The Environmental Resources Department (ERD) is one of the oldest departments within the Seminole Tribe of Florida established within 1987. Today, the Department strives to continue that legacy through becoming leaders in indigenous environmental stewardship.
Mission
The current mission of the Environmental Resources Department is to establish harmony the Tribe’s needs and the quality of natural resources across all Tribal Lands. This is done by supporting cultural and science-based strategies that promote the sustainable use and resilience of Tribal natural resources.
Support for the Seminole water commission
Tribal Water Code establishes the regulation of the use and management of all water and water resources under the legal control of the Tribe and provides enforcement of these regulations on all persons engaged in well construction or other activities on reservation or Tribal Trust Lands, in accordance with the provisions of the Water Rights Compact, Criteria Manual, and any applicable federal law, in cooperation with the State of Florida and South Florida Water Management District, as appropriate.
The Seminole Water Commission consists of seven Tribal members appointed by Tribal Council to administer and enforce Tribal Water Code. Two members are appointed from Big Cypress, Brighton and Hollywood Reservations and one member is appointed from the Immokalee Reservation.
The Seminole Water Commission is responsible for
- Water quality management planning
- Public information and community involvement
- Adoption of water quality standards
- Certification of compliance with water quality standards
- Issuance of permits
- Hearings, enforcement, and inquiry
- Reports
- Development of Rules
The Environmental Resources Department Director and staff provide the technical and scientific support for the Commission’s duties and responsibilities.
Program Tasks:
- Continue building and maintaining a team to support high performance for program implementation.
- Continue to provide opportunities for the Tribal communities' input to support future program development.
- Improve data driven resource management decisions.
- Increase Tribal Sovereignty with implementing environmental regulatory programs.
- Increase presence within the National Tribal Forums and Tribal Community opportunities.
Key Sections
Under the Environmental Resources Department, there are four main sections, including:
Monthly water quality testing, Soil and sediment quality testing, Harmful algal blooms response and management, Western Everglades Restoration Project monitoring
Development of management, response, and Tribal trust resource plans, Implementation and development of the Tribe’s Wildlife Conservation Plan, Protected species monitoring and regulation
Protection and restoration of Tribal wetland resources across all Seminole Tribal lands with an emphasis on regulatory compliance
Provide necessary compliance determinations with the National Environmental Policy Act for activities that require authorization by a federal agency
Contacts
Whitney Sapienza, Environmental Resources Director
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES: Photos/Highlights
A marsh rabbit is observed in tall grass.
ERD Water Quality captures serene moments in the a cypress dome.
Ecological scenes on the Big Cypress Reservation.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICE
Dr. Paul N. Backhouse
Environmental Resources Department
Whitney Sapienza | Director
Department of Conservation
Dr. Craig van der Heiden | Director
External Environmental Compliance
Stacy Myers | Director
Water Resources
Alfonso Tigertail | Director
PHONE
(954) 966-6300
ADDRESS
1601 NW 136th Avenue,
Suite A100, Sunrise, FL 33323