Land Classifications

    It is stated in Article IV of the Pokagon Band Constitution that "The Pokagon Band is dedicated to re-establishing a Tribal land base. To that end, the Band shall designate all Tribal lands in use classifications, establish and maintain a Land Use Conservation Code to govern operations on Tribal land, and set forth a Long Term land Acquisition and Development Plan to guide future growth on Tribal lands." It was then that the Pokagon Band Department of Natural Resources (formerly Environmental Department until 2010) began work to meet these requirements.

     In March 2008, draft Classifications of Tribal Lands documents were prepared for the Dowagiac, Hartford, and North Liberty area properties. These drafts were distributed to the Tribal citizenry for review and comment. The documents included:

• A comprehensive presentation of Tribal land characteristics
• Current land use
• Surrounding jurisdictions' current land use and future land use projections
• Support services

Land Use Mapping

     The process of assessing the Band's needs in regards to citizen location of residence and future land acquisition/development, involved the implementation of GIS, or Geographic Information Systems. From this process, using several geographic variables, the land use can be proposed based on a Tribal citizen's location relative to Tribal service facilities, the 10-county service area, transportation to work and to service facilities, existing and future Tribal lands, and other resources. This data contributes to the overall strategic planning process and also provides a visual model of the Band's growth and potential growth. To the right are some examples of the Land Classification mapping with the Tribal lands delineated into 3 land categories (classifications): Commercial, Non-Commercial, and Land Preserve.  

Low Impact Development

It is a goal of the Pokagon DNR to honor the vision of the Tribe to "Protect Mother Earth". One way that the DNR can uphold this vision (and many others) is by making LID or low impact development 

a development standard for future building sites. LID is a planning and engineering practice that emphasizes the preservation of greenspace and use of on-site natural systems in order to protect water quality.

LID has many benefits like habitat protection, improved water management (reduced risk of flooding), reduction of impervious surfaces (paved) and stormwater runoff, graoundwater recharge and improved quality,

increased community value, and cost savings.  Many of these practices can be seen in the Pokegnek Edawat community where natural systems were conserved and even restored to maintain sustainable living.

Some examples of LID practices are:                                                                                                    

• Bioretention cells or rain gardens
• Rain barrels
• Green or vegetated roofs
• Pervious concrete
• Grassed swales