General Assistance Program

The GAP program provides for general support of tribal environmental needs. Lisa Montgomery, Environmental Director is responsible for the administration of all environmental grants and programs, including Air Quality, Surface Water Quality, Brownfields, Tribal Response, Compliance with underground storage tanks at the Truck Stop and Trading Post, BIA grants for water characterization and ethics in data collection, storage and analysis, and FEMA grants for pre-disaster mitigation and disaster declaration. Working with US Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Dept. provides comments and participates in consultation on environmental permits for releases, nuclear power plant closings and other issues as they arise. Lisa serves as secretary for the Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC), and the alternate for National Tribal Operations Committee (NTC), and attends quarterly training/meetings.

Keeping up with new environmental policy and regulations is critical to our success, and as such we attend various webinars, conferences and training to stay informed, and maintain compliance. Seeking funding for tribal environmental programs, and other programs that would benefit the Nation is an ongoing process, and one that requires considerable time and creativity. 

Outreach opportunities are held annually, with the Environmental Department's largest event being Earth Day. This event is for community first grade students, as we teach and inspire local youth to care for their environment. We participate in the Sac and Fox Health Fair, providing training, learning activities and information. Sac and Fox Meeting by the Fire has been held in the fall since 2014, and has been a great forum for the community to discuss environmental issues that concern them the most. Last year FEMA, High Plains Regional Climate Center and Richardson County Emergency Management presented their programs and answered questions. 

   We are always here to answer your environmental questions and to provide assistance in researching your environmental concerns.  We are often "out and about" on the reservation checking on the status of the environment.  Feel free to stop in the office any time to visit or ask questions.