The workshop will involve an evaluation of the natural and cultural resources of a portion of land owned by the Miami Tribe in Miami, Oklahoma.  The evaluation will involve site characterization and the identification of known or potential environmental contaminants that may culminate in a Phase I Environmental Assessment (and partial Phase II Environmental Assessment). This is the third year of an evaluation that is part of a traditional land stewardship project, integral to the culture of the Miami Nation.

      These assessments will be conducted in partnership with members of the Miami Nation, students and faculty. The evaluation will include interpretave trail design as well as the identifiation of sites for wetland viewing, surveys and field measurements of cultural resources and natural resources (stream characteristics, land use, faunal and floral assessments, soil survey, etc.).These field measurements will be linked to air photos, satellite images, and GPS location measurements via GIS applications.  

     The site is near the Eagle Picher Superfund Site in Oklahoma near the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri border, and a visit to the site will illustrate some of the consequences of a lead mining operation.

This is an outstanding opportunity to be involved in a real project with a sovereign American Indian nation.

Land recently purchased by the Miami Nation in Miami, Oklahoma. The lake is manmade. Across the middle of the picture is a stream, bordered by trees, that divides the property. Potential impacts from the abandoned mining site adjacent to this land include contamination of groundwater and dust dispersal of contaminants. (photo by Mark R.. Boardman)