The Coquille Indian Tribe has strong cultural ties to coastal streams, wetlands, estuaries, bays and marine ecosystems. Oral histories retained by Coquille Tribal members and anecdotes of other local informants tell of a time when there was a rich abundance and diversity of fish within the four coastal streams that make up the Coquille Indian Tribe’s Empire Reservation. Today these areas are in recovery after 150 years of heavy human impacts and associated land use influences. To what extent are the water quality and habitat conditions of First, Second, Fourth, and Tarheel Creeks limiting fisheries abundance today? Independent biological assessments have found viable populations of coastal cutthroat, pacific lamprey ammocetes, stickleback, yellow perch, and cottids existing within all four of the Tribe’s creeks. With the improved fish passage problems solved on Fourth and Tarheel Creeks, the Coquille Tribe is making important strides in restoring culturally sensitive fish species to these recovering aquatic ecosystems.
Non-Point Source Pollution.PP.FINAL
What is Nonpoint Source Pollution, why is it important, and what are the causes, effects and solutions to this form of water pollution? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 40% of our nation’s surveyed waterways are not clean enough to meet basic water quality standards; the pollution of water has a serious impact on all living creatures, and can negatively affect the use of water for drinking, recreation, fishing, transportation, commerce, and wildlife. As a community how do we contribute to the problem, and how can we work together to reduce our impacts?
A link to a feature article from National Geographic magazine focusing on the importance of fresh water to communities.
Coquille Indian Tribe Water Quality Monitoring Program Summary Report–March, 2010
Over the last ten years the Tribe has been assessing and monitoring the state of tribal waters under the Tribal Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP). The Primary purpose of the Tribal WQMP is to provide answers to the following questions regarding the water resources of the Tribe: What is the overall quality of waters on Tribal lands? To what extent is water quality changing over time? What are the problem areas and the areas needing protection? What level of protection is needed? How effective are the established clean water programs? And, how are timber management activities affecting the overall quality of waters on Tribal Forest Lands?
This 2010 Coquille Indian Tribe Water Quality Monitoring Program Report was developed to outline the current status of the Tribe’s Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) with a broad look at tribal water quality activities of the past, and a reassessment of the goals and objectives of future program activities. The Tribe considers the WQMP to be subject to periodic review and adaptation as part of the Tribe’s continuous planning process.
Water Quality 101: Dissolved Oxygen
The Water Quality 101 articles are a series of articles written by the Tribe’s Water Quality Manager that discuss and explain the basic water quality parameters of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.
The Coquille Indian Tribe monitors these parameters within all tribal water bodies to assess the quality of the waters for basic systemic functionality and health. They explain why these seemingly simple physical attributes are important within an aquatic ecosystem for maintaining life, supporting beneficial uses, and supporting an abundant aquatic community. There is also an article explaining the Clean Water Act, an important piece of legislation which supports the regulation of pollutant discharge and provides the means by which States and Tribes can protect water resources.
Water Quality 101: Conductivity 101
The Water Quality 101 articles are a series of articles written by the Tribe’s Water Quality Manager that discuss and explain the basic water quality parameters of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.
The Coquille Indian Tribe monitors these parameters within all tribal water bodies to assess the quality of the waters for basic systemic functionality and health. They explain why these seemingly simple physical attributes are important within an aquatic ecosystem for maintaining life, supporting beneficial uses, and supporting an abundant aquatic community. There is also an article explaining the Clean Water Act, an important piece of legislation which supports the regulation of pollutant discharge and provides the means by which States and Tribes can protect water resources.
Water Quality 101: I can see clearly now, or not
These 2008 Water Quality 101 articles explain basic water quality parameters of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. The Coquille Indian Tribe monitors these parameters within all tribal water bodies to assess the quality of the waters for basic systemic functionality and health. These articles explain why these seemingly simple physical attributes are important within an aquatic ecosystem for maintaining life, supporting beneficial uses, and supporting an abundant aquatic community. There is also an article explaining the Clean Water Act, and important piece of legislation which supports the regulation of pollutant discharge and provides the means by which States and Tribes can protect water resources.
Water Quality 101: It all comes down to temperature
The Water Quality 101 articles are a series of articles written by the Tribe’s Water Quality Manager that discuss and explain the basic water quality parameters of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.
The Coquille Indian Tribe monitors these parameters within all tribal water bodies to assess the quality of the waters for basic systemic functionality and health. They explain why these seemingly simple physical attributes are important within an aquatic ecosystem for maintaining life, supporting beneficial uses, and supporting an abundant aquatic community. There is also an article explaining the Clean Water Act, an important piece of legislation which supports the regulation of pollutant discharge and provides the means by which States and Tribes can protect water resources.ter resources.
The Water Quality 101 articles are a series of articles written by the Tribe’s Water Quality Manager that discuss and explain the basic water quality parameters of temperature, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.
The Coquille Indian Tribe monitors these parameters within all tribal water bodies to assess the quality of the waters for basic systemic functionality and health. They explain why these seemingly simple physical attributes are important within an aquatic ecosystem for maintaining life, supporting beneficial uses, and supporting an abundant aquatic community. There is also an article explaining the Clean Water Act, an important piece of legislation which supports the regulation of pollutant discharge and provides the means by which States and Tribes can protect water resources.
