Grantee Research Project Results
2009 Progress Report: Understanding the Cumulative Affects of Environmental and Psycho-Social Stressors that Threaten the Pohlik-lah and Ner-er-ner Lifeway: The Yurok Tribe’s Approach
EPA Grant Number: R833708Title: Understanding the Cumulative Affects of Environmental and Psycho-Social Stressors that Threaten the Pohlik-lah and Ner-er-ner Lifeway: The Yurok Tribe’s Approach
Investigators: Sloan, Kathleen , Steinberg, Steven J , Steinberg, Sheila , Fluharty, Suzanne
Institution: Yurok Tribe Environmental Program
Current Institution: Yurok Tribe Environmental Program , Humboldt State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2012 (Extended to December 31, 2013)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 16, 2009 through September 15,2010
Project Amount: $974,389
RFA: Issues in Tribal Environmental Research and Health Promotion: Novel Approaches for Assessing and Managing Cumulative Risks and Impacts of Global Climate Change (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Environmental Justice , Climate Change , Tribal Environmental Health Research , Human Health
Objective:
The project objectives were finalized in the QAPP approved by NCER for this project during Year 1/Phase 1. The attached table details the objectives, tasks and deliverables for the entire project. The original hypotheses, identified in the project proposal have been refined during the planning phase to four primary research questions:
- What are the chemical stressors known to be used in the Klamath River watershed, their pathways, and known adverse health outcomes associated with those chemical stressors and contaminants?
- What contaminants are currently detectable in the river and key aquatic subsistence resources?
- Is there a relationship between environmental health as reflected by resource health and community health?
- How can this study and the data produced from this study be used to identify and reduce risk and improve tribal member and resource health?
Progress Summary:
This report is the second annual report prepared and submitted to EPA for this grant and summarizes activities and tasks completed in Year 2 of this 4-year project. Tasks completed between August 2009 and September 2010 are summarized in this report.
Tasks Completed in Year 2:
- Completion of Phase 1: Planning
All tasks related to Phase 1: Planning efforts were completed in Year 2 of the grant and Phase 2: Primary Data Collection was initiated in the April 2010. Delays in initiating Phase 2 are a direct result of the change in project officers at NCER and delays in receiving formal approval of our Quality Assurance Project Plan from NCER. An approved QAPP was required in order to proceed with Phase 2.
- Completion and EPA Approval of Quality Assurance Project Plan
A draft QAPP was submitted to Nigel Fields in November 2009 for review and approval. Comments received from Nigel in November 2009 were incorporated and a revised QAPP was submitted to Nigel Fields for review and approval in December 2009. YTEP received verbal approval of the revised QAPP in December 2009 but not formal approval or signature was received. The formal approval and NCER completed signature page was received in April 2010. The QAPP details the final research design, methods and tasks to be completed in addition to providing all the Standard Operating Procedures for all field sampling and lab analysis required for the project.
- Selection of qualified lab to conduct tissue testing and analysis
The final selection of the lab to conduct the tissue and water testing and analysis for the project was completed in January 2010. A contract has been negotiated and signed for conducting all tissue and water testing for the project (Tier 1 and Tier 2). The lab was selected upon review of cost estimates and capacity of three labs. The California Department of Fish & Game, Rancho Cordova Lab was determined to be the only lab that could conduct the full scope of testing and analysis required by the project.
- Approval of California Rural Indian Health Board, Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) to complete epidemiological component.
The selection of the appropriate entity to complete the epidemiological component of this study was completed in Year 2. The TEC was selected due to their expertise in epidemiological research, established relationships with tribal health institutions and data sources, established methodologies and reputation in working effectively with tribal communities. Negotiations with TEC resulted in the identification of a work product (Community Health Profile) to be generated for this project to complete the epidemiological component of the grant. The TEC will work directly with United Indian Health Service to obtain access to relevant health data specific to the Yurok Tribe for use and analysis in this project. TEC will handle all tribal health data obtained for this project and will ensure the protection of individual identities and confidentiality of sensitive information. The appropriate and confidential handling of any tribal health data or information is of utmost concern to the Yurok Tribal Council and for this reason the TEC has the support and approval of the Yurok Tribe. In August 2010, the Yurok Tribal Council approved TEC to serve in this capacity on the project and submitted a letter of approval to UIHS in support of the project and requesting that UIHS work with TEC to complete the Yurok Community Health Profile. In September 2010, the United Indian Health Services approved the request from the Tribe. TEC is presenting the project to the California Rural Indian Health Board in October 2010 and upon approval will complete the IRB process and commence work on the project.
- Initiation of Phase 2: Primary Data Collection
Primary data collection commenced immediately upon receipt of formal approval of the QAPP. Due to the seasonal nature of subsistence harvesting for the resources selected for testing in this project, YTEP field sampling efforts must follow the seasonal round utilized by Yurok subsistence harvesters. Some species are only available or harvested in winter months (December – March) and as a result were not collected in Year 2 but are targeted for Tier One sampling in Year 3. It is anticipated that Tier 1 sampling will be complete by March 2011, at which time Tier 2 sampling will commence.
PPGIS sessions have been scheduled but not completed yet due to events outside the researchers’ control (cancelled meetings due to other events such as funerals and changes in meeting agendas due to other tribal priorities). An initial meeting was conducted in April 2010 with the Yurok Tribe’s Natural Resources Committee to familiarize the Committee with the project and prepare them for the upcoming PPGIS sessions to be conducted with HSU research partners. Preparation for PPGIS sessions has been completed and tested within the project team. Formal PPGIS sessions with the Natural Resources Committee have been scheduled for October and December 2010. Additional sessions may be scheduled based upon initial results and findings during Year 3.
- Field Sampling
Tier 1 Field Sampling was initiated in April 2010 upon receipt of formal approval of the QAPP from NCER. All samples collected have been collected from Yurok subsistence harvesters who have been informed of the purpose of the sampling and the project and support the analysis being conducted. Many Yurok subsistence harvesters want to know about the health and condition of the species they rely upon. Our sampling efforts are entirely dependent on the support and participation of these Yurok people and we are indebted to them for their help in collection of these species and samples.
Future Activities:
Year 3 Activities will include:
Continuation of Phase 2: Primary Data Collection
- Field sampling
- Complete Tier 1 Sampling
- Initiate Tier 2 Sampling
- Analysis of lab results (Tissue and Water samples)
- Complete PPGIS
- Testing of Eco-Toxicological Assessment Tool currently in development
- Conduct Community Health Profile (California Rural Indian Health Board, Tribal Epidemiology Center) with United Indian Health Service
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 17 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Microcystis, microcystin, contaminants, pesticides, diabetes, cancer, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, PBDEs, PCBs, DDT, dioxins and furans, PAH’s, organophosphates, mercury, methyl mercury, metals, salmon, surf fish, Pacific lamprey, freshwater mussels, coastal mussels, clams, seaweed green sturgeon, steelhead, Yurok Tribe, Pohlik-lah and Ner-er-ner, community-based participatory research, subsistence resources, Klamath River, Pacific Coast, bioaccumulation, California Rural Indian Health Board, Tribal Epidemiology Center, Community Health Profile, United Indian Health Service, GIS, Risk AssessmentProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.
Project Research Results
- Final Report
- 2013 Progress Report
- 2012 Progress Report
- 2011 Progress Report
- 2010 Progress Report
- 2008 Progress Report
- Original Abstract