Planning and Environmental Protection

MISSION STATEMENT

To develop and administer a Planning & Environmental Protection Program that provides all appropriate planning, environmental services and protection of health and wildlife habitats for the Potawatomi Reservation jurisdiction in a manner that is compatible with the Potawatomi culture

COMMUNITY STRATEGY

Community Commitment
To ensure environmental programs are both representative of community perspective and effective among target community groups

Resource Coordination
To organize existing resources and programs into a comprehensive resource system available to the communtiy

Government Leadership
To encourage Tribal Government and Governmental Operations to “lead by example” through participation in environmental education programs

Formal Education
To promote and support the inclusion of environmental education content into local school curriculum

Business & Industry Partnership
To build partnerships with local businesses and industries and assist in developing environmental best-practices programs

PROGRAM AND SERVICES SUMMARY

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Department of Planning and Environmental Protection is a function of tribal Public Works. Within the Department, three subdivisions of operation are maintained. A seven-member staff is organized to coordinate and conduct various environmental and planning programs for the Nation. Department and staff are divided into the following subdivisions:

Environmental Protection Services
Solid Waste Managment
Planning, Zoning, Emergency Management

Staff Organizational Structure (January 2008)

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Department of Planning and Environmental Protection currently manage programs to protect and restore the environment, while serving the day to day environmental needs of the Reservation community and Tribal membership. Each program is briefly described below.

Water Resources
The Department is tasked with protecting and maintaining water resources for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation through established programs that address water quality, watershed management, wetlands restoration, pesticide management, well closure, and water supply.

Air Quality
Staff administers an Ambient Air Quality Program to address issues related to ambient (surrounding) air by identifying area sources of pollution, conducting community outreach projects, and evaluating appropriate methods for monitoring the ambient air and air pollution on the Reservation. The Department also coordinates an Indoor Air Quality Program to address issues and concerns of the community with regard to indoor air pollutants. Primary components of the indoor air program include, outreach/education and assessment services targeting, radon, carbon monoxide, and mold/mildew within the home.

Environmental Education
he Department coordinates and participates in outreach events to educate the community on environmental programs and best practices, natural resources, pollution prevention, and other environmental topics. Staff members provide and maintain educational resources to assist in promoting environmental awareness.

Our environmental education goals:

Involve everyone
Be holistic
Be practical
Integrate with social and economic goals
Be lifelong

Educating children will:

Provide them with a sense of how they relate to the natural world around them
Foster a sense of respect for living things
Prepare them to confront future challenges to the natural world

Tribal Orchard Management
The Department maintains the Tribal Orchard through integrated pest management practices. Fruit produce is provided primarily for Tribal Elders and students of the Tribal Head Start and Childcare.

Planning, Zoning, and Emergency Management
The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection is responsible for the administration of current planning programs and services for the Nation including:

permitting and inspections
building & code inspections
facilitation of PBPN Planning Commission.

In addition, the Department also assists with the following comprehensive planning matters: Land Use & Zoning Regulations, Transportation, Infrastructure, Housing, Economic Development, Resource Management, Watershed Management, Emergency Management

Waste Disposal Service
Department staff coordinates with waste collection business to provide disposal service for residents and commercial operations on the Reservation. Residents utilize a combination of public disposal sites and individual service, both of which are collected on regularly scheduled basis. Staff maintains public disposal/collection areas through monitoring and clean-up efforts. Disposal management and service is addressed through solid waste codes. Codes are currently in review status to ensure compliance and enforcement measures, and will be reviewed annually.

Waste Reduction - Recycling
Department staff administers Tribal and community recycling program to include collection services and sale of recycled materials. Recyclables are collected from Tribal government departments, all Reservation enterprises (including the casino), several off-reservation businesses, and the Royal Valley School District #337. In addition, recycling trailer bins are located in various areas of the Reservation for residential use. Staff collects recyclables and transports the materials to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Center to be sorted, baled, and stored. Some of the recycled materials are marketed, some donated for optimal reuse, and some are transported to a larger recycling facility.

Wastewater Management
The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection is responsible for the operation and maintenance services for the K Road Wastewater Treatment Plant and Q Road Package Plant. A certified wastewater operator is on staff to oversee wastewater management responsibilities. The Department staff also maintains the Tribal Government sanitation systems, assists community members with the inspection and maintenance of residential sanitation systems.

