TRMTC Focus Areas

TRMTC's focus areas include but are not limited to: 

Policy and Planning with Federal Agencies: TRMTC provides an avenue for tribal members to learn about pending federal decisions and policies sufficiently early in the decision-making process to influence the outcome of decisions. It also allows committee members to inform their tribal leadership about pending decisions that impact their individual tribes and reinforces federal responsibility to consult with tribal leaders on a government-to-government basis on matters that impact tribal nations. 

Transportation Operations Coordination and Capacity Building: Transportation routes include much of Indian Country, so its important that federal agencies consult with Native American tribes when preparing for existing and future shipping campaigns of radioactive waste and materials. Operational coordination can include receiving pre-notification of shipments, real-time satellite tracking of shipments through a reservation, and scheduling shipments around tribal holidays and ceremonies. This will be of particular importance as developments occur regarding proposed interim storage and/or permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste and any associated siting and transportation planning activities. 

Emergency Management, Radiological Response and Preparedness Training: Information sharing, regular engagement, trainings, and ongoing discussions regarding emergency management response and preparedness can help facilitate safe transportation and can promote tribal participation in trainings and certifications associated with the transportation of radioactive materials and spent nuclear fuel. 

Cultural and Natural Resource Considerations: Potential impacts to tribal historic and cultural resource areas, pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) may arise during transportation activities. It is also important to note that many Native American tribes may have hunting, fishing and gathering rights on lands ceded to the Federal government that may be outside reservation boundaries; potential impacts on these lands must be evaluated in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Public Health, Safety, and Community Education: Native American tribes are responsible for overseeing emergency management activities for their respective communities and actively participate in TRMTC as a conduit for protecting public health and safety to reduce potential impacts to tribal communities, as well as to mitigate impacts to cultural and natural resources that may fall within existing or proposed transportation corridors. As such, TRMTC remains dedicated to building capacity and expanding emergency management capabilities to address the needs of tribal communities by increasing participation in national, regional and local response efforts.