Natural Resources

Mission

The Smith River Rancheria Environmental Programs Office was sporadically staffed prior to September of 2000. However, the Tribe has had General Assistance Program funding from the EPA for environmental protection activities since September of 1996. The Tribe has achieved several milestones including the completion of a Tribal Environmental Inventory, which identifies threats to and assesses the condition of the Rancheria environment, and this Tribal Environmental Plan, which provides the Rancheria with a visioning document to guide future decision making. Both of these documents have been prepared and updated with generous feedback from Tribal Council and Tribal Members at public meetings.

The Environmental Programs Office performs the following functions:

1. Identifies and researches topics and concerns of interest to the Tribal community,
2. preliminarily ranks issues based on their potential to effect human or ecosystem health,
3. engages the Tribal Council and General Membership in discussion to help finalize rankings and priorities,
4. develops general strategies for obtaining funds, interagency coordination, technical assistance, community assistance, or other tools necessary to reduce threats to human health, the environment, or the Tolowa culture,
5. implements and monitors programs as appropriate.

The Environmental Programs Office deals with issues and projects pertaining to the water, wastewater, air, solid waste, cultural resources, natural resources, roads, and fire potential of the Rancheria, with other duties as assigned by the Tribal Council or Tribal Administrator.

Three full-time employees staff the Environmental Programs Office within the Smith River Rancheria: the Environmental Programs Director and the Assistant, Water Resource Technician. Wages for the Director and Assistant are paid through a combination of several grants from several agencies, while the wages for the two technicians are paid directly from grants particular to those positions.