Composting
The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection operates a composting program that incorporates organics with sludge from the casino WWTP and the Tribal K Road WWTP to produce a Class B product. Consistent evaluation, compliance, and beginning/end use determinations are essential to the composting program successful progress.

Construction and Demolition Landfill
Staff is responsible for general oversight of the Tribal Construction and Demolition Landfill. This includes the operation, monitoring, and maintenance of the facility used by Tribal government departments to store and dispose of approved road and general construction materials.

Household Hazardous Waste Staff organizes bi-annual community collection events for Reservation residents. Household hazardous waste is transported by certified professionals contracted by the Department of Planning and Environmental Protection. In addition, staff collects hazardous waste materials, such as e-waste, mechanical fluids, and cleaning chemicals for the Tribal Government departments on an on-going basis.

Solid Waste Outreach Initiatives
Department staff coordinates outreach events and develops education materials and curriculum on a regular basis to promote environmental programs and educate the community on better solid waste management practices. Solid waste staff also administers the Solid Waste Advisory Council initiatives and development. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee is a nine-member board representing community perspective on solid waste issues and concerns on the Reservation.

Supplementary Projects
The Department conducts several special projects to support the Tribe’s environmental management goals for the Reservation.

Abandoned Vehicle Program – The Department purchases abandoned vehicles from Reservation residents for $50.00. The vehicles are then sold to scrap yards with a return normally 150% more than the purchase price

Community Request for Assistance – The Department assists Reservation residents with the removal of large waste items (appliances, electronics, furniture) on an appointment basis at no charge.

Work Order Requests – Solid Waste staff assists other Tribal Departments and Reservation residents with special requests as time allows.

Community Service Administration – The Department coordinates with the Tribal Court to administer community service duties. Community service workers conduct roadside and dumpster clean-ups.

Partnerships

The Department has established cooperative relationships with federal, state, local and Tribal agencies and organizations in order to effectively acquire and/or exchange resources and information.

Environmental Compliance (Codes and Ordinances)

Environmental compliance for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation is guided by the following Potawatomi Law and Order Codes:

Title 9 Environmental Protection
Title 15 Criminal Offenses
Title 21 Solid Waste, Environmental/Sanitation, Building Codes

In addition to the tribal Law and Order Codes, Reservation residents are expected to comply with federal and state environmental regulations when applicable. In such cases, the Department of Planning and Environmental Protection would facilitate coordination between state/federal agencies and the Tribe.

Environmental Enforcement

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation judicial system does enact enforcement mechanisms for criminal violations of environmental codes. The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection will work with the Tribal Police Department, Tribal Court and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that enforcement measures are channelled appropriately.

AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY

The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection offers you these education resources:

Reference materials on various environmental topics
Environmental displays and presentations
Environmental tours, site visits, and public discussion opportunities
Community-wide events and activities
Volunteer opportunities
Staff with specialized training in various environemental media
Access to environmental information portals

Links to Tribal Environmental Websites:

Mni Sose Intertribal Water Coalition
http://www.mnisose.org/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Tribal Program
http://www.epa.gov/region07/tribal/index.htm

The K Road Wastewater Treatment Plant services the K Road Government Complex and Tribal homes in the area.

Recyclables are sorted and baled at the Solid Waste Center on 142nd Road.

Cardboard is collected from residents, local businesses, and the Royal Valley School District.

Department staff members conduct a waste stream analysis to identify major waste categories and

The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection operates a composting program that incorporates organics with sludge from the casino WWTP and the Tribal K Road WWTP to produce a Class B product

Consistent evaluation, compliance, and beginning/end use determinations are essential to the composting program successful progress.

Passive ozone monitoring was conducted on the Reservation.

A meteorological station was established to provide supplementary data to air quality monitoring efforts.

The meteorological station produces verifiable air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and precipitation data.

The Department staff along with USGS coordinated a water sampling project for the Boys and Girls Club during the Summer Environmental Outreach Session.

Members of the Boys & Girls Club enjoy the water sampling activity coordinated by the Department of Planning and Environmental Protection.

The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection conduct environmental education activities for the PBPN Boys and Girls members.

The Department of Planning and Environmental Protection create interactive environmental displays and presentations for community events.

Members of the PBPN Boys & Girls club visit the Solid Waste Center during the Summer Environmental Outreach program coordinated by the Planning and Environmental Protection staff.