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In
order for tribal governments to preserve reservation environments
for future generations, they need sufficient infrastructure to
assess, manage, and protect essential reservation resources. Maintaining
the integrity of tribal air, water, land, and cultural resources
are critical to maintaining the health and identity of tribal
members.
Reynolds & Associates
is experienced in advising and representing tribal governments
on a wide range of issues including: obtaining "Treatment
as a State" status under the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air
Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act; formulating tribal Water
Quality Standards; and assisting in grant writing and procurement
of funding for land and water projects.
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Water
Resources
New strategies are available to maximize a tribal government's
ability to protect both the quality and quantity of tribal
ground and surface water resources. Reynolds
& Associates recently won a significant case
in the federal court upholding the Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe's
authority to set Tribal Water Quality Standards to protect
the reservation waters from potential impacts of a proposed
upstream copper and zinc sulfide mine. See U.S. v
EPA and Sokaogon Chippewa Community, 266 F 3rd
741 (7th Cir. 2001). |
Cultural
Resources
The tribe's ability to maintain its unique identity often
depends upon preserving cultural resources on and off the
reservation. Projects requiring federal approval require
an assessment of impacts to cultural and historic resources,
including traditional cultural properties. An analysis of
historic and cultural properties can often prevent adverse
impact to important cultural resources. |
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The
American Indian Environmental Office of the EPA
with links to tribal grant information, environmental laws
and regulations, maps, the Institute for Tribal Environmental
Professionals, and the national Tribal Environmental Research
Institute.
www.EPA.gov/indian
Indigenous Environmental Network which provides
alerts to conferences and meetings and lists campaigns concerning
mining, energy, climate change, nuclear issues, and biodiversity.
www.ienearth.org |
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