To enhance IT and data management capabilities that facilitate the electronic collection, reporting, exchange, sharing and integration of the full range of data that informs the business of…

The Native American Environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC) received a $500,000 Project Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Administration and Resource Management under the Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program (CFDA 66.608) on October 1, 2025. The three-year project, scheduled for completion by September 30, 2028, aims to expand and enhance an existing underground storage tank (UST) and leaking underground storage tank (LUST) data management system serving federally recognized tribes in EPA Region 9.

NAEPC will deliver an integrated suite of environmental data management tools and services designed to streamline the collection, reporting, and exchange of environmental data between tribal entities and the EPA. Key deliverables include a gap analysis of the existing system, a review of current EPA guidance for tribal UST/LUST management, coded system enhancements, reusable data management tools for water quality tracking, and comprehensive training and user support for both new and existing tribal subscribers. The project is expected to enhance data reporting capabilities across the region's tribal environmental programs, increase the number of participating tribes, and improve the quality and timeliness of environmental data submissions to federal authorities. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

Description

This project by the native american environmental protection coalition (NAEPC) proposes to expand upon a previously built UST/lust data management system for member tribes with the goal of streamlining the flow of relevant information to EPA; and add new capabilities and organizations to the existing data exchange consortium. This project is expected to benefit NAEPC member tribes by increasing data management capacity and capabilities. Expected environmental results include timely access to higher quality ambient water quality data, and greater support to help train, streamline, and improve the tribal UST/lust system.