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Surface Water

The main focus of the water quality program is to monitor the status of the North Canadian River. This water resource is interconnected with other water resources on tribal lands. Each month program staff measure dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, turbidity, temperature, nitrate/nitrite, total phosphorus, and E. coli in the river. We also respond to complaints or concerns regarding other surface water resources such as creeks or ponds.

Text Box: Air Quality The KDEP is currently working on two air quality projects: an Emissions Inventory, and testing tribal homes for radon. The purpose of the Emissions Inventory project is to compile a dataset of all emissions within the tribal jurisdiction. This dataset will enable the Business Committee to make sound decisions regarding air quality, and help the KDEP determine whether ambient air quality monitoring would benefit the Tribe. Our department, in conjunction with the Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center, provides radon testing free of charge to tribal members upon request (a canister is pictured below). Radon is an invisible, colorless, and odorless gas that is harmful to humans. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks.

Radon testing canister

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Text Box: The Kickapoo Department of Environmental Programs (KDEP) manages projects in four primary program areas: solid waste, surface water, drinking water and air quality. Within each of these programs the KDEP strives to monitor the status of tribal resources, protect and preserve resources, and provide information to the tribal community. Our department has also been involved in a number of special projects such as a study of pesticides in the North Canadian River and the creation of various maps using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. Solid Waste The solid waste program has completed the cleanup and closure of six open dump sites and has documented several others for possible future cleanup. According to tribal ordinance, it is a criminal violation to illegally dump trash. The solid waste program has coordinated with tribal leadership to place dumpsters near ceremonial, commercial, and housing areas in Jones, the Tribal Complexes, and in Deer Hills Estates to help tribal members manage solid waste.

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Drinking Water

The KDEP manages the Secondary Administration Complex public water supply, and provides technical assistance to operators of the Tribe’s other public water supply systems. The KDEP also applied for and received funding for a water line extension to Frye Road. This project will be funded by EPA and managed by Indian Health Service.