• The Reservation community is protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn, and work.
• National and local efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information.
• Federal and tribal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively.
• Environmental protection is an integral concern in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, international trade and industry, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy.
• All parts of society- communities, individuals, business, state, tribal, and local governments- have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks.
• Environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable, and economically productive.

Departmental Functions

The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Environmental Office is responsible for managing programs associated with solid waste/recycling, water resources, air quality, watershed management and other environmental issues. Administratively, the Environmental Department reports to the Kickapoo Tribal Council. The Department is primarily funded by grants through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency but works very closely with the US Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Kansas Department of Emergency Management, Kansas Forest Service,Tribal and local agencies.

Contacts

Luke Terry - Environmental Director

luke.terry@ktik-nsn.gov

Vernon Dempsey - Environmental Specialist

vernon.dempsey@ktik-nsn.gov

Rachel Hudson - Administrative Assistant

rachel.hudson@ktik-nsn.gov

Viswatej "Tej" Attili

viswatej.attili@ktik-nsn.gov

Michael Kelley - Air Quality Coordinator

mike.kelley@ktik-nsn.gov

Available 8:00a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Monday thru Friday

1107 Goldfinch  Road

Horton, KS 66439

Phone:(785) 486-2601

Fax:(785) 486-2445

Fish Advisor Issued by Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Streambank Restored at the Pow-Wow Grounds

Erosion is one of the major water quality issues for the Kickapoo Nation. It has caused other environmental effects including loss of habitat for fish and wildlife and increased transport of pollutants. The streambank erosion at the Pow-Wow grounds created steep, unsafe, and unstable streambank and cutting into the grounds at a rate of 0.3 ft/year. Click on the link at the bottom of this document to view the pictures before the project. The reasons for the erosion include heavy precipitation events, bad channel structure, and lack of deep rooted trees and shrubs on the streambank.

The effects of this heavy sedimentation were causing many problems including:
• Decrease in the Water Quality (Water turning more turbid)
• Loss of Habitat for Fish and Wildlife (because of bad water quality)
• Loss of Property because of the loss of the streambank
• Unsafe for our children and adults due to the steep slope

The Kickapoo Environmental Office has collaborated with the Kansas Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) to restore the streambank at the Pow-Wow grounds which is very important for the Kickapoo Nation. In May 2011, the streambank’s steepness was reduced and reshaped to a gentle slope to minimize erosion and to allow the growth of deep rooted willows and native grass. Rocks were placed at the toe of the slope to deflect the fast flowing water from streambank and trap sediment.

Also, on the gentle slopes shrubs including Chokecherry, American Plum, Fragrant Sumac; and trees including Cottonwood and Sycamore were planted. These trees have long roots which would hold the soil together and avoid erosion. This project already (as of September 2011) is showing success with a high survival rate of the willows and native grasses. Also, the trees are growing as expected. The pictures of the Pow-Wow grounds streambank before and after the project can be seen in the link below (in chronological order with dates on the photos). The streambank is expected to be totally stabilized by the year 2015.

Link for Pictures

Delaware River Weir Repair Project

Construction on the Delaware River is in full swing. The "Bank Stabilization Project" should be completed by the end of the summer. Here is a few photo's of there progress. Come back and visit the site to view the progress. Images will be posted as they become available.

On March 12, 2008 the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas approved a bid by the Kissick Construction Company to perform the Weir Stabilization phase of the project.

Steps include:

-Clam riprap away from the down stream sill.

-Fabricating a personal walkway that rest above the water for workers to access the structure without getting wet.

-Driving permanent metal sheet piles along the down stream face to create a sealed wall up against the structure.

-Pumping a flow able grout underneath the entire structure to fill voids caused by erosion and severe flooding.

Links to Kansas State Informational Pamphlets:

Recommended Water Tests for Private Wells

Understanding Your Water Test Report

Shock Chlorination for Disinfecting Water Systems

Plugging Abandoned Wells

Get to Know Your Septic System

Septic Tank Maintenance: Longer Septic System Life

WASTEWISE AND KICKAPOO TRIBE IN KANSAS:
GOOD NEWS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas reported 2010 waste reduction efforts prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 7,362 gallons of gasoline according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise Program.

Implemented in 1993, WasteWise is a free, voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, benefiting their bottom line and the environment. WasteWise helps its Partners set and meet goals to reduce and recycle municipal solid waste and selected industrial wastes.

A Partner in the program for over a year, WasteWise is a fundamental part of Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas' sustainability initiatives. Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas makes significant reductions in its environmental footprint through activities such as waste prevention, recycling, and the purchasing and/or manufacturing of recycled-content products. By committing to undertaking and reporting on these activities on an annual basis, Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas continues to demonstrate environmental leadership.

Data reported annually on these activities is translated into greenhouse gas reductions and equivalencies by EPA, using the web-based WasteWise Re-TRAC tracking and reporting tool. This is one of the free benefits to program Partners along with technical support and recognition opportunities.

According to Luke Terry, Kickapoo Environmental Director, "Through WasteWise we have been able to accurately track and record recycling poundage to analyze the benefits to the environment. Participation in WasteWise has helped us reduce costs and demonstrate Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas's commitment to conserve natural resources and protect the environment."

2011 Earth Day!

The Kickapoo Earth Day Celebration on April 28, 2011 was a big success. We had 81 volunteers that signed in to help pick-up an estimated 3,037lbs of trash and litter from the Kickapoo Veterans Memorial Highway! The success of this event is a great example of how a community can pull together and make a difference. Bare-root trees, t-shirts and mugs were given to the volunteers and a noon meal was held at the Kickapoo Housing Authority afterwards. We would like to thank everyone who helped and participated in this great event.

