionally, you can schedule a one-on-one meeting with CCLR to discuss eligibility and any questions you may have about the grant by hitting the read more button below.

ECRG Round 2 Timeline/ Webinar Series

Tuesday, July 25, 2023 10:00 AM
ECRGenius Webinar 1: Round 2 Overview


Tuesday, August 1, 2023 10:00 AM
ECRGenius Webinar 2: Eligibility, Ownership and Access

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 10:00 AM
ECRGenius Webinar 3: Engagement and Reuse

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 10:00 AM
ECRGenius Webinar 4: FLUXX and Application Walkthrough

Application Opens Monday, August 14, 2023!

On May 17, 2023, DWR released the Be Well Prepared program. DWR is providing tools and resources to help communities that are dependent on groundwater and experiencing climate-driven weather extremes, to prepare for potential impacts to household water supplies. The Be Well Prepared program focuses on domestic well owners and residents that use and maintain their well.

Through the Be Well Prepared program, DWR is empowering domestic drinking water well users by providing the information and resources they need to maintain a safe and reliable household water supply.

The Be Well Prepared website resources aim to help well owners, users, and communities dependent on groundwater Be Well Prepared. These resources include information that every well owner should know and understand about:

Groundwater Conditions - local groundwater conditions, including groundwater levels and water quality
Well Maintenance - potential risks to the well’s water supply; well construction details, such as age, depth, condition, and pump details; how to maintain a drinking water well, and how to test and treat well water
Assistance - where to get help if a well goes dry
Articles, Videos, and Additional Resources

For questions about this initiative or for assistance with any of the online resources, email [log in to unmask]

The website can be accessed by hitting the read more button below.

The Delta Science Program is seeking consultation with interested Tribes on the just-released draft Delta Research Proposal Solicitation Notice. In particular, the Delta Science Program is looking to hear from Tribes and Tribal Organizations about how to make the Delta Research Proposal Solicitation most accessible and of interest to Tribes before its release, expected in fall 2023. For reference, you can review the previous Notices at https://bit.ly/42vQpEp.

Once finalized, the Delta Research Proposal Solicitation will make available
approximately $6 million for high-quality research projects that promote
understanding and management of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh. Proposals must advance one or more of the Science Actions in the 2022-2026 Science Action Agenda (https://bit.ly/3qqxCgh) and must demonstrate a strong connection with natural resource management and/or Delta community groups.

Request for Consultation:
While all guidance on the draft Delta Research Proposal Solicitation Notice is
appreciated, we respectfully request the opportunity to consult on the following non-exclusive items:

• Is the draft Notice clear on what types of research (including any potential
Tribal-led or Tribal-partnered research projects) are eligible for funding?

• Do the priorities and scoring criteria in the draft Notice reflect the priorities
your Tribe would like prioritized for research?

• Are there any concerns with the priorities and scoring criteria/process
regarding your or other Tribe’s potential submission of research proposals
under the Notice?

• Is there anything that can be added or changed to the draft Notice to make
the research-funding opportunity more attractive to Tribes?

• How can the draft Notice best support your Tribes’ interest in collaborating
with non-Tribal entities that may submit research proposals under the
notice?

• What additional information, training, or other capacity-building resources
would be helpful to your Tribe concerning the Delta Research Proposal
Solicitation?

They respectfully request consultations and/or written comments be held and sent by July 21, 2023. Requests for consultations and written comments can be sent via email to [log in to unmask] with the subject line “Draft Delta Research Proposal Solicitation Notice: [Tribe Name] Tribal Consultation Response.”

Please contact that email as well if your Tribe needs an extension to this deadline. Given delayed mailing times, email submission is preferred for written comments, but you may also submit consultation responses via mail to:

Delta Stewardship Council
ATTN: Brandon Chapin, Tribal Liaison
715 P Street, 15-300
Sacramento, CA 95814

Thank you for your consideration of our request for consultation and please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

For more information or to find the draft solicitation, please hit the read more button below.

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) released a Request for Information (RFI) on Monday, May 22 to inform the development of the Tribal Capacity Building Pilot Program. As part of SGC’s Community Assistance for Climate Equity suite of programs, this new capacity building pilot program will provide funding and tailored technical assistance to California Native American Tribes. The goal of the pilot program is to assist tribes in developing long-term capacity to secure funding and implement tribal-led climate solutions.

SGC is seeking input from tribes and tribal-serving organizations to inform the development of this pilot program. The Request for Information includes: (1) a call for public comments on the Tribal Capacity Building Pilot Program Draft Grant Guidelines and (2) a series of questions to inform the development of a solicitation to select a technical assistance provider. The Draft Grant Guidelines outline the goals, processes, and requirements for tribes who apply to participate in the program.The series of questions included in the Request for Information are meant to inform the development of the technical assistance provider solicitation, including the solicitation’s scope of work, deliverables, and proposal requirements. The technical assistance provider will support participating tribes throughout the grant term.

SGC respectfully requests tribal consultation and written public comments on the Request for Information and Draft Grant Guidelines by August 22, 2023. To request a consultation, please contact Ena Lupine, Community Assistance for Climate Equity Program Manager at [log in to unmask] Written public comments should be submitted directly via email to [log in to unmask]

This course provides information about and develops the skills required for planning and managing prescribed fire on State or private lands.

The curriculum includes portions of the National Wildland Fire Training (NWCG) courses RX301 Prescribed Fire Implementation, RX341 Prescribed Fire Plan Preparation, and RX410 Smoke Management Techniques, but should not be considered a substitute for any of these RX classes.

This course contains instructor-led training, including simulation exercises and a task book. Students are required to complete the prerequisites (coursework, firing, and leadership requirements) prior to taking the instructor-led training and completing the task book.

As detailed in the course plan, this course was developed and formatted into the SFT curriculum development model. Stakeholders are encouraged to study this information carefully and seek clarification from SFT if questions arise. Certified persons may act as contractors within land designated as State Responsibility Area (SRA) by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

For more information or to register, please hit the read more button below.

CIEA would like to wish our Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer relatives a Happy Pride Month. Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people have always been a part of society, even outside of Indigenous cultures that historically tended to recognize their identities. They are still here today, and their stories, past and present, are worth telling.

The CIEA office is still physically closed until further noticed. Staff is still available via email and through out telephones.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

1. Water Treatment Techniques
June 7 ∙ Ukiah, CA

There are multiple techniques used by public water systems to provide safe, aesthetically pleasing water to their customers. These techniques have been established by state law, federal law and the industry. This workshop will cover most of these techniques as well as provide resources for the water treatment operator. Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3578

2. Financial Capacity Reporting
June 8 ∙ Ukiah, CA

The purpose of this training is to provide small water systems in California with tools necessary to accurately complete state required financial reports. The training will consist of reviewing financial statements, specifically the Statement of Financial Position and the Statement of Activities, to determine... Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3577

3. Maintaining Water Quality
June 20 ∙ Redding, CA

Public water systems are required to provide safe drinking water. Methods for providing safe drinking water vary from system to system, but there are a handful of methods that apply to all systems. This workshop designed for operators and managers will cover the methods used by most water systems to ensure acceptable water... Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3729

4. Asset Management & Capital Improvement Planning
June 21 ∙ Redding, CA

Small water systems are often limiting their capital planning to replacement or upgrades. Many systems have limited financial capacity or lack the planning to save for major system upgrades. With asset management planning, the standards for capital planning integrate levels of service, more long-term... Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3696

The Tuolumne River Trust is thrilled to invite you to River Fest, a benefit festival for the Tuolumne River Trust, on Sunday, June 4th, from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. This year marks the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day — what better way to celebrate than showing up for water and joining an unforgettable day filled with music, activities, and community spirit — all to support the Tuolumne River?

River Fest is a family friendly day of environmental education, live music and local vendors, with the goal of fostering a deeper connection between local residents and their water source - the Tuolumne River.

While most of our work is rooted in MeWuk lands in the upper watershed we see this event as an opportunity to engage with our Bay Area audience. One of our primary goals with this festival is to activate a greater sense of bioregionalism for attendees and we want to emphasize this connection of not only where our water comes from but what and who's land we are on. We will be holding a grounding practice and land acknowledgment at the start of the event.

A $10 off promo code can be entered through the Eventbrite check-out, which can be found in the read more button below. The code is CIEA.

What does this program do?

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Who may apply?

This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

Most state and local governmental entities
Private nonprofits
Federally-recognized tribes
What is an eligible area?

Areas that may be served include:

Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less -- check eligible addresses
Tribal lands in rural areas
Colonias
What kinds of funding are available?

Long-term, low-interest loans
If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.
How may the funds be used?

Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
Storm water collection, transmission and disposal
In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

Legal and engineering fees
Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
Start-up operations and maintenance
Interest incurred during construction
Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list
What is the loan term and rate?

Up to 40-year payback period, based on the useful life of the facilities financed
Fixed interest rates, based on the need for the project and the median household income of the area to be served
Contact us for details and current interest rates applicable for your project

Are there additional requirements?

Borrowers must have the legal authority to construct, operate and maintain the proposed services or facilities.
All facilities receiving federal financing must be used for a public purpose.
Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and nonprofit entities that offer financial assistance are encouraged.
Projects must be financially sustainable.
How do we get started?

Visit RD Apply

Applications are accepted year round and may be filed electronically using RD Apply. The RD Apply Customer Help Guide is provided to help you get started and work through the application process
Applications are also accepted through your local RD office.
Program resources are available online (i.e., forms, guidance, certifications, etc.).
Who can answer questions?

Contact the local representative who serves your area
Participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training
What governs this program?

Basic Program – 7 CFR, Part 1780
Loan Servicing – 7 CFR, Part 1782
Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses. Good practices can save tax dollars, improve the natural environment, and help manufacturers and businesses to locate or expand operations.

NOTE: Program details may change over time. Before you begin an application, please confirm you have the most current information by contacting a program specialist in your local RD office for assistance or consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Governs this Program?"

This Department of Energy grant will support Tribes to install clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal buildings; deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or energy storage on Tribal lands; or install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation to power essential Tribal facilities during emergency situations or for Tribal community resilience. Awards range from $100,000 to $5,000,000.

For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

Model EJG2G programs should leverage existing resources to develop processes or tools that integrate environmental justice considerations into governmental decision-making at all levels. Formerly known as EPA's State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Program (SEJCA), this program has been renamed to better reflect the spectrum of entities eligible for this funding.

For more information, please hit the read more button.

The Tribal Technical Assistance Pilot (TTAP) Program is a new capacity building grant program for California Native American tribes. The TTAP Program will provide funding and tailored technical assistance to tribes. The goal of the program is to assist tribes in building long-term readiness to secure grant funds to implement tribal-led climate solutions. For more information about the pilot program, please hit the read more button below.

We plan to release draft guidelines for both technical assistance providers and participating tribes in mid-May. The draft guidelines will be open for a 60-day public comment period, and TTAP Program staff will hold a series of workshops to gather feedback. SGC will prioritize input from tribes and tribal-serving organizations.

