Use available resources for better communication and participation

[Patricia Cochran <anpac1@uaa.alaska.edu>]

One tool EPA has created to assist Tribes in developing tribal environmental protection programs is the General Assistance Program (GAP).   This program has helped facilitate the development of local Tribal Environmental Specialists and projects which directly benefit tribal communities.  These Tribal Environmental Specialists can be a great source for improving the communication between EPA and tribal communities.   The key to the success of this program is tribal control and direction, with the flexibility to create projects that use the talents and resources of each community.    EPA could more effectively use the lessons learned from the many creative projects communities have completed under the GAP program.