Tribal Air Program

Air Program Tribal Coordinators

Ben Giwojna
(giwojna.benjamin@epa.gov)
(312-886-0247

Monika Lacka (lacka.monika@epa.gov)
312-353-6556

Cynthia Meyer (meyer.cynthia@epa.gov)
312-886-5868

National Air and Tribal Information

Background

Region 5 is committed to protecting the health of the people and the environmental resources in Indian Country, while supporting tribal self-government, fulfilling the Federal trust responsibility, and strengthening government-to-government relations between tribes and the EPA.

The Tribal Authority Rule authorizes "treatment of an Indian tribe in the same manner as states" for tribes to implement EPA-approved Clean Air Act programs in Indian Country. Tribes may implement only those programs they wish, or even only the portions of programs that are most relevant to the air quality needs of the tribe. Eligible TAR tribes have the authority to develop Tribal Implementation Plans, which may impose air quality requirements in Indian Country that meet or exceed those defined in the CAA.

Region 5 administers CAA mandated programs in Indian Country in instances where a tribe does not wish to administer any or all provisions of these programs. The programs currently available for EPA's direct implementation include:

CAA Title V Operating Permit
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Construction Permit
New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
Tribal Minor NSR
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
Attainment Status Designations
Compliance and enforcement

Resources

Grants

Where tribes choose to develop their own CAA programs, EPA identifies and provides resources, tools, and technical support that tribes need to develop and implement these programs.

Funding Announcement Guidelines for Available FY 2013 Tribal Air Funding (PDF) (13 pp, 251K) - October 2012
Region 5's Indian Environmental Office's General Assistance Program - information about grants to tribes implementing environmental programs.
The Tribal Grants Framework: a Menu of Options (PDF) (24 pp, 225K)
Grant Application Forms

Contacts: Ben Giwojna (giwojna.benjamin@epa.gov) 312-886-0247, Monika Lacka (lacka.monika@epa.gov) 312-353-6556, Cynthia Meyer (meyer.cynthia@epa.gov) 312-886-5868

Permits

Contact: Genevieve Damico (damico.genevieve@epa.gov) 312-353-4761

Additional Contacts:

Air Monitoring

Scott Hamilton (hamilton.scott@epa.gov) 312-353-4775

Emissions Inventory

Anthony Ross (ross.anthony@epa.gov) 312-353-0826

Indoor Air and Radon

Indoor Air - Fayette Bright (bright.fayette@epa.gov) 312-886-6069
Radon - Michael Murphy (murphy.michael@epa.gov) 312-353-6686

Criteria Pollutants

Ozone Information, Guidance on 8-hour Ozone Designations - Doug Aburano (aburano.douglas@epa.gov) 312-353-6960

Eligibility Determinations and the Tribal Authority Rule

Ben Giwojna (giwojna.benjamin@epa.gov) 312-886-0247

Regulation Development and Tribal Implementation Plans

Ben Giwojna (giwojna.benjamin@epa.gov) 312-886-0247

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