# 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 s (2022) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Abad_river_chippewa%3Af022ffe63ac0826d ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text 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 s Moving Towards a Zero Waste Household is Not as Complicated as We Think (SUMMER) Food. Packaging. Toys. Clothes. Shoes. Medicine. Batteries. Electronics. Special points of interest: Jessica Strand, Environmental Specialist - environmental@badriver-nsn.gov · New Employee Introductions E very day we throw so many items into the trash. We toss for many reasons: it’s broken, it’s spoiled, it’s ripped, it’s not functional. However, we also toss because it’s an easy way to get rid of something we simply don’t want anymore or don’t know what to do with. The problem is, waste is a big problem for our planet, which means it is a big problem for us. Preventing food waste is the most impactful step you can take— both for the planet and your wallet. Steps for preventing food waste include shopping with a Every time we toss something that plan, storing Composting is a great way to get rid of kitchen scraps and other organics instead of could otherwise be reused, repurfood to extend sending them to the landfill. Photo taken from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ posed, or recycled we are taking up nutritionsource/sustainability/food-waste/. its life, using valuable area on our planet to store recipe generatrash, creating greenhouse gases tors and substitution tools, and The 2020 WDNR study found that if that drive climate change, and better understanding when food the wasted food and food waste sent requiring new resources to be exitems are actually unsafe to eat. to landfills had otherwise been pretracted from the earth to build the (Look at page 7 of the 2020 Spring vented or diverted it would have next new thing. Common Ground for a tips and saved the equivalent in greenhouse tricks flier on preventing food gas emissions as taking 592,035 The intent of this article is to conquer waste here: http://www.badriverpassenger vehicles off the roads for a some of the barriers we might have nsn.gov/wpyear. Diverting food waste can be for reducing household waste by condone in multiple ways: (1) compostproviding some alternatives to tosstent/uploads/2020/07/202007_Com ing kitchen at home or through a ing. monGround_Spring.pdf.) subscription service, (2) sharing food and leftovers with family and friends Food when you’ve made a meal to large; After prevention your next step is (3) freezing a prepped or cooked diverting food waste from landfills portion of a recipe for a future meal; which then reduces the amount of According to a statewide waste charand (4) donating food to those in greenhouse gasses those landfills acterization study by the Wisconsin need. What’s great is that in the Ashgive off as the waste breaks down. Department of Natural Resources land Area there is a residential com(WDNR) in 2020 approximately Food: There are some fantastic home composting posting service in place through Big 854,000 tons of food waste and resources online! Here are some links from Lake Organics, which grew from the scraps were sent to the state’s landWisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Northland College composting profills—more than double of what a the EPA to get you started: gram, if you aren’t confident about 2009 study recorded. This means composting at home. Additionally, food waste makes up 20% of our > Home Composting Materials (WA-1785) (wi.gov) there are different locations to donate landfilled trash. The study also food in the area, including The showed that approximately 14.5% > Home Composting: The Complete Composter BRICK’s different food shelves in of the food waste could have been (wi.gov) Ashland, Cornucopia, Mellen, and consumed. > Composting At Home | US EPA ...continued on page 4... · Oak Point Clean-up Project · Waawaashkeshi Talking Circle Flier · Piping Plover Updates · Lake Superior Days Event Flier · Manoomin Program Updates · 2021 Forestry Sales · Hatchery Production Inside this issue: 2021-22 Forestry Sales 2 Indoor Air Quality: Harsh 3 Reality of Indoor Air Pollution Moving towards a Zero Waste Household 4 Piping Plovers on the Point 5 Oak Point Clean-Up Project & Upcoming Events 6 MNRD NEW HIRES 7 Hot Temperatures and Human Health 9 Hatchery Production 2022 10 Contaminants Concerns 11 Job Opportunities 12 Page 2 COMMON GROUND 2021 - 2022 FORESTRY SALES Gena Abramson, Forestry Specialist - Forester@badriver-nsn.gov I n March of 2021, the Tribal Council approved a 3-year forestry management plan and the sites approved for 2021 and 2022 are shown in this article. The Birch Hill Red Pine Thinning and the Mack Road Aspen/ Ash removal have been sold, while the BIA forester is still working on the Green Allotment sale and the Stones Road/ Powerline sale. n general, the direction of our Forestry program is to convert aspen dominated stands to more tree species diversity, which will better serve the ecosystem . I After an extended period of time without much timber management at Mashkiiziibiing, we’re looking forward to improving the timber quality and diversity of these management areas. Our forest analysis showed that we could sustainably