Register for upcoming opportunities to learn more and provide feedback:

Draft Guidelines Tribal Workshop 1
Monday, June 5, 2023
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Register for Workshop 1: https://governorca.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tZwocuGrqTMvHNdR0a-RYNhll9HAk3nmnY6P#/registration

Draft Guidelines Tribal Workshop 2
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Register for Workshop 2: https://governorca.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tZUqduqvqTMvGtyC_Cz1WHCqzyB75FCWP4M9#/registration

Draft Guidelines Tribal Workshop 3
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Register for Workshop 3: https://governorca.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tZElce-qrTkrGNS0IR59BFh1O0wXg0_GF08e#/registration

Draft Guidelines Tribal Workshop 4
Friday, June 30, 2023
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Register for Workshop 4: https://governorca.zoom.us/meeting/register/
tZItd-ugrTIoGtUaWZKMg6ud8RWfiIF1qo0c#/registration

Please contact Nancy Cheng for more information: [log in to unmask]

Learn how to record cumulative impact information in ways that support clear, legally sufficient EAs and EISs. To register for the course, please hit the read more button below.

Learn about the recent NEPA climate change litigation, including helpful guidance on how to prepare a legally-adequate climate change impact analysis in your EAs and EISs. To register for the course, please hit the read more button below.

The State Water Resources Control Board will hold an informational item to provide information regarding the potential addition of tribal beneficial uses to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay-Delta Plan).

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (anticipated to begin at 9:30 am)
Coastal Hearing Room
Joe Serna, Jr. – Cal/EPA Building
1001 I Street, Second Floor
Sacramento, CA
and via Video and Teleconference
(including the opportunity for remote participation)

Discover the latest technologies and best practices for streamlining the environmental review process, and learn how to leverage them to improve efficiency and effectiveness. To register for the course, please hit the read more button below.

EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants will provide grants to Tribes, to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. This grant program provides funding of $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants with $25 million set aside for federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia, and $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.

The BIL-SFBWQIF FY 2023 RFA (also known as ‘request for applications’) is funding from Congress to build resiliency in underserved communities. Proposed projects must be within the nine Bay Area counties that drain to San Francisco Bay. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov on or before the submission deadline of June 29, 2023 at 9:00pm Pacific Standard Time.

Under the BIL-SFBWQIF RFA, EPA is accepting applications for approximately $5 million in grant funding to support projects in the range of $200,000 to $1 million to advance the Biden Administration’s goal of investing in America’s infrastructure and delivering environmental and public health benefits for communities with environmental justice concerns. There is NO match requirement. The RFA can be found at the link below on Grants.gov where applications must be submitted with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number- please register now if you do not already have a UEI.

For more info, please hit the read more button.

The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) is pleased to announce the availability of $20 million of Tribal Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (Tribal HHAP) grant funding. These funds are available for California Federally Recognized Tribes and are designed to be flexible to meet the unique needs of each community in their goals to prevent and end homelessness. For more information, please hit the read more button below,

The Living Cultures Grant seeks to sustain and strengthen traditional arts in the state of California with $5,000 grants to individual artists/culture bearers and $12,500 grants to California-based nonprofits and Tribal Nations, as well as other organizations and community groups who work with fiscal sponsors.

Through this grant program, ACTA supports nurturing cultural continuity, sustaining cultural practices, and engaging our own communities and others through public programs. Projects involving any genre of traditional art—including but not limited to dance, music, foodways, material arts, and oral traditions—are welcome. For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The Summit will engage Tribal leaders, citizens, staff, youth and collaborators in conversation about navigating the cultural, economic, and social challenges of implementing clean energy projects. For more info or to register, please hit the read more button below.

Changing Current Water summits are inter-tribal gatherings designed to bring together leadership, professionals, and youth (ages 15-24) from Northwest Tribes and Native communities to foster dialogue & collaboration around common water interests and work toward a shared agenda. Limited student scholarships available. To register, please hit the read more button.

In 2023, the Jamestown S’klallam Tribe, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Centers are collaboratively hosting the Tribal Climate Camp (TCC) to support teams of tribal leaders, climate change coordinators, planners, and program managers to build skills, gather information, and develop tribal plans and policies needed to address climate change impacts. For more information or to register, please hit the read more button below.

To register for the workshop, please hit the read more button below.

1. Auditing & Leak Detection
May 23 ∙ Fortuna, CA

We live in California & water is a pricey & limited resource that we need to use wisely to supply it to our customers. We must charge a fair & equitable rate to all our customers equally. California’s Human Right to Water law declares that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable & accessible water... Read more and register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3612

2. Financial Capacity Symposium
May 24 ∙ Fortuna, CA

The purpose of this training is to provide small water systems in California with tools necessary to accurately complete state required financial reports. The morning will focus on reviewing financial statements, specifically the Statement of Financial Position & the Statement of Activities to determine where to find the information to enter into the reporting database. The California State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Drinking Water and Division of Financial Assistance will discuss where to find the required financial forms, how to complete them & common errors to avoid in their completion. Read more and register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3611

3. CFCC Funding Fair
May 25 ∙ Sacramento, CA

Seeking funding for your infrastructure project? Obtain information about currently available infrastructure grant, loan & bond financing programs, & options. Connect with federal, state, & local agencies to discuss the financial & technical resources available. The funding fair provides an opportunity for attendees to speak directly with program staff about specific projects & issues affecting their community. Read more and register here: https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3720

4. Water Treatment Techniques
June 7 ∙ Ukiah, CA

There are multiple techniques used by public water systems to provide safe, aesthetically pleasing water to their customers. These techniques have been established by state law, federal law and the industry. This workshop will cover most of these techniques as well as provide resources for the water treatment operator. Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3578

5. Financial Capacity Reporting
June 8 ∙ Ukiah, CA

The purpose of this training is to provide small water systems in California with tools necessary to accurately complete state required financial reports. The training will consist of reviewing financial statements, specifically the Statement of Financial Position and the Statement of Activities, to determine... Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3577

6. Maintaining Water Quality
June 20 ∙ Redding, CA

Public water systems are required to provide safe drinking water. Methods for providing safe drinking water vary from system to system, but there are a handful of methods that apply to all systems. This workshop designed for operators and managers will cover the methods used by most water systems to ensure acceptable water... Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3729

7. Asset Management & Capital Improvement Planning
June 21 ∙ Redding, CA

Small water systems are often limiting their capital planning to replacement or upgrades. Many systems have limited financial capacity or lack the planning to save for major system upgrades. With asset management planning, the standards for capital planning integrate levels of service, more long-term... Read more and register here:
https://www.events.rcac.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=3696

The California Water Commission will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in the California Natural Resources Building’s First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, in Sacramento. Please see the attached agenda for meeting details. Meeting materials will be posted at the following link: https://cwc.ca.gov/Meetings/All-Meetings/2023/Meeting-of-the-California-Water-Commission-May-17-2023.

The Commission will retain remote public participation similar to our online meeting format. This hybrid platform allows the public to participate in multiple ways.

To participate in person, please join the Commission at the California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
To participate remotely, you may join the meeting on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82425251686?pwd=QkJQblFPR2RzVm84cGQwTTU5UUs5Zz09). More detailed instructions on how to use Zoom and participate in the meeting can be found on the Commission website.
Offer verbal comments by telephone by calling one of the numbers below:
(408) 638-0968
(669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 824 2525 1686
Password: 951873
Individuals who only want to watch or listen can view the live webcast at: https://www.water-ca.com as it preserves interactive meeting resources for those who are commenting on items.
Public comments made in person will precede public comments from remote participants. For those wishing to make an in-person comment, comment cards will be available at the meeting to establish a comment queue.



California Native American Tribal leaders and representatives and members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to address the Commission on any agenda item except for closed sessions. Comments shall be limited to matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction. Reasonable time limits may be established for comments (Government Code Section 11125.7), and the Commission has established a three-minute limit per comment. California Native American Tribal leaders and representatives who identify themselves during agenda item 7 will be given the opportunity to provide comments prior to public comment on agenda items as outlined in the Commission’s California Native American Tribal Leadership Comment Policy.

Written comments received at the Commission office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023, will be made available to Commissioners prior to the meeting. Comments related to meeting agenda items will not be edited and will be posted to the Commission's webpage in their entirety. Individuals who require special accommodations are requested to contact the Commission by phone at: (916) 873-5774 or by email at [log in to unmask]

This webinar will highlight many of the U.S. EPA environmental justice financial and technical resources available to federally recognized tribes, state recognized tribes, tribal and/or Indigenous community-based non-profits, and others. The webinar will also include the experiences of an indigenous organization working to promote and address environmental and human health issues in communities, their experiences forming a community-based non-profit, key lessons learned, recommendations for those interested in and/or working to become a non-profit, and an overview of their work and ways of operating.

This webinar is part of the U.S. EPA Environmental Justice Webinar Series for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples - to build the capacity of tribal governments, indigenous peoples and other environmental justice practitioners, and discuss priority environmental justice issues of interest to tribes and indigenous peoples.

Date & Time:
May 24, 2023, (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM PT), (2:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET)

To register, please click on this link:
https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_v5heXOyhRy-NddAEGK4-kQ

Presenters:
 Sherri Norris, Executive Director, California Indian Environmental Alliance
 Alan Bacock, Tribal Program, Region 9, U.S. EPA
 Danny Gogal, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, U.S. EPA –
Overview of EPA EJ
 Ericka Farrell, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, U.S. EPA (Facilitators)

Please note that the webinar is planned to be recorded and is expected to be available on the following EPA website a few weeks after the webinar:
https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-tribes-and-indigenous-peoples

For questions about this webinar, or the EPA EJ Webinar Series for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples, please contact Danny Gogal, Office of Environmental Justice, [log in to unmask]

Do you want to learn about legal protections for your ancestral homelands?

This series is for Tribal community members who want to develop the skills and knowledge needed to establish, operate, and maintain conservation trusts. Learn from leaders in the field of Indigenous land trusts, Native American attorneys, and philanthropic advisors.

Over six Saturdays between May 13 and June 24 you will explore:

History and Overview of Land Trusts
Setting Goals and Structuring your Land Trust
Land Trust Registration and Legal Requirements
Governing and Maintaining a Land Trust
Funding Strategies
Obtaining Interests in Land
Each session will begin at 11:00 am PDT and will provide time for participants and presenters to converse about relevant topics of interest.

BONUS! Every participant who attends all six sessions will receive a certificate of completion AND be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 or $50 Amazon gift card!

The first session will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 13, 2023. No session on May 27 (holiday weekend).

To apply, please hit the read more button below.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) will host two Tribal Listening Sessions on the Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install Program Guidelines open to all California Native American Tribes and related partners. Both sessions will cover the same topics.

The CEC aims to begin promptly at the start time posted and the end time is an estimate based on the scheduled presentations and proposed topics for discussion. Sessions may end sooner or later than the posted end time.



Remote Attendance
Attendance Instructions to Join Zoom by Internet or Telephone

Session 1: May 24, 2023, beginning at 3:00 pm

Internet: Attend the meeting via zoom: https://energy.zoom.us/j/89975499823?pwd=bVcyNkVMeDMydnBpcFI2Zzh4bG9hdz09 or login in at https://zoom.us/ and use Webinar ID 899 7549 9823 and passcode 797331.

