Environmental
Program
Mission Statement
 To
provide services to protect the environment, incorporating traditional
values and culture.
The MBCI Environmental Program Office was established
in 1991 under the Department of Natural Resources. The Environmental
Program develops and implements environmental policies, codes, ordinances,
and procedures designed to actively protect biological, chemical,
and physical integrity of the environment and health of tribal members.
In addition, the Environmental Program serves in the advisory capacity
to the tribal administration to provide information regarding environmental
issues, technical assistance and training opportunities. The goal
is to increase tribal public awareness of various environmental
issues that are regulated and monitored by the MBCI Environmental
Program Office, as well as build tribal capacity in environmental
protection.
.
Environmental Management
 Goal:
To develop tribal capacity to plan, protect, and implement an environmental
management program on the Choctaw reservation.
The Choctaw Environmental Program Office (EPO) coordinates
and develops environmental management programs and activities, as
well as established enforcement capabilities through the development,
and approval of the Tribal Council, of environmental codes and ordinances
that promotes, enhances and protects the Tribe’s natural resources.
By availing of grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Indian General Assistance Program, as well as grants from other
federal agencies, the EPO is able to become a more responsible steward
of the air, water, and land on the Choctaw reservation. Although
environmental protection had been under way in fragmented fashion
for many years since the establishment of the Tribal government,
the Tribe is committed to reclaiming and protecting the environment
as never before, with the growing realization that sustained economic
growth and quality of life are dependent on a healthy environment
in Indian country.
.
Radon Pilot Project
Goal: Coordinates a reservation-wide testing of tribal homes
and buildings for Radon gas as part of a Radon Pilot Project funded
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Radon field technicians, deploy, collect, and tag
Radon test canisters before shipment to the Radon National Laboratory
in Las Vegas, Nevada.
.
Solid Waste Management
Goal: Operate a very successful recycling program location
in the Pearl River Indian Reservation community.
Cardboard and white office paper are baled at the
Choctaw Recycling Center with the assistance of Environmental Technicians.
Aluminum cans are also bought from the public. This is an income
generating project and substantially reduces the Tribe’s solid waste
disposal costs.
.
Sustainable Development
Goal: To promote environmental and economical sustainable development
of Arundinaria giantea tecta, culturally known as swamp cane.
This project was made possible through a grant with
the United States Environmental Protection Agency, sustainable Development
Grant Program. By establishing a composting facility on the Choctaw
reservation, composted material will be used to enhance soil fertility.
The ultimate goal to this project is to develop a sustainable source
of swamp cane for use and sale by tribal artisans.
.
Clean Air Act
Goal: To protect air quality integrity within the external
boundaries of the Choctaw reservation to comply with the Clean Air
Act.
A 1999 Emissions Inventory revealed air pollution
sources for the Choctaw reservation. No major air pollution were
identified, nor were any off reservation sources impacting tribal
lands. Sources that were identified consisted of those from mobile
sources and fugitive sources (i.e. unpaved roads). Air quality on
the Choctaw reservation has been an increased concern due to the
economic expansion with the development of the Pearl River Resort.
Particulate matter is of greatest concern due to the disturbance
of fugitive sources and increased amount of mobile sources from
construction machinery and tourists.
.
Choctaw Lead Program
Goal: To help educate tribal members of the hazards associated
with exposure to lead in the home.
In the past years, testing of homes built before 1978
were conducted to survey the number of homes that may possess lead-based
paint. Currently, the Choctaw Lead Program has established an educational
program and is proposing an accreditation and certification program
for lead-based paint professionals with funding assistance from
the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4.
.
Water Quality Monitoring Program
Goal: To determine water quality of identified sites through
monthly monitoring and laboratory analysis.
Biological, chemical, and physical parameters are
evaluated for the determination of the water quality on the Choctaw
reservation. Currently, the water quality monitoring program consists
of three different grants funded under the Clean Water Act, Sections
106, and 319 – Non-Point Source, grant programs being implemented
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Educational Outreach and Training
 Educational
outreach activities are conducted in all tribal schools and presentations
are made to various community organizations. For the purpose of promoting
public awareness of environmental issues, the Environmental Program
Office also distributes information via tribal gatherings held by
the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. To further build tribal capacity
in environmental protection, the Environmental Program Office offers
various environmental training to tribal high school students interested
in environmental and scientific studies. In order to offer the most
efficient and current information on the environmental issues affecting
the Choctaw reservation, the Environmental Program staff is continuously
availing training offered by federal, state, and tribal agencies.
.
For more information,
please contact:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Environmental Program Office
P.O. Box 6026
Choctaw, MS 39350
601-650-7453
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