SZ SP ZS A VS Zo? > PF tn PC the TF pm OC ho Ft (2021)

SZ SP ZS A VS Zo? > PF tn PC the TF pm OC ho Ft

Sean eae ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee oe ee ee oe ot ee oe oe eee ee eee

Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources

COMMON GROUND |

Se oso see les os osos 7<o=+—- <oss co se4ce Sos oss

eo goo or org oe

2021 WINTER EDITION

January is National Radon Action Month

Daniel Wiggins, Air Quality Technician—Airl@badriver-nsn.gov

Special points of interest:

e Natural Resources New hires

that has been linked

e Forestry Update on Timber

to the development of lung tribal | s since 2006, Edu Bad River H Anitivnis Sales

' . al homes since 2006 - f er g :

cancer. It is a natural radioac- 2 paicnpag f ap Ye OUEIDE NY ¢ Radon Update

A 5 cating the Tribal community (BRHA) and private homeownie sateeiaabnaaae lait about radon is crucial, along ith i d addressi ° Air Quality Update

where and is commonly traced swith the broner fainin , i § a ‘wilhitesting:an ; oe

: . vith the proper trai 2 e i

back to sources in the soils tribal st on P ovide "dee ti REA * ra “ce * Job Opporninities

aa ribal staff to provide rador a a gree

around your home. It can infil- exnettisete a Members ee aa cone = é

c aN ers. i d a g pftrate your home through foun- P Parmer TH GE CrSouig TaNOn.e

: The Program has annual test- fectively. Since 2006 the BRHA

dation cracks and openings and

DEnee ing from January to March and _ has tested each housing unit at

once in your home can attach to : ;

: i A has continued to work with the — least once. There has been a

particles in the air where they Oceans of the Air 3

are then breathed

in. Since radon is

radioactive it can

cause damage to

lung tissue and

contribute to the

development of

lung cancer.

The MNRD’s

Tribal Indoor

Radon Program

has been testing

Inside this issue:

Lake Sturgeon 4

New Staff Introductions

Bundling Plot Study 6

Mashkiiziibii Ma‘iingan

Packs Doing Well Despite

Dark Year

PUBLIC NOTICE OF &

DRAFT NPDES PERMIT

«Continued 4 ‘ ‘

cena Council Approved Tim- 9

ber Harvest

MNRD Project Review Process Gets an Upgrade wisiicsoree

Jessica Strand, Environmental Specialist—environmental@badriver-nsn.gov

Water Resources Article 11

& Condolences

ia

M NRD is excited to announce that the S

Project Review (PR) Process has received an

upgrade! We’ve been working diligently to

iS i JEN ? N Ps

make the PR Process a more streamlined WARDERN HAGLEANE :

and comprehensive process while moving it

to an online platform and we’re happy to be

able to say we’re ready to start accepting

applications online now.

Job Opportunities

notification to the applicants at regular intervals within

the internal review, to notify them of when (1) their

application has been deemed complete and moved into

review, (2) if certain programs identify any additional

permits are needed, and (3) if their application has

The online process provides for automatic Conti

.-.Continued on page

ys

Page 2

i

SS a a eee ee oe ee

SZ SF ZS A> SF tr SF tn PF th PF om Ct Fa

Sa LO

-. Gare. %

Ss eee ee ee ee a

MNRD Project Review continued...

SCAN ME

been approved/denied. Additionally, the software

allows for a more streamlined and automized internal workflow process for MNRD staff which should

improve review turnaround and project tracking.

While we're aware that we might need to make

improvements to what we’ve established so far,

we're ready to start accepting applications and feedback as applicants go through the new process. Our

hope is that with this process we can provide better

service to the community in meeting their needs

while ensuring impacts to the environment are minimized and compliance with tribal law. If you have a

project you have been contemplating, please continue reading for three steps on how to start the PR

process.

Starting a Preliminary Project Review (PPR)

(1) Identify your proposed project and gather as

much of the following information as you can:

@ Map of the proposed project location showing

not only parcel boundaries but site location

within the parcel. (The more detailed you can

be, the better.)