Telephone: Call toll-free at (888) 475-4499 or toll at (669) 219-2599. Use Webinar ID 899 7549 9823 and passcode 797331.


Session 2: May 25, 2023, beginning at 5:00 pm

Internet: Attend the meeting via zoom: https://energy.zoom.us/j/86384816500?pwd=eE9neGJxbHJ6NlVTS3doR1lITVhFdz09 or login in at https://zoom.us/ and use Webinar ID 863 8481 6500 and passcode 389677.

Telephone: Call toll-free at (888) 475-4499 or toll at (669) 219-2599. Use Webinar ID 863 8481 6500 and passcode 389677.

The Tuolumne River Trust is thrilled to invite you to River Fest, a benefit festival for the Tuolumne River Trust, on Sunday, June 4th, from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. This year marks the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day — what better way to celebrate than showing up for water and joining an unforgettable day filled with music, activities, and community spirit — all to support the Tuolumne River?

River Fest is a family friendly day of environmental education, live music and local vendors, with the goal of fostering a deeper connection between local residents and their water source - the Tuolumne River.

While most of our work is rooted in MeWuk lands in the upper watershed we see this event as an opportunity to engage with our Bay Area audience. One of our primary goals with this festival is to activate a greater sense of bioregionalism for attendees and we want to emphasize this connection of not only where our water comes from but what and who's land we are on. We will be holding a grounding practice and land acknowledgment at the start of the event.

A $10 off promo code can be entered through the Eventbrite check-out, which can be found in the read more button below. The code is CIEA.

The CIEA staff would like to take the opportunity to wish our Asian, Pacific Islander, and Kanaka Maoli relatives a Happy AAPI Heritage Month!

The CIEA office is still physically closed until further noticed. Staff is still available via email and through out telephones.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Office of Brownfields is pleased to announce that Round 2 of the Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) will open this summer. An estimated $85 million will be available to fund the assessment, investigation, and cleanup of contaminated sites in California communities for beneficial reuse. Government entities, nonprofits, and Tribes are eligible to apply for funds to incentivize cleanup and investment in California’s most disadvantaged areas. Learn more about the Equitable Community Revitalization Grant, tools and resources.

Over the past few months, DTSC’s Office of Brownfields has been coordinating and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance ECRG in an effort to provide the highest and best service to the vulnerable communities that we serve. DTSC will host four meetings in May to better understand your concerns and aspirations, and then consider how we can reflect them in the ECRG. Join us at an “ECRGathering” to learn more. In the ECRGatherings, you will:

· Learn how to apply for this transformative funding
· Ask us questions about how you can use this funding for environmental activities in your community
· Give us feedback on how we can expand the positive impact of our investment in your community

You are welcome to attend any or all ECRGatherings; however, to help us plan, please RSVP for the meeting(s) you plan on attending. RSVP through the read more below button. Spanish translation will be available at all of the meetings.

VIRTUAL MEETINGS:

Tuesday, May 2 10:00am-12:00pm:
Virtual Meeting with focus on Applicants

Tuesday, May 9 5:30-7:30pm:
Virtual meeting with focus on Environmental Justice Groups

IN-PERSON MEETINGS:

Thursday, May 11 6:00-8:00 PM
Inland Empire In-Person Meeting Fontana Community Senior Center
16710 Ceres Ave, Fontana

Tuesday, May 16 6:00-8:00 PM
Central Valley In-Person Meeting
Regional Water Quality Control Board
1685 E. Street, Fresno

The State Water Board will also hold a Board Workshop scheduled for May 3, 2023, to receive oral comments. The workshop time will be provided with release of Board Agenda and will include both in person and remote participation options.

The National CASC is hosting a webinar series on how to integrate Indigenous Knowledges (IK) into Federal research and resource management programs. Running bi-weekly from April 6 to June 1, 2023 (3 PM ET), this series centers Indigenous voices to explore ethical, legal, and scientific considerations for working within different knowledge systems and provides guidance reflecting best practices.

For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The California Financing Coordinating Committee (CFCC) is pleased to invite you to attend the free 2023 spring virtual funding fair on May 4, 16, and/or 25, 2023. To register, please hit the read more button below. 

The funding fair will provide the opportunity to learn more about available grant, loan, and bond financing options for infrastructure projects from federal, state, and local agencies.

Representatives from water industry professionals, public works, local governments, and California Native American Tribes should attend. This includes city managers and planners, economic development and engineering professionals, officials from privately owned facilities, water and irrigation district managers, financial advisors, and project consultants.

Join us for the ATNI Midyear Convention 2023 at the Coeur d'Alene Casino.

Date: May 7-11, 2023
Location: Coeur d'Alene Casino
Address: 37914 S Nukwalqw St, Worley, ID 83876

ATNI Conventions are where members convene for discussion, presentations and the work of the committees in regard to policy, legislation, and the future of Indian Country in the Northwest.

Please find the link at the bottom of the page to register for the upcoming Midyear 2023 Convention.

After you register, you will receive a link to book accommodations at the venue in your confirmation email.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Please click on the link below for our sponsorship Opportunities packet. If you have any questions about Sponsorship Opportunities or membership, please reach out to Tyrel Ott at [log in to unmask]

We look forward to seeing you!

On April 10, 2023, the State Water Board issued a Notice of Availability (NOA) of Second Revised Draft Initial Biological Goals for Lower San Joaquin River Flow Objectives for review and comment. Written comment letters on the Second Revised Draft Initial Biological Goals report must be received by 12:00 pm (noon) on Friday, May 12, 2023.

For more information, please hit the read more button below to be redirected to the NOA.

The Cultural and Community Resilience program supports community-based efforts to mitigate climate change and COVID-19 pandemic impacts, safeguard cultural resources, and foster cultural resilience through identifying, documenting, and/or collecting cultural heritage and community experience. The program prioritizes projects from disadvantaged communities in the United States or its jurisdictions, and NEH encourages applications that employ inclusive methodologies. This NOFO covers the January and May 2023 deadlines.

Please note, you should budget funds for two members of the project team to attend a two-day meeting in Washington D.C., in May 2025. See D2 in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

An instructional webinar with Q&A was held on March 7, 2023. A recording of the webinar is available below.

What does this program do?

This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

Who may apply?

This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms. Eligible applicants include:

Most state and local governmental entities
Private nonprofits
Federally-recognized tribes
What is an eligible area?

Areas that may be served include:

Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less -- check eligible addresses
Tribal lands in rural areas
Colonias
What kinds of funding are available?

Long-term, low-interest loans
If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.
How may the funds be used?

Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:

Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage and distribution
Sewer collection, transmission, treatment and disposal
Solid waste collection, disposal and closure
Storm water collection, transmission and disposal
In some cases, funding may also be available for related activities such as:

Legal and engineering fees
Land acquisition, water and land rights, permits and equipment
Start-up operations and maintenance
Interest incurred during construction
Purchase of facilities to improve service or prevent loss of service
Other costs determined to be necessary for completion of the project
See 7 CFR Part 1780.7 and 1780.9 for a complete list
What is the loan term and rate?

Up to 40-year payback period, based on the useful life of the facilities financed
Fixed interest rates, based on the need for the project and the median household income of the area to be served
Contact us for details and current interest rates applicable for your project

Are there additional requirements?

Borrowers must have the legal authority to construct, operate and maintain the proposed services or facilities.
All facilities receiving federal financing must be used for a public purpose.
Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private and nonprofit entities that offer financial assistance are encouraged.
Projects must be financially sustainable.
How do we get started?

Visit RD Apply

Applications are accepted year round and may be filed electronically using RD Apply. The RD Apply Customer Help Guide is provided to help you get started and work through the application process
Applications are also accepted through your local RD office.
Program resources are available online (i.e., forms, guidance, certifications, etc.).
Who can answer questions?

Contact the local representative who serves your area
Participating nonprofits in your area may also offer assistance and training
What governs this program?

Basic Program – 7 CFR, Part 1780
Loan Servicing – 7 CFR, Part 1782
Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses. Good practices can save tax dollars, improve the natural environment, and help manufacturers and businesses to locate or expand operations.

NOTE: Program details may change over time. Before you begin an application, please confirm you have the most current information by contacting a program specialist in your local RD office for assistance or consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Governs this Program?"

This Department of Energy grant will support Tribes to install clean energy generating system(s) and energy efficiency measure(s) for Tribal buildings; deploy community-scale clean energy generating system(s) or energy storage on Tribal lands; or install integrated energy system(s) for autonomous operation to power essential Tribal facilities during emergency situations or for Tribal community resilience. Awards range from $100,000 to $5,000,000.

For more information, please hit the read more button below.

On April 11, 2023, the State Water Board released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of Environmental Documentation and Scoping Meeting for a possible amendment of the water quality control plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary to Incorporate a Tuolumne River voluntary agreement for review and comment. Written comment letters on the NOP must be received by 12:00 p.m. PDT (noon) on Thursday May 25, 2025.
The State Water Board will also hold a scoping meeting scheduled for May 18, 2023, starting at 10:00 a.m. PDT (remote only) to receive oral comments.

The Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program is part of TSAF’s broader efforts to promote clean energy development and economic growth in Indian Country.

Through this program, TSAF will provide up to $200,000 per eligible project application for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems.

To be eligible for the Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program, applicants must be a federally recognized tribe or a Tribally-led 501(c)3 organization in support of federally recognized tribes.

The Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program will open on March 31st and close on May 31st.

The application link will be available on the TSAF Grant page, which can be reached through the read more button below.

TSAF will offer an informational webinar on Thursday April 6, 2023 at 1:00pm. EST (10am PST, 11am MST, 12pm CST). Please register at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/#register/4799581990099212375

The amendment extends the application deadline to May 31, 2023, and amends application requirements to include a mail-in option.

Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued an amendment to the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program to address feedback received from stakeholders. The amendment extends the deadline for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to apply for funding to May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The ALRD also amends application requirements to include a mail-in option to ensure that applicants without internet access can apply for the grants. Mail-in applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2023.

The $2.3 billion Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program, authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered through the Grid Deployment Office, focuses on strengthening and modernizing America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters that are exacerbated by climate change. The program will distribute funding to States, Territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations, over five years based on a formula that includes factors such as population size, land area, probability and severity of disruptive events, and a locality’s historical expenditures on mitigation efforts. Priority will be given to projects that generate the greatest community benefit providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

The deadline extension responds to stakeholder feedback and provides additional time for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to prepare applications. As part of continued outreach from DOE to Tribes, Tribes identified numerous unique challenges. In particular, remote Tribal communities indicated that lack of reliable internet access presents a barrier to applying for this program. As such, DOE is now offering a mail-in option for all applicants.

In addition, the new deadline also reflects a similar deadline extension made by the U.S. Treasury Department to the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF). In February 2023, the Treasury announced that the deadline for applications to the LATCF would be extended to April 28, 2023 for eligible Tribal governments. Recognizing that applicants to DOE’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program may use LATCF funds to meet cost-match requirements, the DOE extension provides more time for both programs to be pursued.

