kim ferguson, great smokey mountains national park, nc · kim ferguson, great smokey mountains...

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Tribal Summaries

This chapter provides individualsummaries of the water quality assess-ment data reported by five AmericanIndian tribes in their 2000 Section305(b) reports. Tribal participation inthe Section 305(b) process grew fromtwo tribes in 1992 to eight tribesduring the 1998 reporting cycle, buttribal water quality remains unrepre-sented in this report for the hundredsof other tribes throughout the coun-try. Many of the other tribes are inthe process of developing water quality programs and standards buthave not yet submitted a Section305(b) report. As tribal water qualityprograms become established, EPAexpects tribal participation in theSection 305(b) process to increaserapidly. To encourage tribal participa-tion, EPA has sponsored water qualitymonitoring and assessment trainingsessions at tribal locations, preparedstreamlined 305(b) reporting guide-lines for tribes that wish to participatein the process, and published abrochure, Knowing Our Waters: TribalReporting Under Section 305(b). EPAhopes that subsequent reports willcontain more information about waterquality on tribal lands.

Section 305(b) of the CWArequires that the states bienniallyassess their water quality for attain-ment of the fishable and swimmablegoals of the Act and report the resultsto EPA. The states, participatingtribes, and other jurisdictions measureattainment of the CWA goals by

determining how well their waterssupport their designated beneficialuses. EPA encourages states, tribes,and other jurisdictions to assesswaterbodies for support of the follow-ing individual beneficial uses:

Aquatic Life Support

The waterbodyprovides suitable habitat for protec-tion and propagation of desirable fish,shellfish, and other aquatic organisms.

Fish Consumption

The waterbodysupports fish free

from contamination that could pose a human health risk to consumers.

ShellfishHarvesting

The waterbodysupports a population of shellfish freefrom toxicants and pathogens thatcould pose a human health risk toconsumers.

Primary ContactRecreation –Swimming

People can swim in the waterbodywithout risk of adverse human healtheffects (such as catching waterbornediseases from raw sewage contamina-tion).

Big Sandy Rancheria

For a copy of the Big Sandy Rancheria2000 305(b) report, contact:

Big Sandy RancheriaEnvironmental Programs OfficeP.O. Box 337Auberry, CA 93602

188 Chapter Eleven Tribal Summaries

Surface Water QualityThe Big Sandy Rancheria covers

approximately 264 acres of land inFresno County, California. Approxi-mately 100 tribal members live on thereservation. The majority of residentsare of Western Mono descent. TheRancheria consists of 30 households,a Head Start school, and a casino. Inthe next year, a new gaming facilityand hotel will put additional demandson the water supply and wastewatertreatment system.

The Rancheria’s drainage area is approximately 1.75 square miles.Surface waters include the headwaters

of Backbone Creek and threeunnamed tributaries. The tribe did not report on the quality of theirsurface waters.

Ground Water QualityGround water is used as the

drinking water source for theRancheria. Water is provided by fivecommunity wells, eight domesticwells, and one open well. These wellsproduce water from near-surface allu-vium and deeper fractured bedrock.Three of the community wells areused for drinking water, and one isreserved for landscaping and fireprotection. The total community wellproduction is 70 gallons per minute.Each household consumes approxi-mately 277 gallons of water per day.

The primary source of groundwater contamination is coliformbacteria that leach from septic tanks.The community water supply ischlorinated to alleviate this problem.There does not appear to be anychemical contamination in the groundwater supply.

Programs To RestoreWater Quality

The Tribal Council has passed an ordinance to prohibit discharge ofany pollutants to reservation waters.Infractions are punishable by civilfines up to $5,000. The Environmen-tal Programs Office (EPO) also par-ticipates in the CALFED Bay-DeltaProgram, which aims to restoreecological health and improve watermanagement of the Bay-Delta system.

Location of Reservation

Chapter Eleven Tribal Summaries 189

Programs To AssessWater Quality

The surface water quality assess-ment was detained due to fundingconstraints. However, the tribe hasreceived a Clean Water Act Section106 grant to resume the assessment.The EPO staff members collect allwater samples with technical assis-tance from a consulting engineer. Thesurface water samples collected thusfar were taken from springs locatedwithin the Rancheria boundaries andwere analyzed by an outside labora-tory.

The tribe is currently establishingwater quality standards for the Ranch-eria using funds from the GeneralAssistance Plan and Clean Water ActSection 106 Program.

Hoopa Valley Tribe


For a copy of the Hoopa Valley Tribe2000 305(b) report, contact:

Kevin McKernan or Ken NortonHoopa Valley Tribal EPAHoopa, CA 95546(530) 625-5515 e-mail: [email protected] or

[email protected]

Surface Water QualityThe Hoopa Valley Indian Reser-

vation in northwestern California ishome to more than 3,000 people. Thereservation contains 320 miles ofrivers and streams, including a portionof the Trinity River, and 3,200 acres ofwetlands. It does not contain anylakes.

