The Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) will host its 2026 Infrastructure Conference October 20–22, 2026, in Wenatchee, Washington.

The conference brings together Tribes, local governments, state and federal agencies, funding organizations, and technical assistance providers to connect communities with infrastructure funding and resources.

Conference topics include:

• Infrastructure planning
• Tribal-community partnerships
• Cultural resource management
• Tribal funding programs
• Water and wastewater infrastructure
• Brownfields redevelopment
• Transportation projects
• Funding and financing strategies

Participants will also have opportunities to connect directly with funding agencies and technical assistance providers through IACC’s Technical Assistance (Tech Teams) and networking events.

Check out the flyer here.

IACC Scholarship Opportunity

Scholarships of $325 are available to support attendance and are limited to one scholarship per organization or community.

To apply for an IACC scholarship, contact:

Brianna Morin

• Phone: 360-753-4137
• Email: briannam@awcnet.org

Please note: Communities that receive a scholarship through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) are not eligible for an IACC scholarship.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) is making a limited number of industrial-sized HEPA air cleaners available to Tribal communities through a donation program.

Priority will be given to Tribal Clean Air Centers (Clean Air Shelters) and Tribal early childhood facilities, including daycares and preschools.

Each donated unit:

• Has an estimated retail value of more than $3,000
• Includes replacement filters expected to last approximately two years under continuous use
• Can rapidly improve indoor air quality by reducing wildfire smoke particles and other airborne particulate pollution
• May also help reduce exposure to airborne viruses, including COVID-19, RSV, and seasonal influenza

Recipients are responsible for shipping costs from Flagstaff, Arizona, and will be asked to provide feedback on how the air cleaner is used to support Tribal communities.

If your Tribe is interested in receiving a unit, please contact:

Mansel Nelson

Program Manager, Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)

📧 mansel.nelson@nau.edu

📞 (928) 523-1275

Given the ongoing wildfire season and smoke impacts across parts of Region 10, this opportunity may be especially beneficial for Tribal facilities serving children, Elders, and other sensitive populations.

The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) is accepting applications for new members of the Tribal Waste & Response Steering Committee (TWAR SC).

The Steering Committee provides Tribal leadership and guidance to ITEP’s Waste & Response Program and helps identify priorities, training needs, and emerging issues affecting Tribal waste management and environmental response programs.

Applications will be reviewed later this year, with selected applicants notified in early 2027. New members will begin their two-year term on March 1, 2027.

This opportunity is ideal for Tribal environmental professionals who are interested in helping shape national discussions on Tribal waste management, brownfields, emergency response, and environmental protection.

Learn more about the Steering Committee and download an application.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a Checklist for Laboratories Providing Analytical Support for Water Contamination Incidents to help laboratories prepare for and respond to drinking water emergencies.

When a drinking water contamination incident occurs, utilities move through three phases—investigation, response, and recovery. Laboratories play a critical role in each phase by providing timely, reliable analytical results that support decision-making during an emergency.

The checklist is designed for:

• Tribal laboratories
• Utility laboratories
• Commercial laboratories
• Municipal laboratories
• State and federal laboratories that support water sector emergencies

The checklist includes practical guidance on:

• Pre-incident preparedness, including laboratory contacts, analytical capabilities, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)
• Incident response, including sampling and analysis priorities, chain of custody, and communications
• Surge capacity, laboratory safety, recovery activities, and after-action planning

This resource can help strengthen emergency preparedness and response planning for Tribal drinking water systems and laboratories supporting the water sector.

Learn more and access the checklist

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently convened a national Water Sector Workforce Roundtable to discuss strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining the next generation of drinking water and wastewater professionals.

The roundtable brought together water utilities, state agencies, water associations, and federal partners to address the growing workforce shortage facing the nation’s water sector. With approximately one-third of the current water workforce nearing retirement, EPA is working to identify solutions that support workforce development and ensure communities continue to have access to safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services.

EPA plans to build on its 2020 Water Workforce Initiative by developing an online toolbox with resources to help utilities and technical assistance providers strengthen recruitment, training, and employee retention. Topics discussed included apprenticeship opportunities, operator certification, education and training, cybersecurity, and developing the technical skills needed to support modern water systems.

EPA also highlighted its continued investment in workforce development through the Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program, which has invested more than $15 million since 2018 to expand awareness of water careers and strengthen workforce pipelines.

These efforts may be of interest to Tribal drinking water and wastewater programs, utility operators, environmental professionals, and organizations working to build and sustain the water workforce.

Learn More

• Water Infrastructure Sector Workforce
• Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program
• Operator Certification

As wildfires continue to impact parts of the Pacific Northwest, including communities in eastern Washington, many residents are experiencing hazardous smoke, evacuations, and, for some, the devastating loss of homes and property. Our thoughts are with everyone affected and the firefighters, emergency responders, Tribal Nations, and volunteers working to protect lives and communities.

