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Newsletter #145 for February 2026 |
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GAO Report Highlights Opportunities for Deeper Tribal Collaboration |
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A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that while federal‑tribal collaboration has improved in recent years, significant opportunities remain to strengthen shared decision‑making around natural and cultural resource management.
GAO identified 11 key features (found on page 22 of the full report) that make these agreements more effective, such as mechanisms for consensus building and clear dispute‑resolution processes. However, not all agencies fully incorporate these features into their policies which limits the impact of tribal engagement.
One key barrier is inconsistent legal authority across agencies. While the Department of the Interior can enter into self‑governance agreements under the Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act, agencies like the Forest Service and NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries lack similar authority even though they manage comparable natural resources. This inconsistency restricts opportunities for tribes to influence decisions on lands and waters deeply connected to their histories and cultural identities.
The GAO’s findings underscore a clear path forward: expanding legal authorities, strengthening agency policies, and investing in workforce capacity are all essential to elevating tribal voices in the stewardship of public lands and waters. By addressing these gaps, federal agencies and Congress have an opportunity to build more equitable, consistent, and collaborative management frameworks that honor tribal sovereignty, deepen long‑term partnerships, and support the shared responsibility of caring for culturally and environmentally significant landscapes.
In the News: The US government says it is falling short on its legal duties to tribal nations | Grist |
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Register for our upcoming webinar! |
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Workforce Development & Succession Planning for Wastewater Utilities
February 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM Central
This webinar will provide an overview of workforce development and best practices for building a stronger workforce, including recruitment, training, and retention. It will include a review of publicly available resources to navigate current workforce challenges and demonstration of our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional free resources and training events.
This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality.
Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request. Check with your certification body for acceptance criteria. |
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Apply for the WEF Operator Scholarship! |
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The WEF Operator Scholarship provides funding up to $5,000 dollars for individuals who are seeking water sector operator education, training, or certification to enter the industry or to advance their knowledge, skills, abilities or license.
Application Requirements and Criteria:
- Individuals seeking an entry-level operator’s license
- Or, an entry or experienced operator seeking professional development in the following areas:
- Municipal and industrial treatment
- Reuse
- Collection and distribution
- Stormwater
- Completed online application including a brief essay on your experience and career goals.
Applications are open until March 31, 2026, and will close at 11:59 PM ET
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Tap Talk Episode 62
The Olympics of Water Quality: WEFTEC’s Operations Challenge
If you’ve ever been to WEFTEC, you know about Operations Challenge. The annual showcase of the top operations teams in the country is the Olympics of the industry, and it’s impossible to miss in WEFTEC’s exhibit hall. WEFTEC 2025 is just around the corner, and to mark the return of the world’s largest water quality exhibition to Chicago, we welcomed Steve Harrison and Jeff Sober to the podcast. Steve, a WEF senior manager, and Jeff, Director of Water Services at Garver, are both members of the Operations Challenge Community. Their passion for the event makes clear its singular value to the industry!
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Southwest tribes grant official personhood to Colorado River |
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"The Colorado River Indian Tribes have granted the Colorado River legal “personhood,” a first‑of‑its‑kind move meant to protect the waterway as a living entity. Tribal leaders say the new status strengthens their role in water negotiations and ensures the river’s survival for future generations."
Find more videos like this on Reuters' YouTube Channel. |
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Featured Events for Tribal Water Systems |
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Developing Tribal Wastewater O&M Manuals
February 10, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
This free webinar will discuss the creation of O&M manuals for small tribal wastewater systems. Topics covered will include Gathering information for the manual, writing for the intended audience, section walkthrough, formatting, distribution, and updating the manual. This webinar is intended for tribal operators and administrators, and technical assistance providers. Attendees will have a better understanding of how to compose an O&M manual for small tribal wastewater systems. |
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WWTP O&M Plan Development and Implementation
March 10, 2026 | San Carlos, AZ
Environmental Finance Center Network
Join this free training to learn how to develop effective O&M plans, gain O&M manual development resources, and learn steps to implementing a successful O&M plan. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plans are a vital part of all Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) operations. The O&M plan provides guidance for the operation and maintenance of the WWTP and ensures regulatory compliance and emergency preparedness. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Essential Safety Resources for Wastewater Operators
Read Here » |
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Preparing for LCRI Compliance: Key Insights from NRWA
Read Here »
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Community Engagement Resources for Wastewater Utilities
Read Here »
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Groundwater & Well Care for Public Water Systems is a free online course from WaterOperator.org. Certificates are provided and the course is currently pre-approved for 2 hours continuing education credit in a number of states.
Click here to learn more. |
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WaterOperator.org is a free service, grant-funded to support small community water and wastewater operators with comprehensive resources and information in one easy-to-use place. We also serve the 800+ training, primacy, and technical service organizations, by helping operators get to their information. We aren't selling or advertising anything. Call us at 1-866-522-2681 for assistance. |
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