In the 1950s and 1960s, lumbermills that operated on the reservationresulted in degraded water quality and impaired salmon and steelheadfisheries. Areas that were prone tolandslide were logged and roads wereconstructed within riparian zones.These practices led to significantcontamination by sediments. Waterdiversions, such as a dam on theTrinity River above the reservation,also stressed fisheries by loweringstream volume and flow velocity.Low flow rates reduced flushing and further contributed to the

accumulation of sediment. Currently,16% of assessed river miles supportaquatic life, and 100% support swim-ming and fish consumption.

Ground Water QualityIn the past 4 years, domestic

wells, soil, and ground water poolshave been sampled to assess groundwater contamination. Samplingrevealed elevated levels of metals, toxicpollutants, and fecal coliform bacteriain some wells. Leaking undergroundstorage tanks, septic systems, andabandoned hazardous waste sitescontribute to ground water contami-nation. At Masonite Mill Creek, anunderground storage tank may haveleaked as much as 10,000 gallons ofpetroleum products. Fecal coliformbacteria from septic tanks is anincreasing threat to ground water aspopulation grows, indicating anincreased need for wastewater treat-ment facilities. As contaminationincreases, it becomes more difficult toutilize ground water as a source ofdrinking water.

The Hoopa Valley Tribe isaddressing ground water contami-nation in several ways. Some aban-doned wells have been capped andunderground storage tanks removed.Serious efforts have been concentratedon removing or cleaning contami-nated sediments. At Masonite MillCreek, no petroleum products weremeasured in soil and ground watersamples after contaminated sedimentswere removed. Also, bioremediation of sediments has been implemented.This process encourages microbialactivity that breaks down organicmaterials by aerating soil that hasbeen mixed with wood chips.


In 1994, a forest managementplan was adopted and certified as


Total MilesAssessed

Percent

81

Designated Usea

Rivers and Streams (Total Miles = 320)b

90

90

Good(Fully Supporting

or Threatened)

Impaired(Partially Supportingor Not Supporting)

17

83

100

0100

0


Individual Use Supportfor the Hoopa Valley Tribe

ecologically sustainable. Key points ofthe plan include reduction of timbersales and inactivation of 35 miles ofabandoned or failing log roads. In1997, the Tribal EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) establisheda water quality control plan thatincluded beneficial uses, criteria andstandards, and antidegradation poli-cies. The tribe received a NonpointSource Program grant to removecontaminated soils from Supply Creekand Trinity River. The tribe is cur-rently developing a Total MaximumDaily Load Standard for sediments inthe Supply Creek watershed.


In 1998, the tribe completed itsUnified Watershed Assessment.Geographic information systemsenable comprehensive analysis ofwatershed characteristics and impactsfrom land use. The Tribal PublicUtilities District monitors surface and ground water quality at domesticintake locations and some posttreat-ment locations. The Tribal EPAmonitors physical, chemical, andbiological parameters in surface andground waters. Through Clean WaterAct funds, the current network ofmonitoring stations gives nearly com-plete coverage of reservation waters.

In 1999, the Tribal EPA andHumboldt University collaborated on a 1-year project funded by the U.S. EPA to locate wetlands withgeographic information systems andaerial photographs. A continuingwetlands program will depend uponprocurement of additional funding.The Tribal EPA is using IndianEnvironmental General AssistanceProgram funds to monitor theintegrity of its wetlands and develop a Wetlands Conservation Plan.

a A subset of Hoopa Valley Tribe’s designated uses appear in thisfigure. Refer to the tribe’s 305(b) report for a full description of thetribe’s uses.

b Includes nonperennial streams that dry up and do not flow all year.

Note: Figures may not add to 100% due to rounding.

La Posta Band of MissionIndians

For a copy of La Posta Band’s 2000305(b) report, contact:

Gwendolyn ParadaEnvironmental Protection OfficeLa Posta Band of Mission IndiansP.O. Box 1048Boulevard, CA 91905(619) 478-2113


Surface Water QualityLa Posta Reservation is located

in San Diego County in southernCalifornia. It consists of two distinctland parcels: La Posta (3,500 acres)and Little La Posta (200 acres). Nine-teen of 23 tribal members reside onthe reservation. La Posta contains11.3 miles of streams, a 2-acre lakethat is manmade, and 1.5 acres ofwetlands. The only surface waterfeature in Little La Posta consists of 1 mile of intermittent stream. Springsand seeps (ground water pools) withsustained seasonal flows have beendocumented within the reservation.No surface water is used for drinking.

