Several federal environmental laws authorize EPA to treat eligible federally recognized Indian tribes in a similar manner as a state for implementing and managing certain environmental programs. The Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act expressly provide for Indian tribes to play essentially the same role in Indian country that states do within state lands.

Other statutes, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, are silent on the role of tribes. EPA has interpreted such acts to authorize tribal participation.

Statutory provisions in federal laws provide opportunities for tribes. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 126(a) states that tribes shall be given “substantially” the same treatment as a state. EPA has interpreted this to allow tribes to enter cooperative agreements and receive financial assistance. Section 23 of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act authorizes EPA to enter into cooperative agreements with Indian tribes for specific purposes under the Act.

The basic requirements for applying for TAS are that the tribe must:

• be Federally recognized,
• have a governing body carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers,
• have appropriate authority, and 
• be capable of carrying out the functions of the program.

The Clean Air Act (CAA)

• Tribal Authority Rule (TAR)

The Clean Water Act (CWA)

• Water Quality Standards: Regulations and Resources
• National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits
• 404 Dredge and Fill Permits

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

• Public Drinking Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program
• Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program

The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)

• Lead (Pb) Program
• The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)