This proposed project consists of creating a tribal certified water operator technical assistance and training program for michigan's 12 federally recognized tribes

The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. (ITCMI) received a $250,881 Cooperative Agreement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 under the Direct Implementation Tribal Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.473) to establish a Tribal Certified Water Operator (CWO) Technical Assistance and Training Program serving Michigan's 12 federally recognized tribes. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, funds the hiring of a certified water operator to deliver comprehensive support to tribal utility and water departments through technical assistance, training administration, and emergency response services as needed.

The primary deliverables include: (1) establishing CWO certification standards and program curricula aligned with EPA's Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program guidance, with the funded position requiring a minimum of D2/S2/F2 certifications; (2) conducting technical, managerial, and financial capacity assessments of each tribal utility using EPA-developed tools and creating baseline documentation of existing staff certification levels; (3) delivering operator training using EPA resources and curricula to enable tribal water operators and utility staff to obtain state-recognized credentials and continuing education credits; and (4) providing ongoing technical assistance tailored to each tribe's specific needs. ITCMI will collaborate with EPA, the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, and the State of Michigan to ensure training meets regulatory requirements and yields credentials recognized within Michigan.

This program will focus on working closely with tribal utility/water departments, deliver training needs and offer technical assistance and emergency assistance if needed. This grant will fund a certified water operator to provide this technical assistance to the 12 federally recognized tribes in michigan.activities:1 setting standards for CWO and the training program: itcmi will work with EPA and use EPA's tribal drinking water operator certification program guidance to determine the minimum standards for itcmi's CWO so they can provide training to tribal water operators and utilities staff. The CWO will attend any necessary training to be able to administer training for tribal staff. The CWO position will be filled by an individual with at least D2/S2/F2 certifications. Itcmi will collaborate with EPA to ensure the CWO meets minimum qualifications. 2 determine capacity and create record of tribal staff: itcmi will use the capacity assessment developed by EPA (see appendix) to determine the technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity for each tribe and create a record of current tribal utility staff and their current level of certification. 1.3 provide training: itcmi's CWO will work with each tribe's utility department to provide the training needed at each tribe. Training will follow EPA's tribal drinking water operator certification program. Itcmi's CWO will use EPA's slide shows and resources for training events. Itcmi will also collaborate with the inter-tribal council of arizona and the state of michigan to allow the training to provide continuing education credits and certification. IT is itcmi's goal to provide training that will allow for credentials within the state of michigan. 4 technical assistance: job duties for the CWO will include technical assistance for michigan tribes. Technical assistance will include preparing and /or updating source water assessments and protection plan, asset management plan, and emergency response plan. Technical assistance will also include overall guidance, emergency assistance (that does not include offering temporary operator services), compliance assistance, document review and signature, and anything for which michigan tribes need assistance. 5 outreach and recruitment: itcmi's CWO will conduct outreach events for michigan's tribes. These events will help recruit future water operators. Itcmi's CWO will provide future recruits, information, and guidance for a recruit to become a certified water operator in the future. Visits to tribal colleges and working with tribal councils and tribal utility departments will help incentivize individuals going into this field. 6 other duties: the CWO will assist itcmi environmental staff and tribal staff with updating source water protection plans and maintaining service line inventories if needed. The CWO will work withsubrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:1. Output one: create tribal drinking water operator assistance program. 2. Output two: based on current and TMF capacity, develop future training needs and technical assistance plan for each tribal utility department within the state of michigan. 3. Output three: create an ongoing certification and training database for michigan tribal utility department staff. Itcmi will create and utilize a skills and knowledge baseline assessment to recommend and provide training to tribal water operators. 4. Output four: provide technical assistance to every tribe in michigan based on operator/utility staff training needs. This also includes offering training and guidance to utility boards and/or elected leadership at each tribe in michigan about their roles and responsibilities in managing a public WAT