Email to Tribes interested in participating FNTWG in Feb 2025

FNTWG Email to Tribes

SUBJECT: INVITIATION TO <<TRIBE NAME>> TO PARTICIPATE IN FEMA/NRC TRIBAL WORKING GROUP MEETING: FEBRUARY 19, 2025

Dear Tribal leader,

I am writing to inform you about an initiative that involves the collaboration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Tribal Nations; the FEMA/NRC Tribal Working Group (FNTWG).¹ FEMA and NRC expect to host the first kick off FNTWG meeting with all concerned Tribal Nations on February 19, 2025.

The FNTWG aims to create a forum for the FEMA Technological Hazards Division and the NRC to coordinate emergency preparedness and response activities that provide effective coordination and communication with Tribal Nations. The FNTWG serves as a liaison for Tribal-related topics and Tribal Nation inclusion across FEMA and the NRC in the area of radiological emergency preparedness and response around commercial nuclear power facilities. The FNTWG coordinates and communicates the regulatory actions under Executive Order 13175 to regularly consult with and consider Tribal Government input and views on radiological emergency preparedness and response actions that have Tribal implications in accordance with each agency's policies and procedures.

We want to ensure a productive and engaging discussion during the FNTWG meeting on February 19, 2025. To assist everyone, we are sharing the agenda and key discussion questions in advance.

The FNTWG will focus on 1) awareness and understanding, 2) community preparedness and emergency communication, 3) lessons learned and 4) exploring preferred communication and engagement.

Discussion Questions:

1. Awareness and Understanding

   1. How familiar are you with FEMA’s REP Program and NRC?

   2. What concerns do you or your Tribal community members have about radiological hazards?

   3. What do you think are the most significant challenges your Tribal Nation would face in a radiological emergency?

2. Community Preparedness and Emergency Communication

1. How does your Tribal Nation currently communicate emergency information to the community, and how might this work in the case of a radiological event?

2. How can the FEMA REP Program and NRC help Tribal communities to be better prepared for radiological emergencies?

3. What does an inclusive approach to emergency preparedness look like to your Tribal Nation?

3. Lessons Learned

   1. Has your Tribal community worked with FEMA’s REP Program and NRC? What were some areas that these agencies can improve when working with Tribal Nations? If not, how can each agency bridge the gap and support Tribes?

4. Exploring Preferred Communication and Engagement

   1. How does your community prefer to receive information and updates from FEMA or the NRC and how often? (e.g., regular meetings, written updates, community workshops)

Please review these questions to be discussed at the FNTWG on February 19, 2025. If you have additional topics or ideas to be discussed, please let us know and we will try to include them in the agenda.

Thank you for preparing in advance. We look forward to your input and meaningful discussion.

When: FNTWG will be virtual on Wednesday, February 19, 2024, at 2pm-3pm EST.

How to register: <<provide link here>>

In addition, if you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact <<name>> by email at <<email address>> or by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx no later than January 29,2025.

Sincerely,

Branch Chief

Tribal Liaison Program

Enclosures: (if applicable)

1 This information request has been approved by OMB 3150-0245 expiration 4/30/2027. The estimated burden per response to comply with this voluntary collection is approximately 1 hour. Comments regarding this collection may be submitted to the FOIA, Library and Information Collections Branch, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by e-mail to [email protected] , and to OMB reviewer at OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (3150-0245), Attn: Desk Officer for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 725 17^th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503. The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to, a collection of information unless the document requesting or requiring the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number.