January 10, 1992 PAGE 3
Qnn VAvTvunn WARM SPRINGS. OREGON
Wetlands provide benefits to community, wildlife
.' Lci'l start wilh a brief introduc
tion to wetlands. Wetlands can bo
cither natural (much like the one
located at Warm Springs Meadows),
or man-made. The functions and
processes that occur in wetland areas
are similar. Wetlands can be seen as
nature's cleansing and filtering sys
tem. They are very efficient at puri
fying water that has biological or
natural "pollution" problems. There
are other benefits al so associated with
wetland areas. They can moderate or
reduce downstream flood damage
by absorbing the initial shock of high
water flows and then slowly releas
ing captured water (desynchronize
peak flows). Wetlands can provide
valuable and often essential wildlife
habitat for a variety of water-dependent
species, such as assorted wa
terfowl, beaver, mink, otter, and
various amphibians. Other wildlife
may benefit from wetlands, although
they may not be critical to their sur
vival. Wetlands can also be scenic
and visuallv-plcasing to look at and
visit. So what about the problem?
The "problem" facing the Tribes
is one of meeting water quality stan
dards or limits set by the Environ
mental Protection Agency (EPA).
At this time, water that has been
treated at two levels is being re
leased into Shitike Creek. Specifi
cally, raw sewage from community
housing and official buildings in
Warm Springs is piped to the sewage
lagoon facility for treatment. By the
time the water gets to the third (and
last) lagoon, it is virtually devoid or
lacking in solid particles and is actu
ally fairly clean. This water is chlo
rinated to kill bacteria and then re
used into the Creek. The "problem"
is that the treated water released into
Shitike Creek docs not meet water
quality standards for two particular
parameters or measurements; Total
Suspended Solids (TSS) and Bio
logical Oxygen Demand (BOD). Fish
can be negatively affected by high
levels of both TSS and BOD. These
water quality standards are exceeded
only about half of the year, meaning
that for the other half, the Tribes are
meeting EPA regulations.
What choices are available? Cur
rently, the Tribes have applied for
and have been granted a five-year
waiver from the EPA. The waiver
allows continued release into Shitike
Creek for up to five years based on
"new" and agreed upon water quality
standards (hat could be met without
taking any action at all. The "grace"
period is granted so that the Tribes
have time to investigate alternate
solutions to the problem and develop
a plan of action to meet the previous
standards at the end of the waiver
period. After five years, previous
water quality standards must be met
or the EPA may begin to levy mon
etary fines against the Tribes.
There are a number of actions that
the Tribes could take to solve this
relatively small water quality prob
lem; such as building a new or up
grading existing treatment facilities,
or piping the water to a site where it
could be used for irrigated agricul
ture. Another alternative is the de
velopment and management of a man
made wastewater wetland to provide
additional, natural treatment for the
water (called polishing). This area
would be about six to seven acres in
size and would have a very natural
appearance with varying water depth;
a few inches to three feet. It would
need to be located near the lagoons
so that water from the third lagoon
could be easily piped to the wetland
instead of being released directly into
Shitike Creek. Design criteria or re
quirements would be drawn up in
advance of construction. These re
quirements would specify how the
wetland will be built, what it would
look like, how deep the water would
be, and any additional needs in terms
of wildlife or fish.
The Warm Springs Tribal Court Branch would like the tribal members to complete this
survey poll and return it to the Tribal Court, P.O. Box 850, Warm Springs, OR 97761; or drop
it off at the Court Receptionist desk as soon as possible.
Warm Springs Tribal Court Branch plans to set up meetings for the membership and
interested parties for 1992. We need to know what you think about the following:
Would you be interested in attending a community meeting? Yes:
Suggestions for day of week, time, i.e. Afternoon or Evening:
Suggestions for Topics:
1.
3.
Other comments:
What benefits would be rcalicd
from a wastewater wetland along
Shitike Creek? There arc a number
of positive and a few negative at
tributes that would generally come
with a wetland. Some car, be easily
managed to reduce negative effects.
They can be listed:
POSITIVE:
1) Water quality would be im
proved beyond the standards or re
quirements set by EPA; the Tribes
would meet all water quality param
eters for the entire year. No fines
would be handed down from the EPA.
2) Fish habitat and water quality
would be improved in both Shitike
Creek and the Deschutes River.
3) Wildlife habitat would be cre
ated within the community area that
would provide for migratory needs
of certain waterfowl species, and
other water-dependent organisms.
4) Bird-watching and educational
opportunities would be created.
Viewing decks or platforms could be
placed above the wetland to assist
viewing and to attract visitors.
5) Monetary gains could be real
ized for local businesses where visi
tors are attracted to the wetland for
bird-watching (proximity to High
way 26 and Museum).
6) Flood control could be en
hanced to a certain degree for the
lower Shitike Creek areas (Museum,
Mill, Mousing).
7) Expenditures for wetland con
struction and annual operating costs
would be significantly lower than
other alternatives (such as a new
treatment plant or facility) to solve
the water quality problem.
