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2014 Autumn | Agriculture and Food Systems, Environmental Justice, Policy & Regulation

How Jurisdiction Affects Environmental Policy

Student(s):

Tate Kirk

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Nancy Helm

Partner(s):

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10

Faculty advisor(s):

Charles Treser Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington

I worked with the U.S. EPA Region 10, studying the potential methods for implementing a burn permit program on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Northern Idaho. Outside of my internship, I also researched the effects that Native American jurisdiction can have on environmental policy. To accomplish these goals, I discussed topics with EPA staff and conducted literature review of legal documents and articles. I found three different options for the Nez Perce to implement a burning fee on their reservation. My additional research showed policy factors that were different between the federal government and tribal governments.