Sets of legal environmental codes were drafted to serve as models for the ITEC member Tribes. These model codes are currently available for distribution to the ITEC member Tribes and include solid waste, hazardous waste and water quality.
The ITEC staff is available to assist member Tribes with the development or revision of Tribal Environmental Agreements, Memorandums of Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, etc. The development of these agreements provides the ITEC member Tribes an optional process by which environmental needs or issues are identified as baseline studies and environmental plans are developed. These agreements will also support and identify the willingness of EPA to recognize the programmatic needs and resources essential to the collective effort of environmental protection. Models are available for distribution to the ITEC member Tribes.
Program analysis of Tribal environmental management infrastructure is recognized as a priority in order to implement standards for effective internal management and fiscal responsibility. Assistance is available to the member tribes with the development of a Management Plan describing the Organization, Fiscal Management, and Programmatic Administration. A model management plan is available for distribution to the ITEC member Tribes.
The ITEC staff recognizes the need for ITEC member Tribes to access information electronically. Internet access provides an opportunity to access general regulatory topics, program information, and provide an efficient form of information exchange. In previous fiscal years, ITEC provided funds to the ITEC member Tribes to access the Internet. Resources were provided to establish phone lines, procure computer hardware/software, and maintain access user services. The ITEC staff currently focuses on maintaining web site material and providing updates in a timely manner.
A quarterly newsletter is developed and distributed to the ITEC contacts from each of the member Tribes and representatives from various federal agencies and organizations. The newsletter contains articles on specific media initiatives, updates from national Tribal organizations, and upcoming events. Tribal programs are encouraged to submit articles reflecting accomplishments to serve as a "showcase" of Tribal program achievement.
The ITEC staff coordinates and conducts an annual environmental conference held on a rotating schedule in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. The conference format is a two-day event with a general assembly and break out sessions. Speakers are scheduled to serve as presenters on topics from a national, regional, and local perspective. Vendors are also coordinated to provide current information on technology and organizations pertinent to environmental program development.
The ITEC staff recognizes the necessity for on-site visits to each member Tribe of the consortium for conducting Tribal environmental needs assessments. This activity assists the OES staff by identifying current and unique environmental issues addressed by each ITEC member Tribe. This essential program element assists in determining environmental issues with the potential to negatively impact the health and welfare of the ITEC member Tribes. Meetings are conducted on a quarterly basis and by request.
The ITEC staff has compiled databases to assist the ITEC Tribes with the development of environmental characterizations. Information included in the databases include: Tribal oil & gas locations, criteria air pollutants and HAPs, illegal dumps, landfills, transfer stations, UST site monitoring wells, and Tribal watershed data.
During FY 2003-04, the ITEC staff focused on developing a communication plan in an effort to provide pertinent environmental updates to its ITEC member Tribes. The OES staff developed a web site that serves as a one-stop point of communication for outside entities to utilize for information distribution to its ITEC member Tribes. This enables the Tribes accessto funding notices, rules and regulations and the Quarterly Newsletter, which allows ITEC member Tribes the availability to access events and concerns throughout the year. Rather than inundating the ITEC contacts with daily updates, the ITEC staff will maintain an updated web site with a variety of options for the ITEC contacts to select from.