° Parcel identification information, including

parcel ID numbers (links below for online

sources for this information), site address, and

Township, Range, Section, and Quarter-

Quarter Section information (if possible).

Ashland County Web Map: https://

ashlandcowi.wextreme.com/

e — Site drawing showing the proposed layout of

your project and/or key features of the site.

This drawing does not have to be done by a

professional and can be quite simple, but ideally you should label things and provide as much

information about measurements and dimensions as you can.

e@ Proposed start and end dates of your project

(as accurate you can get, but can still be an

estimate).

e ~— Contact information for the primary contact,

secondary contact, and possibly a consultant

(if they are the ones filling out the application

for you). You must be able to provide at least

one email address for correspondence to be

sent.

e — Brief project description that is as detailed as

you can be on all the activities proposed at the

ee ee

COMMON GROUND

site, including not only the main project

building a home) but all the incidental

infrastructure that supports the project (e.g.,

removal of trees, grading, installation of

utilities, septic and mound information, etc.).

e ~~ Additional information about what you

know about your site, including but not

limited to, information related to wetlands

and watercourses, archaeology, past land

use, non-local beings (invasive species), and

populations of threated or endangered species.

(2) Use this link to be brought to the Preliminary

Project Review (PPR) form online (or scan the

QR code on this page): http:

portal.laserfi yn/d829

If you don’t have access to the internet to do this,

please call our Department for additional instruc-

tion at 715-682-7123.

(3) Fill out the Preliminary Project Review and hit

the submit button.

Please give yourself at least 15-30 minutes to fill

out the form to ensure you have all the key infor-

mation asked for provided. However, if you need

to save the form and complete it later, that is an

option as long as you provide your email address

for a link to access the application again to be

sent.

What To Expect After Submitting a Preliminary Project Review

Once you have submitted the application the

system will give you the option of printing,

emailing, or downloading the form you filled out

for your records. However, you will also receive

an email with a copy of the application after

someone has reviewed your application for completeness and either (1) advances it for review,

(2) returns it to you with requirements for additional information. Additional emails will be sent

as the application goes through review if needed

until you get the email letting you know the

Preliminary Project Review (PPR) has been

completed. The email letting you know that the

PRP has been completed will provide a copy of

all the comments submitted by Department staff

on your project and identify any next steps that

you must take before starting your project.

If you have any questions, please contact us at

our offices at 715-682-7123 or email our Administrative Assistant Malita Smart at nrrecept@badriver-nsn.gov. We will continue to

make updates to our website as we publish resources related to this new process.

2021 WINTER EDITION Page 3

illionaires blasting off tourists to the edge of

space. Companies putting

money towards carbon credits instead of working on

pollution reduction. Car

dealerships with lots full of

huge trucks and SUVs instead of offering the most

fuel-efficient models available. Countries backsliding on

recent progress towards carbon-neutral electricity production and installing dozens

of new coal-fired power

plants instead.

While we measure several

pollutants on the Bad River

Reservation to assess impacts to human and environmental health, as well as for

monitoring for comparison

of pollution levels to the

Clean Air Act’s standards,

these pollutants are more of

a global problem than a local one. atmosphere has a short lifespan, while another form of

mercury moves on the wind for weeks as it circles the

globe. Other pollutants also fall on the spectrum of time

This responsibility falls to everyone on different

levels: : an . —— 7

and distance, it’s not just mercury, our activities emit

e Governments (some do not have the same envi- various chemicals and particles that plants and animals

ronmental protection focus as we do here in the have not evolved to live with.