Wetlands bordering streams help purify water entering system and provide habitat for wildlife.
ECE activities scheduled for January
LogoSearch-
The Warm Springs Early Child
hood Education Parent Club is having
a logo search. Anyone is eligible to
submit a logo that would be appro
priate to represent the E.C.E. parent
club. Parent club is made up of par
entsguardians of children in the Head
Start, Head StartDay Care, Tribal
Preschool, Day Care and Latch Kev
programs, send your logo to "Parent
Club Logo", Head Start, P.O. Box C,
Warm Springs, OR 97761. Call
Sharlayne Garcia at 553-3549 for ,
more information.
BakeSale-
The Early Childhood Education
Parent Club will be having a bake
sale, Friday, January 10, 1992 trom
noon till 4 p.m. in the Administration
Building lobby. Come support parent
club and grab some delicious cookies,
cupcakes, pies, cakes, and snacks!
Great stuff for Friday fun at the office
or the weekend ahead at home.
NEGATIVE:
1 ) Potential safety hazard for chil
dren in the community.
2) Potential health concerns with
increased mosquito populations and
other disease vectors or carriers.
3) Possible loss of pons of the
wetland following severe flood
events.
The proposal to use i wetland
within the community to solve the
problem is not a new idea. These
types of man-made or constructed
wetlands have been used in Germany
for centuries to provide water
cleansing and eliminate pollutants.
In fact, there are a number of these
types of wetland uses in the State of
Oregon. Thecity of Hillsboro, which
has about 33,000 residents, uses a
large wetland to povidc polishing of
treated water before releasing it into
the Tualatin River. Cannon Beach
also has a moderate-sized wetland
used to naturally cleanse treated wa
ter before release into the Pacific
Ocean. There are many examples in
the United States. Many smaller
communities which have similar
problems wilh TSS and BOD levels,
and which cannot afford to build new
and expanded treatment facilities,
often resort to use of constructed
wetlands to meet water quality stan
dards. Some key points to review are:
Water to be released into the wet
land will have been treated to a high
degree; raw sewage will not be re
leased into the wetland.
The wetland will be just an addi
tional intermediate step between the
last lagoon and the Creek. Water that
E.C.E. Meeting set-
There will be a parent club general
meeting, Wednesday, January 15 at
7 p.m. in the Community Center
Social Hall. All parents of children
in Early Childhood Education pro
grams are encouraged to attend.
Nutrition workshop-
The E.C.E. Parent Club is having
a nutrition workshop for parents and
guardians on Monday, January 20
New energy source
BPA looks at geothermal resource
Northwest Power Planning
Council Chairman Ted Hallock of
Oregon today applauded the
Bonneville Power Administration's
announcement that the regional
power marketer is ready to test the
use of geothermal energy to supply
some of the Northwest s electricity
No:
has been "polished' in the wetland
area will flow back into the Creek,
but will be of higher quality.
Negative aspects of having a
wetland in the community can be
managed to a certain decree. Mos-
Suitocs, for example, can be reduced
trough at least three methods; con
trol of water depth and flow, use of
natural predators such as swallows
or mosquito fish, and by small-scale
spraying of natural bacteria, Bacillus
tnuringicnsis ("BO, to control
breeding success (often used in for
cstry to control spruce budworm).
Relative to other alternatives to
solve the problem, the wetland pro
posal will cost signilicanuy less in
terms of both construction and man
agement -As the community grows in the
future, sewage rates will increase,
and thus treatment will have to be
expanded. The use of a wetland in
the community would probably not
be a very long-term solution. The
wetland would suffice for say 15 to
25 years easily, then expansions to
the wetland or use of a different al
ternative would be required to con
tinue meeting water quality stan
dards. Currently, the Land Use Commit
tee is studying this alternative as well
as others to find the best solution to
the water quality problem. If you
have an opinion, suggestion, or com
ment regarding this proposal, please
write or call Land Use Committee,
Chairman: Ron Suppah, Jr.; if you
would like more information or would
like to read or hear about examples in
other communities, come by the
Natural Resources officcorcall Chris
M. Gannon, at 553-3557. Thank you
from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Conv
munity Center social hall. The work
shop is the first in a three part series
dealing with nutritious meals for
children. "Breakfast will be focused
on, in this workshop, complete with
sample breakfast meals that are quick
and easy to make and that kids love
and are good for them. Come chef up
with the parent club Monday, Janu
ary 20, and learn to make a better
breakfast!
needs. "There appears to be an
abundance of hot water under this
region's mountains, and Bonneville's
demonstration project should give us
the information we need to tap it for
electricity," Hallock said.
In its 1991 Northwest Conserva
tion and Electric Power Plan, the
Council calls on Bonneville and the
region's utilities to finance a series
of demonstrations of geothermal
energy applications in the Northwest.
