Environmental Protection Office Timeline
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History of the Seminole Tribe of Florida
The Seminole Tribe has been in Florida for thousands of years. For detailed history, follow the link.
To plan a visit to the Ah-tah-thi-ki Museum, click here.
Beginning with the third person from the left, the girls are identified from left to right as Mary Sancler (Motlow) or Louise Motlow, Alice Jimmie, Mary Osceola and Nancy Motlow; the baby and two girls on the far left are unidentified.
The Seminole Tribe has lived in Florida for thousands of years. For more history, follow the link to the Tribal Historical Preservation Office (THPO) here.
Seminole Tribe of Florida Constitution Established
In 1957, the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Constitutional Council met to organize the community and achieve federal recognition. Those meetings were held in Hollywood, FL, under the Council Oak tree.
The Council Oak Tree in on the Seminole Hollywood Reservation was the site of meetings that lead to the creation of the STOF Constitution, which gave federal recognition to STOF (as inscribed by the National Register of Historic Places, linked).
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is federally recognized through the establishment of its constitution.
The Water Rights Compact
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the State of Florida enter into the Water Rights Compact, officially recognizing and defining the federal water rights of the Tribe.
The signing of the water compact May 15, 1987. From left are SFWMD Governing Board Vice Chair Y.D. York, Max Osceola, Fred Smith, Nancy Motlow, Jack Smith Jr., Gov. Bob Martinez, Jim Shore, Priscilla Sayan, Wanda Billie, Counsel for the Tribe Jerry Strauss, and Governor’s office representative Timer Powers.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and the State of Florida enter into the Water Rights Compact, officially recognizing and defining the federal water rights of the Tribe.
The Water Resources Management Department (WRMD) is created to develop and enact water code.
The Water Commission
Tribal Council creates the Seminole Water Commission to oversee ERMD. The Commission is comprised of two Tribal representatives each from Hollywood, Big Cypress, and the Brighton reservations, and one from the Immokalee reservation. The Commission has developed rules to protect the quality of surface waters within the boundaries of the Tribe's reservations.
Photo 1. Color interior transparency of Mitchell Cypress speaking into a microphone beside a group of seated people, who from left to right are Mary Jene Koens (partially visible to the left of M. Cypress), Vivian Crooks, two unidentified men, Craig Tepper, Tommy Mann and Louise Gopher. The photo was taken at a water resources meeting held on Big Cypress Reservation, most likely in the gym., from ATTK Museum, linked.
Photo 2. Color exterior photographic print of Joe Scott Kippenberger (far right), Rhonda Roff (center) and Craig Tepper (left) posing for a photo in front of a large map of the Brighton Reservation. Former Staff members of the Water Resources Department of the Seminole Tribe. The photo was taken at the Tribal Administration building located on the Hollywood office., linked.
Seminole Tribune Photo
Seminole Tribune Photo
Tribal Council creates the Seminole Water Commission to oversee ERMD. The Commission is comprised of two Tribal representatives each from Hollywood, Big Cypress, and the Brighton reservations, and one from the Immokalee reservation. The Commission has developed rules to protect the quality of surface waters within the boundaries of the Tribe's reservations.
WRMD Renamed to ERMD
STOF Council passes a resolution to authorize the renaming of WRMD to the Environmental Resource Management Department (ERMD), which includes provisioning the department with environmental management functions.
Craig Tepper, former ERMD Director, briefs attendees., sourced from ATTK Museum.
STOF Council passes a resolution to authorize the renaming of WRMD to the Environmental Resource Management Department (ERMD), which includes provisioning the department with environmental management functions.
The Environmental Protection Office is Established
STOF Council passes a resolution to authorize the creation of Environmental Protection Office, which will contain the Environmental Resource Department, the External Environmental Compliance Department, and the Water Resources Department. It is further established that EPO will operate under a Senior Director, who will report to the STOF Executive Operations Office.
Environmental Protection Office (EPO) is created via STOF Council Resolution.
The Department of Conservation is Established
STOF Council passes a resolution to authorize the creation of the Department of Conservation (DOC) within EPO. which will address land management activities, like forestry, animal control services, and fish and wildlife programs.
Dr. Craig van der Heiden, DOC Director, speaks with students about local wildlife during a school assemby.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is created by Council Resolution and housed within the Environmental Protection Office (EPO).
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