Text Box: Alaska  Idaho  Oregon  Washington

Text Box: The Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) is comprised of 11 tribally elected representatives and designated EPA representatives. RTOC meets on a quarterly basis and hosts monthly conference calls.   The primary function of the RTOC is to work in partnership with EPA to further tribal environmental objectives at the regional level as well as to provide assistance to the National Tribal Operations Committee (NTOC) representatives to advocate for regional concerns at the national level.

Text Box: RTOC Representation

Text Box: In 1995 the NTOC was created  to improve communication and build stronger partnerships between EPA and tribes. The NTOC is currently composed of EPA’s Senor Leadership Team and 19 tribal representatives for the EPA regions where federally recognized tribal governments are located.   In 1996 EPA Region 10 established the RTOC. The first RTOC meeting was held in Fort Hall, Idaho on the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation. The need for a RTOC charter was identified and was drafted for the adoption process. After the extensive tribal review process, the charter become official in the Spring of 2000.

Text Box: A Brief History

Text Box: RTOC is the Region 10 Tribal Advisory Committee to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, consisting of tribally elected representatives  from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington.        

United States Environmental Protection AgencyText Box: REGION 10 TRIBAL Caucus

Text Box: “...in order to improve communication…and build stronger partnerships...”

Text Box: RTOC member Julie Simpson and Greg Roczicka of ONC in Bethel, Alaska during July Quarterly 2006 meeting.

Text Box: Home

Text Box: In 1984 EPA developed an “Indian Lands” policy to implement federal environmental statutes on American Indian reservations. In 1991, EPA amended the policy by adding a state/tribal concept on cooperative jurisdiction.   In 1994, EPA reaffirmed the 1984 Indian Policy through a nine-point memorandum that outlined specific actions EPA would undertake to more effectively implement environmental protection on American Indian reservations. With the reaffirmation effort, a new American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO) was created within EPA’s Office of Water to lead the implementation of the Indian Lands policy.  

Text Box: With the RTOC support and recommendation, the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho currently hosts the RTOC Grant funded by EPA Region 10.