EPA Plan for Implementing the Policies and Directives of E.O. 13175: Consultation & Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to honoring tribal sovereignty and including tribal voices in policy deliberations, as called for in President Biden’s January 26, 2021 memorandum on Nation-to-Nation relationships with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Nations. EPA has a long history of engagement and consultation with tribal governments. In 2011, it was among the first federal agencies to issue a tribal consultation policy, and in the 10 years since the policy was issued EPA has conducted more than 680 tribal consultations. Continued implementation of EPA's Consultation Policy remains a top priority for the Agency as EPA strives to learn from its past consultations and ongoing engagements with federally recognized Indian tribes. This plan, which builds upon EPA’s existing policies and practices, identifies current and future actions the Agency is taking to meet the directives of Executive Order 13175 and to build on and strengthen its consultation policies and practices.