From the desk of Luke Terry- KEO Director:

            Earth Day 2010!

April 22, 2010-

The Kickapoo Reservation was host to 80 volunteers who helped pick up trash along the Kickapoo Veterans Memorial Highway from the junction of K-20 Highway and US 75 Highway to the Horton City limits.  An estimated 1,600 lbs of trash and debris was removed from the roadway in an annual effort to keep this area trash free.  The Kickapoo Environmental Office would like to thank all the participants and sponsors who helped make this event possible.

According to a study conducted by Penn State University, the following material was tested to determine decomposition rate.

Paper: 2-4 Weeks

Leaves: 1-3 Weeks

Orange Peel: 6 Months

Milk Carton: 5 Years

Plastic Bag: 10-20 Years

Plastic Container: 50-80 Years

Aluminum Can: 80 Years

Tin Car: 100 Years

 Plastic Soda Bottle: 450 Years

Glass Bottle: 500 Years

Styrofoam:  Never

Earth Day 2010

     Here are some of the images taken durning the Kickapoo Tribal Earth Day event.

                    Employee's and local residents gave a big hand during the event.

                                         Even the KNS kids give a helping hand.

   " Dr. Tej" the tribes Water Quality Coordinator hands out supplies to would be helpers.

             Mean while, KEO Commander and Chief  "Luke" hands out small trees.

            Kickapoo Housing Authority hosts the end of  the event cook out. Good Eats?

Earth Day 2009

Earth Day 2008

A good crowd of 90 adult volunteers and KNS students helped clean the road sides along the Kickapoo Veterans Memorial Highway
(K-20) from US 73 Hwy to US 75 Hwy. An estimated 2,860 lbs of trash and debris was removed from the highway.

Illegal Dumpsites: Illegal dumping throughout the Kickapoo Reservation continues to be an environmental issue. The Kickapoo Environmental Office strongly urges to stop the illegal dumping. Tribal members can dispose of large bulky items and unwanted trash during the spring and fall Community Clean Up events.

Article in the Tribal Waste Journal on the Kickapoo Solid Waste Program
The Kickapoo Environmental Office was recently featured in the July 2011 Tribal Waste Journal. The article highlights the many successes achieved in controlling illegal dumping, how community clean up events have evolved over the last 4 years, removing tires from Tribal Lands and collecting electronic wastes. To view the document, click on the link below. The article on the Kickapoo Environmental Office starts on page 4.

Click here to view the article

KEO Recycling Brocure

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Disposal Process

A BETTER PLACE FOR PHARMACY WASTE

TBA, 2011

KICKAPOO NATION—Residents who have old and excess medications ready for disposal are no longer encouraged to use flushing as a disposal method. Experts from the U.S. Geological Survey have shown that this method can negatively impact the aquatic environment.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has outlined an environmentally preferred disposal option of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Simply crush and dissolve pills in water, coffee, or another liquid, then make a paste by adding coffee grounds or kitty litter. The paste should be put in a closed container, such as a yogurt or sour cream tub, and thrown away in the trash, Wallis said. A demonstration of the disposal method can be by clicking the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1JxQjlT3B4.

Justine Wallis, an intern for Kansas State University’s Pollution Prevention Institute, travels across the state of Kansas visiting retail pharmacies and medical clinics promoting proper disposal of medications. Educational posters that are distributed throughout the community identify alternative disposal methods for residents to utilize.

The Pollution Prevention Institute at Kansas State University is funded in part by the Kansas Health Foundation. The institute focuses on sustainability promotion through environmental education.

Prepared by Justine Wallis, 785-532-4283, jwallis@ksu.edu; for further information contact Luke Terry, Kickapoo Environmental Office, 785-486-2601, luke.terry@ktik-nsn.gov

An A to Z Resource Guide of Safe Alternatives to Household Cleaning
and Maintenance Supplies

- Originally Compiled by Sam Umscheid, MSW Published through a Partnership with
The Center for Children's Environmental Health, Dept. of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology,
Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri

"Safer Cleaning"

Tree Care, Planting and Pruning Workshop

On March 9, 2010 a “Tree Care, Planting and Pruning Workshop” was held at the Kickapoo Community Building and hosted by the Kickapoo Environmental Office and Kansas Forest Service.  An afternoon and evening session was offered to anyone who wished to attend and participants were given a free Redbud seedling.  A good time was held by all while the main focus was on tree selection, planting and care, pruning and energy efficient windbreaks and landscaping.  A Scarlet Oak and Red Elm were planted to demonstrate proper technique and several of the Red Maples in front of the Community Building were pruned.  Supporting organizations included the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, Kansas Forest Service, Brown County Extension, Brown County NRCS, Glacial Hills RC&D, Delaware WRAPS and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

To view the presentations, click the link below.

Tree Care, Planting and Pruning Workshop

For additional links please click link below.

Online Resources

KEO Newsletter " Green Clan"

Links to more Kickapoo Environmental Office pictures and information:
Tribal Energy Consumption Spreadsheet 2008
Saving Water Saves Electricity
KEO Project Slideshow

Suggested links for more information on the environment:

http://www.epa.gov
http://www.ihs.gov
http://www.kdheks.gov
http://www.doi.gov/bia
http://www.delawareriverwatershed.org