M a s h k i i z i i b i i N a t u r a l Re s o u r c e (2023)

1

M a s h k i i z i i b i i N a t u r a l Re s o u r c e

(FALL)

Daniel Powless Sr., Manoomin Oshkaabewis - manoomin@badriver-nsn.gov

M

anoomin program activity

was on hold until my

return to work from medical leave on July 10th.

Wiigoob preparation took place for bundling in the following week along with

site visits to the sloughs and slow-nowake buoys removed by the hatchery

crew on July 26.

Three new members were added to the

wild rice committee: Ron Parisian Jr, Ben

Connors Sr, and Matt Deloney at the

Connors Sr, and

Matt Deloney at

the August 1 council meeting bringing it to 7 members.

Special points of interest:

 Manoomin Program Updates

 Climate Change Update

 Bad Rivers Burning and Fire

Prevention Ordinance

The Manoomin

Blessing feast took

place at the hatchery on August 9. Approximately 40 people

attended. During this event it was evident

that the rice was returning to the area above

Continued on page 9...

 IRMP Survey Updates

 Nixle Alerts

Inside this issue:

Climate Change Impacts on

Reservation

2

Bad River Emergency Response Tabletop Exercise

3

Project Reviews: A Necessary Nuisance

4

IRMP Survey Flier

5

Ornithology Updates

6

NIXLE ALERTS

7

Code.

Introductions

8

Burning permits are issued by the Bad River Conser-

Land Office Updates

10

Forestry Updates

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Summer Climate Summary

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Nathan Kilger, Air Quality Specialist - airquality@badriver-nsn.gov

A

ll burning and fire use within the exterior

boundary of the Bad River Reservation is regu-

lated in Chapter 367 of the Bad River Conservation

vation Wardens for burn barrels and burning piles of

wood (trash and recyclables must be disposed of

properly and may not be burned). Permits must be

signed and valid before using fire, list safety restrictions, and apply to all property within the exterior

boundary.

Continued on page 3...

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COMMON GROUND

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE

RESERVATION

Jillian Lojas, Climate Change Specialist - Climate@badriver-nsn.gov

T

his Summer, people

around the country experienced multiple climate

change driven events.

Here on the Reservation,

we lived through heatwaves, spring flooding,

and our air quality was

affected by smoke from

the Canadian wildfires.

But what does this mean

for life on the Bad River

Reservation?

Temperature Increase:

Our Winters are warming

twice as much as the other

seasons we experience here on the Bad River Reservation.

Over the next century, Northern Wisconsin temperatures

are projected to increase between three and nine degrees.

This is dependent on future greenhouse gas emissions. If we

can lower our emissions over time, we won’t experience as

drastic of a temperature increase.

Precipitation Changes:

Our annual precipitation rates are increasing. Over the last

century, our late fall and winter seasons have experienced

the largest increases with more precipitation falling as rain

than snow. Extreme precipitation events are expected to

occur more frequently as climate change continues. Heavy

rainfall has significant impacts on soil moisture, depth of

snowpack, frozen ground duration, flooding, and surface

runoff.

Rainfall trends vary across the state, but Northern Wiscon-

sin now receives around two more inches of annual precipitation than it did a century ago. This is expected to increase

by up to an additional three inches by 2100.

Wildfire:

By the end of the century, wildfires are projected to be more

frequent and burn more acres. Land use and management

decisions will influence whether we experience that increase

here in Northern Wisconsin. Larger, less managed forest

areas will likely be the first to burn.

Please reach out if you have questions about climate change

impacts, and please take the time to complete our survey to

help us update our Integrated Resources Management Plan.

(See page 5 for details)

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Smokey Bear on US Highway 2 in Odanah is updat-

usage. The Wisconsin Depart-

ed with current fire danger levels. When fire danger

ment of Natural Resources also

rises or when fire weather reaches critical levels,

issues burning bans for those

Smokey Bear will reflect that danger. If fire danger

areas. More information for areas

becomes high enough, Wardens or the Fire Chief

outside of the Reservation can be

may issue a burning ban.

found on the Wisconsin DNR

Chapter 367 is posted on the Bad River Tribe’s web-

website.

site with some of the basic guidelines and restrictions

In Wisconsin, 98% of wildfires

highlighted on the website: https://www.badriver-

are started by human activities.

nsn.gov/burn-ordinance/

Fire safety is paramount for our

Outside of the Reservation boundary, Wisconsin reg-

homes, communities, and the

ulations and Wisconsin permits are needed for fire

health of the environment.

