Laboratory results indicate that the fish on Delaware River on the Reservation is safe to be consumed.
Viswatej "Tej"Attili -Water Quality Specialist
The Fish Tissue Contaminant sampling was conducted on the Delaware river (near the Pow-wow Grounds ) in July 2008 and November 2009. The results from the laboratory shows that the organic chemicals were not detectable, mercury and the other metals are at safe levels for human consumption.
If you are interested to know the fishing reports of whole state of Kansas please visit the following link. http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2007/01082007.htm
Tissue samples currently are taken from bottom-feeding fish and from predatory fish, where available. Mercury tends to accumulate in predatory fish to a greater extent than in bottom-feeding fish. Earlier fish tissue contaminant monitoring efforts had focused on bottom-feeding fish owing to the presence of pesticides and other organic chemicals (DDT, dieldrin, chlordane, PCBs, etc.). Average mercury concentrations in Kansas fishes remain lower
Consumers of Kansas fish can safely eat at least two 8-ounce fish meals per week from any Kansas water body not under a specific KDHE/KDWP advisory. Data suggest higher levels of consumption are safe for most consumers. In time, data should be adequate for conducting individual risk assessments for our largest and/or most heavily fished and harvested lakes.
Women who are pregnant or nursing may wish to consult with their physician about safe levels of fish consumption and mercury exposure. This sensitive group, and children under twelve, should restrict their total mercury intake as related to both supermarket fish and locally caught species. Information on the FDA/EPA commercial fish advisory is available at: http://www.epa.gov/fishadvisories/advice/
Testing for contaminants in fish and other aquatic life will continue. Information on the Kansas Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program can be found at: http://www.kdheks.gov/befs/fish_tissue_monitoring.htm
The fish tissue sampling for the years 2008 and 2009 in the Delaware river near the Pow-wow grounds was conducted in collaboration with EPA.
For more information, please contact Luke Terry (785) 486-2601 x:1 at the Kickapoo Environmental Office.
Delaware River Weir Repair Project.
Construction on the Delaware River is in full swing. The "Bank Stabilization Project" should be completed by the end of the summer. Here is a few photo's of there progress. Come back and visit the site to view the progress. Images will be posted as they become available.
On March 12, 2008 the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas approved a bid by the Kissick Construction Company to perform the Weir Stabilization phase of the project.
Steps include:
-Clam riprap away from the down stream sill.
-Fabricating a personal walkway that rest above the water for workers to access the structure without getting wet.
-Driving permanent metal sheet piles along the down stream face to create a sealed wall up against the structure.
-Pumping a flow able grout underneath the entire structure to fill voids caused by erosion and severe flooding.
EPA's National Fish Advisory Program released a Fish Kids website - a fun website that uses interactive stories and games to teach kids ages 8-12 about contaminants in fish and fish advisories. You can access the site
The Kickapoo Reservation was host to 80 volunteers who helped pick up trash along the Kickapoo Veterans Memorial Highway from the junction of K-20 Highway and US 75 Highway to the Horton City limits. An estimated 1,600 lbs of trash and debris was removed from the roadway in an annual effort to keep this area trash free. The Kickapoo Environmental Office would like to thank all the participants and sponsors who helped make this event possible.
According to a study conducted by Penn State University, the following material was tested to determine decomposition rate.
Paper: 2-4 Weeks
Leaves: 1-3 Weeks
Orange Peel: 6 Months
Milk Carton: 5 Years
Plastic Bag: 10-20 Years
Plastic Container: 50-80 Years
Aluminum Can: 80 Years
Tin Car: 100 Years
Plastic Soda Bottle: 450 Years
Glass Bottle: 500 Years
Styrofoam: Never
Earth Day 2010!
Here are some of the images taken durning the Kickapoo Tribal Earth Day event.
Employee's and locate residents gave a big hand during the event.
Even the KNS kids give a helping hand.
" Dr. Tej" the tribes Water Quality Coordinator hands out supplies to would be helpers.
Mean while, KEO Commander and Chief "Luke" hands out small trees.
Kickapoo Housing Authority hosts the end of the event cook out. Good Eats?
On March 9, 2010 a “Tree Care, Planting and Pruning Workshop” was held at the Kickapoo Community Building and hosted by the Kickapoo Environmental Office and Kansas Forest Service. An afternoon and evening session was offered to anyone who wished to attend and participants were given a free Redbud seedling. A good time was held by all while the main focus was on tree selection, planting and care, pruning and energy efficient windbreaks and landscaping. A Scarlet Oak and Red Elm were planted to demonstrate proper technique and several of the Red Maples in front of the Community Building were pruned. Supporting organizations included the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, Kansas Forest Service, Brown County Extension, Brown County NRCS, Glacial Hills RC&D, Delaware WRAPS and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
From the Desk of Air Quality Coordinator Michael Kelly:
An A to Z Resource Guide of Safe Alternatives to Household Cleaning
and Maintenance Supplies
- Originally Compiled by Sam Umscheid, MSW Published through a Partnership with
The Center for Children's Environmental Health, Dept. of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology,
Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
Would you like to know the benefits of composting?
Many of you have been gardening for quite some time and having great luck at it. By reusing many of the items from your household that currently get thrown away, you can turn that waste into compost. Gardens, potted plants, and flower beds will reap the benefit and so will you!
The Kickapoo Environmental Office is continuing on a pilot project to encourage backyard gardening and composting on the Kickapoo Reservation. In 2009, a total of 15 gardens were tilled on the Reservation, many of which had never been tilled before. As long as you reside within the Reservation boundaries, we will come out to your house and till any new or existing garden area free of charge. It will be up to you to plant and take care of the garden. We will also provide technical assistance in setting up and creating a backyard compost pile. Sound good?
If so, please contact the Kickapoo Environmental Office at 785-486-2601 to get your name on the list.
Classic Backyard GardenCage Style Compost Pile
Three Sided Compost PileBuild-it-yourself Compost Tumbler
The mission of the Kickapoo Environmental Department is to promote, maintain and protect the health of the water, land and air within the Kickapoo Reservation boundaries to ensure the continued wellbeing and safety of its tribal members and culturally relevant plants and animals.
2008 Earth Day: A good crowd of 90 adult volunteers and KNS students helped clean the road sides along the Kickapoo Veterans Memorial Highway
(K-20) from US 73 Hwy to US 75 Hwy. An estimated 2,860 lbs of trash and debris was removed from the highway.
Illegal Dumpsites: Illegal dumping throughout the Kickapoo Reservation continues to be an environmental issue. The Kickapoo Environmental Office strongly urges to stop the illegal dumping. Tribal members can dispose of large bulky items and unwanted trash during the spring and fall Community Clean Up events.
Suggested links for more information on the environment:
