The summary below provides a description of a Phoenix, Arizona project that received a cooperative agreement from EPA’s former Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program in 2005. This case study serves as a historic reference, and conditions since the project was funded may have changed.

The resources developed for this project provide communities with information about ways that other communities have addressed environmental issues. Communities can use the project results to reduce environmental impacts, understand risks and become stewards of their own environment.

Summary

Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.
Phoenix, Arizona
EPA Region 9

The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) Inc., is a recipient of the Level I CARE Cooperative Agreement. ITCA is a non-profit corporation that organizes and conducts seminars, workshops, conferences, and public hearings to facilitate participation of tribal leaders in the formulation of public policy at all levels. ITCA provides an independent source to obtain analysis and disseminate information vital to Indian self-development.  Since 1973, ITCA has entered cooperative agreements with the EPA to establish a mechanism whereby tribes in Arizona may be funded to develop and implement environmental protection programs on tribal lands. Through the CARE project, ITCA will create a Community partnership within the Gila River Indian Community to identify and prioritize environmental toxics. The end result of this project will be to create a Community Risk Reduction Plan to detail how the Community will carry out the priorities in reducing risk from toxics. ITCA works and collaborates closely with the 20 member tribes in Arizona, as well as State and county agencies. The project will include involvement and collaboration of local jurisdictions and other collaborative partners as well as focus on concerns within the community. The community is concerned about the amount of dust being generated by the agricultural practices/productions. Pesticide use and mold within the homes are also significant health concerns within the community. 

Prospective CARE Partners: The Gila River Indian Community, the Indian Health Service, Hu Hu Kam Hospital, the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona Tribal Air Quality Program and the Epidemiology Center, the University of Arizona, Pinal County, Arizona State University, the Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals, Maricopa County, and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.