The Office of Environmental Services (OES) was established by the Iowa Tribe in September of 1997 to pursue environmental capacity building and to develop environmental initiatives necessary to protect and preserve the air, land, and water on Iowa Tribal lands for the benefit of present and future generations. The OES has been funded since 1997 through the EPA’s General Assistance Program Grant (GAP) and has sought to aggressively develop environmental strategies in solid wastes management, emergency response, pesticide use, groundwater/surface water quality, subsurface minerals evaluation, and wetlands management/restoration. We have been recognized as one of the top tribes in the state with regards to our program development through the EPA’s GAP funding and at one time were ranked first in the state with regards to our EPA and ANA Wetland Programs.

With this Tribal capacity in place, the Iowa Tribe has developed several programs and strategies for environmental initiatives. Over the years, the OES has completed work and research in the following programs: solid waste, surface water, groundwater, air quality, oil and gas, integrated resources management plan, cattle, bison, horses, eagle sanctuary, and wind power. Funding for these programs was received by various federal departments and other organizations including the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Administration for Native Americans
• Bureau of Indian Affairs
• Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative
• Indian Health Services
• Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Inc.
• U.S. Housing and Urban Development
• U.S. Department of Energy

Under GAP funding, the Iowa Tribe assembled and submitted the documentation needed to successfully gain “Treatment as State” status during funding year 2001. TAS opens many grant opportunities and is essential for the development of surface water and groundwater monitoring capabilities. In particular, TAS allows the Tribe to receive funding available to assist in planning, developing, establishing, and improving water quality programs. The Iowa Tribes attainment of TAS status has allowed the OES to successfully receive funding under a U.S. EPA 106 Grant designed to monitor and restore the health of a local wetland and other surface waters.

Today, the Office of Environmental Services consists of 15 employees. The programs include surface water, groundwater/drinking water, solid waste, management plan writing, cattle and bison, horse, and eagle sanctuary. The OES helps other departments within the Tribe by creating maps, completing environmental assessments or reviews, and providing information important to future planning. OES also completes some water testing as requested by Tribal members. The OES is here to assist the Iowa Tribal community and surrounding community with environmental concerns. See Service Guide.

If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by the office or call at 405-547-5433.