Makah tribal member to fill EPA regional advisory post

Peninsula Daily News

SEATTLE — A member of the Makah tribe has been named senior adviser for regional tribal policy to the Environmental Protection Agency for at least two years

Jim Woods will advise EPA’s Region 10 — the Pacific Northwest and Alaska — on tribal environmental issues, something he’s done with the Makah Tribal Council in Neah Bay as head of the sustainable resource management division within the Makah Fisheries Management Department for four years.

“Mr. Woods brings a wealth of tribal and environmental experience to EPA that will help us build stronger partnerships with our Pacific Northwest and Alaska tribes,” said Elin Miller, EPA regional administrator in Seattle.

“We’re looking forward to working with him to help build tribal capacity, strengthen our communication networks with tribes and better protect our natural resources.”

Woods said he, too, hopes to enhance communication between tribes and EPA regional officials.

“It is my hope that we will be able to strike a good balance among treaty guaranteed rights, sustainable resources and overall environmental protection throughout the northwest and Alaska,” he said.

Makah programs

Since 2004, Woods has managed the Makah’s environmental protection programs.

His duties also included natural resource management of freshwater and marine ecosystems on and next to the Makah reservation as well as serving as a policy adviser to the Makah Tribal Council.

He has been a member of EPA’s Regional Tribal Operations Committee, and has been recognized by EPA on a national level for his work in the field of air toxics.

He was appointed by the U.S. commerce secretary to the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee, chairs the National Tribal Air Association and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Intergovernmental Policy Council and serves on the Ozette Sockeye Salmon Recovery Steering Committee.

Throughout his career Mr. Woods has worked to protect treaty guaranteed rights and aquatic sustainable resources on the Makah tribal reservation and within the Makah’s usual and accustomed hunting and fishing areas.

‘Speaks volumes’

“The appointment of Jim Woods speaks volumes about the expertise and capacity found within the ranks of our tribal staff,” said Makah Tribal Chairman Micah McCarty.

“We’re proactive in this trust relationship and we look forward to continuing a meaningful and productive relationship with EPA.”

Woods’ position involves an intergovernmental agreement between the tribe and EPA that in effect loans Woods to the agency for two years, with an additional two-year renewal option.

“I’m looking forward to opening new doors between EPA and tribes on a variety of issues,” said Woods.

“They have redeveloped this position to be more policy-oriented and that will allow me to concentrate on improving these relationships.”

“The Makah Tribe is especially interested in improving the paradigm of protection from oil spills,” said McCarty.

“We’ve been successful in making improvements in this area, but there is more to do.”