Andrew Spychalla, Brownsfield Specialist ‐ Brownfields@badriver‐nsn.gov

O

n July 19th, 2023, the Bad River Band hosted the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for an all-day emergency response tabletop training. Federal on-scene coordinators (spill responders) from EPA Region 5 led the sessions

during the day-long exercise. The hypothetical scenario that

was developed by EPA, with the help of MNRD staff, revolved around a spill of oil from Enbridge Energy’s Line 5

pipeline into the Bad River during a summer flood. This

flood event in some ways mimicked the flood of 2016 on the

Bad River Reservation.

The first half of the day was solely Bad River staff and contractors, Tribal Council members, and the EPA. The goal of

the morning session was to determine how the Tribe would

respond to such an emergency event. Everything from the

equipment we possess, to the knowledge we share, to the

roles and responsibilities of certain staff and departments,

was discussed. Lists of important topics and follow-ups were

US EPA On‐Scene Coordinators se ng the scene.

kept; things to be looked into further, or changed in the future to make

such a response activity a little easier. In total, there were approximately

40 individuals from various departments of the Bad River Band who

attended the morning session. It was great to see everyone communicating with each other and bringing different perspectives to the “table.”

...continued on page 9...

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COMMON GROUND

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

I

n August 2018 Tribal Council approved MNRD implementing a

Project Review Process for development and other projects within the

Reservation. Two of the purposes of the

Project Reviews were: (1) to ensure

proposed projects met the requirements

and conditions of tribal codes (i.e., laws)

before proceeding, and (2) to provide a

applicant a single approach to getting

their proposed project reviewed. In

2021, MNRD advanced the process,

moving to an electronic application

online that would help streamline the

process for both the applicant and Department staff in the hopes of providing

a more effective and efficient review for

the applicants.

Over the 5 years since the Project Reviews Process was implemented, MNRD

received 301 project review applications.

While the review of these projects has

not necessarily always gone as smoothly as everyone has hoped for, the need

for and importance of these reviews has

not diminished. From those applicants

who have experienced hiccups in a process we have yet to perfect (but we’re

trying) we’ve heard both frustration and

suggestions. We have taken those suggestions into account as we work to improve the system and we will continue to

do so as we are aware that the process

is not perfect.

However, even if the process isn’t perfect, through it we are protecting and

sustaining the Reservation and its earthly gifts for the Seventh Generation. Project Reviews allow MNRD staff to ensure

that the Tribal codes and ordinances are

followed, which helps protect the land,

water, plants, and animals from unnecessary impacts from a project.

Project Reviews are necessary for almost all projects* proposed within the

Figure 1. The number of Project Review Applica ons received by MNRD from August 2018 to Sep‐

tember 2023. In 2018* there was only 5 months of data; in 2021‘ the applica ons were both in the

original paper‐based format and the electronic Laserfiche so ware; and, in 2023^ data only goes

through September 8, 2023.

Figure 2. Across the world, areas where there are fewer or less‐enforced environmental pro‐

tec ons have seen environmental degrada on, like these rainforests that are being removed

to make way for palm oil and rubber planta ons. Photo by Richard Whitcombe via iStock

external boundaries of the Reservation,

regardless of land ownership type (fee,

trust, tribal, private, etc.). This is because

the Tribal codes and ordinances that

MNRD is tasked with also apply to all lands

within the Reservation.

While we work on improving the process,

especially making it more timely for

tribal residential projects, we hope the

community will begin to see the benefits of having the process in place that

allows us to look at a project and assess site-specific and ecosystem impacts to holistically care for the aki

...continued on page 6...

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COMMON GROUND

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7154905/Mashkiiziibii-Natural-ResourceDepartment-IRMP-Revisions-Community-Feedback-UPDATED

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(land) and nibi (water) that makes this

place a healthy home for so many beings. Our aim is to help implement sustainable growth that benefits the community, allowing current and future generates to thrive here on the Reservation.

If you have any questions about the Project Review Process, comments, or any

suggestions on what types of outreach

and informational materials might help

clarify the process and guide applicants

through it, please reach out to us at 715682-7123 or email your thoughts to

DNRrecept@badriver-nsn.gov.

