Following a five year review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [1] has granted St.Regis Mohawk's a voice in enforcing federal air quality rules on the tribe's reservation in northern New York, reports Newsday [2]. Pollution from nearby industrial institutions has contaminated vegetation and in turn harmed humans and livestock for the St.Regis Indian Reservation.

This has sparked other tribes to follow in their footsteps. The Mohegan tribe in Connecticuit has applied for enforcement power of their own plan, as well as an Arizona based tribe.