DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SANTEE SIOUX NATION OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Santee Sioux Nation encompasses approximately 184 square miles bordering the Missouri River in north-central Nebraska. Studies indicate that surface waters within the four main watersheds of the Reservation are impacted to varying degrees by point and nonpoint source contaminants, including nutrients (nitrate-n) and pesticides associated with row crop production, and fecal bacteria related to animal agriculture. Some of these contaminants originate outside the Reservation boundaries, while others originate wholly within the watersheds in the Reservation. The primary goal of the Tribal Water Quality Program administered by the Santee Sioux Office of Environmental Protection is to develop strategies to provide for clean, safe and an adequate supply of water for the residents of the Santee Sioux Indian Reservation. One mechanism to help reach this goal is the establishment of Tribal Water Quality Standards for all waters within the Santee Sioux Reservation. The Tribe has worked with the U.S. EPA Region VII office on a phased approach to water standards development. This phased approach includes development of the 18 specific sections of the water quality standards document, as well as addressing the 10-elements of a water quality monitoring program. In addition, the Tribe has applied for Treatment in a Similar Manner as a State (TAS) in order to be approved by U.S. EPA to fully administer the Tribal Water Quality Standards Program. There are four primary criteria for granting TAS: 1) The Indian Tribe is a federally recognized Tribe; 2) The Tribe has a governing body carrying out substantial governmental duties and powers; 3) The proposed Water Quality Standards program pertains to management and protection of water resources…within the borders of the Indian reservation; and 4) The Tribe is reasonable expected to be capable of carrying out the functions of an effective Water Quality Standards program consistent with the Clean Water Act and applicable regulations. The Santee Sioux Nation has tried to incorporate all available scientific data and has actively extended the water quality data set for waters within the Reservation. Once waters quality standards are approved, additional monitoring data will be used to establish trends for water quality in the Nation’s streams and wetlands.