Figure 3. Development in wetland or in floodplain can have unexpected consequences, both

for an applicant and adjacent or downstream habitats and residences. Experts and MNRD can

help identify these issues in a Project Review to hopefully avoid or mitigate these problems.

Louis Lozinski, Ornithology Specialist - ornithology@badriver-nsn.gov

B

irds are generally known to be good

of a take-out container so they wouldn’t roll around. For

parents, watching over their children

keeping the eggs at the right temperature, I am unfortu-

and caring for them until they’re ready to fly.

nately a human, and thus not able to sit on the eggs to

That isn’t always the case though, and the par-

incubate them in the same way a parent plover would,

ents may abandon the nest for various reasons,

so they were temporarily kept in a cooler converted into

whether it is due to predators getting into the

an incubator. They had to be held over night before

nest, or the birds being harassed. Early in the

being driven over to Michigan where the eggs can be

plover season, there was one such case where the

incubated in captivity until they eventually hatched and

parent plovers had abandoned the nest due to the

fledged. All 4 chicks did hatch and make it to adult-

male having a second nest away from his first

hood. They even made history as they were released in

one. Since plovers are endangered and every bird

Green Bay, Wisconsin, becoming the first plovers re-

counts, a nest abandonment was of great concern

leased outside of Michigan.

and, because of the diligence of the plover moni-

The rest of the plovers did well, with 4 total

tors, immediate action was taken to save the

nests on Chequamegon Point, and 9 total chicks fledg-

eggs. We quickly boated out to Chequamegon

ing to adult hood. The father of the abandoned nest even

Point, where the eggs had been sitting for 5 hours

improved his parenting skills and raised 3 chicks from

without either of the parent birds checking on

his second nest to adulthood by the end of the season.

them. Since no parents were present when we got

there, the eggs were placed on some sand in half

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Bad River Deputy THPO

Land Lease Specialist

B

oozhoo,

My name is Brandon Neveaux. I am from

Bad River. I started my new job as the Land

Lease Specialist for the tribe. I am thrilled to be able

to assist members of the community. It brings me

great joy to be able to help others in any way that I

can. Whether it's answering questions or providing

guidance, I am always eager to lend a helping hand.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful community. When I'm not busy at the office, I

love to spend time outdoors hiking, camping, and

fishing. I'm also a big fan of video games and love to

take landscape photos whenever possible. It's great to

balance work and leisure, and I'm looking forward to

finding that balance in my new role here at the tribe.

Feel free to contact me if

you have any questions.

Email b.neveaux@badrivernsn.gov

Miigwech!

H

ello Everyone,

My name is Gavin D’Acquisto, and I was recently hired as the Deputy THPO for Bad River. I was

born and raised in Ashland, Wisconsin, to my parents

David and Tammy D’Acquisto. I graduated a few years

ago from Ashland High (Year of 2020!). I have a love

for hunting, fishing, sapping, and exploring the beautiful wilderness we have in Northern Wisconsin. But

ever since I was a kid, I developed a fierce passion for

history and archaeology. Movies and literature got me

hooked, and the fascination lived on as the exact passion that threw me into pursuing a college education. I

recently graduated from Northwood Tech and Nicolet

Tech (2020-2022) after participating in a 4-year University Transfer Program,

where my course of study was on history, literary studies, and anthropology/archaeology. After graduating, I decided to step away from full-time studies

and began looking for employment. I worked at the Casino for a short time until,

to my surprise, I saw the position of Deputy THPO become available. I was

ecstatic as this opportunity would allow me to use what I learned in college and

allow me to gratify my love for history. But I’m glad to be here and look forward to my future position as Deputy THPO.

Miigwech!

Email: deputythpo@badriver-nsn.gov

Scan Q R

C ode or

C lick Link

to see

currentjob

opportunities.

http://www.badrivernsn.gov/careers/

B

ozhoo!W aabiBinesiIndizhinikaaz.M akwa indoodem .

M ashkiiziibiiIndoonjibaa.

M y nam e is DanielW iggins Jrand have recently started as

the M ashkiiziibiiNRD Deputy Director.Iam a Bad RiverTribal

m em berand Ihave worked forthe NRD forover11 years as

the Tribes AirQuality Technician.

During m y tenure as the AQT a large focus was on IndoorAir

Quality,helping hom eowners and tenants address concerns

within theirhom e around indoorpollution and health effects.M ostrecognized by the

com m unity has speci1cally been radon testing and helping the Tribe establish non

sm oking policies,priorto the COVID era.