US), While we are working on air quality on the Reservation

e Corporations (“greenwashing” is a term being level here at Bad River, and there is a lot of focus on the

used more and more in discussing business state and federal level here, | wanted to take a moment to

practices), and reflect on how wind connects everyone on Earth.

e Consumers (making better choices in what and

Visualizing this invisible connection is not easy, but I

how we purchase products). i

would encourage everyone to check out a website that

As an example, there are different types of mercury tries to do that: https://earth.nullschool.net. Zoom in to

in the air. You’re breathing mercury with every different areas, look at the current winds, choose certain

breath; that mercury comes from many different pollutants from the menu and see where they are coming

sources (examples include, but are not limited to, from today, think about who gets the pollution downmining operations, coal burning, metal and cement wind, and marvel in how the oceans of air are constantly

production, biomass burning including wildfires, moving!

even cremation is on the list). Some mercury in the

aes. Vas. &

SS ae ee ee ee oe

Page 4

Radon Continued...

total of eight housing units that have tested above the

United States Environmental Agency’s (USEPA)

action level have a radon mitigation (reduction) system and shall continue to be tested in the future to

assure effectiveness of systems and analyze changing or fluctuating of radon levels.

The Tribe still faces many challenges with addressing radon effectively. COVID has been the most

recent challenge and has contributed to almost a

complete halt in testing. The AQT will be working

with the Housing Authority to address this gap in

testing and will work on testing each unit regularly

within 2022.

Ultimately, the only way to know if your home has

high indoor radon concentrations is to test. If high

SF IF DS

BN

=e oro”

Seer err

i a

yr.

ae oe ee ee ee ee ed oe oe oe ee

COMMON GROUND

86 222

levels are found there are solutions. The Bad River Tribal

Indoor Radon Program can

assist in locating contractors

and possibly funds towards

installing mitigation systems

and other solutions. If you

have any questions please contact Daniel Wiggins, Air Quality Technician (AQT) at 715-

682-7123 or email at

Airl @badriver-nsn.gov.

Swot Jet Tetenes oScsoes OSS oe

Name (Lake Sturgeon) Possibly Added to Endangered

Species List in 2024

Jacob Rodmaker, Fisheries Specialist - fisheryspecialist@badriver-nsn.gov

n May

23".

2018, The Center for

Biological Diversity

petitioned to list the

Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin

name Lake Sturgeon

as an endangered species. The petition was listed for range

wide or distinct populations and for critical habitat designation. On August 15", 2019, the United States Fish and

Wildlife Service determined that the petition presented

enough scientific evidence to move forward in the process

of listing Name.

Currently data is being collected for the Species Status

Assessment (SSA). Texas A&M is drafting the SSA. The

SSA will take in account all current management strategies of Name and if these protections stay in place how the

population will look in the future. They will run models of

the different distinct populations and the range wide popu-

lation under different management practices, climate

change, and other anthropomorphic (human) hazards.

They expect to have the draft ready for review for tribal

organizations to review in February 2023 and have the

final SSA to the recommendation team in May 2023.

The recommendation team then must give 12-month

finding to the Federal Registry by 6/30/2024. It is too

early to say for sure if this will affect Name in Gichi

Gumi or Mashkiiziibii, but as of now Name are thriving

in Mashkiiziibii. Mashkiiziibii holds one of the two selfsustaining populations on the south shore of Gichi

Gumi.

Se seo

Ce anen oe Sot oe ae ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee eee ee ee

2021 WINTER EDITION

Page 5

New Wetland Specialist

| ’m Zakk Zander I'm the new Wetland’s Specialist

for the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department. |

started in this position in September 2021. | worked

on the norHocal being control crew from May until

September. | grew up outside of Green Bay ina

small town called Pulaski. | spent a lot of my childhood helping build my families cabin near Roshott.

While | was there, | explored the small patch of planted red pines and a Tussock Sedge marsh that surrounded the cabin. | quickly developed a love for

wetlands while exploring that area . | moved to Ashland in 2014 to attend Northland College. Where |

eamed a degree in Biology. When | moved here,

| quickly developed a love of the area's forests

and wetlands. Since moving here the Tamarack/

Conifer swamps and open bogs being some of

my favorite wetlands to go exploring. | will bring

this love and respect for wetlands to this position.

Miigwetch!

