Region 8
MOU 2000 PROJECTS
Ongoing Projects:
1. Tribal Emergency Response Capability
Comprehensive Emergency Response Infrastructure is needed on Indian reservations for natural disasters, like the tornadoes on the Pine Ridge Reservation in June 1999. Plans, infrastructure, training, supplies and equipment are needed for an integrated response capability. Tribal MOU signed 9/28/00 and joint EPA/FEMA Training is underway. The project team includes Scott Logan from FEMA (303-235-4864), Eric Steinhaus from EPA (303-312-6837), HUD, COE, USFS, Yankton Sioux and Crow Creek Tribes.
2. Hazardous Waste Cleanup on Reservations
- Badlands Bombing Range Project includes cleanup of unexploded ordinance on 300,000 acres and long-range plans for cleanup along water pipeline construction. Project team includes Emma Featherman-Sam from the Oglala Sioux Tribe (605-867-1271), Kirk Engelbart with COE (402-221-7160), Air Force, EPA, NPS, SD National Guard, BIA and IHS.
- The Cheyenne River Sioux Project includes sampling Cheyenne River sediments and a drinking water assessment. Last team meeting on 3/25/01. The team includes Carlyle Ducheneaux with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (605-968-6568), Roger Hoogerheide from EPA (303-312-6863), COE, USGS, IHS and F&W.
3. Wastewater System Improvements
- Funding is needed for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe Lame Deer Creek Improvements and Lagoon System Reconstruction Project. A proposal is under development. The project team includes David Millegan of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe (406-477-6503), Barbara Burkland from EPA (406-457-5009), IHS, BIA and Tom Erskine from USDA-RD.
- The Pine Ridge Wastewater Treatment System Project is the installation of a three lagoon system to replace the single lagoon system currently in use. A one year study is underway that was funded at $75,000. The project team includes Kim Clausen-Jensen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (406-867-5236), IHS, BIA, Gary Carlson from EPA (303-312-6269), BoR, USDA-RD and HUD.
4. Drinking Water Improvements
- The Fort Kipp Mobil Water Demonstration Treatment Project on the Fort Peck Reservation will evaluate new water treatment technology. A new treatment unit was shipped to BoR in Denver for testing. The unit is scheduled to be shipped to Ft. Kipp in September 2002. This project needs setup monies. The project team includes Jeff Lucero from BoR (406-247-7751), Deb Madison of the Peck Tribes (406-768-5155 x399), EPA and IHS.
- Several pilot Source Water Protection programs will get underway on South Dakota reservations in 2002. Discussions with the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chair Health Board are in progress. The project team includes Rod Coker from IHS (605-2241644), Gary Carlson from EPA (303-312-6269), BIA and South Dakota Tribes to be determined.
- The Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe has asked for help connecting to a better water supply due to high Arsenic levels in their water. Interagency discussions and conference calls to get this project underway are ongoing. The project team includes Myrna German of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe (605-698-4998), Rural Water, Gary Carlson from EPA (303-312-6269), IHS, FEMA, USGS and HUD.
- The East Glacier/Browning Drinking Water System Project will address system expansion issues and the long-term "boil order" for the East Glacier Water District. The project team includes Mark Lamere of the Blackfeet Tribe (406-335-7421), BoR, Barbara Burkland with EPA (406-457-5009), Carol Borea from IHS, BIA and USDA-RD.
5. Solid Waste Management Projects
Operation Sacred Beauty with the Northern Cheyenne includes development of an integrated solid waste management plan and infrastructure. This is an active project with a developing plan. A model program was observed at Pine Ridge in May 2001. The project team includes David Millegan of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe (406-477-6503), Ron Lillich from EPA (303-312-6149), Barbara Burkland from EPA (406-457-5009), BIA, IHS, Yankton Sioux Tribe and Kim Clause-Jensen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
6. NEPA Dialogue
Review federal agency NEPA processes in Indian county with the objective of reaching consensus and consistency on a process. Initial discussions are with BIA and EPA, in Region 8 area. This is an active project with meeting planned in Portland, hosted by BIA, Northwest Region. The project team includes June Boynton from BIA (503-231-6749), Cindy Cody from EPA (303-312-6228), HUD, DOT, USFS, Rhonda Azure of the Turtle Mt. Band of Chippewas (701-477-9560), Ute Indian Tribe, Wind River Tribes and Oglala Sioux Tribe.
7. Photovoltaic system on Cedar Pass Lodge, Badlands National Park, SD
This project started as the incorporation of a solar system in the planned Lakota Heritage Center on the Pine Ridge Reservation, just outside Badlands National Park. Due to delays in siting the Heritage Center, DOE and NPS decided to use the funding for a retrofit photovoltaic system on the Cedar Pass Lodge in the Park. The Lodge is owned by the NPS and managed by Lakota tribal members from the nearby Pine Ridge reservation. The system will benefit the tribe by reducing the Lodge electricity expenses and increasing revenues. The Parks management arranged with faculty and students from the South Dakota State University Electrical Engineering Department to do a feasibility study and preliminary design for the system. Their report from June 2001 finished and available. The project team includes Bill Supernaugh from NPS (605-443-5280), Bill Walker, Nancy Baker, Department of Energy, Denver Regional Office Lynn Weege and Steve Sargent.
