Flambeau Leaders Speaking for the Water
“We want to make sure there’s clean water out there"
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On the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa Reservation, in northern Wisconsin, the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a public meeting about the Lac du Flambeau tribe’s efforts to protect water quality. Recognizing tribal sovereignty, under the Clean Water Act, tribes can apply for Treatment as State (TAS) authority to run their own water quality programs, just as a state would. Nick Vander Puy from the Superior Broadcast Network reports. |
During the nineteen eighties Lac du Flambeau’s Tom Maulson helped his tribe re-affirm their treaty rights to hunt, fish, and gather in the ceded territory.
Now, as a council member, he’s fighting for clean water.
“We want to make sure there’s clean water out there, and everyone’s obligated.
Everybody is this here world is destined to live if we have clean water, but if we don’t everybody is gonna die.”
The entire tribal council attended the meeting. Tribal President Victoria Doud want neighbors to know about the tribe’s efforts.
“We want them to know we’re just trying to keep our waters clean for our use and for the use of those who come after us.”
But an attorney, who often represents developers and municipalities, Paul Kent says the large number of non-Indians owning land inside the reservation presents a complex jurisdictional question.
“But that’s the issue to what extent can tribal regulations apply to non-tribal members, and the courts have said where you what are called open reservations where you have significant non-member populations, that tribal authority is severely limited.”
After public hearings this week the State of Wisconsin is expected to weigh in on the issue.
I’m Nick Vander Puy for the Superior Broadcast Network
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