EPA gives Pala Band of Mission Indians authority to govern tribal waters

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the approval of the Pala Band of Mission Indians’ application for “Treatment in a similar manner as a State” under the federal Clean Water Act.

Tomás Torres, EPA’s Water Division Director for the Pacific Southwest, presented the signed Certificate of Achievement to Tribal Water Resources Specialist Heidi Brow in a ceremony at the Regional Tribal Operations Committee meeting in San Francisco.

“I am pleased to announce that the Pala Band of Mission Indians will now administer their own program to protect their rive...