How does todays action affect Indian Country (18 U.S.C. 1151) in Washington?
EPA’s decision to authorize the Washington hazardous waste management program does not include any land that is, or becomes after the date of authorization, “Indian Country,” as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151, with the exception of the non-trust lands within the exterior boundaries of the Puyallup Indian Reservation (also referred to as the “1873 Survey Area” or “Survey Area”) located in Tacoma, Washington. EPA retains jurisdiction over “Indian Country”. Effective October 22, 1998 (63 FR 50531, 9/22/98) the State of Washington was authorized to implement the State’s federally-authorized hazardous waste management program on the non-trust lands within the 1873 Survey Area of the Puyallup Indian Reservation. The authorization did not extend to trust lands within the reservation. EPA retains its authority to implement RCRA on trust lands and over Indians and Indian activities within the 1873 Survey Area.
