The purpose of this american rescue plan-funded grant is to develop a water quality protection program and clean water education program in response to the impacts of mining operations on the sole…

The purpose of this american rescue plan-funded grant is to develop a water quality protection program and clean water education program in response to the impacts of mining operations on the sole source drinking water supply within the chickasaw nation (CN) treaty territory, arbuckle simpson aquifer (ASA). Impacts of these mining operations include the discharge of large volumes of aquifer water and the introduction of sand and contaminants into ASA and its emanating springs at a level potentially out of compliance with safe drinking water act criteria, threatening human health. The project will improve tribal and broader community understanding of environmental and public health issues and impacts related to drinking water sustainability, strengthen public participation and community engagement through citizen science water quality monitoring and education activities, and develop strong technical partnerships to address water quality concerns within the sole source water supply.activities:the chickasaw nation (CN) will use GIS to determine the mining footprint over arbuckle simpson aquifer (ASA), including which community water supplies are impacted by discharge flow paths and potential pollutant contamination. In collaboration with EPA's kerr environmental research center, the oklahoma department of environmental quality (odeq), and the OKA institute at east central university (ECU), CN will work with a technical team to formulate a plan for and execute a water quality sampling program for mining discharge affecting ASA. Additionally, CN will partner with the OKA institute to engage the public in project implementation by: 1) forming a coalition of tribal citizens, ECU students, and other community members to participate in a citizen science water quality monitoring program for ASA, including educational activities and hands-on outreach; and 2) incorporating discussion of the project, including ASA, environmental justice, and community impacts of drinking water sustainability, into the OKA institute's annual sustainability conference. Subrecipient:the subawardee, east central university (ECU) OKA institute, will be the primary implementer of the public participation aspect of the sole source drinking water project. OKA institute, in partnership with the chickasaw nation (CN), will organize meetings and champion stakeholder engagement and outreach, which will include: 1) developing a broad coalition of tribal members, ECU staff and students, local environmental organizations, and other members of the community to engage in the project; 2) working closely with tribal communities and landowners to identify and develop citizen science education and action in the field; 3) providing training in field monitoring techniques and reporting and overseeing the citizen science water quality monitoring program; 4) developing and delivering materials to tribal communities throughout the life of the project; and 5) organizing and coordinating a sustainability conference to highlight the water sustainability and environmental justice activities occurring within the scope of this grant project. The OKA institute will also work with CN to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement and develop a final comprehensive report on the project. Outcomes:the deliverables for this project include GIS mapping of mining activity and impacts occurring over the arbuckle simpson aquifer (ASA), an approved qapp for the ASA mining discharge water quality sampling program, and a final comprehensive report detailing outcomes of the citizen science water quality monitoring program and the mining discharge water quality sampling program. Expected outcomes include a better understanding of the human health impacts of mining operations on ASA, establishment of sustainable partnerships and approaches to addressing drinking water pollutants entering public water supplies, and improved tribal and OT