Consultation and Coordination Policy With Indian Tribal Governments

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 147 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41936-41937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19677]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
[ATSDR-149]


Consultation and Coordination Policy With Indian Tribal 
Governments

AGENCY: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the final ATSDR policy on conducting 
consultation and coordination with federally recognized tribal 
governments. This policy has been finalized after consideration of 
comments from Agency tribal consultants. The policy is the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie C. Campbell, Acting Tribal 
Coordinator, Office of Tribal Affairs, Division of Health Assessment 
and Consultation, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 
1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop E-32, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, 
telephone (404) 639-6337.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 
Registry issues the following policy statement:

[[Page 41937]]

Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    ATSDR's mission is to prevent exposure and adverse human health 
effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to 
hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other 
sources of pollution present in the environment.
    ATSDR is committed to assisting tribal governments in meeting the 
environmental health needs of their people. ATSDR continues to work to 
improve its communication and cooperation with tribes. This new policy 
is in response to the Presidential Executive Order 13084, Consultation 
and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments, May 14, 1998, and 
affirms the current ATSDR Policy on Government-to-Government Relations 
with Native American Tribal Governments (61 FR 42255). The policy 
focuses on environmental health issues related to the release of 
hazardous substances into the environment.
    Consultations between ATSDR and tribal governments will continue to 
ensure effective collaboration in identifying, addressing, and 
satisfying the needs of tribal communities affected by hazardous 
substances. Consultation enables ATSDR staff and tribal members to 
interactively participate, exchange recommendations, and provide input 
on environmental health activities.
    As defined by ATSDR, the new policy supports: (1) A consultative 
process with tribal nations and their members to work together to 
address tribal environmental public health needs; (2) mutual trust, 
respect, and shared responsibilities between all participating parties; 
and (3) open communication of information and opinions leading to 
mutual interaction and understanding.

ATSDR . . .

    •  Respects and honors the sovereignty of the tribes, the 
responsibilities and rights to self-governance, and the differences 
between tribal nations and individuals.
    •  Consults with tribal governments to ensure community 
concerns and impacts are carefully considered before the Agency takes 
action or makes decisions affecting tribal communities.
    •  Maintains government-to-government relationships with 
tribal governments.
    •  Ensures ongoing communication with tribal governments, 
communities, and individual tribal members to define concerns about 
possible health impacts from exposure to hazardous substances.

    Dated: July 27, 1999.
Donna Garland,
Acting Director, Office of Policy and External Affairs, Agency for 
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
[FR Doc. 99-19677 Filed 7-30-99; 8:45 am]
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