Environmental

Gun Lake Tribe and the International Crane Foundation are searching for Crane Counters!

On April 19th, 2008 the International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo, Wisconsin is sponsoring the 33rd Annual Midwest Crane Count in Allegan County. The Count is used to monitor the general population trends of the sandhill cranes is the Upper Midwest, as well as to promote awareness of cranes and wetland conservation throughout the Count area. You are invited to participate

In 2007, volunteer counters tallied 14 sandhill cranes from one location in the early morning hours in Allegan County. The total tally from the Midwest was over 13,500 cranes. If you are interested in taking part, please contact the Allegan County Coordinator, Monte Davis at (616) 681-8830, or email mrrdavis@mbpi.org. Potential vounteers are encouraged to attend an organizational meeting on April 16th at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the Gun Lake Tribal Offices suite 7, 1743 142nd Ave. Dorr, Michigan. At the meeting, participates will select survey sites and receive observation forms and instructions.

For more information on the 33rd Midwest Crane Count visit the International Crane Foundation website at www.savingcranes.org or contact the Allegan Couny Coordinator.

Elizabeth Binoniemi Smith Environmental Director
	Elizabeth has worked for the Gun Lake Tribe since January 2005. She was hired as the Water Quality Specialist and in 2006 was promoted to Environmental Director. Liz graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Natural Resource Biology in 2001 and a M.S in Biology (Aquatic) in 2007. Liz manages the Environmental Department projects including the Kalamazoo River Phosphorus Trading project funded through an EPA Targeted Watershed Grant. Prior to working for the Tribe, Liz taught Biology 101 laboratory and worked for the Michigan Water Research Center at CMU. Liz also worked as a Water Quality and Wetland Assistant for the Little River Band. Liz’s office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
	Phone:	(616) 681-8830 ext. 309
	Toll Free:	(866) 564-7429
	Fax:	(616) 681-8836
	Address:	PO Box 218 Dorr, MI 49323

Monte Davis Environmental Quality Specialist
	Monte was hired by the Tribe in January 2005 as an Environmental Specialist. His duties have included Radon testing and the development of a solid waste recycling program for the Tribal Offices. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors of Science in Natural Resource Management. Since the spring of 2005 he has taken over the duties of working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) program. Monte has volunteered his time with the Community garden project and the Annual fishing contest. Monte's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
	Phone:	(616) 681-8830 ext. 307
	Toll Free:	(866) 564-7429
	Fax:	(616) 681-8836
	Address:	PO Box 218 Dorr, MI 49323

Environmental Department Grants/Projects

EPA Targeted Watershed Grant 2005 - 2010
Kalamazoo River Phosphorus Trading Project
Project Homepage http://www.envtn.org/kazoo/Home_page.htm

EPA Superfund Supporting Agency Cooperative Agreement 2004 – 2007
Historical Pottawatomi Presence in Kalamazoo River Superfund Area

EPA General Assistance Program 2006 – 2008

BIA Circle of Flight Grant 2006 – 2007
Waterfowl Habitat Improvement Project

The Environmental Department is funded entirely from outside sources, largely through United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants. Currently the Tribe holds a General Assistance Program (GAP) grant which supports the base Environmental program. Through this funding we will conduct water quality testing and wetland plant and invasive species inventories. This grant also allows us to seek further funding and write grant proposals.

The Tribe also holds an EPA Targeted Watershed Grant. This highly competitive grant is valued at over one million dollars. The Targeted Watershed project, to develop a water quality trading framework, is in its third year. A goal of water quality trading is to reduce surface water nutrients through market incentives to implement conservation practices. Trading is an innovative technique that is being developed and implemented in several watersheds across the country.

The Tribe also holds a Superfund Supporting Agency Cooperative Agreement (SACA) grant. Through this grant the Tribe is trying to identify sites of cultural significance in the Kalamazoo River basin .

In 2006 the Environmental Department organized a tree line planting at the Luella Collins Community Center site through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and native grass plantings through a Bureau of Indian Affairs grant. Projects completed in 2006 include a solid waste grant, a Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Incentives Program project which partially funded the engineering of the road to the boat launch, and a 2004 -2006 GAP grant.

The Environmental Committee 2007
Mr. John Bush
Mr. Junsun Bush
Mr. Ed Pigeon
Mr. Daniel Cornelissen