manage up to a few thousand acres per year. However, we need to increase our work capacity here at MNRD Forestry first. We are coming along, though, and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you, the ancestors, and the 7th generation. We’re currently working on our 10 year management plan and will be involving you in the finalization of that plan this fall. As we did with the 3 year plan, we will be having a community 2021 Sales meeting to ensure your satisfaction with the management we’re making plans for. Look for that event in the fall. As always, feel free to contact Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department Forestry if you have any questions or concerns. Forester@badrivernsn.gov or 715-685-8929. Sincerely, Gena Abramson, Bad River’s Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Forestry Specialist 2022 Sales Page 3 Daniel Wiggins Jr., Air Quality Technician - Air1@badriver-nsn.gov W ith people spending up to 90% of their time indoors the growing awareness to address indoor air conditions has become more relevant. Scientific studies have proven some indoor environments are more polluted than any outdoor environment, which health concerns can vary from home to home, can be related to allergies or asthma, and can cause cancer and even death. Indoor air pollution is sometimes not contributed solely by one source, but rather a combination of sources or factors. There are a variety of things that can contribute to indoor air pollution and is usually associated with sources that release gases or particles into the air. It can be related to specific use of certain chemicals and cleaning agents or traced back to a malfunctioning gas-appliance, such as a furnace. Other issues can be directly related to how the home was built or the deterioration of the structure overtime. “Leaky” homes have a tendency of being less energy efficient and may allow excessive moisture to enter, eventually contributing to moisture damage and the development of mold. Controlling or eliminating sources to minimize can improve indoor environments; however, locating and identifying these sources are not always simple. Reading labels and understanding proper usage of cleaning agents or other household chemicals should be done before use and may help limit some pollutants. Allowing an adequate amount of outdoor air to be introduced into the home can often avoid a build-up of many indoor pollutants. Other pollutants may be more difficult to control and may require a sort of testing to identify. Radon is naturally occurring, odorless, cannot be seen, and may cause the development of lung cancer. A test kit placed in the home is the only way to determine the indoor radon concentration. Depending on the recorded level of radon a home may require radon reduction system to be installed to lower the levels. Other pollutants, such as carbon monoxide are also odorless, cannot be seen, and can cause death. Maintaining and understanding the proper usage of gas appliances can help avoid a build-up of CO and CO detec- tors are important in every home and building to avoid being present during threshold levels. Health effects associated with certain pollutants are more difficult to pin point. With multiple household chemicals being present in today’s homes, along with each person reacting differently to certain pollutants, establishing precise Figure 1 shows indoor pollution sources that can include furnaces, cleaning supplies, wood stoves, concentrations foam in furniture, and many others. Maintaining a fresh air supply helps, but also understanding what you are putting into your home can help reduce exposure to excessive chemicals and other pollutants. related to the development of certain symptoms are Agency (USEPA) has this and much more drastically harder to determine. Regular Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) information that wheezing, colds, and irritation of asthma can be found at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ can often be signs of elevated pollutants. index.html. The Bad River Tribe is also forIt is important to notice time and place of tunate to have an Air Program that offers symptoms and if they lessen or go way free IAQ, radon and energy assessments to once leaving the home. Tribal Members. If you have any questions Not all indoor pollutants will be noticed concerning services, please contact Daniel immediately, which exposure to some Wiggins, Air Quality Technician. pollutants overtime can contribute to cancers, respiratory illness, or heart disease. Daniel Wiggins Jr Therefore, it is important to identify polluAir Quality Technician tants, such as radon. The Bad River Tribe Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources has staff that can aid with monitoring and Email: Air1@badriver-nsn.gov Work Phone: 715-979-7123 assessing multiple indoor parameters, Work Cell: 715-979-1486 along with helping to identify solutions when issues arise. United States Environmental Protection Page 4 COMMON GROUND Cable along with various charity organizations through religious groups and social service programs. Packaging Whether it is your plastic shampoo bottle, the last box you ordered from Amazon, the can of pop you had with lunch, or the packaging from your child’s birthday gifts, it’s hard to get anything these days that doesn’t have waste immediately built into the purchase. However, thankfully, with some strategic purchases and a little effort on your part, you can reduce the amount of packaging waste you generate. As always, the first step is preventing packaging waste by making conscious decisions on what you buy by: (1) purchasing items in packaging that is less likely to disposed of as waste (cardboard v. plastic), and (2) switching to using refillable/reusable containers and packaging (bringing reusable containers to fill from bulk food bins, using refillable liquid soap dispensers, etc.). Then, after prevention, the next focus is diverting your packaging from the landfill. Here’s some alternatives to tossing your packaging: · Choosing wisely at the store can minimize the amount of packaging you need to recycle and focus on packaging that is easier to recycle. energy. The same can be said about recycling aluminum—you minimize the need for extractive industry, and you minimize waste going to landfills. In some areas, glass along with Pyrex, crystal, windows, and ceramics are combined and then crushed to create base aggregate for paved road and parking lot projects and backfill for buildings and pipes. · Cardboard, newspapers, and paper egg cartons (dry, clean, and free of waxes) can either be shredded and added as the “browns” for compost or recycled locally at the Bad River Waste and Recycling (BRWR) Transfer Station (or other local recycling facilities). If composting, you need twice to three times the volume of “brown” material to “green” material in your pile. Þ Waxed cardboard and magazines can also be recycled at the BRWR, but are not appropriate for composting. · Aluminum and glass (not Pyrex, crystal, windows, or ceramic) can be recycled almost infinitely into new bottles and cans and other products. You can easily recyPackaging: Look at page 9 of cle your glass and aluminum the 2020 Spring Common at BRWR or Ground for a Tips & Tricks any of the other lyer on recycling. Here’s the local recycling centers. For link if you want to print one every ton of off for by your recycling bin: glass recycled, you save large http://www.badriverquantities of nsn.gov/wp-content/ raw materials uploads/2020/07/202007_Co (sand, soda ash, limestone, and mmonGround_Spring.pdf feldspar) and · Plastics are one of the least recycled packaging materials. Many plastic containers are unsuitable for recycling because of contamination from what was inside or merely because they are the wrong type of plastic to recycle. Your best way to reduce plastic waste is to switch to plastic-free products or not buy items that are single-use plastics. However, with that said, #1 and #2 plastics are accepted at the BRWR. Plastics #3, #4, and #5 are not accepted at BRWR at this time but may be accepted at other Ashland recycling facilities or can be recycled with TerraCycle (for a cost). Plastic bags can be brought back to some local businesses, like Walmart, for recycling. Other packaging items like chip bags, juice drink pouches, lotion and beauty product containers, and those items you might not know what to do with otherwise may have a free recycling option through TerraCycle. All you have to do is run a search for your product on the TerraCycle website and you can find that all you need is an account to recycle Arm & Hammer, Burt’s Bees, Little Bites, Dunkin, Gerber, and many other brands’ containers for free by collecting them in a box and then shipping them to TerreCycle for free (https://www.terracycle.com/enUS/collectionprograms?utf8=%E2%9C%93&price=00&query=&commit=Apply+filters). Toys One of the easiest ways to make sure toys don’t just end up in the trash or out for spring pick-up is to pass them along as hand-medowns to friends and family who have children. Otherwise, you could also give them away free or sell them either online or at a rummage sale or even donate toys to local charities. Toys that might not be in the condition for donation or resale can sometimes be recycled though different initiatives or companies for free, like: · The Crayon Initiative – they take your old and broken crayons, melt them down, and done them to children in hospitals. https://thecrayoninitiative.org/givecrayons/ · Lego Replay – will provide a free shipping label for you to send all your unwanted Lego pieces, no matter size, shape, or crustiness back to them. They donate the used Lego bricks back to other nonprofits who distribute them to children in need. https://www.lego.com/enus/sustainability/environment/replay · TerraCycle – has partnered with different companies like Hasbro, LOL Surprise, Spin Master, Vtech & Leapfrog, and Zuru to offer recycling options. Some options are free, visit TerraCycle to learn more. https://www.terracycle.com/enUS/ ...continued on page 8... Page 5 Piping Plovers on the Point Louis Lozinski, Ornithology Specialist – Ornithology@BadRiver-NSN.gov W To monitor the pairs at Chequamegon Point, a ith the weather finally warming up, you couple of employees camp out there during might be considering a day on the beach. the summer and observe the plovers’ behav- While you’re at the beach to enjoy the water iors to learn more about them and talk to and go swimming, you may notice some visitors to the point in order to