8. Groundwater Technical Support Team
Technical team to assist the Tribes with nearby mine waste discharge issues. The project team includes Ina Nez Perce of the Ft. Belknap Tribes (406-353-2205), Carol Russell from EPA (303-312-6310), USGS, BoR and NRCS.
9. Brownfields Redevelopment Projects
- The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Project is to redevelopment a former multifamily hospital. The site is 600 acres with 31 structures (some vandalized). It's an active project with the Phase I site assessment complete. A phase II assessment is underway. Asbestos and underground tanks removed. Development of a interagency cleanup plan and community outreach are underway. The project team includes Crystal Cornelius of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewas, EPA, USDA-Rural Development, DOE, BIA, UND, Jack Sorum from IHS (701-852-0250) and Kathy Atencio from EPA (303-312-6803).
- The Spirit Lake Tribe Project includes redevelopment of a former boarding school and hospital complex. This is an active project with EPA funded initial work. The Tribe is discussing early assessment tasks. The Project team includes Si Ironheart of the Spirit Lake Tribe (701-766-1208), Mary Ahlstrom from EPA (303-312-6626), BIA, HUD, IHS and the ND Health Department.
- The Crow Nation Project includes redevelopment of a former carpet mill. The project team is currently refining plans. The team includes the Crow Tribe (406-638-2601), EPA, BIA and USDA.
- The Yankton Sioux Demonstration Project includes redevelopment of a historical site in preparation for the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. A project team is being assembled under EPA funding. The team includes Jim Stone Jr. and Elliot Halsey of the Yankton Sioux Tribe (605-384-3641), Stephanie Wallace from EPA, BIA and the Lewis & Clark Planning Committee.
10. Consultation Guide
Compile examples from federal agencies and tribes; obtain guidance from tribes; and, develop a consultation guidance document for use by all federal agencies. A draft proposal was discussed with Great Plains and Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders. The project team includes Jim Lehr from EPA, Sadie Hoskie from EPA (303-312-6343), David Vader from COE (402-221-3988), USFS, BLM, F&W, Kim Clausen-Jensen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (605-867-5236), Lower Brule Tribe and Three Affiliated Tribes.
11. Education programs/internships/scholarships available to Tribal members
Also, Intergovernmental Personnel Act interagency assignments. Training and experience to help build tribal infrastructure. Applications from tribal Colleges under review by EPA/Tribal Environmental Director Team. The project team includes Sadie Hoskie from EPA (303-312-6343), Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rhonda Azure of the Turtle Mt. Band of Chippewas (701-477-0470) and DOE.
12. The Endangered Species Act on Indian Lands
Communicate on the many issues associated with implementing the Endangered Species Act on Indian Lands and the impact on Indian resources. A briefing is scheduled for ROC and Blackfeet Tribe on September 19, 2001. The project team includes David Redhouse from F&W (303-236-7917 x253), Elaine Willie of the Ute Indian Tribe (435-722-3941) and the Blackfeet Tribe.
13. GIS Mapping of Drinking and Wastewater Distribution and Collection Systems
This is a pilot project with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to locate, describe and map key elements of the Reservation's environmental infrastructure. The project team includes Cindy Crist of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (970-564-5432), NASA, Sam Bradshaw from IHS (505-248-4595), BIA, EPA, HUD and USDA-RD.
14. Mission Pond Project: Man made Wetlands
Water quality project to research an alternative treatment technology that cleans up "produced" water, using constructed or manmade wetlands with aquatic plants, to help the cleanup of water coming from Oil and Gas wells. Initial funding in place. The project team includes Don Aragon of the Shoshone & Arapaho Tribes (307-332-3164), Shoshone Oil and Gas Commission, Marathon Oil Company, NRCS, BIA, BoR, EPA, BLM, USF&W, COE, and the Wind River Environmental Quality Commission.
Completed Projects:
1. Compile Indian Policies of participating federal agencies
This project was completed by Deldi Reyes of the EPA Environmental Justice Program (303-312-6055).
2. Hazardous waste cleanup of Sisseton-Wahpeton dynamite
On-site detonation and associated cleanup of old dynamite disposal pit. Village evacuated and 30,000 cache of explosives detonated, August 4, 2000. The project team included Myrna German of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe (605-698-4998), COE, Tien Nguyen from EPA, BIA, IHS and the American Red Cross.
3. Safe Drinking Water Act Implementation Workshop in Rapid City, SD
Completed on behalf of tribal nations April 25-27, 2000 with large attendance. The project team included Rod Coker from IHS (605-224-1644), Gary Carlson from EPA (303-312-6269), and the North & South Dakota Tribal Leadership Council.
4. Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge Reservation Regreening Project
Reforestation following the 1999 tornadoes was completed with nearly 200 trees planted. The project team included Susan Johnson from the USFS (303-275-5065), Oglala Sioux Tribe members, EPA and FEMA.
5. Directory of Available Resources and Tribal Contacts
A guidebook that includes an inventory of agency capabilities, resources and contacts to facilitate interagency communications was completed and distributed on 3/14/01. The project team included Gerald Owens from the US Army/DOD (303-289-0260), EPA, BoR and Mni Sose.
6. Enhanced Communications
A pilot program with information exchanges between the US F& W field offices, Region 6 and the Ute Indian Tribe was started. The project team included David Redhorse from the F&W (303-236-7917 x253) and Elaine Willie of the Ute Indian Tribe (435-722-3941).
Return to MOU 2000 Page
Back to Region 8 Tribal Program Homepage