Southeast Tribal Emergency Management Planning Workshop
presented by

United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

What: USET would like to invite you and your staff to attend the Southeast Tribal Emergency Management Planning Workshop. The USET Climate Change Program and the USDA APHIS have partnered up to offer a regionally focused workshop that will introduce federally recognized Tribal Nations to USDA APHIS programs and opportunities. The workshop will focus on presentations and regional Tribal case study examples related to Emergency Response Planning Documents (ERPs). APHIS subject matter experts will also utilize interactive learning sessions to discuss regionally prioritized issues and concerns of animal and plant health.

USET will follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tribal, federal, and state public health guidelines and updates regarding COVID-19. In order to ensure the safety of Tribal Nation citizens, our staff, and our partners we will monitor the transmission rates for the county of the event and make virtual participation accommodations upon request.

When:

• March 20: Recommended travel day
• March 21: Workshop from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern
• March 22: Workshop from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern
• March 23: Workshop from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern, optional travel home in the evening
• March 24: Recommended travel day

Where: Hampton Inn, Clewiston, 305 W Sugarland Hwy, Clewiston, FL 33440
Upon registration, USET will provide your name to the Hampton Inn to reserve your room. When checking into the hotel, participants must provide an ID and a credit card for incidentals.

USET will cover hotel and room tax for USET Tribal Leaders, Tribal citizens, and staff of USET Tribal Nations/Tribal organizations on a first come-first served basis. Participants are responsible for incidental charges, per diem, and travel costs to and from the event.

Recommended Airports: 

• Palm Beach International Airport: 62 miles/~1.25 hours to the Hampton Inn-Clewiston, FL
• Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport: 78 miles/~1.25 hours to the Hampton Inn-Clewiston, FL
• Fort Myers International Airport: 70 miles/~1.25 hours to the Hampton Inn-Clewiston

Who should attend? 

• Tribal agricultural, natural resources, and environmental professionals.
• Tribal emergency response teams.

Space is limited, and priority will be given to USET member Tribal Nations.

Draft Agenda

Participants will:

• Learn about APHIS programs and funding opportunities for your Tribal Nation
• Take part in APHIS training sessions related to emergency response planning
• Learn about the 2018 Farm Bill funding opportunities and the application process
• Engage in Q&A sessions with APHIS representatives on the above mentioned items

Registration is limited so register today!.

COVID Protocols (as of 9/15/2022, subject to change):

The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (USET TEC) is a recognized public health authority supported by the Tribal Nations within the USET region. Throughout the course of the COVID pandemic, we have relied on their expertise to guide us to ensure for the overall safety, health, and wellness for our members, staff, and event attendees. As the impacts of COVID have evolved, we have continued to assess our protocols to ensure that they remain reflective of the current status of the pandemic. Today, we are announcing the following updates to the USET sponsored meeting COVID protocols:

USET/USET SPF Sponsored Meetings

• Up to date* vaccinated attendees will not be required to mask and can fully engage without restrictions. Vaccinated attendees will provide proof of up-to-date status via self-attestation. Daily testing is strongly encouraged.
• Unvaccinated attendees, or attendees not up to date, will be allowed to attend, but will be required to:

1. Wear a KN-95 or N-95 mask, or
2. Test negative within 24 hours of the event AND also test negative daily, if the meeting is for extended days

As part of our public heath authority responsibilities, we will continue to provide education, offer PPE, rapid tests, and continue to strongly encourage best practices. Additionally, for USET/USET SPF meetings hosted by member Tribal Nations, we will continue to comply with the COVID protocols that each set for their respective nation. While these protocols have changed to better reflect the current state of the pandemic, updated booster shots, and availability of treatments options, the USET TEC strongly recommends ongoing caution due to the health disparities that exist across Indian Country.

*Please note that up-to-date means that the primary series has been received and any current boosters (if eligible and/or available) have been administered.

Questions?

For questions related to this event, please contact either Tyler Everett, USET OERM Forest Adaptation Technical Assistant, or Casey Thornbrugh, USET OERM NE & SE Tribal Climate Science Liaison.