Zakk Zander

Wetlands Specialist

Phone: (715) 685-7840 x 1602

Email: wetlands@badriver-nsn.gov

FOS

blew ‘Buloun-lnautl ‘Gaa ‘Sedeadaw or Non-lecal Beings

Program Manager

Boozhoo!

My name is Jacob Slattery. | am humbled to be

appointed to the Bakaan-ingoji Gaa Ondaadag

or non-local beings program manager position

with the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department. It is an honor and privilege to be part of a

team committed to a range of environmental

and natural resources protections and conservation efforts, especially those that concern the

health, abundance, and site suitability of Manoomin. lam eager to learn, practice and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into all

the critical natural resource conservation and

protection activities the non-local beings program conducts.

I'm originally from Eagan, Minnesota but my

different work and education adventures have

taken me to different parts of Michigan and

Wisconsin over the past 7 years. My partner and

I have a dog (Zeus) and a cat (Tipper) and have

lived in Washburn, WI for a year and half. We

like to camp, paddle and enjoy the outdoors as

much as possible, and love Lake Superior!

!hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental

science, policy and management, and two master's degrees in natural resources science and

environmental and energy policy. | began to

nurture my connection to nature through geographic information systems (GIS) and soil sci-

ence. My recent research and teaching experiences in graduate school covered a range of

academic areas focused on human dimensions of

natural resources. These include renewable energy and water policy, climate change, environmental politics, ecological ethics, and mixed

methods analysis. | also bring over four years of

experience in urban forestry and arboriculture to

this position, most recently as a tree climber and

foreman at DAVEY Tree in South Saint Paul, MN.

In that time | focused on climbing, pruning, removing, and planting trees, tree crew training

and safety, tree health, and urban forest conser

vation and consulting. This was a very exciting

and special connection to natural resources that |

cannot and won‘t soon forget.

| believe each of these experiences helps me to

interface not just with critical natural resources,

but with the reservation and all MNRD and tribal

community members too. I'm looking forward to

serving this community as the non-local beings

program manager, and if you have any questions

or would like to reach out | cab reach by phone or

email below. Miigwech!

Office phone: (715) 682-7123 (ext. 1558) | Email:

nonlocalbeings@badriver-nsn.gov

Danny Powless, Manoomin Oshkaabewis — manoomin@badriver-nsn.gov

)\ s a result of the presenta-

4 Aktion, an Old Ricing Method

we are revisiting to enhance

Manoomin seed source, introduced in the 2021 Spring Edition of the MNRD Common

Ground News Letter, the Tribal

Council gave permission to provide a pilot study of this method.

The following events took place

this summer.

Bundling workshops (1 & 2)

included gathering the right materials and using a boiling method and soaking process to prepare the natural materials used

in the bundling process. Approximately 40 youth and 10

staff from the Education IAS

and Tribal Youth Services programs participated in harvesting

and removing the bark of basswood. It was then boiled to remove the inner bark to produce the wiigoob tying materials. The second method

of soaking in the river took a few weeks

to break down the fiber and then produce

the ribbon sheaths to make the bundles.

Workshop (3) involved the actual bundling of the stalks, included in the bundling were Greg Johnson, Traditional

Ecological Knowledge consultant, Megan

Powless, Stanley Kmiecek, Patrick Connors, Sidney Lagrew, Martin Powless,

Lisa Wrazidlo, Danny Powless jr., Junie

Butler, and Zac Zander. At the time of

bundling, the rice in site | was already

falling off and some stalks with bare

stems. . The season opener was upon us

because of the higher 90-95 plus temperatures in middle August which historically

averages 79 for Ashland.

Workshop (4) occurred on September 14

in which we harvested 49 bundles. We

had found the bundles floating on the

surface of the water but still intact. The

anticipated harvest date was based on the

potential of getting maximum harvest and

our LDF consultant overestimated the date

as it related to inland lakes in the LDF

region. Inland lakes have a later harvest

time period ending in the middle of September vs the earlier Kakagon openers in

the middle of August. So natural and human error played different roles on the

bundling and final yield of four pounds

which was reseeded in a nearby site. We

went on what was handed to us and what

we knew.

