Enhanced Tribal Engagement Policy

Working closely with our tribal partners is a priority for DEQ.  Consequently, in early 2021, DEQ proactively developed a policy and process to provide enhanced notification to Covered Tribes (i.e., those directly or indirectly impacted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma) when undertaking permitting, rulemaking, and other relevant actions potentially impacting areas that fall within a Covered Tribe’s boundaries. As part of DEQ’s continuing effort to provide meaningful communication and engagement related to regulatory activities with the Covered Tribes, all permit applications, authorizations, or actions that require public notice, are shared directly with the tribal nation within whose boundaries the regulated activity will occur.  Additionally, if DEQ is aware of a Non-Covered Tribe with a special interest in a particular project, DEQ will provide direct notice to that Tribe of actions related to such project. DEQ staff review all comments received during the process and respond in writing to the interested tribe.

Additionally, DEQ has designated a primary and secondary Tribal Liaison, whose responsibilities include tracking notifications to tribes and resulting comments to ensure consistency across divisions, and to be a central point of contact for tribal inquiries and referrals. Their contact information is:

Jonathan Allen
Deputy General Counsel and Tribal Liaison
(405) 702-7100
Jonathan.Allen@deq.ok.gov

Vance Pennington
Assistant Division Director, Environmental Complaints and Local Services and Secondary Tribal Liaison
(405) 702-6100
Vance.Pennington@deq.ok.gov

DEQ values input from our tribal partners and looks forward to building upon our beneficial relationships as we all work together in our mission to protect and improve human health and the environment in a manner that supports and advances a prosperous Oklahoma for current and future generations.