Water Quality Program
The Water Quality Program, run by the Water Quality Specialist, is the first of many programs that will be needed under EQD. The goal of the program is to protect, assess, and restore waters resources on tribal lands. The water program will consist of Baseline Monitoring, Watershed Base Planning, along with Ordinance and Regulation Development.
Current Activities:
Baseline Monitoring of Surface Waters:
- Develop and implement the Band's water monitoring plan on lakes, rivers, and streams that are on and/or adjacent to Tribal lands
- Prepare a Clean Water Act 106 funding application to EPA. The EPA 106 program provides funding assistance to eligible tribes and states to implement water quality monitoring and protection programs.
- Assess the Band’s surface waters to see if they are in compliance with Pokagon Band water quality standards. Pokagon Band water quality standards were adopted via the Pokagon Band "Health, Environmental Protection and Building Codes Act", in which Michigan's Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) is the reference.
Watershed Base Planning:
- Attend local watershed meetings and communicate Pokagon Band concerns and goals of local waters resources.
- The Pokagon Band Department of Natural Resources has already contributed to the development of: St. Joseph, Paw Paw, Dowagiac, and Galien River watershed plans.
- Current task are to implement the plans and Pokagon Band water resources goals via restorations projects, monitoring, education, and partnerships.
Ordinance and Regulation Development:
- Review and assess current ordinances and regulations
- Assist with creation of water protection related ordinances and regulations
- Develop water quality standards that are federally recognized and meet Pokagon Band's water resources needs.
Reference links: Watershed Plans - St. Joseph River, Paw Paw River, Dowagiac River, Galien River
Pokagon Band - Health, Environmetal Protection and Building Codes Act
"NREPA" - Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act