Clean Water Act Section "319" Program
Introduction
There is a deep spiritual connection between the Lower Brule tribal members and the earth. We are strongly committed to the restoration and protection of our natural environment, including surface and ground water resources. These rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs, and wetlands, sustain fish and other critters, provide excellent wildlife habitat, provide recreational opportunities, supply drinking water, and allow for ceremonial uses. However, some of our water resources are threatened or impaired by polluted runoff, also known as nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. The goal of our "319" Water Quality Program is to provide the Lower Brule community and it's members with guidance and other information that will help them to protect and restore the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe's treasured water resources.
Sheldon Fletcher is the 319 Coordinator. Please feel free to contact him at 473-0163 or email sfletcher@lbst-epo.org
What is NPS pollution?
NPS pollution occurs when rainfall, snow-melt, or irrigation water runs over the Reservation lands or through the ground picking up pollutants and transporting them into our creeks, lakes, or ground water.
Here are some Nonpoint Sources of Pollution
- Agricultural activities, feedlots, herbicides, pesticides, irrigation
- Construction activity
- Brownfields, old dump sites, abandoned buildings, etc.
- Malfunctioning or improperly installed septic systems
- Winter road maintenance
Plenty of moisture in the spring of 2018
But some places dried out quicker then others in 2018
Calibrating a manure spreader
Break time during the South Dakota Grazing School sponsored by the SD Grasslands Coalition
Beaver Dam on Medicine Creek Summer 2018
Nice day on the Missouri River
Protect and restore your range units or allotments, contact Darrel DuVall, Tribal Liaison, administering USDA-NRCS programs for all Lower Brule land users, at the link below.
USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS
Mission: Helping People Help the Land through individual Conservation Planning for natural resource improvements & management.
For information on developing and managing a Tribal "319" Nonpoint Source Program click on the link below:For information about ways protect and restore your range units or allotments, contact Darrel DuVall, Tribal Liaison, administering USDA-NRCS programs for all Lower Brule land users, at the link below.Mission: Helping People Help the Land through individual Conservation Planning for natural resource improvements & management.
To find out more information about Nonpoint Source Pollution check out the following links:
http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/nps/contacts.html
http://www.blackfeetenvironmental.com/nonpointsource.html
http://www.southernute-nsn.gov/environmental-programs/water-quality-program
http://www.utemountainuteenvironmental.org/index.cfm/water-quality/
To Find out more about nonpoint source programs; Check out the Handbook
The 319 NPS Handbook