Wichita and Affiliated Tribes

Department of Environmental Programs 

Welcome

Our Mission:

The Mission of the WDEP is to develop and implement a tribal environmental program that will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between human beings and their environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to natural resources and the environment and to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.

Welcome

P.O. Box 729
Anadarko, OK  73305

Ph.: 1-405-247-2425
Fax: 1-405-247-5398

GAP Illegal Dumpsite Clean-up Done FY-08/09

Images Before Clean-up

Images After Clean-up

Hazardous Cleanup 2010

Director
Jason Prince

GAP Coordinator

Mark Johanntoberns

Water Coordinator

vacant

Initiated in 1995, the Wichita Department of Environmental Programs (WDEP) began its operations in response to identified environmental problems. These problems included illegal dumpsites, excessive use of pesticides by area farmers, abandoned oil well sites, air quality, and water pollution. With assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the WDEP has expanded its environmental services with the addition of the following programs: EPA General Assistance program (GAP), EPA Clean Water Act § 106 program. In addition to the above programs Geographic Information System (GIS) development has been incorporated into both the environmental field and public awareness of environmental issues. Future operations will include Under-Ground Storage Tanks (UST) over-sight that will ensure proper environmental protection on Tribal property.

General Assistance Program
The goal of the General Assistance Program is to develop a viable Tribal Environmental Program capable of identifying sources and conditions responsible for environmental damage, instituting corrective action plans, and developing preventative measures that will result in better protection of the environment as well as improving our land, air, and water for future generations. This program is funded by the EPA and is the core program in developing infrastructure for the WDEP office. Every year the GAP develops goals and deliverables that are a concern to the Wichita and Affiliated Tribe. Throughout the years various goals, as well as grants, have been developed based on research and information provided by the GAP and the programs under it.

Over the past few years the WDEP has identified only a small number of dumpsites and with Indian Health Services (IHS) funding have cleaned one site containing more than 3,300 tires along with some trash. WDEP is currently trying to locate additional illegal dumpsites for possible future funding. These dumpsites must be located on tribal allotted trust property to be eligible for most funding. WDEP welcomes reports on any illegal dumpsites, as well as any other possible environmental concerns to this office whether they are on or near tribal lands.

Water Quality Program
EPA provides funding for the Water Quality program under the Clean Water Act §106. The primary goal of the Water Program is to develop and implement a Tribal water quality-monitoring program that will evaluate, restore, and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrities of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes water ways. WDEP is currently testing 10 sites located on the Washita River, Lake Creek, and Sugar Creek. The program is testing for Escherichia coli (E-coli), Enterococci, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, and depth. These tests are done to determine if the water bodies meet or exceed water quality standards. The water testing follows procedures developed in an approved Wichita and Affiliated Tribal Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) as well as the Quality Management Plan (QMP).

 

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This site was last updated 12/01/11