Applications for allocated funding for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program must be submitted prior to the May 31, 2023 deadline and will be processed on a rolling basis as they are received. Accordingly, applicants may submit their applications as soon as they are ready and grants may be awarded prior to May 31, 2023.

The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

Model EJG2G programs should leverage existing resources to develop processes or tools that integrate environmental justice considerations into governmental decision-making at all levels. Formerly known as EPA's State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Program (SEJCA), this program has been renamed to better reflect the spectrum of entities eligible for this funding.

For more information, please hit the read more button.

The California Water Commission staff has acted as guest editor for two issues of Water Resources IMPACT magazine, featuring articles on the topic of prolonged drought in California. Articles delve into how drought impacts people and the environment and how we can respond to droughts, better preparing for the inevitable.

The first issue, published in February 2023, focused on water scarcity issues confronting California and the ways these issues impact different sectors. The second issue, published on April 20, 2023, focuses on drought response, considering the options for adaptation. This two-part series complements the Commission’s work on strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of a long-term drought.

The authors who contributed to the double issue are a diverse array of Tribal leaders, academics, NGO thought-leaders, water managers, and water policy influencers, each of whom brings their own perspective on the topic of drought. Their expertise and perspectives in climate science, water policy, and water management will help inform drought-related decision-making and support policies that better prepare the state to thrive during prolonged drought events.

The second issue includes contributions from:

Atley Keller, Stantec, and Laura Jensen, California Water Commission
Nícola Ulibarrí, University of California, Irvine
Laura Ramos, California State University, Fresno
Kristin Babson Dobbin, University of California, Berkeley
Tara Moran, California Water Data Consortium
Sarah Naumes and Dr. Leigh Bernacchi, University of California, Merced
Sarah Heard and Jeannie Brantigan, The Nature Conservancy
Roger Bales, University of California, Merced, Dr. Martha Conklin, University of California, Merced, and Dr. Michael Goulden, University of California, Irvine
Heather Cooley, Pacific Institute
Michael McNutt, Riki Clark, and Dave Pedersen, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
Deniene Rivenburg, Irvine Ranch Water District
Martha Davis, former Assistant General Manager for Policy, Inland Empire Utilities Agency

The March/April edition of Water Resources IMPACT magazine can be accessed, free of charge, on the American Water Resources Association website, using this promotional code: 23MarAprWC. The code will expire in three months.

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) has released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input to inform California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment’s (Fifth Assessment) Regional Synthesis Reports (regional reports). The regional reports will strengthen the understanding of climate impacts and risks at the local level and inform the development of resilience actions across the state.

The Fifth Assessment team will be hosting virtual listening sessions on the RFI during May 2023. The listening sessions are open to the public as an additional opportunity to ask questions and provide input on the scope of the regional reports.

Please share the announcement with your networks. The RFI is for public comment only.

Written responses are required to be submitted via this form by Wednesday, May 31, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. PST to be considered.

If you are unable to access the submission form, responses and/or supplemental attachments can be submitted via email to [log in to unmask] For emailed responses, please include in the email subject line, “Fifth Assessment Regional Report RFI”.

The CIEA staff would like to take the opportunity to honour the various protectors and stewards of grandmother earth! We acknowledge and recognize the work Indigenous folxs do for our communities, our lands, and our peoples. We know every day is earth day!

The CIEA office is physically closed until April 30th due to the 'shelter in place' directive. The purpose is so we can evaluate if there’s any increased cases in the counties where CIEA staff live and work. Of course if the situation changes we will have to adjust our plan. We will continue to work remotely and are available via email and through our phone, where messages are checked daily.

We do want to take the time to continue to love, protect, cherish, and care for one another, especially our elders, folxs who are immunocompromised, as well as our essential workers including medical staff, grocery store workers, etc.

We also advise that folxs to stay safe, be prepared, and that we are here for you all.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

The National CASC is hosting a webinar series on how to integrate Indigenous Knowledges (IK) into Federal research and resource management programs. Running bi-weekly from April 6 to June 1, 2023 (3 PM ET), this series centers Indigenous voices to explore ethical, legal, and scientific considerations for working within different knowledge systems and provides guidance reflecting best practices.

For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program is part of TSAF’s broader efforts to promote clean energy development and economic growth in Indian Country.

Through this program, TSAF will provide up to $200,000 per eligible project application for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems.

To be eligible for the Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program, applicants must be a federally recognized tribe or a Tribally-led 501(c)3 organization in support of federally recognized tribes.

The Tribal Facility and Residential Grant Program will open on March 31st and close on May 31st.

The application link will be available on the TSAF Grant page, which can be reached through the read more button below.

TSAF will offer an informational webinar on Thursday April 6, 2023 at 1:00pm. EST (10am PST, 11am MST, 12pm CST). Please register at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/#register/4799581990099212375

April 14-15 ,2023
New York, NY and Online

Hosted by Survival International, the third conference on Our Land Our Nature will be a two-day dialogue on how to decolonize conservation. This dynamic program includes scholars, journalists, and practitioners. This hybrid conference is free and open to the public!

For more information or to register, please hit the read more button below.

Underground Storage Tank (UST) Finder
Thursday, April 6, 2023
3-4 pm ET

There are 540,000 underground storage tanks in the US with 60,000 releases remaining to be cleaned up. The greatest potential threat from these sites is groundwater contamination, the drinking water source for nearly half of the US population. UST Finder was developed to better address the prevention and cleanup of these contaminated sites. UST Finder is a web map application containing comprehensive, state-sourced national data on underground storage tank (UST) and leaking UST (LUST) data. It provides the first-ever national picture of UST facilities and LUST sites for the US. Attend the webinar to learn how to use UST Finder

Register by hitting the read more button below.

The Enhanced Air Sensor Guidebook
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
3-4 pm ET

Recognizing the ever-increasing availability of air sensors, expanding user base, and growing scientific knowledge, EPA updated the popular Air Sensor Guidebook, originally published in 2014. The refreshed version, called The Enhanced Air Sensor Guidebook, includes updated content and new topics that incorporate best practices, current knowledge, and recommendations to guide the use of air sensors. The Enhanced Guidebook supports users in planning and collecting air quality measurements using air sensors. Attend the webinar to learn more.

Register by hitting the read more button below.

Join the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, BIA Tribal Climate Resilience, and Southern Plains Tribal Health Board for a no-cost, two-day workshop. The event is open to any tribal staff such as health professionals, emergency managers, transportation and roads staff, or environmental staff.

There will be an optional pre- training introduction to climate change webinar on April 18th at 1-3 pm Central time.

The in-person workshop topics will include an introduction to vulnerability assessments and flood impacts to roads and health facilities, along with group guiding users going through the steps of the assessment process.

Event Dates: May 18-19, 2023 from 8 am - 4 pm Central Time.
Location: Sac and Fox Nation Community Building 920883, S. Hwy 99, Stroud, Ok 74079

Travel support is available. Please indicate if you need travel support below. Travel support will be given on a first come basis. You must register and indicate by April 5, 2023 to be considered.

Contact [log in to unmask] with any questions!

Register by hitting the read more button below.

The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and tribal level to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.

Model EJG2G programs should leverage existing resources to develop processes or tools that integrate environmental justice considerations into governmental decision-making at all levels. Formerly known as EPA's State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Program (SEJCA), this program has been renamed to better reflect the spectrum of entities eligible for this funding.

For more information, please hit the read more button.

The amendment extends the application deadline to May 31, 2023, and amends application requirements to include a mail-in option.

Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued an amendment to the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program to address feedback received from stakeholders. The amendment extends the deadline for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to apply for funding to May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The ALRD also amends application requirements to include a mail-in option to ensure that applicants without internet access can apply for the grants. Mail-in applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2023.

The $2.3 billion Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program, authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered through the Grid Deployment Office, focuses on strengthening and modernizing America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters that are exacerbated by climate change. The program will distribute funding to States, Territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations, over five years based on a formula that includes factors such as population size, land area, probability and severity of disruptive events, and a locality’s historical expenditures on mitigation efforts. Priority will be given to projects that generate the greatest community benefit providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

The deadline extension responds to stakeholder feedback and provides additional time for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to prepare applications. As part of continued outreach from DOE to Tribes, Tribes identified numerous unique challenges. In particular, remote Tribal communities indicated that lack of reliable internet access presents a barrier to applying for this program. As such, DOE is now offering a mail-in option for all applicants.

In addition, the new deadline also reflects a similar deadline extension made by the U.S. Treasury Department to the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF). In February 2023, the Treasury announced that the deadline for applications to the LATCF would be extended to April 28, 2023 for eligible Tribal governments. Recognizing that applicants to DOE’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program may use LATCF funds to meet cost-match requirements, the DOE extension provides more time for both programs to be pursued.

Applications for allocated funding for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program must be submitted prior to the May 31, 2023 deadline and will be processed on a rolling basis as they are received. Accordingly, applicants may submit their applications as soon as they are ready and grants may be awarded prior to May 31, 2023.

The CIEA staff would like to take the opportunity to honour the various womxn in our lives! From our amazing board members to our Executive Director to our staff and to all the strong and resilient womxn we work with, we see you and appreciate all that you do for our communities, our lands, and our peoples. Happy Women's Herstory Month!

The CIEA office is adhering to CDC Standards on sharing space with folx, so our offices are limited to CIEA staff. We will continue to work remotely and are available via email and through our phone, where messages are checked daily.

We also advise that folxs to stay safe, be prepared, and that we are here for you all.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

OPR has released a Federal Grant Guidebook, which is attached to this message.

The book is a “guide to over 800 federal grant programs available to individuals, governments, and all types of organizations to help address some of the biggest problems facing California. The Guidebook presents the grant opportunities by category, including Community and Regional Development, Business and Labor, Housing and Social Services, and more.”

Tribes recognized by state and federal governments are among the eligible entities for many opportunities in the guidebook. The guidebook can be visited through the read more button below.

The CROP project has a long-established goal of engaging indigenous tribes in California in the direction of the project, as well as the physical reclamation of trespass cannabis grow sites on federal and tribal lands. For some time, we have been working with our science partners on proposals to implement a training program to make that a reality. The state recently awarded a CDFW grant to the Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC), with CROP as the key subcontractor, to recruit participants and coordinate the technical training and reclamation of trespass grow sites in the Ventana Wilderness of
Monterey County. This is the first of what we anticipate will be a series of state and federal grants to address the reclamation of thousands of sites on national forests and BLM lands of the state.

The Cannabis Removal on Public Lands (CROP) Project is looking for a consultant to assist with tribal outreach and recruitment for trespass grow reclamation work. The duties of this position will involve the identification, outreach, and recruitment of tribes for tribal crew training to increase regional reclamation capacity in priority watersheds and conservation areas. The Tribal Coordinator will also work to further strengthen tribal participation on the CROP Advisory Board.

This consulting position may be part-time or full time depending on the need, and will pay $25,000-$50,000 annually depending on experience and time commitment. It will mainly be remote, but may also require some travel. In addition to state funding, the President’s FY 2023 budget states:
“A priority component in the 2023 Budget request is continuing support for Law Enforcement Operations to clean up and reclaim illegal marijuana grow sites on NFS lands.” “A portion of the increase will also be used to continue to prevent the serious damage to natural resources caused by illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands. Hazardous materials and activities at illegal grow sites cause significant and long-lasting damage to ecosystems, water sources, and wildlife.