However, for site 2 in the Big Slough

which had only 7 bundles that were composed of the more ideal completely green

rice at the time of tying to initiate proper

bundling. It is the last harvesting area to

open. One bundle seed head was examined. Upon opening, it contained a substantial amount of the fully ripened black

kernels which was what we were hoping to

OF Ma Fa

COMMON GROUND

find and the yield was what we anticipated in a bundle (50% - 90%).

The pilot study was presented to the

Manoomin Work Group which suggested the project was a success in

terms of a visual rough estimate that

guesstimated to a potential 10-20

pounds. This was based on overall

stem density observed at site | in

comparison to the second site. This

initial pilot study yielded approximately 4 pounds of green rice that was

viable for reseeding efforts, that seed

was dispersed across the river from

site 2.

Project activities will be evaluated in

relation to schedules, bundle harvest,

and evaluation of processes initiated

this year for potential as a viable seed

source.

Manoomin Oshkaabewis

DS. Le ani Oe

COMMON GROUND

Ma’iingan Packs Doing Well

Despite Dark Year

Abi Fergus, Wildlife Specialis\—wildliie@badriver-nsn.gov

Bad River and Wisconsin Wolves Safe from

Further Hunting This Year

lot of the news I’ve had to share in Common

Ground this year has been painful, as Ma’iingan

has been persecuted since their federal delisting a little over a

year ago. Today, I am happy to share with everyone that the

second wolf harvest of the year was successfully cancelled

thanks to state and federal level litigation brought forward by

NGOs including Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance and by tribes

including Bad River.

This break in the violence against our relative means that we

can refocus our work on proactive ways to honor and preserve

Ma’iingan’s right to live out their role in our shared ecosystems

as teachers and apex predators. This work includes doing carnivore coexistence with livestock farmers within the Mashkiiziibii

Ma’iingan Buffer Zone, tracking Reservation wolves, and continuing to help inform the update of the Wisconsin Wolf Plan.

While the near constant need to respond to political and legal

threats to Ma’iingan significantly impacted MNRD wildlife

program’s ability to thoroughly track the reservation Ma’iingan

. packs, we can

share what information we did

gain from howl

surveys, track

surveys, community member reports, and trail

cameras.

Kakagon Sloughs

Pack

A community

member sighting

of a large pack on

County A indicates that the

Kakagon Sloughs

pack is doing well.

This pack likely successfully had pups this year based on the

report stating there were over four wolves in the group.

Mashkiiziibii

Pack

In the future we

plan to utilize

more trail camera

work on the Reservation to explore

the hypothesis that

anew Ma‘iingan

pack formed in

recent years.

Throughout the

year, MNRD staff

consistently finds

Ma’iingan sign

along Line 5 lefi

by this pack. In

September, |

found tracks of

two adults and at

least two pups, indicating that the Mashkiiziibii Pack successfully pupped this year.

West Firelane Pack

The West Firelane Pack most consistently responded to howl

surveys this year. Pups have distinct howls as they learn to use

their voices- they are higher pitched and | even thought I was

hearing a bird calling at first before | realized a West Firelane

pup was doing their interpretation of howl before the full

grown members of the pack joined in. Another pack successfully raising pups this year!

Potato River Pack

Thanks to trail camera work by Jessica Strand we know that

Potato River Pack had four pups as of late September!

It is good to see that the Reservation packs are doing well,

despite a dark year for Ma’iingan. Let’s all keep our eyes and

ears out for Ma’iingan! Share you're pictures, recordings, and

sightings with us to wildlife@badriver-nsn.gov or 715-292-

9443

A LQ LQ i La rN LO em LQ

SSO 8 ee ee SOS eee eG eS OS e Oo eet eee eect eb oe eh ee

2021 WINTER EDITION Page 8

Ashland Auto and Truck Recyelers

Lorrie Salawater, Water Regulatory Specialist—WaterReg@badriver-nsn.gov

shland Auto and Truck Recyclers has applied to a NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit on the Bad River

