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EPA seeks comments on document connected to Bad River Band's Clean Water Act application

Release Date: 02/19/2009
Contact Information: Phillippa Cannon, 312-353-6218, cannon.phillippa@epa.gov

For Immediate Release
No. 09 - OPA20

CHICAGO (Feb. 17, 2009) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued a document called a "Proposed Findings of Fact" in connection with the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indian's application under the Clean Water Act for authority to establish water quality standards for surface water within its reservation. EPA is expected to decide on the request later this year. If the agency approves the request, the tribe will develop specific water quality standards for bodies of water within the reservation.

The document describes actual or potential effects on water quality inside the tribe's northern Wisconsin reservation from various activities such as residential septic discharges, farming, filling in wetlands, illegal dumping, construction without a permit, and sand and gravel mining.

In 2006, the tribe applied to EPA for authority under the Clean Water Act to set water quality standards for surface water on its reservation. Two other tribes in Wisconsin have been granted this status.

The Proposed Findings of Fact may be read at: https://www.epa.gov/region5/water/wqs5/wqstribes.htm , EPA Region 5's office, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Ill. For appointment call 312-886-7252 or e-mail cozza.daniel@epa.gov. It is also available at the tribe's Natural Resources Department, 1 Maple St., Odanah; Ashland County Clerk's office, 201 Main St., Ashland; Bayfield County Clerk's office, 117 E. Fifth St., Washburn; Iron County Clerk's office, 300 Taconite St. Suite 101, Hurley; Vaughn Public Library, 502 Main St. W., Ashland; and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster St., Madison.

Comments on the document should be sent by Wednesday, March 18 to Todd Ambs, Water Division Director, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921