EPA funding allows tribe to map property, recycle
Staff Writer jwingerter@oklahoman.com
A recent $125,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency will allow the Otoe-Missouria Tribe to map portions of its tribal land and continue an environmental youth day.
The tribe, based in northern Oklahoma’s Noble County, will also host a Keep Oklahoma Beautiful spring cleanup at its housing properties and a recycling event during an annual camp to discourage illegal dumping, according to spokesperson Heather Payne.
She said the tribe needs to map some newlyacquired portions of its property, including the tribe’s Head Start, social services center and human resources building.
The grant is part of the EPA’s general assistance program, or GAP, for tribes.
The program dates back to 1992 and hands out about $65 million each year for tribal environmental programs.
“The Otoe-Missouria Tribe has been recognized for their leadership in environmental services,” said Anne Idsal, a regional administrator for the EPA. “We are pleased to support our tribal partners in sustaining environmental protection.”
Payne said the tribe will also use the money to continue its home recycling program, to host a two-day swap meet, to lecture children on environmental issues, to encourage recycling among tribal employees and to send those employees to environmental training.
“GAP funding supports our tribal endeavors to protect the environment and conserve the natural resources within the Otoe-Missouria jurisdictional lands,” said tribal environmental coordinator Angela Oyebi Heim.
“By working with EPA, the Otoe-Missouria Environmental Department strives to enhance understanding, education, protection of the environment to the surrounding community," she added.