Reservation. The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has asked for public comments on this permit. Please submit your comments to Krista McKim at (312) 353-8270 or by e-mail at mckim.krista@epa.gov by January 10, 2022.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF DRAFT NPDES PERMIT TO

DISCHARGE INTO WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Region 5, Permits Branch - WP-16]

77 West Jackson Boulevard

Chicago, Illinois 60604

312-353-8270

Public Notice No.: 21-12-01-A

Public Notice Issued On: December 10, 2021

“omment period ends: January 10, 2022

Permit No.: WI1-0073061-1 (FIRST ISSUANCE)

Application No.: WI-0073061-1

Name and Address of Applicant: Name and Address of Facility:

Ashland Auto and Truck Recyclers Ashland Auto and Truck Recyclers

52280 Beaugard Road 52280 Beaugard Road

Ashland, Wisconsin 54808 Ashland, Wisconsin 54808

Receiving Water: Kakagon River

DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT'S FACILITY AND DISCHARGE

Ashland Auto and Truck Recyclers has applied for an NPDES Permit to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity into the Kakagon

River, The discharge is located within the exterior boundaries of the Bad River Reservation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes

to issue a permit for the discharge.

Stormwater discharges associated with certain industrial activities are subject to permitting requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Applicable industrial activities are identified in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) part 122.26(b)(14). This facility proposes a Storm water discharge associated with industrial activity according to the definition in 40 C.F.R. part 122.26(b)(14)(vi).

The existing facility takes in vehicles that are dismantled for parts or sold for salvage. They also perform commercial towing and bring salvage

vehicles to the property for dismantling or for towing storage. All dismantled vehicles are drained of all fluids and batteries which are stored or

disposed properly in accordance with their storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The following outfalls are covered under this permit:

Outfall 001 - Stormwater from Drainage Area D and

Outfall 002 - Stormwater from Drainage Area B

If interested in More details or How to Comment, visit the link below for FULL version of EPA’s public notice.

You may view this public notice, statement of basis, and draft permit on Region 5's website at https://www.epa.gov/npdespermits/ashland-auto-and-truck-recyclers-npdes-permit-wi-0073061-1.

2021 WINTER EDITION Page 9

Council Approved 3-Year Timber Harvest Plan Update

Gena Abramson, Forestry Specialist. forester@badriver-nsn.gov

Harvest Areas 2021-2023

oozhoo! | hope this article \

finds you well. \

21-23 HarvestAreas N

Thie 4, C Yr_Harvest

This time I wanted to focus on our >

council-approved 3 Year Timber Harvest Plan and how the timber harvests

are going so far. The 3 Year Plan was /

approved by the Tribal Council back

in March of this year (2021).

s_NADSSUTUIS

For 2021 we had planned for 5 timber

sales to be set up. None of which, of

course, were clear cuts. They’re all

designed to benefit the non-aspen

species remaining on site. The only

fee land (non-trust) sale was the Mack ff

Road Sale, which is outside of the

reservation boundar The objective

here is to remove the aspen and ash to

release the plentiful oak in approximately 25 acres. We put this sale out

for bids in October. Unfortunately,

we received no bids. We made some

changes and reposted this request for

bids.

When I reviewed the Stones Road and

Government Road Sales that were left

over from the previous 10 year plan. I

had to change the harvest details. We

now manage stands like this in a gentler way, with no clear-cutting or

shearing. This will encourage longlived species, and hopefully keep

enough shade on site to discourage

aspen from growing there. This type

of timber management is more like a

natural disturbance and allows for

more species to thrive than just aspen. |. off of Mack Road just east of Ashland

The Stones Road and Government 2. off Goslin Road (as requested by the allottee)

Road Sales are being set up by the

BIA forester that is assigned to Bad

River.