The plan notes that the Northwest's
geothermal resources could provide
several thousand megawatts of elec
tricity. (For comparison: Seattle uses
about 1 ,000 megawatts of electricity).
Bonneville is considering moving
ahead on three pilot projects if utility
co-sponsors can be found for each
project. The three projects combined
could provide up to 1 10 megawatts.
Each pilot would also determine
whether another 1 00 megawatts could
be developed at each site.
If the resource is proven and sites
selected where important wilderness
areas and other natural resources will
not be damaged, geothermal could
become one of the region's most
important new sources of renewable
energy.
"We're happy to see Bonneville
proceed with negotiations to select
test sites for geothermal," said Or
egon Council Member Angus
Duncan, chair of the Council's power
committee. "But the Council is still
concerned that this resource not
jeopardize the environmental integ
rity of me areas where it is developed.
We expect Bonneville, sponsoring
utilities and project developers to
work with local and regional envi
ronmentalists and others to protect
the areas where geothermal facilities
will be located," Duncan added.
j. v r...J ;f.-:-.i
Old Days
Every 10 yen tht United Suite conducts census. At John Smith
was responsible for conducting the 1890 census. However, he wot
cotfronied by understandable suspicion from the Indians about At
motives cfthe United States in conducting a census. In the following
monthly report he details some of his frustrations.
Warm Springs
UayV 1
Sir
I have the honor to tubmlt the following as my report of the
nature end progress of tht work si this Agency, during the month
ending April 30' JUL
Indian Population
The Indians are mora scattered over tht reservation than al
any previous time, during this year, Many havt gone to work on mall
forms for the first time, while a number of the older farmers have been
enlarging their enclosures. Quite a number of the men have gone off
with leave, to aula the white settlers in gathering up their stock.
Indian Census
It Is a matter of regret that I havt been unable to complete
this work as was expected, and should have been done by the 30'
ultimo. Had tht census been confined merely to numbers ttit the
three schedules of Industries, Education and Mortality it might have
been completed with something near an accural count, but the various
questions asked naturally excites the suspicions of tht Indians,
especially the more uncivilized and superstitious, and makes them
unwilling to give in satisfactory answers. Quits a number of families
near the Agency have given in their census, but the work is so
Incomplete that no foil statistics could be gained the fill up the three
above mentioned schedules. The data on file in the office though it
might do it not as accurate as an actual count. I have also been
greatly hindered by the unusually severe winter we have passed
through, The ground became so thoroughly soaked that it was nearly
the middle of March before it was sufficiently settled and dry to admit
of traveling. The roads became so Imputable that it took t good did
of work to reopen them. All this and the discharging of one employe
the last of March, made it Impossible to complete tht work by Pie 30'
ultimo. The teacher spent much of the time during tht winter in
writing down the Warn Springs language, and should he remain the
coming year will probably complete that work. I shall continue to take
the census as fast as Is possible, even though it may be too late to be
of use to the Census Bureau.
The Physicians report shows that 95 persons were treated
during the month, of which 78 were restored and one died, leaving 16
under treatment. The principal sickness has betn ft???
tftftfeatarrhal nature.
Number sf Births
has been two, thus giving us a gain.
The Day and Boardinj School
has been in session since the 18' ultimo. The attendance was not as
large as In the previous months, but has betn more regular. The
average is 31 410 out of 55 enrolled.
Tht Apprentices
have been allowed to do some work for themselves in the way of
swing some grain and putting in of. They are making satisfactory
progress, and willing to do all that they art told to do. While learning
their trades it seems desirable that they should learn to make good
homes for themselves and families, hence they ere allowed time to
work for themselves.
Hit toUctnun
havt not been called upon to perform much active service, and as they
receive no rations they have been allowed to work much of the time for
themselves. They have always been prompt to drop their work,
whenever they were required to go on duty.
Tht Saw MM
This has been placed In good running order by the present
Sawyer, and during the month cut 36000 ft of lumber, mostly for
??????????? Indians. The balance for Department and the new
school house to be built for the Warm Springs.
Tht Grist Mtll
Has had but little to do as tht grain Is well ground up, and
it only run as an occasional grist
Employes
The sawyer has been up at the new saw mill nearly every day
except Sabbath. The Miller has put
shop. The Supt of Farming was engaged in putting In the Department
crop, as also looking after the Ttttf slock and forming interests. The
Clerk has ftTJt? with the office
his duties as Chitf of Police. The laborer for the Piutes has betn
engaged In working the roads with some of his people.
Moral and Religious Work
This has been quite successfully carried on. The Sabbath
services always find a crowded house and eager listeners. The
Council has had to meet but seldom, and then mostly to settle disputes
as to Out ownership of property.
During this month the principal work will be gardening.
Many of the Indians will have more acreage plowed than Informer
years.
To
The Commissioner of
Indian Affairs
Washington D.C
came In.
hb time mostly in the Blacksmith
work and the issuing of supplies and
Very ratpecffolfy
Tour Obi Sent
John Smith
US Indian Agent