In 1994, surface water sampleswere collected from two springs andLa Posta Creek. Radium, metals, andmanganese were detected at elevatedlevels. In 1998, two samples werecollected from La Posta Lake. Ironand manganese concentrations weremeasured at concentrations thatexceed the U.S. EPA’s maximumcontaminant levels. Coliform bacteriawere also measured in the water.

Reservation soils are prone toerosion during periods of heavyprecipitation. Other sources of erosioninclude uncontrolled grazing inriparian habitats and watersheds and inadequate maintenance. Themovements of nontribal cattle acrossreservation lands may need to bemonitored. Nonpoint sources ofcontamination include runoff. Runoffthat comes from Interstates 8 and 80is considered a point source ofpollution because it is dischargedthrough a drain system. This con-tributes petroleum compounds anddebris. The other potential source ofpollution is an adjacent landownerwho repairs and maintains automo-biles. This may contribute contamina-tion from metals, hydrocarbons, andchlorinated organics.

Ground Water QualityGround water is used as the

source of drinking water. Five wellssupply drinking water, three wells areused for monitoring, and four wellshave been abandoned. Wells yield 5 to25 gallons per minute and are locatedin shallow alluvium and underlyingbedrock. Iron and manganese weredetected in some ground watersamples. Although no bacteria weredetected, localized problems mayoccur from septic systems.




There are no formal pollutioncontrol measures for surface or groundwater on La Posta Reservation.


Currently, waters of the reserva-tion are subject only to federal waterquality criteria. In the next 2 or 3 years, the tribe may choose to adoptthese or other criteria. Until tribalstandards and beneficial use designa-tions have been adopted, the tribe willuse the San Diego Regional WaterQuality Control Board’s Basin Plan as a guide for water quality testing,analyses, and assessment. The LaPosta Environmental ProtectionAgency would like to establish regularsurface and ground water monitoringprograms.

Pauma Band of Mission Indians

For a copy of the Pauma Band 2000305(b) report, contact:

Chris DeversPauma Band of Mission IndiansP.O. Box 369Pauma Valley, CA 92061


Surface Water QualityThe Pauma Band of Mission

Indians resides in southern California.The tribal lands consist of four dis-tinct parcels: the Pauma Reservation(230 acres), the Mission Reserve(5,711 acres), and the North andSouth Yuima Tracts (12 acres each).Approximately 170 people of Luisenoheritage live on these lands. The reser-vation supports an agricultural busi-ness that grows citrus and avocados.

Surface water resources consist of 23 miles of rivers and an indetermi-nate amount of wetlands. Twenty ofthe stream miles are intermittent.Pauma Creek is used as the primarysource of irrigation water. Althoughnot used as a drinking water source, itis hydraulically linked to the aquiferthat supplies drinking water. Thismeans water quality problems inPauma Creek could translate intoproblems with drinking water quality.

Nearly all of the river and streammiles assessed support aquatic life,swimming, and fish consumption.Less than 1 mile of stream wasthreatened for aquatic life support due to elevated levels of nitrate andsulfate. Most of the surface waters areimpacted by nonpoint sources ofpollution, including a closed landfill,storage tanks, orchard heaters withfuel tanks, septic systems, and fertiliz-ers and pesticides that are applied foragriculture. The tribal lands are alsoextremely susceptible to erosion, andsedimentation has been the mostsignificant problem in surface waters.

Ground Water QualityThere are four distinct aquifers

that supply ground water. Three wellsthat are used to supply domestic water have elevated levels of nitrate,although none of the concentrationsexceeded Safe Drinking Water Actregulations. The most significantthreats to ground water quality arenitrate and bacteria from individualsewage disposal systems and chemicalsused in agriculture. Elevated levels ofiron and turbidity present aestheticproblems.


The tribe supports several waterpollution control programs, includinga Water Quality ManagementProgram, the Wellhead ProtectionPlan, the Nonpoint Source Manage-ment Plan, and the Multi-MediaEnvironmental Assessment. TheWetlands Management Plan providesa framework for protecting wetlandand riparian resources. The Agribusi-ness Environmental ManagementPlan recommends Best ManagementPractices to minimize the impact ofagricultural activities on waterresources and the environment. TheAir Quality Management Plan


Total MilesAssessed

Percent

23

Designated Usea

Rivers and Streams (Total Miles = 23)b

23

23

Good(Fully Supporting

or Threatened)

Impaired(Partially Supportingor Not Supporting)

100

0100

0

100

0


addresses air quality issues that arerelated to deposition and recycling ofpollutants between the atmosphere,water, and land. The tribe is attempt-ing to establish a Tribal Environ-mental Protection Agency.


