The National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) recognizes that Tribal wetland programs are often part of a broader approach to protecting Tribal aquatic resources. Aquatic resources, including wetlands, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and more, are often important to protecting traditional Tribal lifeways, hold cultural significance to many Tribal communities, and provide habitat for culturally important species. Many Tribal communities undertake efforts to protect and restore their aquatic resources, and these efforts may incorporate water quality and wetland programs under the Clean Water Act.
NAWM and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – Geospatial Services (SMUMN GSS) have developed a number of online and in-person training opportunities focused on a range of water quality and aquatic resource management issues and Clean Water Act programs that Tribes implement or may be interested in implementing. These training sessions were developed in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and numerous Tribal representatives who were generous in sharing their time and expertise to ensure the training opportunities focus on topics and issues of interest to Tribal members and staff.
The Tribal Clean Water Act Online Training Series includes five online training modules that are available on-demand to assist in training new tribal staff and to provide a refresher for more experienced tribal water quality and aquatic resource managers.
Southwest Tribal Clean Water Act Training was an in-person workshop held March 4-7, 2024 at the Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, NM. Training agenda and materials are available for reference.
Pacific Northwest Tribal Clean Water Act Training will be held November 17-20, 2025 at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, WA. The training workshop will be targeted to Tribes who conduct water quality monitoring, issue water quality certifications, and address water quality issues, nonpoint source pollution, and impaired waters/TMDLs. Tribal staff from across the country are invited, although there will be a focus on examples and applications for Tribes in the Pacific Northwest. Registration is currently open for this training workshop.
NAWM also developed an introductory training session that provides an overview of the Clean Water Act and is intended as a watch-ahead session prior to attending an in-person training workshop. This overview may also be a useful introductory session to assist in training new tribal staff.
An Overview of the Clean Water Act (Presentation - PDF)
Introduction: Portia Osborne, Project Manager, NAWM;
Trainer: Donna Downing, Senior Legal Policy Advisor, NAWM
