Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Proposed Nonpoint Source Management Program to Restore and Protect Tribal Waters

Protecting and restoring the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s water resources takes planning, coordination, funding, and involvement from everyone. With help from federal, state, and local partners, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Planning Department is developing a program to restore and protect tribal waters from pollutants. The following is referred to as nonpoint source pollution. As rainfall, snowmelt, and irrigation water roll over the land it picks up pollution including bacteria, sediment, and nutrients, eventually making way to the nearest large water resource.

To be eligible for funding under the federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires tribes to develop a Nonpoint Source Assessment Report and a Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan. These documents identify the types of nonpoint source pollution affecting tribal waters and provide suggested actions to address the sources of the pollution.

With the help of partners, the SCIT Planning Department has completed drafts of both the Nonpoint Source Assessment Report and the Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan. The next step for funding eligibility is public involvement. The SCIT Planning Department is starting a 30-day public review and comment period. Each document is available for review until Friday, March 22, 2013. Please provide your comments to Carey Pauquette via email (CPauquette@sagchip.org) or mail at 7500 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. You can also share your thoughts during the community meetings scheduled in March. Information on the documents and the community meetings are provided below.

Nonpoint Source Assessment Report

This document provides a detailed look at the health of tribal waters and describes the types of nonpoint source pollution affecting water quality and quantity.

Nonpoint Source Assessment Report (pdf)

Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan

This document describes the proposed SCIT Nonpoint Source Management Program, including the organizational structure, partners, and potential funding sources. Most importantly, this document identifies the potential actions that the SCIT and federal, state, and local partners are proposing to implement to address and prevent further nonpoint source pollution.

Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan (pdf)

Nonpoint Source Management Program Community Discussions

The SCIT Planning Department is hosting two community discussions to exchange ideas and information about the SCIT’s new Nonpoint Source Management Program.

• March 7, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Center, Seniors Room (7500 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, MI)
• Focus - Chippewa River, the North Branch Chippewa River, Coldwater River, and Salt River.
• March 8, 2013 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Saganing Community Center (5447 Sturman Rd, Standish, MI)
• Focus - Saganing River.

For more information about the proposed Nonpoint Source Management Program, the March community discussions, or tribal water resources, contact Carey Pauquette, Water Quality Specialist, by email (CPauquette@sagchip.org) or phone (989)775-4016.