In October of last year, O’odham Action News reported on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s Air Quality Program receiving a $9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pollution reduction measures to be implemented in the Community. 

The 5-year grant will help with planning and implementation measures for improving the air quality in the Community. 

On May 27, the AQP team hosted a Community member open house to receive feedback and answer questions from membership regarding the grant funds as well as to update all on the current air quality levels in the Community. 

Ben Davis, AQP environmental engineer, facilitated the presentation along with Environmental Specialist Zonnie Olivas. Senior Environmental Engineer Regina Leverette-Mason and Community Development Department Assistant Director Christopher Horan were also in attendance and assisted with answering questions from attendees.

“You’re probably wondering what we’re going to do with that [nearly] $10 million,” said Olivas. “We’re going to be very busy,” she added. 

Some of the 10 measures will include: department fleet electrification, electric vehicle charging station installation, home energy assessments, in addition to a land buy-back program and much more. 

During the meeting, Olivas detailed how membership can take an active approach to helping do their part to improve the environment. 

“Homeowners in the SRPMIC will be able to have their homes assessed and will later receive two toolkits from SRP. These [toolkits] contain energy efficient lightbulbs, weather stripping, energy efficient showerheads and much more,” said Olivas. Valued at over $400, the toolkits from SRP will help lower utility costs while improving the homes located in the Community. The home energy assessment with SRP is free for membership. 

“The goal of these measures are to help improve the comfort and energy efficiency of homes located in the SRPMIC,” added Olivas. 

Additionally, Community homeowners will soon be able to collaborate with the AQP team to exchange any gas-powered home improvement devices such as lawnmowers to energy efficient electronic-powered equipment. 

Membership can visit Home Depot to exchange their vouchers to receive their new electronic equipment. 

Gas powered devices release carbon monoxide (CO), a major factor to climate change. The harmful pollutants caused by gas-powered equipment damage to the air we breathe. Additionally, most gas lawnmowers use small engines which burn oil in addition to gas, causing for more harmful pollutants to be released into the air. By exchanging these gas-powered devices, the air in the Community will unquestionably be drastically improved. 

Furthermore, there are plans for Community residents to plant trees throughout the SRPMIC. Individuals can work alongside the AQP team by helping reach the goal of planting 600 trees in the Community over the next decade. Plans for membership to be able to plant tree saplings in their yards containing Palo Verde, Ironwood, Mesquite, Willow and Cottonwood will be implemented shortly.