23.1.1.080 Department of Environmental and Cultural Protection Goals and Objectives

The mission of the Department of Environmental and Cultural Protection ("DECP") is to preserve and protect the natural environment and the cultural resources of the Puebloto assess risks to human health and welfare, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and to protect the health and welfare of the community.

(a) Cultural Preservation. The Cultural Preservation program office assists in handling proprietary cultural, religious, and traditional issues, as well as historic sites as may be affected in the environmental protection arena. The Cultural Preservation program office shall work to ensure preservation and protection of cultural materials and sites which may be located on Pueblo land or within the Pueblo's ancestral domain.

(b) Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") Contracts and Grants. The EPA program office provides on-going environmental surveillance for the Pueblo in the areas of water and air quality. In addressing water quality issues, the EPA is responsible for: 1) carrying out the daily administration of the water quality program; 2)sampling water collection following protocols identified in the Quality Assurance Plan, and 3) submitting samples for laboratory analysis. In addressing air quality issues the EPA is responsible for: 1) carrying out daily administration of the air quality program; 2) overseeing the air monitoring stations, 3) following protocols identified in the Quality Assurance Plan, and 4) submitting air monitor data for analysis. Both components of the EPA program office provide analysis and interpretation of data, and provision of information to the community.

(c) Department of Energy Program ("DOE"). The DOE program office provides administration of the DECP and matters related to environmental and natural resources management with the Pueblo's Trust Lands. The DOE shall provide technical assistance to the Governor and others on matters relevant to local, regional and national environmental issues and on decisions and policy affecting the Pueblo. The DOE shall maintain databases to support environmental monitoring and risk assessment activities. The DOE agreement funds various positions within the department such as the Waste Isolation Pilot Program ("WIPP") which is focused on risk assessment work.