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EPA recognizes Environmental Justice projects

Release Date: 3/6/2003
Contact Information:
303 312-6055

Denver -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 -- encompassing Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming -- received national recognition for four community revitalization projects from the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG). The IWG selected 15 projects out of 40 proposals nationwide. Three of the designated projects are tribal and one focuses on the environmental and health risks of northeast Denver.

In South Dakota's tribal lands the following projects were recognized:
Tribal Wind Power: A Viable Strategy for Community Revitalization and Capacity. In February 2003, the Intertribal Council on Utility Policy (ICOUP), a confederation of federally recognized tribes, completed installation of a 750 kW wind turbine to be owned and operated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. ICOUP seeks to demonstrate how wind energy can provide economic, cultural and community revitalization. The tribe's effort not only meets its need for renewable, clean and environmentally protective energy, it works as a model of a sustainable tribal economy. For more information, contact Bob Gough at [email protected].

Development of a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Park: A Tribal Lands Conservation Partnership. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) partnered with the National Wildlife Federation Tribal Lands Conservation Program to plan a park that could contain the world's most complete example of a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. The tribe is planning to restore buffalo, elk and black-footed ferrets to the area, and is also considering reintroducing the swift fox. The tribe believes the park will recreate the wild, sacred lands their ancestors knew, while furthering their cultural and spiritual revitalization for future generations. For more information, contact Dennis Rousseau of CRST at 605 964-7812 or Amy Amoroso at [email protected].

"These projects embody the benefits of partnership in strengthening communities culturally, economically and environmentally. To have four of the 15 designated projects in Region 8 is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our communities," Assistant Regional Administrator Carol Rushin said.