prevent any shorebirds enjoying the water as well. One disturbances to the nest. The main disturb- such shorebird is the piping plover, a rare and ances to the nests are dogs that are off leash, endangered species. The best place to see and people that don’t see the plovers or their these plovers is on Chequamegon Point where nests and accidentally walk right into them. every year, they nest. Thankfully the plover parents will let you know Each summer, the MNRD will monitor these plovers recent years, some have elected to start nesting if you get too close to their eggs, and they’ll try to to track their population, and to prevent disturb- elsewhere. A few pairs do make it work at draw you away. Another way to avoid disturbing the ances to the nest. The number of plovers on Chequamegon Point each year. For this year is plovers is to keep a look out for their tracks, as that Chequamegon Point has increased from the when looking to be a productive one though with 4 nests will let you know if they’re in the area or not. monitoring started, but due to higher lake levels in on the point. Dan Powless, Manoomin Oshkaabewis - Manoomin@badriver-nsn.gov T his is just a pre-invite to let the community know how things are going with the current program. The MNRD recently contracted with CARDNO and Thompson Associates to update and nalize the current Manoomin Long Range Plan 2007 through BIA-GLRI grant funding. Basically, this will consist of developing the plan using a combination of Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) through the process concepts of listening , understanding, gathering, and planning. At our initial meeting, we discussed the current status of manoomin regarding threats and opportunities and how the plan could be improved to address them. Cardno, was then introduced to the Bundling method that we initiated in 2021 that was followed up with discussion on their team’s experience in the St. Louis River wildrice restoration project. This is a 275 acre wild rice restoration project that spans 10 years. Their plan outlines speci c implementation strategies and locations for 27 prioritized areas. Our reseeding efforts have been sporadic at best with the current methods. What would you think about a restoration plan that could focus on a similar goal of 300 acres and be expanded to accommodate a future goal of 100acres? As discussed in earlier articles bundling is a TEK method in which seed production is enhanced. The Bundling method may have that potential? As this is a time of climate change which means big changes in the environment as witnessed in the sloughs. So does our thinking need to follow these changes to offset the loss of manoomin habitat? TEK is knowledge living within us and used by us in many different ways. It’s the connections to manoomin that we make culturally, spiritually, physically and mentally, no matter what age we are. The connection comes through food, medicine, ancient technology, science, and ceremonial aspects such as offering, teachings, stories , recipes, cooking, sharing, methods, stick making, the land, insight, etc. In addition, we will be revisiting a cutting method to the address futile problem occurring from native and non-native invasive species. So your part is to think about what you do best in these areas, jot them down and meet with us at the manoomin meeting in July. We’ll also have a drop box available if that’s your preference. Lastly, we will be looking for 4 individuals to interview in August for the TEK mentioned. This could include research, materials, discussion from other tribes. The GLIFWC Manoomin Document is a good reference to start with. Page 6 COMMON GROUND Oak Point Clean-Up Project Mariah Hipsher, Climate Change Specialist - climate@badriver-nsn.gov T he unique wetland complex known as the Kakagon and Bad River Sloughs provides abundant habitat for wild rice, which is prominent of the Tribe’s culture and identity. The Sloughs are of cultural importance to the Bad River Band, the final stopping point of the Band’s journey from the east coast--the place where the food grows on the water. Manomin or wild rice has been a nutritional staple for members of the Tribe for generations beyond memory and continues to provide a substantial portion of the protein and other nutritional needs of the Tribe's members. The annual harvest of wild rice is a traditional event of generations of cultural importance. The Kakagon and Bad River Slough complex is one of the only remaining extensive coastal wild rice wetlands in the Great Lakes Basin. This project has been fully funded and is currently underway. The primary focus of the clean-up is to protect the habitat, species, and cultural resources of the Bad River Band. Oak Point is a historic Manoomin camping location for the Tribe. The goal of this project is to remove all hazardous and solid waste from the site and restore the area to a natural state. Clean-up of the site will allow for safe use by tribal members at this location hoping to re-establish the manomin camps and revitalize Ojibwe traditions, as well as prevent movement of trash/debris into Lake Superior and possible spread of contamination at the site. Manomin is known to be adversely impacted by climate change due to fluctuating lake levels, increased presence of non-local