Morongo Authorized By EPA To Implement Clean Water Standards

From The Morongo Band Of Mission Indians: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week authorized the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to oversee sections of the federal Clean Water Act as it pertains to water quality and upstream impacts to tribally-controlled waters on the Morongo Indian Reservation.

The designation empowers Morongo to develop its own water quality standards for EPA review, and recognizes that the tribe holds the same certification authority and responsibilities as the State of California when it comes to regulating upstream activities that may impact Morongo waters.

“The EPA’s authorization will strengthen Morongo’s ability to safeguard water quality on the Morongo reservation and review activities outside the reservation that could impact tribal water resources,” Tribal Chairman Robert Martin said. “We are pleased that the EPA has recognized that as a sovereign tribe, Morongo possesses the same rights and responsibilities as the State of California when it comes to keeping our tribal waters safe.”

The tribe applied for the EPA designation in October 2015, which was approved in late March by EPA Chief Administrator Scott Pruitt. The EPA presented the certification to Morongo at the EPA Region 9 Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, April 11.

The EPA certification enhances Morongo’s environmental protection authority by recognizing the tribe’s right to develop its own water quality standards, and implement and manage programs to ensure water quality.

An important factor in this protection is the authority and responsibility to monitor upstream actions that may affect Morongo waters. The tribe will have the right to review and approve permits for uses outside the reservation that could potentially impact the tribe’s watershed.

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone