CTCLUSI Receive EPA approval to administer Clean Water Act programs on reservation and trust lands

Contact: Mark MacIntyre/EPA – Seattle 206-553-7302/ Macintyre.mark@epa.gov

Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians receive EPA approval to administer Clean Water Act programs on reservation and trust lands

Seattle (May 3, 2021) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the request by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians to assume responsibilities of the Clean Water Act’s water quality standards and certification programs on reservation and trust lands.

With this approval, the CTCLUSI will assume authority over all surface waters within the Reservation and trust Lands. Trust lands include lands located outside of the reservation that are held in trust by the United States for the CTCLUSI. The CTCLUSI reservation and trust lands collectively cover almost 15,000 acres of southwest Oregon.

According to Dan Opalski, Director of EPA’s Water Division in Seattle:

“We are pleased to approve the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, & Siuslaw Indians’ request for Treatment in a Similar Manner as a State. We support their efforts to protect water quality and celebrate this enhancement of our partnership in implementing the Clean Water Act. We look forward to our continued work with the tribes to protect vital resources now and for future generations.”

According to the CTCLUSI tribal Council:

“This Treatment in a Similar Manner as State recognition is an important acknowledgment of tribal sovereignty by the EPA. We are very pleased with this determination. Water is Life!  Water is and always has been an important resource for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, & Siuslaw Indians and we are excited that we can now manage the tribe’s waters more directly.”

The CTCLUSI applied to EPA for “Treatment in a Similar Manner to a State” (TAS) for the Clean Water Act section 303(c) water quality standards and the section 401 water quality certification programs on December 17, 2019, and supplemented the application on June 12, 2020.

Specifically, this approval will enable the CTCLUSI to set water quality goals and standards – the regulatory and scientific foundation for protecting water quality – for all water bodies within the CTCLUSI reservation and trust Lands. EPA’s approval does not alter or modify water quality standards outside of the CTCLUSI reservation and trust Lands.

Today’s approval authorizes the CTCLUSI to develop water quality standards for all surface waters within the CTCLUSI reservation and trust Lands and to ensure that CWA-permitted discharges will meet all applicable water quality standards for reservation waters after those standards are reviewed and approved by EPA. The CTCLUSI have previously been granted TAS status for other Clean Water Act sections:  section 106 – Water Pollution Protection and section 319 – Nonpoint Source programs, in 2002 and 2003, respectively.  

Background

Several federal environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, authorize EPA to treat eligible federally recognized Indian tribes in a similar manner as a state for implementing and managing certain environmental programs. The basic requirements for applying for TAS are that the tribe must be federally recognized; have a governing body to carry out substantial governmental duties and powers; have the appropriate authority; and be capable of administering the functions of the program.

EPA’s approval of the CTCLUSI’s application does not constitute an approval (nor disapproval) of the tribes’ water quality standards. Any water quality standards adopted by a tribe and submitted to EPA for action must satisfy all Clean Water Act and other regulatory requirements, including public participation to ensure an appropriate opportunity for any interested entities to provide input on the proposed water quality standards.

#  #  #

Mark A. MacIntyre

Senior Public Information Officer

U.S. EPA Region 10

1200 Sixth Ave. Suite 155  MS – 12-D-12

Seattle, WA 98101

Desk: 206.553.7302

Mobile: 206.369.7999

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Tribal Scholarship Applications

Deadline to Apply is May 23, 2021 by 11:59 p.m. PST

The Confederated Tribes’ Education Department is doing everything we can to ensure students have an easier time paying for their education, but we are not the only ones who are thinking of you. The Education Committee works very hard to organize and ensure the availability of our tribal scholarships. These scholarship donations come from many different areas in the community and within the tribe.

The Pepsi Scholarship is a privately funded scholarship. Applicants should look into explaining their role of community service in the tribes.

The Mitsis Scholarship is exclusively funded by the Education Committee. Applicants should write about how our tribal history or knowledge has changed their life in some way.

The last scholarship we offer is the Elders Scholarship, funded by private tribal donations as well as our own tribal elders. Applicants should look into writing about their experience with an elder’s teachings and how it has changed their life.

All of these scholarships are annually awarded and funded. Only CTCLUSI Higher Education Students are awarded these scholarships. We encourage you to apply for all of them!

Pepsi, Mitsis, & Elders Scholarship Application
Pepsi, Mitsis & Elders Scholarships PDF
Carolyn Slyter Scholarship Application
Grace Brainard Scholarship Application

*original post date: April 7, 2021. Reposted May 4, 2021.

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Pfizer Shot Clinic

Age’s 16 and older, Saturday, May 8, 2021

Location: Coos Bay Fire Department. Drive thru clinic starting point: 350 S. Fifth Street, Coos Bay, OR 97420

Schedule an appoint online here https://www.communityhealth.events/scheduler/event/2b5faee5-ac4d-4cb5-8923-a1b00091d7ad/

Need help making an appointment? Contact Kristy Petrie, CTCLUSI’s Community Health Nurse at (541) 888-7521

CTCLUSI is working with CHW to get Pfizer to our community.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics and Resources

CTCLUSI has ended our independent first-time dose clinics. Our second dose (booster) clinics will be complete in May, 2021. CTCLUSI has been closely working with Local Public Health here in Coos County to ensure that our community stays safe, informed and protected.  CTCLUSI has played a small role in helping our Local Health Partners with vaccine clinics, and will continue to do so. Please keep an eye on the resources that are provided for updates.

Recently local pharmacies have taken on an important role of vaccinating our Communities as well. Coos Health and Wellness, Bay Area Hospital, Coquille Valley Hospital, Southern Coos Hospital, and the Coastal Community Center have all held large vaccine events and recently have had difficulties filling their clinics, even when opening it up to everyone to prevent wasted vaccine at the end of a clinic day.  Partnering with our local partners also allows for our CTCLUSI staff to have more time to provide services for our Tribal members and community.

  • CTCLUSI and Coos Health and Wellness are partnering to get Pfizer into Coos County.
    • Pfizer is approved for individuals 16 years of age and older.
    • Keep an eye out for updates on this CTCLUSI website.
      • Tribal Members:
        • Please make sure that you answer your phone for auto-dialer message for information about future clinics. If you don’t have Voice-Mail set up, please do so, so you don’t miss this important message.
        • We will do our best to send out Post-Card updates once we have more information, and as time permits. Once we receive Pfizer, CHW will have a two-week span of time to use it.
  • Coos Health and Wellness
    • Facebook Coos Health & Wellness updates: https://www.facebook.com/CoosHealthWellness/
      • CHW has been posting information about other LPH community Vaccination events like Bandon Community Center, Bay area Hospital Vaccine Clinics, and more.  
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Hollering Project Delayed, Tribe and City Committed to Working Together on Development of the Area

April 13, 2021
For Immediate Release

HOLLERING PROJECT DELAYED, TRIBE AND CITY COMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA


Coos Bay, Oregon — The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (“Tribe”) and the City of Coos Bay through the Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency (“URA”) announced that the Tribe’s development of a cultural center at the Hollering Place, located on the corner of Newmark Avenue and Empire Boulevard, is on indefinite hold. Economic impacts associated with the COVID crisis has significantly impacted the ability of the Tribe to proceed with development of the property.


Development of the Hollering Place, including the transfer of property from the URA to the Tribe, was agreed to by the URA and Tribe in a development agreement and called for a joint approach for the development of two parcels of property. In October, the Coos Bay Planning Commission approved land use plans a proposed the Hollering Place Cultural Center, which would be home to historical and cultural exhibits and serve as a place to share Tribal culture.


As part of the development agreement, the Tribe agreed to construct a new seawall to protect the lower bluff property from erosion in exchange for transfer of the upper lot. Construction of the sea wall was completed by the Tribe last year. On June 20, the deed to the upper bluff parcel was signed over to the Tribe.


In recent discussions, the Tribe and the URA agreed that the Tribe would retain ownership of the upper bluff parcels and explore options for development in the future. Lower lot ownership will remain with the URA and it is expected that the URA will explore other development options in the months ahead. The parties remain committed to working together for positive economic development in the area and across the region.


For further information, contact Rodger Craddock, City Manager, City of Coos Bay at 541-269-8912 and Sharol McDade, Chief Executive Officer, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, at 541-888-7527.

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Covid-19 Moderna Vaccine (Applications Now Closed)

***As of April 19, 2021 CTCLUSI is no longer taking applications for the Moderna Vaccine. Please check back for more information and resources on Covid 19 vaccines as we continue working with public health and assisting our Tribal members, families, and the community.***

The COVID-19 Moderna Vaccine was approved for Emergency use Authorization (EUA) for ages 18 and older. This means that we will be getting the Moderna Vaccine. Please take a few minutes to fill out this short application. The purpose of this application is so that the CTCLUSI Health Department can gather data on who would like the COVID-19 vaccine. This data will be used to set up appointment times, and keep those who want the vaccine informed. 

Disclaimer: CTCLUSI is getting a very limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccines for the first distribution, yet expect to receive more vaccines when available. The second distribution of vaccines is unknown. It is our goal to make sure that everyone that wants the vaccine has the opportunity to receive it. There are 10 doses of vaccine in each vial, and once a vial is punctured it is only is good for 6 hours, it will then be disposed of if not used. Due to this, having a list of names and contact numbers will help to prevent the waste of the vaccine if someone is unable to receive it. The vaccine is a two dose vaccine, the second dose is 28 days apart from the first dose.

***Disclaimer: Consent form must be filled out and dated for the day the vaccine is available and administered. Forms are available at the vaccine site to fill out. (updated 1/12/21)

***Update: The Covid-19 Moderna vaccination is now open and available to all staff and spouses. If you are interested, please complete the Covid-19 Moderna Vaccine Application. (updated 2/3/21).

***Update: The Covid-19 Moderna Vaccination is now open and available to CTCLUSI employee’s over 65 and older or high risk medical extended family. Please complete the Covid-19 Moderna Vaccine Application. (updated 2/24/21).

***Update: The Covid-19 Moderna Vaccination is now open to extended family of CTCLUSI Tribal members, community Elders, Teachers, first responders and essential workers. (updated 3/23/21)

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IHBG Covid-19 CHROME BOOK DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

***This program is now open to ALL Enrolled Tribal members on a first come, first served basis. (updated 2/24/21)***

Click Here to fill out Chrome Book Request Form

The Housing Department is ordering Chrome Books for Tribal Enrolled Students ages 5-18, and Elders ages 55 +. ***This program is now open for applications from Tribally enrolled Higher Education Students (updated 1/12/21)***

If you meet, these criteria and you have a need for one of these devices to assist you in Distance Learning, or Telehealth / Distancing communications; Please fill out a request form.

Please know inventory will be limited, Pick up times and dates will be scheduled with social distancing measures.  Pick up is encouraged and sites will be at all three Government offices, Coos Bay, Florence, and Eugene. ***Anticipated delivery time for these items is estimated to be in March (updated 1/12/21)***

If you have, any questions please contact Laura Forting, Director of Housing or Josh Davies, Director of Education. 

***originally published 10/23/20, updates made 1/12/21 and 2/24/21***

Laura Fortin                                       

 541-888-7504                                      

lfortin@ctclusi.org                            

Josh Davies

541-888-1314

josh.davies@ctclusi.org

Chrome Book Distribution Program Request Form
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Student Summer Internships Cancelled

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, CTCLUSI Summer Student Internships have been canceled this year. We hope to provide internship opportunities in the future but at this time our Tribal communities health is our top priority. Please stay safe and continue to practice CDC recommended safety guidelines concerning the coronavirus.

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Health Survey (5-County Service Area)

Survey has closed as of February 17, 2021.

The CTCLUSI Health & Family Support Services division is conducting a survey of enrolled Tribal members ages 18 and older who are living in the five (5) Oregon counties of Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, and Lincoln. The purpose of the survey is to assess the needs of Tribal members and their families for services related to healthcare, oral health, behavioral and mental health services, drug and alcohol prevention services, and other individual and family support services and programs. The information gathered in this survey will be kept confidential and no individual data will be shared. This information will help us in planning for current and future services offered to enrolled Tribal members living in the service delivery area. Survey participants who reside in the 5- County Service Area will receive a $25 Amazon or Fred Meyer gift card. Please select which gift card you prefer.

Fill out the survey by clicking the link below. Thank you for your participation.

For more information or assistance filling out the survey please contact Tara Vrell at (541) 435-7154 or email tvrell@ctclusi.org

Survey has closed as of February 17, 2021.

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Weather Conditions Call for Awareness, Preparedness

News Release from Oregon Office of Emergency Management
Posted on FlashAlert: January 11th, 2021 6:04 PM

Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management urges residents to be prepared for flooding, landslides and power outages

Salem, OR – January 11, 2021 – With heavy winter rains and high winds forecasted across the state over the next few days, Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to be aware – and prepared – for flooding, landslides and power outages.

Basic preparedness actions can help prevent dangerous situations. This begins with having an emergency kit with necessary supplies for up to two weeks, a practiced family plan with steps for what to do in an emergency, and knowing the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning.

Flooding
Intense rainfall over a short period of time can cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly, often catching people living near these water sources off guard. Flash floods move with incredible speed and occur when heavy rain falls on already-saturated ground. In addition, loss of vegetation due to wildfires leaves the ground charred and unable to absorb water. Even areas that are not traditionally flood-prone are at risk of flooding for up to several years after a wildfire.

  • Avoid walking through flood waters; they may be contaminated with oil, gas or raw sewage. Waters may also be hiding hazards and debris.
  • Be aware of weather conditions in your area before driving. Many flood-related incidents are caused by vehicles driven into hazardous waters.
  • Use ODOT’s Tripcheck for the latest road conditions before traveling.
  • Heavy rains reduce drivers’ visibility. When driving, turn on your lights, increase following distance and slow down. Visit ODOT’s webpage for Driving in the Rain Tips.
  • Heed the advice of emergency officials regarding evacuations.
  • Listen to weather and emergency updates on the TV, radio, social media.

Landslides
As Oregon recovers from the recent wildfires, residents living in and around wildfire areas should be aware of risks such as landslides and mudflows. People, structures and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.

Signs of landslides include:

  • Changes in landscape such as changes in water runoff, leaning trees or land movement.
  • Water in streams or creeks that suddenly turns muddy or if the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases.
  • New cracks in plaster, tile or foundations.
  • Unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
  • Underground utility line breaks.

For more information on landslides, check http://www.ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow.

Power outages
High winds and downed trees often cause of power outages. Take time to check your emergency kit before a storm hits. At a minimum, every home should have an emergency power outage kit that includes flashlights, battery-operated radio/clock, extra batteries, non-perishable foods, bottled water and blankets.  If you experience a power outage in your home or area:

  • Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
  • Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
  • Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.
  • Check on your neighbors.
  • Stay away from – and don’t drive around – downed power lines and utility lines; even if they are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous.
  • Turn on your porch light. After response crews complete repairs, they patrol the area of the power failure to see if any lights are still out.

Disaster preparedness is an important priority for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management and we encourage people to prepare for emergencies. It’s critical for families, individuals, communities and businesses to make an emergency plan, and communicate the plan before, during and after emergencies. For additional preparedness resources, visit https://www.oregon.gov/oem/hazardsprep/Pages/Individual-Preparedness.aspx.

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