Funding to support illegal grow sites and anti-smuggling efforts is consistent with the National Drug Control Strategy.” Reclamation training funding at the state level has finally been secured, and there is movement at the
federal level. The opportunity for the direct engagement of tribes in this effort has never been as great, and has the potential of establishing permanent, trained tribal reclamation crews to restore grow sites on their aboriginal lands.

Qualifications:
Our ideal consultant will be someone experienced in tribal coalition building, outreach, and recruitment, and preferably someone who is part of a tribal community, and familiar with tribal government and culture. Our hire will have the ability to navigate those relationships and form connections. Our ideal candidate will also be self-starting, excel in communication, and have skills in nonprofit outreach processes.

Timeline:
The CROP Project is looking to hire the ideal candidate in the next 3-6 months. We anticipate the work will go on for one to three years, but may be extended as the training program is expanded and additional funding is acquired.

Contact Information:
For those interested in the position, please send a resume or CV and a brief cover letter explaining why you’d be a good fit to Jackee Riccio at [log in to unmask]

Individuals, groups, and communities are exposed to numerous chemical and non-chemical stressors found in their built, natural, and social environments (i.e., the total environment) as they go about their everyday activities. Evidence in the literature shows that environmental and social injustices drive health disparities linked to exposure to these stressors. Communities of color, low-income communities, and other underserved communities bear the brunt of these injustices and, as a result, face disproportionate health impacts.

EPA’s approach towards cumulative impacts is multi-pronged and includes engaging communities, governmental partners, and stakeholders; better understanding decision contexts; clarifying the scope of existing legal authorities; extending the consideration of environmental justice concerns in multiple regulatory and permitting contexts where such authority exists; and advancing the science of cumulative impacts to improve the Agency’s capacity in coming years.

During this webinar, the assistant administrator for research and development will moderate a panel of representatives from several EPA offices working to incorporate cumulative impacts into research, policy, law, and decision making. Each panel member will give brief remarks followed by a moderated discussion and a questions and answers session with attendees.

To register, please register for the webinar by hitting the read more button below.

The Tribal Economic & Tax Reform Advocacy Alliance (TETRAA) is holding a Strategy Summit on March 15th, 2023 in Washington, D.C. to focus federal advocacy efforts to change federal laws and regulations in support of expanding Tribal economic growth. The Summit is intended for Tribal leaders, key staff and their attorneys / lobbyists. The meeting is being held the day following the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee.

TETRAA is a coalition of American Indian tribal nations, intertribal Native
organizations, Native-owned businesses, and their professional advocates dedicated to advocating for changes in federal law and regulations that
interfere with Indian Country economic development. The TETRAA Strategy Summit Agenda is available online.

TETRAA is focused on four primary objectives:
1. Respecting Tribal Sovereignty and Treaty Rights to Free Tribal Economies,
2. Reforming federal Tax Laws to Restore "Indians Not Taxed" Status
3. Promoting Native Entrepreneurship and Business Development, and
4. Supporting Research in support of Tribal Economic Growth and Tax Reform

The California Water Commission will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in the Warren-Alquist State Energy Building’s Rosenfeld Hearing Room, 1516 9th Street, in Sacramento. Please see the attached agenda for meeting details. Meeting materials will be posted at the following link: https://cwc.ca.gov/Meetings/All-Meetings/2023/Meeting-of-the-California-Water-Commission-Mar-15-2023.

The Commission will retain remote public participation similar to our online meeting format. This hybrid platform allows the public to participate in multiple ways.

To participate in person, please join the Commission at the Warren-Alquist State Energy Building, 1516 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

To participate remotely, you may join the meeting on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83939540326?pwd=VldkQkdQejQ0ZDAxUFpqbCthOVZQdz09). More detailed instructions on how to use Zoom and participate in the meeting can be found on the Commission website.
Offer verbal comments by telephone by calling one of the numbers below:
(408) 638-0968
(669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 839 3954 0326
Password: 715092

Individuals who only want to watch or listen can view the live webcast at: https://www.water-ca.com as it preserves interactive meeting resources for those who are commenting on items.

Public comments made in person will precede public comments from remote participants. For those wishing to make an in-person comment, comment cards will be available at the meeting to establish a comment queue.

Written comments received at the Commission office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, will be made available to Commissioners prior to the meeting. Comments related to meeting agenda items will not be edited and will be posted to the Commission's webpage in their entirety. Individuals who require special accommodations are requested to contact the Commission by phone at: (916) 873-5774 or by email at [log in to unmask]

Draft contracts for the administration of public benefits for the Harvest Water Program, part of the Water Storage Investment Program, are now available online, and. can be found by hitting the read more button below.

The Commission will receive public comments at the March 15, 2023, Commission meeting. Comments can also be submitted to [log in to unmask] until March 21, 2023.

Generously funded by THE BAY AND PAUL FOUNDATIONS, INC, the Tribes and Climate Change Program is excited to offer 5 summer internships with different host sites across the country. Host sites include Climate Science Alliance, Tó Nizhóní Ání, Climate Advocates Voces Unidas, Tribal Alliance for Pollinators, and the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association.

Apply by March 15, 2023 at bit.ly/tccp-internship! For questions, email [log in to unmask]

The meeting will kick off on Friday morning, March 17, with the President’s Plenary.

The SCA’s mission statement says the organization is dedicated to the research, understanding, interpretation, and conservation of the heritage of California, but what does that mean in practice? We spend lots of time on fieldwork and writing reports, but how much of that actually gets beyond the gray literature out to a larger audience? If we truly want to build appreciation for the heritage of California, we need to engage with the general public to explain how archaeology is more than “being Indiana Jones” or finding gold.

The last several national presidential elections have resulted in shifts in federal policies that have had major implications for cultural resources. Building interest in archaeology has the potential to carry forward into building political support for preservation. But how does the average archaeologist connect with audiences? The plenary session brings together those with skills in connecting with varied audiences, from children to racial minorities to differently abled people.

The speakers will share stories of how they connect to lay audiences to build appreciation for California’s heritage. Hopefully their examples will inspire SCA members to expand their own interpretation efforts and tap into their creativity.

The SCA Annual Meetings provide a platform for the sharing of data from active research in California and the regions that pertain to it, as well as the opportunity to discuss challenges to the practice of the discipline.

The SCA is the largest state archaeology society in the USA, with a membership hovering around 1100 individuals, and annual meetings that regularly attract upwards of 800. Membership is diverse and includes students, Native American tribal members, and professional archaeologists working in CRM, academia, agencies, Tribal offices, and Museums.

The sharing of data allows attendees to gain a view of the status of archaeology throughout the region. Workshops and forums focus on timely issues and provide practical as well as research-oriented skills training. SCA meetings are both intellectually stimulating and fun, and they offer ample opportunities for professional networking and socializing with a community of individuals who are interested in and have dedicated their careers to historic preservation and California archaeology.

For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The purpose of the Listos California Target Grant (LG) Program is to support organizations throughout California that serve smaller populations with key social vulnerability factors located in any given area at moderate to high risk from natural hazard. Community-based organizations throughout the state, referred to as CBOs, can work independently or subgrant with local CBOs to provide disaster training and resources to vulnerable and diverse populations. This work is intended to increase their communities’ disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities.

Grant Subaward Performance Period:
June 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024

Submission Deadline:
Monday, March 20, 2023

Available Funding:
Individual Applicants may request up to $300,000.

Additional Information:
Cal OES will be hosting a Request for Proposal and Grant Subaward Application Training during on February 16. The training will provide a general overview of the Listos Grants Program and instruction on how to complete application forms. Any organization interested in attending the training should contact [log in to unmask]

The RFP is located on the Cal OES website, which can be reached by hitting the read more button below.

Cutting Green Tape Exchange
March 22, 2023
12-1:30pm PST
Virtual

On March 22 at 12 noon, please join The Stewardship Network for the latest Cutting Green Tape Exchange -- hear from California Natural Resources Agency leadership and restoration practitioners across the state about how we can collectively increase the pace and scale of beneficial environmental restoration. Register by hitting the read more button below, and we look forward to seeing you then!

These grants assist Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations in protecting and promoting their unique cultural heritage and traditions. From the beginning, the program has been shaped by Indian tribes. It focuses on what they are most concerned about protecting: Traditional skills, oral history, plant and animal species important in tradition, sacred and historic places, and the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized and “other than” federally recognized Tribal governments. Total program funding is $500K. More information can be found at the website, which can be reached through the read more button below.

This program provides funding to help fill local, regional, and tribal planning needs, provides communities the resources to identify climate resilience priorities, and supports the development of a pipeline of climate resilient infrastructure projects across the state. Applicants must submit all application materials to APGP via Microsoft SharePoint before 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, March 31, 2023.

California’s 124 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) span our state’s entire coastline to conserve tidepools, sandy beaches, submarine canyons, estuaries, and kelp forests, and to protect all life that depends on these unique places. Established 10 years ago through a science-based and community-driven process, California's MPA Network is now among the largest, most sophisticated marine conservation efforts anywhere in the world. State agencies have recently released a comprehensive assessment of how the MPA Network performed over its first decade, revealing where MPAs are making a difference and scientific questions that remain.

Join experts and community leaders to learn more about how California’s MPA Network is working to safeguard natural and cultural resources, as well as lessons learned and next steps for adaptive management.

Commission Meeting to Include Expert Panel on Drought Preparedness and Response, State Water Project Briefing on Operational Flexibility

The California Water Commission will hold a meeting on Wednesday, February 15 in Sacramento. The meeting is open to the public and will also be live streamed online. Agenda items include a panel of experts who will explore long-term drought preparedness and response, a briefing on maintaining the State Water Project’s operational flexibility, and an informational overview of the Big Notch Project.

California Water Commission meeting
When: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 15
Where: California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Sacramento, 95814
Info: (916) 873-5774, www.cwc.ca.gov
The meeting will be live streamed at https://www.water-ca.com/.
To comment remotely, Zoom login information can be found on the public participation guide.

Drought Expert Panel – Preparedness and Response Strategies

In support of Water Resilience Portfolio Action 26.3, the Commission is engaging experts, interested parties, and the public in discussions about strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of long-term drought. This month’s panel will cover practitioner and policy perspectives on implementation of drought preparedness and response strategies. The panel will include:

Heather Cooley, Director of Research at the Pacific Institute.
Jeffrey Mount, Senior Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California.
James Sarmento, Executive Director of Cultural Resources for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
Elizabeth Salomone, General Manager of the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District and Association of California Water Agencies Region 1 Board Member.
David W. Pedersen, P.E., General Manager of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.
Tom Butler, Vice President of the Sutter Basin Corporation and California Rice Commission, California Rice Producers Chairman and Executive Committee member.
More information on the Commission’s work to develop strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of long-term drought can be found at cwc.ca.gov/Water-Resilience-Portfolio.



