Environmental Protection is responsible for 1) reviewing shoreline modification permits, biological assessments, land conversion applications, lake herbicide applications, and other state, county, and city permit applications that might adversely affect natural resources, 2) preparing environmental reviews for Tribal housing, museum, and other construction projects, 3) reviewing water rights permit applications, 4) conducting investigations of habitat and water quality and quantity throughout the Tribe’s Treaty fishing area, and 5) participating on committees, boards, and other decision-making groups that affect the use or condition of natural resources throughout South Puget Sound.
We cooperate with the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington Department of Ecology to collect accurate information on water quality and stream flows and to provide notification of waterbodies that fail to meet state and federal water quality standards. Environmental staff also work closely with the State Department of Health on drinking water and drainfield issues on Tribal lands, and with Mason and Thurston County staff on permit and project review issues.
Environmental Protection also hosts a Geographic Information Systems workstation, and produces maps of Reservation and Treaty area resources, including Reservation roads, buildings, and water supply wells, and maps depicting hunting area status.
The goal of the Environmental Protection division is to protect, restore, and enhance fish, shellfish and wildlife resources that benefit the Tribe.