species, and changes in temperature and ice cover. Wild rice is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. By further restoring wetlands known to be manomin habitat and adjacent nearshore areas by removing pollutants, it is hoped to increase the resiliency of manomin to other impacts, like those exacerbated by climate change. Page 7 Deputy THPO B oozhoo My name is Lawrence Plucinski, I am the new Deputy THPO person, my office is across from Edith, so if you want to stop by and say hi my door is open. I hope to meet everyone and try to remember your face and name, it may take time so please be patient with me. One of the first things my new job required was to assist in the setting up of items returned from St. Roses College out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Some of the items the Sisters returned were approximately 26 paintings that were done by Mr. Peter Whitebird in the 1930’s, a pair of moccasins, leggings and many other artifacts that left the Reservation via St. Mary’s School while it was in operation. An open house was held later in the afternoon and had a fair turnout. Miigwetch! Lawrence “Moose” Plucinski deputythpo@badriver-nsn.gov 715.682.7111 ext 1618 Piping Plover Monitor Technician Hi there, my name is Destiney Elder-Hall, and I’m excited to be a part of this summer’s piping plover project on Chequamegon Point. I grew up in southern Wisconsin, and I moved up to Ashland four years ago to attend Northland College. I recently graduated in biology and natural resources, with an emphasis in fisheries and wildlife. My time at Northland as a researcher and leader has inspired me to aid others in creating meaningful connections with the land, and I hope that I can continue to do so as a technician. In my spare time, I enjoy all things outdoors, creating art, reading, tending to my indoor garden, and playing video games. While most of my time will be out on Chequamegon Point, I’m looking forward to meeting you and serving this wonderful community. Miigwech! Piping Plover Monitor Tech H ello! My name is Nolan Kerr and I am one of the Piping Plover monitors out on Long Island this summer. I was raised in Rochester, MN but was born in Duluth and lived in Bessemer, MI, so it is interesting to rely on Hwy 2 again. I just graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a Bachelors of Science in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with an emphasis in Wildlife Management. I enjoy birding, live music, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. I am really excited to spend the season up on Chequamegon Point with the birds and spend some time exploring the area when I am off the Point. Give me a wave if you see me out on the beach! COMMON GROUND Page 8 Toys that are well and truly broke and pose a safety hazard should be appropriately recycled, especially if they have electronic parts and internal nonremovable batteries. The BRWR accepts e-waste for a small fee year-round, but BRWR also picks-up and disposes of e-waste for free as part of their annual Spring Clean-Up event if you can store it that long. Otherwise TerraCycle sells a ZeroWaste box in which anything (even broken toys) can be added and recycled responsibly for a fee. Clothes Clothing has a lot of reuse options depending on the condition and materials the clothing is made from; these include selling clothing online or at rummage sales, donating clothes to local charities, or turning your clothes into secondary items like cleaning rags, woven rugs, or upcycled items. Otherwise, you can always find out if family, friends, or coworkers might be interested in items that you’ve pulled from your closet. (In Hurley, the local Historical Society takes clothing donations to turn into woven rugs they sell to help fund their volunteer-run museum—using the funding for heat, repairs, and the occasional guest presenter.) Other ways to recycle clothing and other textiles to keep them from landfills, especially worn or destroyed clothing, can be done through online retailers like For Days, which offer options like the Take Back Bag—each bag costs $20 to order (but you instantly earn the same amount in credit to order items from their website) and takes any brand or condition clothing item. Items put in the Take Back Bag and are sent to companies that turn them into insulation, rugs, or cleaning materials. Otherwise, there are other options through TerraCycle for recycling clothing, including: · Carter’s Baby & Kid Clothing Free Recycling Program, which is FREE and will take any brand of baby and kid clothes. Items must be washed and dried, but they can be stained or have holes without being disqualified. https://www.terracycle.com/enUS/brigades/carters · Parade Free Recycling Program, is also Free through TerraCycle and allows you to recycle any brand of clean underwear (but not bras) through their program. Like any other free TerraCycle Program all you have to do is create a TerraCycle account, fill a box you already have with the designated item, and then request/print a shipping label from TerraCycle which allow you to ship them the box with no cost to you. · Other clean clothing of any condition can also be recycled with TerraCycle’s Fabric and Clothing Zero Waste Box for a fee. Shoes and footwear can also be recycled