How is the Nez Perce Tribe Protecting our Water?

Additional studies are being completed in order to better understand our water resources. These studies will be used to plan future development to prevent contamination to our water supplies. We are working with EPA for cleanup of sites that may threaten our water sources. Problems that threaten drinking water supplies the most are being cleaned up first.

Thanks to a grant from USDA the Nez Perce Tribe is improving waste management by cleaning up dump sites and improving waste management on the reservation. Water Resources is assisting the Kamiah community with sewer lines and a sewage treatment plant. We are also developing a sewage treatment plant in the Lapwai Valley, which will improve groundwater quality.

NOTICE

This notice is being posted to request written comments for the following proposed amendments:
Proposed addition of Title 14 - Environmental Protection Code.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this Title is to protect the health of Reservation residents, and to protect and enhance the quality of the Reservation environment by prohibiting actions that harm the environment, and directing the Natural Resources Department to develop Guidance documents implementing the terms of the Code.
WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD: The Law and Order & Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, in conjunction with the Natural Resources Subcommittee, will be accepting written comments on the proposed amendment being applied to the Code. Copies of the Code and/or related implementing Guidance documents may be obtained from the Water Resources Division of the Natural Resources Department (or click here for a PDF copy of the documents, if you have questions you can contact Kevin Brackney kevinb@nezperce.org ph: (208) 843-7368).
Please submit written comments to: Tonia Garcia, Jr., Chair, Law and Order Subcommittee; and Brooklyn Baptiste, Chair, Natural Resources Subcommittee; P.O. Box 305, Lapwai, ID 83540; or email to toniag@nezperce.org and booklynb@nezperce.org; or fax to (208) 843-7354 or hand deliver to the NPTEC offices in Lapwai. The deadline for receipt and consideration of such comments is January 6, 2010, at 4:30 p.m.