www.epa.gov/research
                        science    in   ACTION
                        INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
 EPA Establishes MOD  for Water Research with Chickasaw Nation
      Sustainable Management Strategies to Address Water Quality
Background
EPA's Office of Research and
Development (ORD) has established
a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Chickasaw Nation,
a federally recognized American
Indian tribal nation.

The MOU provides a framework for
cooperation and coordination
between the parties, building on and
replacing a previous MOU signed in
2008. The new MOU is focused on
sustainable management strategies to
address complex water quality
issues.

Ada, Oklahoma, is the home of
ORD's Roberts. Ken-
Environmental Research Center,
which is EPA's center of expertise
for groundwater remediation and
ecosystem restoration research. The
Chickasaw Nation Headquarters is
in Ada as well. The Chickasaw
Nation, in coordination with the
Choctaw Nation, are presently
engaged in a water resources
planning effort for the area upon
which they rely for their water
supply. It is the Chickasaw-Choctaw
Regional Water Plan.
Purpose and Objective
This MOU is intended to provide a
mechanism for EPA and the
Chickasaw Nation to promote
technical coordination and
access to each other's facilities.
Specifically, they will pursue
coordinated and cooperative
research, development, and
assessment programs. They will
apply sustainability principles
and metrics to development
projects, municipal water supply
systems, and water resource
management. The program will aid
both parties in efforts to sustain and
improve community health, meet
environmental protection goals, and
provide sustainable resources for
future generations.

Roles
EPA's contribution is to conduct
research and scientific studies on
ground water and ecosystem
protection and restoration,
environmental sustainability, and
watershed management. The
Chickasaw Nation will conduct
focused water resource planning
ensuring long-term sustainability of
water resources, water supply
security, and drought resiliency.

The Chickasaw Nation's planning
effort will consist of research,
community outreach, and initiative
development and implementation
activities in support of the
Chickasaw-Choctaw Regional Water
Plan. One aspect of this is the
Arbuckle-Simpson Drought
Contingency Project, which focuses
on water conservation, water supply
security, and drought resiliency for
the communities within the
Chickasaw Nation.
     Goals of the MOU
1.  Develop research
   strategies that will lead to
   sustainable management
   of regional resources.

1.  Identify existing
   mechanisms (data,
   information, and tools) and
   approaches that can be
   used to include
   sustainability objectives
   into ongoing management
   activities.

3.  Provide scientifically-
   informed technical support
   to improve environmental
   quality.
Intended Impacts
This MOU provides a scientific path
forward for development and
application of sustainable
management strategies to address
complex water issues now and well
into the future.

Additional Information
https://www.epa.gov/research
https ://www. chickasaw. net/

Contact
Ann Keeley, EPA Office of
Research and Development
580-436-8890 I keelev.ann@epa.gov
       U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
       Office of Research and Development
                                               EPA/601/F-16/003
                                                    August 2016

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