EPA-Big Valley Rancheria

Big Valley Rancheria Environmental Program Narrative Discussion

The lands and waters of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians are located on the shores of Clear Lake, California. The sovereign territory of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians is known as Big Valley Rancheria. Clear Lake is the largest freshwater lake within California and has been shown to be the oldest lake in North America. The aquatic foodbase of algae, zooplankton, and insects supports a diverse ecosystem of fish, birds, and mammals.

During this century, the land use practices of the surrounding watershed have resulted in the nutrient rich waters of Clear Lake being enriched with even more nutrients and the development of seasonal algal blooms that impact the water resource. Open pit mining of Mercury on the shores of Clear Lake and the back filling of waste rock into the lake has resulted in the levels of inorganic Mercury to be elevated to 1,000 times the natural levels. This has resulted in the bioaccumulation of the organic form of Mercury, methyl Mercury, in the lake ecosystem and the loss of the ability of Tribal Members to eat fish from the waters of Clear Lake. The past use of DDT to manage insect pests continues to be detected in Clear Lake and may still impact the functioning of wildlife. The introduction of the exotic species of the aquatic plant called Hydrilla could result in the shallow waters of Clear Lake being unnavigable and the altering of the natural lake habitat. The herbicides currently being used by the State of California to combat the spread of Hydrilla are an environmental concern to the Tribe. Komeen is Copper based and Sonar blocks photosynthesis. The application of pesticides on crops throughout the watershed and the pear orchards adjacent to Big Valley Rancheria are also of concern to the Tribe. Lead Based Paint and indoor air quality are human health issues in the housing of Big Valley Rancheria. Solid waste management is a high priority and the Tribe has taken an active role in the removal of burn barrels and making dumpsters available for household trash.

The General Assistance Program has made possible the establishment of the Big Valley Rancheria Environmental Protection Department and the support of staff to provide the Tribe with technical assistance on environmental issues. Tribal Members have attended workshops on issues of concern and conferences sponsored by the EPA. Environmental education materials have been made available to Tribal Members and staff assisted in the production of the Tribal Newsletter. A Quality Assurance Program Plan has been drafted and is currently being revised to meet the requirements of EPA. An environmental survey of Tribal lands and waters has been conducted and will continue into the environmental assessment of the new workplan. The Tribe has joined the local Conservation District and is working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to coordinate efforts with local property owners. Staff and Tribal Members have obtained training in EPA programs and in the conducting of environmental assessments. The Environmental Protection Department is part of the Big Valley Tribal Office and is supervised by the Tribal Administrator. The elected Tribal Leaders of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians decide the direction of the work of the Environmental Protection Department. Reports are submitted to the Tribal Leaders, Tribal Administrator, and the EPA. The Environmental Protection Department currently has funding and is developing a pollution prevention program under the EPA's Clean Water Act, Section 106 Program. Recently an application has been submitted to establish a Lead Based Paint Program at Big Valley Rancheria.