WASHINGTON: UPPER SKAGIT INDIAN TRIBE (USIT), HELMICK ROAD RESERVATION EPA Grant Supports Protection and Contingency Planning Background Location: The Upper Skagit Indian Reservation was established September 10, 1981. Part of the reservation's land base is situated on terraces just above the floodplain of the Skagit River at the toe of Lyman Hill in Skagit County, Washington. This reservation land base is called the Helmick Road Reservation, which includes 74 original acres of Reservation lands and 70 adjacent acres. The Helmick Road Reservation is the administrative and community center of the Tribe. There are 76 residential connections within the reservation and 6 off-reservation residential connections, plus 8 commercial connections. Water Supply: One public water system fed by ground water aquifer is the source of the community's drinking water supply. Source Water Assessment: EPA funded an initial project in 1993 that resulted in the Wellhead Protection Plan, Helmick Road Reservation, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, by Shannon & Wilson, Inc.. This 1993 report delineated the source water protection area and identified potential sources of contamination. Susceptibility analysis was not performed at the time due to the lack of area wells to generate the underlying aquifer hydrostratigraphy. In 2003 funds from EPA provided for the development of the Contingency Plans for short and long term disruptions in water supply and to further develop source water protection measures. Priority Contamination Threats The major threats to the reservation's water supply according to the 1993 Wellhead Protection Plan are the locations of three community on-site septic wastewater facilities located within the two-year travel zone of the community's drinking water ground water wellfield, and an additional three community on-site septic wastewater facilities located within the five-year travel zone. Another contamination threat is from untreated stormwater runoff. Area land use is primarily rural residential, rural agriculture, and industrial forest. An abandoned coal mine is also nearby. Subsequent studies show a reduced threat of contamination from on-site septic systems due to the presence of aquitards protecting the ground source. Local Team and Developing the Protection Plan Representatives on the contributing team were from the USIT Environmental Planning Department, Public Works Department, Safety Committee, and Utility Board. Office of Water (4606M) 816F10050 January 2010 ------- Management Measures The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe has developed reports to assist in establishing long- term protection and source water contingency alternatives. These reports are the USIT Helmick Road Reservation Overall Water System Plan (OWSP), the USIT Helmick Road Reservation Overall Wastewater System Plan (OWWSP), the USIT Helmick Road Reservation Water and Wastewater Systems Operational and Maintenance Manual, and the USIT Helmick Road Reservation Water Contingency Plan. The Overall System Plans incorporate asset inventories, describe the use and projected use of the systems, analyze the systems' deficiencies and propose improvement projects that will provide for existing and future demand, and the health and safety of the lands and people. These reports include environmental, economic, and operational assessments of alternative source water and wastewater options. The Water Contingency Plan addresses the short-term and long-term steps for conserving water, water storage, and a contingency plan in the event of an emergency disruption or catastrophic loss of the existing ground water source and refers to the OWSP and OWWSP for long-term protection of the existing groundwater source through different alternatives. Contingency Plan The Tribal Water System Contingency Plan was developed to identify the means and procedures to have alternative emergency water supplies available to the customers of the Tribal water system in the event of water quality or water quantity failure. Highlights of the Contingency Plan include: assessment of possible natural and technological hazards with respect to risk and vulnerability; the means and procedures for responding to short-term system disruptions and planning needs for long-term system disruptions. The Contingency Plan also includes a water demand reduction plan for minor shortages, moderate shortages and a regional disaster water rationing program. The Contingency Plan addresses emergency response preparedness for the water system, and is a key component to providing overall water system reliability. Measuring Program Effectiveness Community outreach and awareness occurs through regular events such as the Annual Health Fair. Successes have included improvements in the water system infrastructure, establishment of emergency power systems, progress in stormwater management practices, and significant efforts slated for wastewater treatment improvements. Further success demonstrated by the program is inclusion of the Contingency Plan as a part of the Tribe's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. The Contingency Plan and Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan provide for Tribal responders to facilitate decision-making management for multi- agency and multi-jurisdictional response. For further information, contact: Lauren Rich Office of Water (4606M) 816F10050 January 2010 ------- Environmental Planning Department (360) 854-7006 LaurenR@UPPERSKAGlT.com Office of Water (4606M) 816F10050 January 2010 ------- |