State Water Project Briefing: Maintaining Operational Flexibility

At this meeting, Department of Water Resources (DWR) staff will brief the Commission on how it works to maintain operational flexibility of the State Water Project (SWP), including dealing with drought and flood at the same time, the limiting factors to system flexibility, and the challenges faced by operators that reduce its flexibility. Presenters include:

SWP Deputy Director Ted Craddock, who will offer opening remarks.
SWP Assistant Deputy Director John Yarbrough, who will discuss the ability of the SWP to manage through drought and flood and how DWR is addressing the project’s operational flexibility.
Los Angeles County Works Deputy Director Keith Lilley, who will explain how his department harvested and stored excess water during the January storms.
For more on the State Water Project Annual Review, visit https://cwc.ca.gov/Programs-and-Topics.

Resolutions of Necessity for the Big Notch Project

The Commission will also hear evidence in support of Resolutions of Necessity (RONs) for the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project. Also known as the Big Notch Project, this is a 30,000-acre floodplain habitat restoration and fish passage project in the Yolo Bypass in Yolo County. DWR cannot commence an eminent domain proceeding unless the Commission first adopts an RON. At this meeting, DWR staff will present an overview of the Big Notch Project, including its goals and impacts on SWP operations, as well as information regarding the specific properties listed on the agenda. No action will be taken to adopt RONs for these properties at this meeting.

For more information on the Commission’s role in eminent domain proceedings, visit https://cwc.ca.gov/Programs-and-Topics.

INVITATION FOR TRIBES TO PARTICIPATE AS TASK FORCE MEMBERS!

Background: Senate Bill 552 directs DWR, in collaboration with the State Water Board and other relevant
state agencies, to establish a standing interagency drought and water shortage task force for the State.

The purpose and scope of this task force is to facilitate proactive state planning and coordination for pre-
drought planning, drought emergency response, and post-drought recovery; to develop strategies to enhance collaboration between various fields; and to develop these plans, responses, and strategies in a way that considers all types of water users. Task Force Structure: The task force membership will include representatives from a wide range of water-relevant interested parties. One appointee from eight different state agencies will participate on the task force, and two appointees from each of the following groups will be selected to participate: local governments, community-based organizations, Tribal representation, nonprofit technical assistance providers, the public, agriculture, environment, public water systems, and experts in land use planning, water resilience, and water infrastructure.

Eligibility:
Each non-state agency member is expected to serve on the DRIP Collaborative for a two-year
term.
Two members will be selected to represent each of the following membership categories:
• Tribes
• Public water systems (urban and small water suppliers)
• Environmental
• Local Government
• Agriculture
• Non-profit technical assistance providers
• The public
• Community-based organizations
• Experts in land use planning, water resilience, and water infrastructure

How to Become a Member: If you are interested in becoming a member of the DRIP Collaborative, submit the task force member interest form today!
Instructions: Please address each of the following questions to help us understand your interest in participating as a member in the California
Drought Resilience Interagency and Partners Collaborative:

1. What membership category are you interested in representing, and to what region do you bring expertise and focus?

2. Are you able to commit to attending three DRIP Collaborative meetings per year for the 2-year term?

3. What would you expect to contribute to the DRIP Collaborative in terms of improving coordination to support drought resilience in California?

4. Describe a positive experience of effectively collaborating across interested parties and what made it effective.

Format: Please fill out the form that can be found at the read more button below to submit the answers to the above questions.

Alternatively, you may use the PDF template available here to submit by email to [log in to unmask]

When to Submit: Submit your letter of interest by February 24, 2023.

Questions: For questions, please send an email to [log in to unmask] or call Julie Ekstrom at 916-
612-4371.

The State and DWR are committed to ensuring publicly accessible and equitable inclusion in future meetings. Translation services will be made available upon request.

Rekindling Culture and Fire is CIBA’s new initiative that promotes the reintroduction and increase of cultural burns to promote safe and healthy traditional gathering areas on public, tribal, and private lands in collaboration with California Indian basketweavers. Registration form can be found at the read more button below.

This webinar series, hosted by the Office of Research and Development, is focused on communicating research and tools intended to help communities and local decision-makers protect their assets and reduce vulnerabilities. Topics include site remediation and restoration, community health and wellbeing, and community resilience.

EPA will use your registration information solely for this event and for invitations to future events. We will not share your information with any third party.

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the Agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Sam Whately at [log in to unmask] in advance of the webinar.

For future viewing, a closed-captioned recording of this webinar will be made available on EPA’s YouTube site.

NOTE: The first and last name provided below will be as it appears on the Certificate of Attendance.

To register, please hit the read more button below to be redirected to the registration page.

The Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP) released the Call-for-applications for the FY 2023-24 Adaptation Planning Grant Program. A total of $6.6 million in funding is available in this round to help fill local, regional, and tribal planning needs, identify climate resilience priorities, and support the development of a pipeline of climate-resilient infrastructure projects.



Our staff can help interested parties submit their intention to apply and write a competitive proposal at no cost to your agency. If a grant is awarded, we are equipped to provide a wide range of services, such as conducting outreach to residents, facilitating the public engagement process, and leading or assisting with project management. CivicWell can also support the development of a competitive bid process to identify Technical Consultants for the project.

Please complete the form no later than February 28, 2023, if you are interested in partnering on an application. The form can be found in the read more button below. Complete applications are due on March 31, 2023.

CIEA would like to pay our respects and honor our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives. We draw on the words of our relative Dr. Kyle T. Mays (Saginaw Chippewa), "If we want to dismantle oppressive systems that exist, then we have to stop being oppressive to each other."

We must do our part within the larger conversation and demand accountability as well as change. CIEA would like to take the time to offer space for our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives.

We stand in true solidarity with our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives and communities. We are committed to anti-racist work. CIEA would like to use our platform to denounce anti-blackness and colorism that our own Indigenous nations and communities have been complicit in.

To our Afro-Indigenous and Black Native relatives and community members, CIEA recognizes, honors, and celebrates you.

The CIEA office is still physically closed until further noticed. Staff is still available via email and through out telephones.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

On January 24, 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation published a funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects (EWRP).

Eligible projects under this funding opportunity include Environmental Water Resources Projects, including water conservation and efficiency projects that result in quantifiable and sustained water savings and benefit ecological values or watershed health, water management or infrastructure improvements to benefit ecological values or watershed health, and restoration projects benefitting ecological values or watershed health that have a nexus to water resources or water resources management.

Reclamation will provide Federal financial assistance of up to $3 million in Federal funding for projects with a total project cost of $6 million or less that can be completed in three years. Applicants can receive 75% Federal cost-share if the application demonstrates that the project increases water supply reliability for ecological values, was developed as part of a collaborative process, and the project benefits will advance an established strategy or plan to increase the reliability of water supply for consumptive and non-consumptive ecological values.

If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria for the Environmental Water Resources Projects, click here and select Environmental Water Resource Projects Inquiry to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

You can find additional information regarding the Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity on Reclamation’s website by hitting the read more button below.

The Clif Family Foundation supports nonprofit grassroots organizations that have the ability to engage local groups, positively impact their communities, and focus most of their resources on useful and positive actions.

Grants are provided throughout the United States to support innovative groups working to strengthen our food system, enhance equitable community health outcomes, and safeguard our environment and natural resources.

Priority is given to organizations that address two or more of the Foundation's funding priorities, demonstrate strong community ties, and operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change.

Applications are reviewed three times per year; the application deadlines are February 1, June 1, and October 1, annually. Visit the Foundation's website to learn more about the grants program and to take the eligibility quiz.

California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment Tribal Research team is excited to release for public review the draft grant guidelines for the first round of Tribal Research Grants. The draft can be viewed on the California Energy Commission website or by contacting [log in to unmask]

With a goal of making this program meaningful and accessible to all California Native American tribes, we held 4 listening sessions and consultations to create the draft grant guidelines and we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Please register below by hitting the read more button below to join a virtual Draft Grant Guidelines informational workshop on January 26th from 3pm-5pm

Comments on the draft are due by 5:00 pm on February 1, 2023. You may provide comment during the workshops or submit comment to [log in to unmask]

The Algal Bloom Action Team is hosting its first webinar of 2023 on Wednesday, February 1st. This webinar will feature Donna Hill with the Office of Research and Development with the US EPA. Hill will provide an overview of health effects seen in humans and animals from freshwater cyanotoxin blooms. Completed and planned cyanotoxin research in their EPA lab will also be outlined.

To register for the webinar, please hit the read more button below to be redirected to the registration page.

To register, please hit the read more button below and you will be redirected to the registration link.

On January 24, 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation published a funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects (EWRP). The funding opportunity supports water conservation, water management, and restoration projects that result in significant benefit to the ecosystem or watershed health. The projects must also be part of a collaborative process to increase water resource reliability. 

The Bureau of Reclamation will host a webinar on Monday, February 6, 2023, from 2-3:30 pm MST to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity and the new Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Program. To join the live event or use the same link to watch a recording after the completion of the live event, please hit the read more button, which will take you the live stream/video recording page.

If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria for the Environmental Water Resources Projects, click here and select Environmental Water Resource Projects Inquiry to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized Indian tribes on forthcoming proposed revisions to MPP ELG. The MPP ELG regulations cover wastewater discharges from meat and poultry processing facilities, which range from slaughterhouses to renderers. Any revised limitations on the discharge of pollutants from MPP facilities, once completed by final rulemaking, will subsequently be incorporated into National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, potentially reducing pollutant discharges into waters of the United States.

On September 14, 2021, EPA announced its decision to undertake a rulemaking in which the agency will determine whether more stringent limitations and pretreatment standards for meat and poultry products facilities are appropriate and consistent with the technology-forcing statutory scheme and the goals of the Clean Water Act.

The tribal consultation letter and consultation and coordination plan for this action are attached. These consultation materials are also available on EPA’s Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System (TCOTS) website and can be found through the read more button below.

EPA plans to hold two identical Tribal Webinar and Listening Sessions on February 6 and February13, 2023. These webinars will be an opportunity for EPA to provide an overview of this forthcoming rulemaking and to receive input from tribal representatives about this action. To register:

Tribal Webinar and Listening Session #1
Webinar date/time: Monday, February 6, 2023, 2:00PM EST
To register: https://tinyurl.com/EPAMPPELG

Tribal Webinar and Listening Session #2
Webinar date: Monday, February 13, 2023, 2:00PM EST
To register: https://tinyurl.com/EPAMPPELG

The EPA's anticipated timeline for the consultation and coordination period on this action is expected to extend from January 9 to March 10, 2023.

For any questions, please contact Morgan Teachey, U.S. EPA, Office of Science and Technology by email at [log in to unmask] or by phone at (202) 566-2735.

CDFW is now accepting applications for projects under the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP). The 2023 FRGP Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) (PDF) and 2023 FRGP Guidelines (PDF) outlines the priorities and requirements to apply. The deadline for the required pre-application phase is no later than February 9, 2023. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full application. The deadline for full applications is April 20, 2023, by 3:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted via CDFW WebGrants.

For more information, please see the 2023 PSN, 2023 FRGP Guidelines, and the FAQ (PDF) at their website. Applicants should refer to the Online Instructions (PDF) for information about how to complete the application and the Rich Text Format Application (Word) to help organize your application.

