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reprint or license thisInformational session set on Lac du Flambeau request
Associated Press
LAC DU FLAMBEAU, Wis. - An informational meeting has been scheduled this month on the application by the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa band to control water quality on its northern Wisconsin reservation, a congressman says.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scheduled the session at the Lac du Flambeau Public School from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 15, U.S. Rep. Mark Green said late Thursday.
Green, R-Wis., who represents the area, had asked that the session be held. At his request, the EPA also extended a public comment period on the application for 30 days to gather more reaction. The comment period had been due to expire Jan. 20.
Green has said giving the Lac du Flambeau the authority would threaten the economy of the region because of the possible impact on sanitary districts and other pollution sources that are outside reservation boundaries but on waters that flow into the reservation.
Tribal leaders contend their goal is only to make sure reservation waters are clean, which should be a benefit to the economy of the entire area, especially the tourism and sport fishing industries.
Under legislation passed by Congress in 1989, tribes may be granted "treatment as a state" status, allowing them to set air or water quality standards on their reservations.
The Mole Lake Chippewa band is the only Wisconsin tribe with the authority over its waters. It was granted in 1995.
Larry Wawronowicz, Lac du Flambeau's deputy administrator for natural resources, said the application before the EPA is the first stage of a two-part process.
The second stage would involve submission of proposed water quality standards, which would also have to go through a public comment procedure, he said.
Also, once the water quality standards are approved, they must be re-evaluated every three years by the EPA, he said.