in their own Carter’s and Gerber are just two of the brands partnering with TerraCycle to provide consumers a no-cost recycling option for their products (and sometimes even other brands who make similar items)! Screenshot taken from TerraCycle website dedicated Zero Waste Box purchase (though some brands also can be recycled for free through TerraCycle). Medicine Over the counter and prescription drugs can be dangerous when not disposed of properly. However, many communities and pharmacies offer drug take back programs for expired drugs or medications you may no longer use. Local drug drop-off locations include Rowe’s White Cross Pharmacy in Hurley and the Police Station in Ashland. Otherwise, you can figure out proper disposal by asking your pharmacist or reading the paperwork which has come with your prescription. If there are no drug take back programs in your area, the next best method for disposal may be the trash (except in certain cases), but you’ll need to follow the guidelines of the FDA (https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumerupdates/where-andhow-dispose-unusedmedicines) to ensure you are completing the trash disposal correctly. al extractive industry for these products. Here are your options for battery recycling: · The Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department has battery recycling boxes and can accept almost all kinds of lithium, nickel, and alkaline batteries in addition to small, sealed lead acid rechargeable batteries. Please note, exploded and leaky batteries should be sealed in plastic bags filled with cat litter for safety before being dropped off. Additionally, for safe transport, terminals for some batteries should be taped with clear packing, duct, or electrical (or bagged individually in clear bags) to prevent sparking. Specific requirements for terminal protection based on type of battery can be downloaded from Call2Recycle’s website: Safety & Shipping Tips | Call2Recycle | United States. · The BRWR accepts battery as e-waste anytime for a fee. · There are also several battery bucket or pouch recycling options offered by TerraCycle for a fee from their website. Batteries Electronics Batteries should NOT be thrown in the trash. Landfilled batteries can leak harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, and nickel into waters and soils. Additionally, lithium batteries thrown in the trash can explode and start fires, shutting down processing plants, causing dangers to staff working at the facilities, and releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere as the trash around them burns. Thankfully, in the last two decades, battery recycling has come a long way and many products like silverware, pots, pans, golf clubs, stainless steel products, and new batteries are now being made from recycled batteries—which reduces the need for addition- The BRWR accepts e-waste for a small fee yearround, but BRWR also picks-up and disposes of e-waste for free as part of their annual Spring Clean-Up event if you can store it that long. Otherwise TerraCycle sells different Zero Waste box options in which almost any type of e-waste can be added and recycled responsibly for a fee. (Cost differ sometimes at TerraCycle depending on the type of e-waste so try to order the one that fits your needs the best.) This list is not meant to be comprehensive—I encourage you to look through some of the websites mentioned in the article and do your own web searches to find reuse, donation, and recycling options for your different items. Together Page 9 Hot Temperatures and Human Health Nathan Kilger, Air Quality Specialist - Air@badriver-nsn.gov S ummer can be hot. I personally hope for some warm, sunny days after the recent winter that felt long. Heat is the number one weather killer in Wisconsin. It’s more of a problem in the larger cities that are full of concrete and asphalt. But high temperatures and high humidity can cause stress on the human body anyplace. The stress is triggered in the hot afternoons, but turns even more dangerous during hot nights you can’t cool off overnight. Repeated days and nights of not being able to cool off creates the deadly combination in people with the youngest and oldest being the most susceptible to heat stress. Most importantly, know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. your favorite news or watch your local news feed so you are aware of these heat waves before they happen. You can always bookmark this website for weather forecasts and warnings: https://www.weather.gov/dlh/ Heat waves also allow for the creation of poor air quality, sunshine and stagnant air are two important ingredients for creating high levels of ozone at the ground level in the summer. Ozone near the ground is invisible and can feel like a burning sensation in your nose, throat, and lungs. It is very rare that we have elevated ozone in this area, but it’s another stressor to watch out for during heat waves. The National Weather Service has created a Heat Index, some private businesses call this the “Real Feel Temperature”. Heat advisories are issued when the heat index is forecast to be over 100 °F or the temperature will be over 95° F for a period of time. If these hot temperatures are forecast for more than a day or two, the heat advisory may be upgraded