Otherwork included renewable energy,which included both the planning,developm ent

and execution ofTribalutility codes and the Tribe’s Strategic Energy Plan.During m y

tenure Iwas able to assistin the installation ofover800 kilowatts ofsolarand over1000

kilowatthours ofstorage attribalfacilities and tribalhom es.

Iwillnotbe stepping away from the Airand Energy Program s and am continuing to help

the Tribe to acquire m ore funding towards residentialclean energy projects.Ialso 1nd

m yselfin a role thatcan help the planning and developm entin allprogram s,including

Airand Energy.Ilook forward to working with the M NRD staffand the Bad RiverCom 

m unity.

Ifthere are any questions,feelfree to contactm e @ nrdeputy@ badrivernsn.gov

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the hatchery after being decimated in the

2016 flood.

The Youth Ricing event occurred on August 16 with 5 participants. Food Sovereignty provided 8 boats and Manoomin

Project provide 6 poles.

The Wild Rice committee made a trip on

August 14 to the sloughs in which they

thought the rice crop to be coming along

pretty good and were to visit again on

August 17 because the forecast showed

sunny weather conditions for the week.

An unexpected large thunderstorm with

high winds occurred on Aug16 that left a

lot of the river rice falling back.

Windy weather conditions followed and a

community bundling and filming event for

tribal members was cancelled. However,

126 bundles were completed before and

during openers. A couple of boats went

down river and came back early.

Ricing was opened on Aug 18. We did get

feedback from some ricers

that the rice was green or

milky and took them into

consideration.

On the other hand, in subsequent openings we

stopped to ask the ricers

what they were making and

if the rice was ripe enough.

No complaints. On the

Aug 28th We counted 12

canoes making two to three bags in Big Slough and

along the river and opened snake on the Aug 30th.

Ricers are not participating

in the buy-back project due

to the competitive prices’

community members are

offering. We did increase

the price per pound to

$4.00 and heard another

buyer was offering $5.00

shortly after.

The afternoon session discussed the exact same scenario, but

included outside entities that would likely be responding if a

spill of this type were to occur. Staff from Enbridge Energy

attended the afternoon session, as well as staff from Wisconsin

Emergency Management, Ashland County Emergency Management, USGS, and PHMSA. The inclusion of these outside entities provided Bad River staff with even more information on

who would be responsible for certain aspects of a coordinated

response. In total, approximately 50 individuals attended the

afternoon session. While this was a hypothetical scenario, and

not all questions were immediately answered, this tabletop exercise gave the opportunity for various groups to have a conversation that is always needed, a conversation about preparedness. It

also helped identify gaps & next steps.

While the internal morning meeting and afternoon conversations

have been in the works for quite some time, it is the hope of the

Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department to host more of

these trainings, and to do so more often. In the event of an emergency, whether it be a pandemic, an oil spill, a flood, or any

Please take the time to complete our Manoomin

Abundance History Survey by

scanning QR Code or following

the link:

Manoomin Abundance

History (office.com)

Discussions among various par es on what an oil‐spill response would

look like.

combination of those, preparedness and planning are important

aspects to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community

and the lands we hold dear.

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COMMON GROUND

I

n 1973, the Kakagon Sloughs was designated as a National Natural Landmark (NNL) and this year marks the

50th anniversary! The NNL Program recognizes and

encourages the conservation of sites that contain outstanding

biological resources, and Kakagon Sloughs was noted as “one

of the finest marsh complexes on the upper Great Lakes.”

Learn more at the National Park Service webpage.

www.nps.gov/subjects/landmarks

Charles Connors Sr., Land Office Manager - landmanagement@badriver-nsn.gov

B

oozhoo Wiidanokiimaaganan gaye Anishinabeg,

My name is Charles F. Connors Sr. (Chaz), I was hired

as the new Lease Administrator in June of 2020 and

was just recently promoted to the Land Office Manager

for the Bad River Tribe’s Land Office in January 2023.

During this short time, I have been in the land office

where I have provided services to our Tribal Members

in locating and receiving residential sites. The Land

Office has also been utilizing funding that the Bad River Tribe has been awarded through the BIA’s Great

Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to purchase private

owned properties. During the previous 2 years, 2020 –

2022, the Land Office has been able to purchase and

return a total of 974.52-Acres of non-tribally owned

properties for the Bad River Tribe. On the attached

map, the purchased properties are highlighted in Red. I

am currently looking at purchasing more privately

owned properties totaling approximately 611 more

acres in the near future which will become Tribally

owned land within the Mashkiiziibii Reservation

Boundaries.

