Tribal Authority Rule (TAR): Historical Overview

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Tribal Authority Rule (TAR) Historical Overview

• David LaRoche

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TAR Development

• CAA Implementation Authority Section 301(d)
• 1990 CAA Amendments
• Tribal air management authority
• TAS

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TAR Development (cont.)

• EPA proposed implementation in 1994
• Eligibility requirements
• Application procedures
• Provisions for treating tribes like states
• Rule proposed Aug. 1994
• Rule promulgated Feb. 1998

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Framework for Tribal Implementation of CAA

• Jurisdiction
• Sovereign immunity
• Modular approach
• Grant match requirement
• Federal implementation
• Eligibility requirements

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Tribal Jurisdiction

• Within exterior boundaries of reservation
• Other areas where tribes can demonstrate
  jurisdiction

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Sovereign Immunity

• Treating tribes in a manner similar to states
• Tribes objected
• Sovereign immunity waived only voluntarily or by
  Congressional statute
• Final TAR addresses issue directly
• Withdraws proposal on section 304
• Allows alternative to judicial review

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Modular Approach

• Ensures flexibility
• Tribes and EPA develop approaches
• Elements to be
• Reasonably severable
• Consistent with legal requirements

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Grant Match Requirements

• Grants under Sec. 103 105
• Sec. 103 requires no match
• Sec. 105
• 5, then 10 after 2 years with TAS with EPA RA
  demonstration of tribes ability to increase its
  share
• 40 without TAS
• Waivers available for hardship (rare)
• EPA will review program over time

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Federal Implementation

• Trust responsibility
• Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) required
• Where necessary or appropriate provisions
• Without unreasonable delay

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Eligibility Requirements

• Federally recognized tribe
• Governing body with substantial governing duties
  and powers
• Statement of tribes authority
• Capability to carry out program

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TAR Litigation History

• DC Circuit Court of Appeals
• Petitions for review filed by
• State of Oklahoma - withdrawn
• AZ Public Service Company
• National Assoc. of Manufacturers et al.
• Salt River Project et al.
• Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co.
• National Mining Association

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Litigation Issues

• Judicial review
• Public participation in the TAS Process
• Abrogation of pre-existing contracts
• Reservation definition
• Jurisdiction

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DC Circuit Court Opinion

• Upheld EPAs interpretation on every issue
• One judge dissented on extent of delegation
  provided by Congress

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Appeal to Supreme Court

• Issues in petition
• Definition of reservation
• Congressional delegation of authority
• Supreme Court denied certiorari (review)
• (Re-hearing possible but not likely)
• DC Circuit Court opinion upheld

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Any questions?