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JOINT STATEMENT OF COOPERATION ON THE GEORGIA BASIN AND PUGET SOUND ECOSYSTEM, GOAL 3.3 - ENGAGING FIRST NATIONS AND TRIBES
Impact/Purpose:
To facilitate the participation of First Nations and Tribes in setting future priorities for action in the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound Ecosystem.
Description:
The Joint Statement of Cooperation (SOC) on the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound Ecosystem is an effort and mechanism for Environment Canada and the Environmental Protection Agency to work together at the Federal level on transboundary issues. The SOC is a non-legally binding International Federal to Federal "Cooperative Agreement" that builds upon existing partnership initiatives. The SOC was signed by EPA Administrator Carol Browner and Environment Canada Prime Minister David Anderson in January 2000. The following are the three focus area priorities that were made in the first annual action plan: 1. Air Quality - to achieve a greater understanding of transboundary air quality and airshed management in the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Ecosystem. 2. Sustainability - to provide residents and decision makers in the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin region with information on Smart Growth by developing and or identifying forums to share information. 3. Engaging First Nations and Tribes - to facilitate the participation of Canadian First Nations and US Tribes in setting future priorities for action in the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Area. The EPA efforts under the 3rd focus area include, but not limited to informing the First Nations and Tribes about the SOC; Facilitate Tribal involvement in the other two focus areas; Reaffirming Tribal Consultation and the Government to Government relationship with Tribes on decisions made under this agreement that have an impact on Tribes or Tribal Governments; and hosting an annual consultation between Tribal Leaders within the boundaries of the Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Ecosystem with the EPA Region 10 Administrator and Environment Canada Regional Director.