to a heat warning to emphasize the seriousness. Watch and listen to We monitor ground-level ozone on the Bad River Reservation. And other tribal nations and states have ozone monitoring sites across the country. Download the EPA’s AirNow app on your phone to check the current air quality or bookmark https://www.airnow.gov/, all of our air pollution monitoring is collected on AirNow. On days with very hot temperatures and high air pollution it’s good to stay inside and enjoy the shade and a glass of cold water. Page 10 COMMON GROUND HATCHERY PRODUCTION 2022 This year’s Walleye run came in fast and hard with water temperatures rising quickly and steadily from the middle of April after ice out to the beginning of May. The Bad River Hatchery crew collected 146.5 quarts of eggs. 146.5 quarts of eggs is the same as 20.9 million eggs. There was a 60% hatch rate this year which is slightly above average. On May 12th 180,000 Yellow Perch fry were stocked into each of the Kakagon and Bad rivers. On May 13th 400,000 Yellow Perch fry were stocked into the Kakagon River. On May 14th 1.5 mil. Walleye fry were stocked into the Kakagon and 300,000 into the Bad River. On May 15th 4.5 mil. fry were stocked in the Kakagon River and 300,000 fry in the Bad River. On May 16th the remaining 5.7 mil. Walleye fry were released into the Kakagon River. Currently there are 750,000 fingerling Walleye and 240,000 Yellow Perch in the rearing ponds. Before July 1st, 60% of these fish are to be stocked in the Kakagon River and 40% are to be stocked in the Bad River. Any questions about the hatchery productions can be directed to Jacob Rodmaker, Fisheries Specialist, at fisheryspecialist@badriver-nsn.gov Page 11 Andrew Spychalla, Brownsfield Specialist - brownfields@badriver-nsn.gov S ummer is fast approaching, and with it a multitude of updates regarding chemicals of concern and contaminants. Some relate to older topics this newsletter has touched on, such as PFAS a.k.a. “forever chemicals.” The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board voted in February by a margin of 6-1 to approve of imposing limits on PFAS in drinking water at 70 parts per trillion (ppt). This sets a maximum contaminant level allowable in samples taken from drinking water systems. Just in time, as this April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in our region finalized and awarded their lab contract for analytical services regarding PFAS. The EPA will be sampling community drinking water systems for these chemicals, including Bad River. Also, after a few delays, the final touches are being completed to schedule the sludge sampling at the American Can sites on the Reservation. This will include a few nearby homeowner’s wells, and the artesian well at the hatchery. Those who share Gitchigumi to the north, in Canada, have recently shared their proposed ‘Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2022.’ You’d be correct if you guessed that PFAS’ make their appearance there as well. This document will have a public comment period running through the month of July, aimed to get input on restrictions to manufacturing and use of these chemicals. While decisions on those chemicals will be made at the govern- ment level, there are indeed steps that anyone can take in their own home to ensure that added chemicals don’t get put into our water and onto our land. The chemicals of concern for countries, states, and Tribes aren’t just limited to PFAS. Our neighbor, Minnesota, has again highlighted results of a 2021 study done on a number of lakes in the state. Among the samples collected, the hormone estrone, the insect repellent formula DEET, anti-depressants, antibiotics, anti-fungal medications, Type II diabetes drugs, and even narcotics were found in many of the analytes. While industrial activities are often a major source of contaminants entering the environment, the use of these drugs and medications by members of the general public are also sources of pollution. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has documents and videos on its website that give advice on how to properly dispose of certain drugs and medications. From taking them to a drug take-back location or clinic, calling your local pharmacy, or removing the labels and disposing of them with your household trash; there are tips for proper disposal that will keep these chemicals from entering our groundwater and drinking water. Simply look up FDA’s “Safe Disposal of Medicines” for any info you may need so that you can play a small part in keeping our environment safe. Nick Blanchard has worked hard to clean and re-organize the Tribal Water Laboratory since being promoted to our Laboratory Coordinator/Water Resource Tech position in January 2022. The Water Resources Program samples numerous rivers/streams and wetland sites within the Bad River watershed. EXT) *NR Aide(s) To View Full Job Descriptions visit: www.badriver-nsn.gov/careers ~MISSION STATEMENT~ Mashkiiziibii Natural Resou rces Dep ar t ment 72682 Maple Street PO Box 39 Odanah, WI, 54806 Phone: 715-685-7840 - 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. Were on the Web! Visit www.badriver-nsn.gov --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Abad_river_chippewa%3Af022ffe63ac0826d. Public record. Not legal advice.