For 2021 we had planned for 5 timber sales to be set up.

near Stones Road off the powerline

off Government Road north of the east west bend

we w

at the top of Birch Hill

The Stones Road sale does have some Tae aE 3 Tie]

access issues and beaver (amik) have

built a series of dams on the management site. These new ponds will have

to be drained if any timber is to be mechanical- __ "¢quest of the allottee. This request was protected from timber harvest and develly removed. The de ig very productive and has based on conservation rules approved by the opment activities.)

a wide variety of species. By removing the ibal. Gouncil and: implemented by:tite The final sale for 2021 is the Birch Hill

mature aspen in this stand, the residual species Mashkiiziibii Natural Resource Department. Community Red Pine Thinning. We had

should thrive and have the resources to regener- _ With the most heavily-stocked half of the some help back in May from a travelling

ate nicely. sale being we the: Conservation Jrea:defines team of BIA foresters that spent a couple

i Fae r in the Tribe’s Integrated Resource Manage- at dows hereascistine inthe’ treermarking

The Goslin Road sale was deferred due to the ment Plan (2001). (Conservation Areas are ays as ‘3 J

Continued on page 11...

oy oy ae my ae ase ae ayy ase oy ys Bae DAA

S— - = = nS we ere :

——_ —— ——_ eS

Page 10 COMMON GROUND

:

Service Line Agreement

Xcel Energy Proposal at “Fish house”

The Bad River Tribe is currently evaluating the proposed Service Line Agreement and Environmental

Review requirements and criteria cescribed.

Under Bad River Tribal Court Code Section 6 — Chapter 422.05(C), a Public Comment period will be

available on the proposed work and conditions. All comments are considered during the project review.

Comments may include requesting a public hearing.

Project Summary; Background & Appendix:

Xcel Energy has a proposed project supplying electrical service to a Bad River Reservation Tribal Land

location.

Location is 65239 US Hwy 2, Ashland, Wl 54861

Project Description; Relocate the electric service line and replace the transtormer in order to supply

120/240v one phase electric service to the building.

The Bad River Tribe's preliminary determination is that the proposed project mects the following

categorical exclusion: K. Activity that does not involve changes in the use of the land and this is aligned

with tribal interest

Google Earth

The 15-day public comment period for proposed project begins December 9, 2021 and ends

on December 24, 2021,

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Land Records In-Take Specialist. Written

comments may be emailed or sent by US Mail.

Aurora L. Conley, Land Records In-Take Specialist

i liziibii Natural Resources Gepartment

P.O. Bax 39

Odanah, wi 54861

(715) 682-7123 x1587

The deadline for comments is December 24", 2021.

Posted: 12/9/2021

FE. . Ve .~ rx

ee ee Sesi>- seb ee ec eeieeee

== Set a SS oe ae et ke ee ee

2021 WINTER EDITION

DISRESPECT

for the water, but water isn’t the i

The lake is still Superior! The concern is the

disrespect of the beach. I was out doing my

weekly water sample at the beaches, and this

Jative American proverb once stated,

“The frog does not drink up the pond in

eat hand.

is pulled behind a four-wheeler which

can reach depths of 24 inches. In the

meantime, as we're waiting for the

hydraulic rake the program has pur-

which he lives.” Makes one wonder, if they are

doing enough in life. or just sucking from the

pond? The one guy left in the Water program for

the Bad River Natural Resources Department

doesn’t suck, as the program (guy) monitors the

water quality at 36 rivers and stream sites, and 12

wetland sites throughout the rez monthly. The program (guy) with help from the Outreach Coordinator also monitors 14 swimming beaches weekly for

bacteria.

diabetic needle laying in the

when playing at the beaches.

Please keep an eye out.

I am personally going to

clean-up the beach by purchasing a hydraulic rake that

What does suck! Is having to make this statement.

One would think I am writing this letter in concern

LF OP

Timber Harvest continued...

process. for. Hopefully we will have an easier

time getting them ready and advertised than we have this year. Bad

River Forestry has several projects

and pursuits happening at all times.

Selling timber is only part of what

goes into managing the Bad River

Forestry Program.

