Environmental

Mission Statement

"The Miami Nation Department of Environmental Quality exists to create and conduct programs that examine, monitor and describe the environmental conditions of Miami Tribe Lands."

Services we offer for Miami Tribal Members:

Lead-Based Paint Inspections

For Missouri and Oklahoma tribal members and residents only, free of charge within a 100-mile radius.

Mold Inspections

For tribal members within a 100-mile radius, all fees are waived except for lab costs.

Water Sample Collection

For tribal members within a 100-mile radius, all fees are waived except for lab costs.

Asbestos Testing

Soil Sampling

Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP)

In 1992, Congress passed the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act (42 U.S.C. 4368b) which authorizes EPA to provide General Assistance Program (GAP) grants to federally-recognized tribes and tribal consortia for planning, developing, and establishing environmental protection programs in Indian country, as well as for developing and implementing solid and hazardous waste programs on tribal lands.

The goal of this program is to assist tribes in developing the capacity to manage their own environmental protection programs and to develop and implement solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with individual tribal needs and applicable federal laws and regulations.

Through our GAP grant, we maintain an Environmental Outreach Program, prioritizing recycling and road-side cleanup. We oversee three recycling trailers, located at Tribal Headquarters North Parking Lot on P Street. A variety of recyclables can be placed inside these trailers. We partner with Red Cedar Recycling in Miami for hauling and sorting of recyclables.

Items that can be recycled in our trailers:

#1 & #2 Plastics ONLY, Newspaper, Office Paper, Magazines, Aluminum Cans, Tin Cans, and Cardboard.

Items we do not recycle:

Any other plastics (#3-#6), Styrofoam, Glass, Medical Waste, Clothing, Large Appliances, and E-Waste.

Water 106 Program

Through our Water 106 grant funded by EPA, department staff monitor 3 ambient water sites on a monthly basis. They are Neosho River at Riverview Park, 4 Mile Creek at E40 Rd Bridge, and Elm Creek at our old cultural grounds. All data is collected and uploaded to EPA. We test for EPA’s 9 basic parameters, monthly metals for water, and quarterly metals for soils at all sites.

The Environmental Department is seeking student applicants for the Tar Creek Apprenticeship Program next summer, May 29- July 12, 2024, in the Miami, OK area. The goal of the program is to connect students (ages 16-21) with nature used in cultural practices and help students develop the knowledge and skills to become future cultural leaders and ecological restoration practitioners. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a $3,000 stipend and an Oklahoma lifetime hunting and fishing license. Tentative due date for applications is January 15th, 2024, but applicants will be selected on a rolling basis with the first round of applicants being accepted this fall!

Program Coordinators are currently working with MTOK Cultural Department and the Environmental Department as curriculum and logistics are still in development.

Please see the Student Flyer and for additional information, please call or text the Program Coordinators: TeNona Kuhn (918-325-9207) or Tami Lowery (918-541-8305), or visit the Environmental Department page.

Link to the student application: https://forms.gle/zu4my6fxVf8mu5gH7

Student Flyer: