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Administrator Pruitt Addresses National Tribal Operations Committee

10/11/2017
Contact Information: 
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON  – Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt addressed the National Tribal Operations Committee (NTOC) where he spoke on the pressing issues facing environmental leaders in Indian country and how best the Agency and tribal leaders can collaborate on their shared goals and challenges.

“EPA is committed to working and partnering with tribal governments to address our shared environmental concerns and challenges,” said Administrator Pruitt. “I understand the important role that tribal governments play in environmental management, and the unique government-to-government relationship that tribes have with the federal government. The process that we engage in as co-regulators is very important. I believe that regulations ought to make sense, and part of that is engaging directly with tribal governments --taking comments and consulting with tribal governments, so that we are making informed decisions.”

In 1984, President Reagan published the Federal Indian Policy supporting the primary role of tribal governments in matters affecting American Indian Reservations. EPA has worked to recognize the importance of tribal governments in regulatory activities to ensure healthy outcomes for American citizens living on Indian Reservations.

"The 1984 EPA Indian Policy is a critical instrument that provides both the EPA and Native American tribes with principles that illustrate the federal trust relationship," said National Tribal Caucus Chairman Evaristo Cruz. "On behalf of the National Tribal Caucus we would like to thank Administrator Pruitt for upholding and honoring this legacy that EPA has instituted."

Administrator Pruitt will continue to work with America’s tribal partners and is reaffirming EPA’s 1984 Policy that will continue to advance cooperative federalism within the policy’s principles.  

For more information: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/epa-policy-administration-environmental-programs-indian-reservations-1984-indian-policy