CDFW will be hosting several PSN workshops to assist applicants in understanding the requirements of the PSN and Guidelines. Information on the date and time of each workshop is available on FRGP’s Solicitation Page.

You’re Invited: U.S. EPA Region 9 Non-Government Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Community Members.

This month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 held four listening sessions to discuss the Region’s draft Fiscal Year 2023 Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Implementation Plan. We welcome written input on the Plan through February 10th, submitted via email to [log in to unmask]

The CERF State Leadership Team (EDD, OPR, and Go-Biz) has released the SFP for the CERF Economic Development Pilot Projects.

The SFP designates up to $50 million (up to $10m per project) in funding for 13 projects that have already emerged from existing regional processes or plans and are ready for implementation. Examples of eligible plans include the following:

• Community Investment Playbook

• Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan (State Plan)

• Economic or community development strategy

• Infrastructure financing or community revitalization plan

• US Housing and Urban Development consolidated plan

• Regional growth plan

• Other similar plans or strategies adopted by a local or regional body.

Projects must also demonstrate the CERF core values of equity, sustainability, job quality and access, and economic competitiveness and resilience.

For more information on eligibility, proposal requirements, and deadlines, please hit the read more button below to view the full SFP.

Proposals must be received by 3 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Valley Vision encourages all eligible projects in our Sacramento region to apply. If you plan on submitting a proposal, please let us know so we can track and help support our region’s efforts. Please note that the pilot project funding is being offered outside of the CERF planning and coalition-building activities. Those activities have not yet begun and will launch at our “Building a Community-Centered Clean Economy” kick-off event on February 13. We hope you will join us.

The Southland is also hosting a workshop with Senator Ben Allen’s Senior Policy Consultant Tina Andolina at 11 AM on Monday, February 27th. (See attached flyer.) Senator Allen Chairs the Committee on Environmental Quality. Ms. Andolina will cover Senate EQ topics, the Climate and Natural Resources Bond, and the state budget.

Southland participants do not need to register.

Non-Southland participants must register using the google form by February 17th, which can be found at the read more button below. Questions should also be submitted via this form. The Zoom link will be sent to registrants around February 18th.

The previous Southland’s presentation on the Pathways to 30x30 by CNRA Asst. Secretary of Habitat and Biodiversity Madeline Drake can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNTPa2DWTxg&feature=youtu.be

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative, in coordination with Indian Health Service (IHS), is providing a free webinar series for tribal drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater (water sector) utility owners and operators, as well as other tribal water sector stakeholders nationwide. Session 1 will kick off with an introduction to climate change impacts as it relates to tribes across the country, an overview of CRWU’s risk assessment tools and climate data resources, and a case study presentation from a tribal water utility. Session 2 will dig into CRWU’s tools and demonstrate how tribal utilities can identify climate adaptation strategies to protect their assets. Session 3 will bring in tribal funding experts to identify financing programs to pay for adaptive infrastructure projects.

This free training series will help tribal utilities incorporate climate change considerations into their decision-making, identify adaptation projects to build long-term resilience, and learn about federal and local resources for financing tribal utility resilience projects. To learn more about CRWU success stories, visit our Adaptation Case Studies Story Map for Water Utilities. To view previous online trainings, visit CRWU’s CRWU Training and Engagement Center.

Session 1

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Session 2

Thursday, March 9, 2023

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Session 3

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time


Register for the free National Climate Resilience Training for the Tribal Water Sector under the name “EPA CRWU Three Part Webinar Series" by hitting the read more button below.

More information on this training series is attached. If you have any questions about registering or EPA’s CRWU program, please contact Audrey Ramming at [log in to unmask]

Please feel free to share this opportunity with others who may have interest.

How to Apply

1.Request for Full Application – APGP Intent Survey Phase: One representative from each project team must fill out the Request for Full Application - APGP Intent Survey can be found at the read more button below. Each project team will consist of prospective applicants, including a Lead Applicant and maybe Co-Applicant(s). We will accept Completed Surveys on a rolling basis through March 31, 2023. APGP staff strongly encourage Applicants to fill out the survey as soon as they can. By completing the Survey, you will gain access to an individualized SharePoint folder containing application materials. Applicants who do not submit a Survey will not receive a SharePoint link for application submission.

2.Full-Application Phase: After completing the Request for Full Application – APGP Intent Survey, applicants must complete a full application. Today staff released the public Notice of Funding Availability and individualized application folders to applicants who completed the Survey. Individualized folders include the Full Application and several resources to help applicants develop their applications, including various guidance documents, and templates. Until March 31, ICARP staff will continue releasing individualized application materials to all applicants who complete the survey.

Full applications are Due March 31 and consist of:
General Narrative Questions
Application Workbook to provide project workplan and budget
Up to three Letters of Support

Applicants must submit all application materials to APGP via the file-sharing platform called Microsoft SharePoint before 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, March 31, 2023.

APGP staff will hold at least three Application Workshops that will explain all application requirements, provide additional information, and assist prospective Applicants. APGP staff will ensure that you can access the workshops virtually and via phone. APGP staff will record the workshops for those who are unable to attend or who wish to revisit the presentations.

The Soros Equality Fellowship, a program of the Open Society Foundations, aims to support long-term leaders influencing the racial justice field. The Fellowship provides individuals with $100,000 to support the production of an innovative racial justice project over the course of 18 months.

The goal of the Fellowship is to incubate new ideas, promote risk-taking, and develop different ways of thinking that challenge and expand our existing assumptions. The proposed project must provide considerable value to the racial justice field and inspire new approaches to address issues of structural inequities and discrimination. Activists, lawyers, artists, journalists, organizers, and others with unique perspectives are eligible to apply. The application deadline is January 31, 2023. Visit the Open Society Foundations website to learn more about the Fellowship, which can be found in the read more button below.

The Coastal Commission is looking for 7-8 individuals to collaborate in an advisory group to support the development of new Commission policy guidance at the intersection of sea level rise and environmental justice.

The advisory group will provide input on background information on sea level rise and environmental justice concerns, the draft policy guidance outline, and a broader community engagement strategy for the draft guidance. For more information, please hit the read more button below.

The Clif Family Foundation supports nonprofit grassroots organizations that have the ability to engage local groups, positively impact their communities, and focus most of their resources on useful and positive actions.

Grants are provided throughout the United States to support innovative groups working to strengthen our food system, enhance equitable community health outcomes, and safeguard our environment and natural resources.

Priority is given to organizations that address two or more of the Foundation's funding priorities, demonstrate strong community ties, and operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change.

Applications are reviewed three times per year; the application deadlines are February 1, June 1, and October 1, annually. Visit the Foundation's website to learn more about the grants program and to take the eligibility quiz.

California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment Tribal Research team is excited to release for public review the draft grant guidelines for the first round of Tribal Research Grants. The draft can be viewed on the California Energy Commission website or by contacting [log in to unmask]

With a goal of making this program meaningful and accessible to all California Native American tribes, we held 4 listening sessions and consultations to create the draft grant guidelines and we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Please register below by hitting the read more button below to join a virtual Draft Grant Guidelines informational workshop on January 26th from 3pm-5pm

Comments on the draft are due by 5:00 pm on February 1, 2023. You may provide comment during the workshops or submit comment to [log in to unmask]

The CIEA team would like to wish our Tribal partners a Happy New Year.

The CIEA office is still physically closed until further noticed. Staff is still available via email and through out telephones.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

The Bureau of Reclamation anticipates posting the fiscal year 2023 Environmental Water Resources Project funding opportunity to grants.gov in early to mid-January 2023.

Eligible projects under this funding opportunity include Environmental Water Resources Projects, including water conservation and efficiency projects that result in quantifiable and sustained water savings and benefit ecological values or watershed health, water management or infrastructure improvements to benefit ecological values or watershed health, and restoration projects benefitting ecological values or watershed health that have a nexus to water resources or water resources management.

Reclamation will provide Federal financial assistance of up to $3 million in Federal funding for projects with a total project cost of $6 million or less that can be completed in three years. Applicants can receive 75% Federal cost-share if the application demonstrates that the project increases water supply reliability for ecological values, was developed as part of a collaborative process, and the project benefits will advance an established strategy or plan to increase the reliability of water supply for consumptive and non-consumptive ecological values.

If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria for the Environmental Water Resources Projects, click here and select Environmental Water Resource Projects Inquiry to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.

You can find additional information regarding the Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity on Reclamation’s website by hitting the read more button below.

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Navajo Technical University, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, and the Northwest, Southwest, and Southcentral Climate Adaptation Science Centers announced they're accepting applications for the 2023 Tribal Climate Camp.

The Camp supports teams of Tribal leaders, climate change coordinators, planners, and program managers to build skills, gather information, and develop Tribal plans and policies needed to address climate change impacts.

Applications will be prioritized from delegations of 3-4 individuals from each Tribe and/or organization and will be considered from all geographies. To apply as a Tribal Delegation, please hit the read more button below to be directed to the registration form.

The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has released the Draft Round 1 Community Resilience Centers Program (CRC) Guidelines for public comment! This draft incorporates feedback received through five public listening sessions, focus groups, and key informant interviews conducted earlier in 2022. SGC is holding a series of workshops over the following couple of weeks to get feedback on the draft, which is open for public comment until January 27th. We would love you and anyone in your network to join us for the workshops or submit comments separately to [log in to unmask] Workshop dates and times are listed below, and more details and registration links to the workshops are in the forwarded email.

· Inland California Workshop: Wednesday, January 11, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
· North State Workshop: Thursday, January 12, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
· Bay Area & Central Coast Workshop: Tuesday, January 17, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
· Southern California Workshop: Wednesday, January 18, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
· Rural-Specific Workshop: Thursday, January 19, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
· California Tribal Workshop: Friday, January 20, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join Tribal and local community members to discuss how to bring cultural fire back to So. Humboldt. The January 15th event will begin with a panel discussion about the benefits of Cultural Fire, its relationship to prescribed burning, and how it can be used in Southern Humboldt. Following lunch and a performance by the Round Valley Feather Dancers, we will break into smaller groups based on interests.

This is the first in a series of workshops that we are planning in 2023,
thanks to our funding through the Mattole and Salmon Creek Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience (MSCFH) project. The panel discussion will be videoed to make it available for those who can't be there in person.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) within the White House invites the public to submit expressions of interest in serving as members of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC).

The WHEJAC is charged with providing advice to the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council (IAC) and the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) on a whole-of-government approach to address issues related, but not limited, to environmental justice.

Submit expression of interest questionnaire and resumes for nomination electronically with the subject line WHEJAC Membership 2023 to [log in to unmask] For more information, contact: Karen Martin, U.S. EPA, by telephone at (202) 564-0203, or email at [log in to unmask] Application deadline: January 17, 2023

How to Apply

1.Request for Full Application – APGP Intent Survey Phase: One representative from each project team must fill out the Request for Full Application - APGP Intent Survey can be found at the read more button below. Each project team will consist of prospective applicants, including a Lead Applicant and maybe Co-Applicant(s). We will accept Completed Surveys on a rolling basis through March 31, 2023. APGP staff strongly encourage Applicants to fill out the survey as soon as they can. By completing the Survey, you will gain access to an individualized SharePoint folder containing application materials. Applicants who do not submit a Survey will not receive a SharePoint link for application submission.