The BIA Great Lakes Agency Forestry

is preparing the timber sale documents

prior to it being put up for bids. The

Birch Hill Red Pine Thinning will look

quite different from the sale that took

place across the road, on the Iron County Forest earlier this year. Our thinning

will be much less aggressive, with more

red pine trees being lefi to grow. Additionally, the area is fully stocked with

As always, feel free to contact me

with any comments or concerns related to our forest and/or forestry pro-

is the first time ] found a used

it is the last thing we think of

young oak that will fill the voids and

put on some serious growth once the

thinning is complete.

gram. Gimino-oshki-biboon! / Happy

New Year!

chased long tined hand rakes

made for grooming sand which |

will be leaving at each swimming

site. When you are done using the

rakes, make sure the rak t put

back in their rightful home so that

other families can use them.

-Water Resources Program

a

In the Spring edition, we will

discuss some of the other

undertakings that we are involved

in. One of which, is our Bad River

Forestry Best Management

Practices Project. For a heads up

on this, and your opportunity to

contribute, keep a look-out for

information on our virtual

community meeting scheduled for

February 3rd at 6:30pm.

As you can see from the map. there are

3 sales slated for 2022 and # sales slated

for 2023 that we will be busy preparing

SF Za ST si SF ho SF hn SF ti ~F nF li FMF dF

Fe _Sae _& Lm La r= > a

oozhoo,

ay. October 6", 2021. Ed s

We are deeply

Water Resources Technician/Laboratory Coordinator in the Bad River Band’s Natural Resources Department for the last 17 years.

Ed’s been a foundational piece of our water resources monitoring and outreach efforts. We'll always remember his kind heart, his

smart wit, and his desire to wear shorts. He will surely be missed, and we are grateful for having him as part of our team.

idened to inform you that Ed Kolodziejski passed away on Wednes' erved as the

he Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department would also like to send our condolences to the family of

Tony Corbine, who passed away on October 25", 2021. Tony worked for MNRD from 2013 to 2017 as our ANA Coordinator. Although Tony was only here a couple years, the memories shared will be forever cherished and he will be missed by

many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families during this time.

The Warden Hotline provides the tribal membership with the opportunity to confidentially report suspected wildlife, recreational

and environmental violations.

These violations may include fishing, or hunting out of season, deposit of harmful substances in lakes or rivers or illegal storage or

disposal of hazardous waste. All these violations seriously affect the natural resources of our reservation.

Information received on this line will be relayed to a Mashkiiziibii Conservation Warden for investigation. You don’t have to leave

your name when reporting a violation. However, it is often helpful to an investigation if a Conservation Warden can follow-up on

your report to verify essential facts. If you provide, your identity and any information that may identify you, that information will

be protected and kept confidential.

If response is needed immediately please feel free to call or email one of the following Wardens:

Brad Bigboy 715-292-7822 chiefwarden@badriver-nsn.gov

Tim Oja 715-979-1777 brnrwarden@badriver-nsn.gov

Helpful info when reporting a violation

Who is the violator? Describe the people, including their physical description and clothing

Whatis the violation?

Where did this violation take place? (be as specific as possible)

When did this occur?

If possible, please take pictures, and license plate numbers, anything to help identify the suspects.

cee ee eee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee

jobs Onportunities within MNRD

e Water Resources Program Manager

e Conservation Warden

**To See the Tribe’s hiring incentives along with other opportunities, Full Job Descriptions, and Printable Applications visit: www.badriver-nsn.gov/careers/

ee SS Sg 8S os ON oS Se 8 ees 08 ose Sos ISS

~~ >

(gsr Resoure, “es. ~MISSION STATEMENT~

The Department strives for resource management

which both conserves the natural resources for the future generations and provide for the needs of the pre-

sent. The departments existence reflects the importance

Mashkiiziibii Natural the Bad River Tribe places on its right and ability to

Resources Department exercise sovereignty, self-determination and self-

72682 Maple Street regulation in the area of natural resource management.

PO Box 39

Odanah, WI, 54806

Phone: 715-682-7123

Fax: 715-682-7118

Email: NRDOutreach@badriver-nsn.gov

—

Find

| Facebook

——————___=