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

B

oozhoo nimbeshwaji’ag.

Bad River Forestry has been very productive this summer. We’ve contributed to

the future generations in several ways,

some of which we will highlight.

Unfortunately, we also have some very

bad news to tell. Let’s get that out of the

way first.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a small,

green, non-native beetle that lays its eggs

in crevices of the bark of ash trees. The

eggs emerge into larvae and eat the phloem (inside bark) of ash trees in an “S”

shaped pattern. These galleries created

from their tunneling through the phloem

girdles (chokes off nutrients and water)

the tree and kills it.

These pests have been

moving our way since

they were first discovered near Detroit in

2002.

In mid-August, we

picked up our purple

prism traps that are

designed and baited to

catch the (EAB) insect. We found at

least one beetle on

Emerald Ash Borer

every trap hung west

of the Mashkii-ziibii. The further west,

the more beetles.

The loss of all of our ash trees will be

emotionally devastating. This is something that lower Wisconsin has already

experienced. We will see the impacts in

coming years.

The rivers and streams are lined with

green ash trees. Black ash surround

ephemeral ponds and drainages. White

ash make up part of the hardwood forests.

For those of us that love the woods and

water, it will be like losing a family member.

I’m writing this to prepare you for the

emotional toll that it will take. We have

some very important ash that we will lose.

The woods just east of Denomie Creek

off Maple street is almost 100% green

ash. The powwow grounds have over 50

mature green ash on the west side. The

Mashkii-ziibii, Beartrap, and

Kakagon are lined with ash. The

skeletons of these relatives will be

left to remind us of our loss.

On a brighter note, over 100 hours

were spent by Bad River’s Forestry

Program with the IAS Summer

Youth Program in June and July.

We kayaked, camped, mentored, and

cared for around 15 youth. These

opportunities help us to put names

and faces with the future Bad River

community we serve. Fostering this

love and respect for your community

helps us to do our best when it

comes to managing the forest. Miigwech for sharing your community

Forestry Technician TJ collecting EAB Samples

with us.

The Birch Hill Community Red

Pine Thinning is about to begin

(October 2023), and we want you

to be prepared. In 2021, a majority of the thinning was marked,

leaving about 2/3 of the red pine

to grow and mature. Just recently

(August 31st), Bad River Housing

led us on a mission to allow more

room for snow removal and protection to houses and garages.

Many more trees were marked

near driveways that would have

been left, had Housing not made

this request. When we originally

marked the trees in 2021, we tried to

balance the need for thinning with

consideration for residents. Because

of that, we were conservative in

marking. With the help of Housing,

we were empowered to create more

space and provide more safety for

residents by marking additional trees.

Miigwech to Sonny LaGrew for

showing us which ones to mark.

Additionally, we will be creating a

clearing in the wooded parcel south

of the community. We’re creating

this clearing to prepare for a solar

field which is in the works. The solar

field will provide Birch Hill residents

with clean energy. We can be proud

of our Tribal Energy/Air Quality

Program for leading us to a greener

Birch Hill Community Pine Thinning Project

environment!

Additionally, if you have any comments or

questions regarding the Birch Hill Pine Thinning, (including additional trees that you’d

like to be marked for removal) please reach

out as indicated on the flyer that we distributed on August 29th. You can reach us at 715685-8929 or Forester@badriver-nsn.gov.

Please let us know if you have any questions,

comments, or requests for future newsletter

article topics. We value your thoughts and

input. You can reach us at 715-685-8929 or

Forester@badriver-nsn.gov.

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~MISSION STATEMENT~

Mashkiiziibii Natural

Re s o u r c e s D e p a r t m e n t

72682 Maple Street

PO Box 39

Odanah, WI, 54806

Phone: 715-682-7123

Fax: 715-682-7118

Email: NRDOutreach@badriver-nsn.gov

The Department strives for resource management which both conserves the natural resources

for the future generations and provide for the

needs of the present. The departments existence

reflects the importance the Bad River Tribe

places on its right and ability to exercise sovereignty, self-determination and self-regulation in

the area of natural resource management.

We’re on the Web!

Visit www.badriver-nsn.gov