Wildfire smoke can significantly affect both outdoor and indoor air quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages residents to monitor local air quality conditions and take steps to reduce smoke exposure, especially during periods of unhealthy air.

Protect Yourself Outdoors

When air quality is poor:

• Limit outdoor activity and avoid strenuous exercise.
• Wear a properly fitted N95 respirator if you must be outside.
• Complete only essential outdoor tasks and take frequent breaks indoors.

Keep Indoor Air Clean

EPA recommends:

• Keeping windows and doors closed when smoke levels are high.
• Using a portable air cleaner or a DIY air cleaner.
• Installing a MERV-13 HVAC filter, if compatible with your system.
• Avoiding activities that create indoor air pollution, including smoking, burning candles, vacuuming, and frying or broiling foods.
• Creating a designated clean room to reduce smoke exposure during prolonged smoke events.

After the Smoke Clears

When outdoor air quality improves, ventilate your home by opening windows and using your HVAC system’s fresh air intake. If ash cleanup is necessary, follow EPA guidance to safely remove ash and debris.

Resources

Air Quality & Fire and Smoke Map

Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality

DIY Air Cleaners

Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home

Create a Clean Room During Wildfire Smoke Events

EPA Wildfire Resources

This guidance may be especially helpful for Tribal communities, emergency managers, environmental professionals, and residents across Region 10 as wildfire season continues. Staying informed and taking simple steps to reduce smoke exposure can help protect your health and the health of your family.

The Mentorship Assisted Resource & Support Hub (MARSH) is now accepting applications for mentors for its 2027 program. Hosted by the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) in partnership with the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) and the SWS Professional Certification Program (SWSPCP), MARSH is a one-year mentorship program designed to support students, early-career professionals, and individuals transitioning into wetland careers.

Mentors provide one-on-one guidance, share professional experience, and help strengthen the next generation of wetland professionals while expanding their own professional networks.

Important Dates

• Mentor Application Deadline: August 24, 2026
• Mentee Applications Open: September 2026
• Program Begins: January 2027

If you have experience in wetlands science, management, permitting, restoration, or related fields, consider becoming a mentor and helping develop future leaders in the profession.

Learn more and apply

Questions? Contact Ian Grosfelt at ian@nawm.org.

EPA has finalized a rule extending certain compliance deadlines under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC). The agency states the extensions are intended to provide facilities with additional time to properly install, maintain, and implement required worker protection measures while maintaining the same level of health protection.

The final rule also aligns compliance deadlines for workplace information and training requirements with related Workplace Chemical Protection Program deadlines for both chemicals. EPA emphasized that the agency’s determination that PCE and CTC present an unreasonable risk to human health has not changed, and the underlying worker protection requirements remain in place.

EPA is continuing its broader reconsideration of the 2024 risk management rules and expects to publish proposed revisions later in 2026.

Learn more:

• Perchloroethylene (PCE)
• Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC)
• View the prepublication final rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of 23 Tribal and intertribal consortium projects to receive a total of $28.4 million through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia program.

Individual awards range from $100,000 to $1.5 million and will support projects that strengthen post-consumer materials management, improve recycling infrastructure, enhance local recycling programs, and modernize waste management systems in Tribal communities.

The SWIFR program is designed to help Tribes build more resilient and sustainable materials management systems while increasing recycling opportunities and reducing waste.

Learn more about the SWIFR Program | View the list of selected projects

Questions? Contact SWIFRTribal@epa.gov

EPA’s Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) Initiative offers free technical assistance to help drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities strengthen resilience against natural hazards and other emergencies.

SWIFT provides support with:

• Natural hazard risk assessments
• Emergency Response Plan (ERP) development and updates
• Drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utility resilience
• Physical security and cybersecurity planning
• Emergency preparedness and response strategies

For community water systems serving more than 3,300 people, SWIFT can also assist with developing or updating Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) required under Section 1433 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Technical assistance can help utilities strengthen emergency procedures, improve system resilience, enhance detection capabilities, and reduce the impacts of natural hazards or other disruptive events.

Interested in receiving free technical assistance?

Learn more and contact the SWIFT team.

EPA has released a new implementation memorandum aimed at improving transparency, clarity, and efficiency in the agency’s review of Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Clean Air Act Section 309.

The memorandum provides guidance for how EPA develops and submits comment letters on environmental reviews conducted by other federal agencies, including reviews associated with federal permitting decisions.

According to EPA, the updated approach is intended to:

• Promote common-sense and transparent environmental reviews.
• Clarify EPA’s advisory role in the NEPA process.
• Reinforce that EPA is not the lead agency or final decisionmaker for many federal projects.
• Support more efficient federal permitting and interagency coordination.

