TRIBE RECEIVES NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
EPA Recongnizes Environment Division for Information Exchange Achievement

Akwesasne, NY, November 28, 2005— In September 2005, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment Division became the first tribal agency to join the ranks of Exchange Network partners with nodes on the National Environmental Information Exchange Network.  The Tribe was the first tribal environmental agency to establish a node and the first in the country to submit Air Quality System data.  The Environment Division’s leading role in the Exchange Network is being recognized as tribal representatives are being presented with a national award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“It is our belief that other Tribes will soon follow the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe example and realize the benefits of increased data quality, timeliness, and information,” EPA said in a congratulatory letter sent to the Environment Division office. 

The Exchange Network is administered by the EPA and is a secure Internet- and standards-based approach for exchanging environmental data and improving environmental decisions. The EPA, State environmental departments, and tribes have partnered to expand the Network and to increase access to environmental data and make the exchange of data more efficient.

The Exchange Network is revolutionizing the exchange of environmental information and is a new approach that is providing instant access to higher quality data while saving time, resources, and money for partner agencies. The Network is continually looking for ways to improve decision-making processes by obtaining and providing better environmental and health data. 

Tribal Chief James W. Ransom and Information Systems Program Manager Aimee Benedict traveled to Las Vegas , Nevada earlier this week to accept EPA’s recognition award based on this singular achievement for the $450,000 Exchange Network grant it received last year.  The grant has enabled the Environment Division to focus on further developing its network capabilities and development of information systems technology.

Environment Division Director Ken Jock stated, “Funding for the Exchange Network Program allowed the Tribe to build on our government-to-government relationship with the EPA and implement a client node that will ensure better quality data is exchanged with federal, state and tribal agencies.” Jock added, “The Environment Division is appreciative of the national recognition and thanks Aimee Benedict-Debo, Tom Lake , and Marlene Thompson for their exceptional work in developing this program.” 

The Environment Division is responsible for implementing an environmental protection program which oversees air and water quality monitoring, soil analysis, developing and enforcing tribal standards, waste disposal, environmental rehabilitation/reclamation, and emergency preparedness and response. Their environmental technicians participate in national initiatives and have been an active participant on the EPA’s Tribal Operations Committee.

“For more than two decades, the Tribe has been busy developing its own tribal regulations to improve air, water and other environmental standards,” said Chief Ransom. He added, “Through the Exchange Network the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe can now share our findings and help other Indian Nations to protect and improve their environments.”

Additional information on the National Environmental Information Exchange Network can be viewed at http://www.exchangenetwork.net, or by calling the Tribe’s Environment Division at (518) 358-5937.

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