2.Full-Application Phase: After completing the Request for Full Application – APGP Intent Survey, applicants must complete a full application. Today staff released the public Notice of Funding Availability and individualized application folders to applicants who completed the Survey. Individualized folders include the Full Application and several resources to help applicants develop their applications, including various guidance documents, and templates. Until March 31, ICARP staff will continue releasing individualized application materials to all applicants who complete the survey.

Full applications are Due March 31 and consist of:
General Narrative Questions
Application Workbook to provide project workplan and budget
Up to three Letters of Support

Applicants must submit all application materials to APGP via the file-sharing platform called Microsoft SharePoint before 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, March 31, 2023.

APGP staff will hold at least three Application Workshops that will explain all application requirements, provide additional information, and assist prospective Applicants. APGP staff will ensure that you can access the workshops virtually and via phone. APGP staff will record the workshops for those who are unable to attend or who wish to revisit the presentations.

The California Water Commission will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, in the Warren-Alquist State Energy Building, 1516 9th Street, in Sacramento. Please see the attached agenda for meeting details. Meeting materials can be found by hitting the read more button below.

The Commission will retain remote public participation similar to our online meeting format. This hybrid platform allows the public to participate in multiple ways.

To participate in person, please join the Commission at the Warren-Alquist State Energy Building, 1516 9th Street, Rosenfeld Hearing Room, Sacramento, CA 95814. Masks are strongly recommended for all regardless of vaccination status, but not required.

To participate remotely, you may join the meeting on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81002135246?pwd=SVFqK0gvSGlzaWZWVXF6UVNsK3FSUT09). More detailed instructions on how to use Zoom and participate in the meeting can be found on the Commission website.
Offer verbal comments by telephone by calling one of the numbers below:
(408) 638-0968
(669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 810 0213 5246
Password: 354201

Individuals who only want to watch or listen can view the live webcast at: https://www.water-ca.com as it preserves interactive meeting resources for those who are commenting on items.

Public comments made in person will precede public comments from remote participants. For those wishing to make an in-person comment, comment cards will be available at the meeting to establish a comment queue.

Written comments received at the Commission office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023, will be made available to Commissioners prior to the meeting. Comments related to meeting agenda items will not be edited and will be posted to the Commission's webpage in their entirety. Individuals who require special accommodations are requested to contact the Commission by phone at: (916) 873-5774 or by email at [log in to unmask]

CalEPA Headquarters

1001 I Street, Sierra Room, 2nd Floor 

Sacramento, CA 95812 

Join us in-person and on Zoom

Join the meeting online in English and Spanish

Zoom - https://csus.zoom.us/j/85677573591



Call-In Information:

English Zoom Call-in Number: (669) 900-6833

Meeting ID: 856 7757 3591 and enter # key

Spanish Call-in Number: (877) 920-8432

Participant ID: 741502 and enter # key

Meetings of the Board of Environmental Safety (BES) are open to the public except when specifically noticed otherwise in accordance with the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. The Board may take action on any item listed on the agenda, unless listed as informational only. Time is approximate and subject to change. Agenda items may be taken out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum. This meeting may be cancelled without notice.

First, thank you for reading our newsletter. We greatly appreciate your subscription to updates as they become available. Second, CIEA invites you to please share anything related to environmental issues such as artworks, writings, photos, words/sayings/phrases in your language, quotes that we can use within our newsletters to help close the message. Third, if you would to submit anything, please do not hesitate to contact Joel, our Communications Coordinator at [log in to unmask]

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) is leading the implementation of California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment (Fifth Assessment) in partnership with the California Energy Commission (CEC), California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), and California Strategic Growth Council (SGC). The implementation team will host outreach opportunities this November to present draft guidelines and updates on the Fifth Assessment’s Tribal Research Grant Program and to share information about the individual research products each team is leading and how the public can get involved.


Please join the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, California Energy Commission, and California Natural Resources Agency for tribal sessions on California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment’s Tribal Research Grant Draft Guidelines.


· Session 1: Wednesday, November 9th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

· Session 2: Tuesday, November 1st, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.


The info presented at both sessions will be the same. We have received input from tribes through listening sessions, consultations, and meetings since July 22 and are excited to share draft concepts for additional feedback. We will present on Draft Guidelines for the Tribal Research Grant Program, updates on Fifth Assessment's Tribal Research Program and provide time for questions, input, and suggestions from attendees.

Once draft guidelines are released, we will accept comments on the draft guidelines for 60 days, aiming to release final grant solicitation in the beginning of 2023.

California's Fifth Assessment Tribal Research Team looks forward to building relationships and collaborating with California tribes to support tribal-led research in the Fifth Assessment and ensure that projects advance tribes’ goals and priorities around climate change, energy, and resilience.

To register here are the links for session 1: https://governorca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqc-qsrjkrGt2H187ooHXu-W2FM7HPx_N8

and session 2: https://governorca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrd-quqTwiGdQgWRUZ6iVdhEwYpKO-VP5D

Each year, the Coastal Conservancy issues millions of dollars in grants for projects that restore and protect the California coast, expand public access to it, and enhance its resilience to climate change.

The State of California has made an unprecedented investment in the resilience and accessibility of the coast. As a result, the Coastal Conservancy has significant funding available to:

non-profit organizations,
public agencies, and
federally-recognized tribes
for projects that benefit public access, natural resources, working lands, and climate resiliency at the coast, coastal watersheds, and the San Francisco Bay.

We anticipate that most of this funding will be allocated through the ongoing pre-proposal process described below.

The Conservancy will fund most stages of a project including: pre-project feasibility studies, property acquisition, project planning including community involvement, design, environmental review, permitting, construction, and project-related monitoring. We do not fund operation and maintenance activities.

We will host a webinar on November 9 at 11:00 on Conservancy funding and how to apply for our grants. A recording of the webinar will be posted here.

Topic: SCC Grant Webinar

Time: Nov 9, 2022 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://scc-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/89567051339?pwd=QnRENnhZd3dTOFNFeEFlTjNZeE1KZz09

Meeting ID: 895 6705 1339

Passcode: 936315

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,89567051339#,,,,*936315# US (San Jose)

You are invited to the second ‘Salmonid Reorienting to Recovery’ Tribal Meeting

Date: Nov 10, 2022
Time: 10:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89608462500?pwd=cjFpd0VkakxreFZZdXpTTHhqMTN1UT09
Dial by your location: +1 669 444 9171 US or +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Or, find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdL72GzR1H

Meeting ID: 896 0846 2500
Passcode: 080077

This Tribal meeting on November 10, 2022 will assist us in shaping Tribal engagement and the Project itself. Members of the Salmon Recovery Planning Team will join us for the first hour to and share the ‘values’ collected and how these will be used to develop the draft Salmon Recovery plan, provide the next steps, and to include an overview of the upcoming November and December meetings (see dates below). They will stay with us to answer questions and to receive feedback. The second half of this meeting will be a Tribal only discussion on:


1) Whether or not the presented values are reflective of Tribal perspectives, and gather what should be added before they continue.

2) How Tribes want to be represented in two Salmonid workgroups. The first ‘Science Advisory Team’ meeting is on November 18, 2022 information on it will be sent separately. The second is not yet scheduled.

3) How Tribes want us to structure a Tribal workgroup, what funding is available to support Tribal engagement, and how these funds should be distributed to regional Tribes.

Please also Save the Date for the following upcoming meetings:



Salmonid Reorienting to Recovery Project Meetings

· Day 1 (12/1, 10am-2pm) - Initial baseline and reference scenarios (based on current and planned projects in the Central Valley)

· Day 2 (12/6, 12-4pm) - A straw proposal for modeling the values we’ve collected from you

· Day 3 (12/12, 11am-3pm) – Model sensitivity and next steps for the structured decision-making process

Science Advisory Team – November 18, 2022 at 10am-Noon



Information about these meetings will be sent separately.


Attached are related documents we will discuss these during the November 10, 2022 meeting. Note these also include attachments we previously sent along with the poll used to identify this meeting date – we have left it here so you will have all this information in one place.

We are also sending this same information a calendar invite. We are sending the agenda with an event reminder next week. We hope you can join us in November!

CIEA would like to wish our Tribal partners a Happy Native American Heritage Month. Everyday is Native American Heritage Month.

The CIEA office is still physically closed until further noticed. Staff is still available via email and through out telephones.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

The Emergency Response Grant is available to eligible tribes to respond to and provide relief for the immediate impacts of unexpected situations that threaten the health and safety of tribal communities and require emergency action. Eligible tribes may apply for up to $100,000 per emergency and must provide an authorizing resolution and a tribal emergency resolution/proclamation. Funding is ongoing and is typically considered on a monthly basis. For more information, please hit the read more button to be redirected to the CA.gov website where the info is housed

Greetings Tribal government representatives and other interested parties,

The SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program is interested in building relationships with California Native American Tribes and learning about each tribes’ interest and readiness to partner with us.

Background

The Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program works with its many partners to answer the question: Is it safe to eat fish and shellfish in California waters that the public and tribes use for consumption, subsistence, and/or cultural purposes?

The Water Board’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) evaluated its Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program and issued a Realignment Plan in December 2020. The Realignment Plan calls for a focus on incorporating Tribal perspectives and needs into its monitoring efforts and ensuring those data and information are useful and used by Californian Native American Tribes (tribes) who rely on waterbodies for traditional, cultural, and subsistence uses. The inclusion of representatives from Tribal governments and/or Tribal advocacy groups in the Realignment process is central to the success of the Program and long-term (10+ year) Realignment effort. Tribal representatives who choose to participate in a future Realignment Process will have the opportunity to highlight priorities and shape the future of the Program in their region so that it better serves their communities.

Tribal Engagement Plan

From March to November 2022, the Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program will be conducting statewide outreach and engagement with tribes that are interested in learning more about the Program or the Realignment process. The main objectives of this Tribal engagement effort are to:

Initiate introductions between Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program staff and tribes.
Explain the Program and Realignment process, and gauge Tribal interest and readiness to participate in future Realignment cycles.
Execute the engagement well in advance of the beginning of the next Regional Realignment cycle (2024) so that tribes have time to make an informed decision regarding their interest and readiness to engage with the Program and participate in future Realignment cycles.


How to Participate

Schedule an introductory meeting with Program staff. Introductory meetings can be short (~30 min) or long (one or more hours), depending on Tribal representatives’ interest and availability.

To schedule a meeting with Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program staff, please complete the Tribal Engagement Interest Form to indicate your interest in connecting with us, your availability to set up a meeting, who should be included in the meeting invitation, and their contact information. There is no deadline to complete the form. The form can be found by clicking the read more button below.



Resources below can be found on the Water Boards website.


Tribal Engagement Plan
Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Fact Sheet
Realignment Plan Fact Sheet
Realignment Plan Executive Summary


Contact

Anna Holder, SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Coordinator and Realignment Lead, at [log in to unmask] (preferred) or 916-341-5096.