The surface water monitoringprogram has been active since 1996due to a Section 106 grant under theClean Water Act. Most of the moni-toring has focused on Pauma Creek,as it is used for agriculture and alsoimpacts the aquifer that suppliesdrinking water. Monthly samplingwas conducted at one locationupstream of the reservation. Somemonitoring has also been conducted at other streams and springs. Tribalpersonnel have been largely responsi-ble for sampling and testing the wateras well as maintaining a database. Aconsulting firm provided assistanceand managed the final database thatwas used to generate the 2000 305(b)report. Five wells are sampled as partof the ground water monitoring effort.The tribe is currently developingwater quality standards. This processwill include the establishment of des-ignated beneficial uses or the adoptionof California water quality standards.

Additional surface water, soil,and ground water monitoring wasconducted under the General Assis-tance Program. Under this program,an EPA-approved laboratory con-ducted analyses for metals and otherinorganic compounds.

Wetlands were mapped using theNational Wetland Inventory database,although sufficient detail was notincluded to delineate the total area of wetlands in the tribal lands. Fullimplementation of wetland protectionactivities depends upon procurementof additional funds.

Individual Use Support forthe Pauma Band of Mission Indians

a A subset of Pauma Band of Mission Indians’ designated uses appearin this figure. Refer to the tribe’s 305(b) report for a full descriptionof the tribe’s uses.

b Includes nonperennial streams that dry up and do not flow all year.

Note: Figures may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Round Valley Indian Tribes

For a copy of the Round Valley IndianTribes’ 2000 305(b) report, contact:

Steven Casebier, DirectorTribal Environmental Protection

AgencyRound Valley Indian TribesP.O. Box 448Covelo, CA 95428 (707) 983-8478


Surface Water QualityThe Round Valley Indian Tribes

consist of seven tribes (Yuki, PitRiver, Achomawi, Pomo-Concow,Wailaki, Nomelaki, and Wintun).Approximately 800 people live on theRound Valley Indian Reservation,which is located in northern Califor-nia. The reservation consists of 45 square miles of land that supportrural housing, ranching, and farming.The surface water consists of 424miles of river, 1.5 acres of reservoir,and an indeterminate amount of wet-lands. The Eel River forms the west-ern boundary of the reservation and isthe principal drainage for the region.

The State Water ResourcesControl Board (SWRCB) has notdesignated beneficial uses for thestream reaches within the reservation.Surface waters are currently used forground-water recharge, wildlifehabitat, and recreation. Flow through

the reservation has decreased greatlyas a result of upstream diversions byindustrial facilities. Low flows mayresult in high water temperature andlow dissolved oxygen conditions thatimpair fish populations. However, theEel River and its tributaries supporttheir existing uses. The primarysources of contamination are agricul-ture, grazing, timber operations,resource extraction, and hydrologicand habitat modification. High levelsof iron have been detected.

The tribes did not report on thecondition of wetlands.

Ground Water QualityGround water is the primary

source of water supporting the reser-vation. Approximately 230 wells sup-ply irrigation, stock, and drinkingwater. Increased ground water with-drawals outside of the reservation havelowered the ground water table andcaused some wells to dry up intermit-tently. High levels of turbidity, iron,manganese, and sulfur have beenmeasured in the ground water. Thereare no known occurrences of groundwater contamination on the reserva-tion. However, the potential does existfrom storage tanks, unregulateddumping, septic tanks, mine drainage,biocide and fertilizer use, and sewagelagoons. Leachate from a communitydump that receives solid wastes andsludge from the Covelo sewage treat-ment plant may enter the groundwater system and appear in wells.

The levels of iron and manganesedetected in surface and ground watercan be removed through treatmentand do not necessarily preclude thewater from being used.


The tribes lack any pollutionprevention or control programs. Onlysix regulated point source discharges



occur within the reservation. TheRegional Board oversees monitoringand remediation at one of these sites.The tribe is seeking Section 106Authority from the EPA, which will permit them to adopt waterquality standards and regulate wastedischarges to waters within their juris-diction. Until then, the tribes willcontinue to use water quality stand-ards from the EPA and SWRCB fordomestic use, irrigation, industrial use,and fishing.

The tribes received a Set-AsideGrant from the Indian HealthServices to upgrade their sewagetreatment systems. They also usedGeneral Assistance Program (GAP)funds to certify tribal members aswater treatment plant operators. Inthe future, they will be using GAPfunding to develop a tribal SewageTreatment Plant.

Soil excavation and removal alle-viated contamination occurring froman old sawmill. Soils in this area werecontaminated with petroleum hydro-carbons, pentachlorophenol (a knowncarcinogen), and tetrachlorophenol.


A monitoring program began in1997 and is highly dependent oncontinued funding for implementationas a permanent program. The datacontained in this report were collectedfrom 10 surface water sites and 10 wells. The samples were analyzedfor physical and chemical parameters,including boron, iron, and manganese.All ground water monitoring sites aresampled quarterly. In the future, thetribes would like to incorporate totaland fecal coliform bacteria testing fordrinking water wells and areas of sus-pected septic system failure.

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