EPA’s comment letters provide environmental analysis and recommendations that become part of the public record and may inform federal agency decisions on proposed projects.

Read the Memo | More on NEPA

EPA has announced it will waive application and credit processing fees for small communities applying for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans during Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027.

The fee waivers are intended to reduce barriers for small and rural communities seeking funding for drinking water, wastewater, and other water infrastructure projects.

Under this announcement:

• Communities with populations of 25,000 or fewer will have the $25,000 WIFIA application fee waived.
• EPA will also waive the Credit Processing Fee, which currently averages approximately $156,000 per loan, subject to program requirements and available funding.

Together, these fee waivers could save eligible communities nearly $200,000 when applying for a WIFIA loan.

The WIFIA program currently has approximately $11 billion in available financing and can fund up to 80 percent of project costs for eligible projects. EPA is currently accepting Letters of Interest.

WIFIA provides long-term, low-cost financing to support significant water infrastructure investments, helping communities improve drinking water and wastewater systems while supporting public health and economic development.

Learn more about the WIFIA program and how to submit a Letter of Interest.

EPA has announced more than $227 million in Fiscal Year 2026 funding to help American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and protect public health and the environment.

The funding will support projects that increase access to safe and reliable drinking water, improve wastewater systems, and help communities address emerging contaminants such as lead and PFAS.

FY 2026 funding includes:

• $71 million for the Clean Water Indian Set-Aside (CWISA) Program, including $4.5 million for emerging contaminants.
• $134 million for Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants (DWIG-TSA).
• $19 million through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Tribal Grant Program.
• $3 million through the Small, Rural, and Tribal (SmaRT) Drinking Water Assistance Grant Program.

These resources can support planning, design, construction, infrastructure upgrades, operator training, and other activities that strengthen Tribal water systems and improve community health outcomes.

Learn More:

• EPA Tribal Water Program
• EPA Tribal Drinking Water Funding Programs
• Clean Water Indian Set-Aside Program
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
• Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC)
• Small, Rural, and Tribal (SmaRT) Drinking Water Assistance Program

The National Tribal Water Council (NTWC) is currently accepting applications for two council vacancies:

At-Large Representative

Open to Tribal water professionals employed by a federally recognized Tribe or Tribally authorized organization in EPA Regions 1–10.

Alaska Representative

Open to Tribal water professionals employed by an Alaska Native Tribe or Tribally authorized organization in Alaska.

The NTWC serves as a technical and scientific body that advocates for the interests of federally recognized Tribes on national water quality and water resource issues. Tribal professionals with experience in the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, drinking water, wastewater, water infrastructure, and operations and maintenance are encouraged to apply.

Learn more and access the application packet: https://itep.nau.edu/ntwc/

Questions? Contact Elaine Wilson at Elaine.Wilson@nau.edu.

Tribal environmental professionals looking to strengthen program management, environmental capacity, and technical skills can access a variety of free training opportunities through EPA’s GAP Academy.

The GAP Academy provides self-paced and instructor-led training designed to support Tribal environmental programs funded through the General Assistance Program (GAP). Training topics include environmental program development, capacity building, grants management, strategic planning, community engagement, and other tools to help Tribes build and sustain environmental programs.

The GAP Academy’s Building Environmental Capacity training series offers resources for both new and experienced environmental staff working to develop and strengthen Tribal environmental programs.

Explore available courses and training resources. 

These resources are available at no cost and can help Tribal environmental staff build skills, strengthen programs, and support long-term environmental capacity development.

This guide is designed to help Tribal leadership and staff decide how to seek federal disaster assistance after a disaster. It includes an introduction to the disaster declaration process, the three types of declarations available to Tribal Nations, and the administrative and financial obligations associated with each. This guide does not cover: emergency declarations; Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) or Tribal emergency management.

This document was prepared by the Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program (EELP) in partnership with the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative’s Tribal Coastal Resilience Project. This document incorporates feedback from Tribal leaders and staff who participated in virtual and in-person workshops. For a copy of the guide click here.

The Federal Government is shut down again, placing Indian Country in jeopardy as trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations go unpaid. Even with advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service, most other Tribal programs will be severely impacted, including wrap-around health care services provided through federal awards outside of IHS that save Native lives.

Indian Country needs your stories to help bring the shutdown data and numbers to life. Tribal programs represent more than faceless bureaucrats carrying out programs handed down by Washington. Congress has been shown the data for years, and we know that bringing the data to life makes a difference.

Click here to fill out the survey.  

Click here for government shutdown resources.

On December 23, EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights released the agency’s Environmental Justice Strategic Plan. The plan lays out three goals for agency:

1. Promote environmental justice and civil rights at the federal, Tribal, state, local, and community levels
2. Embed environmental justice and external civil rights into EPA’s programs, policies, and activities
3. Strengthen external civil rights enforcement to protect access to a healthy environment for all people