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In admiration of a tadpole catch, Haskell's future lights up
Lawrence, Kansas
Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) is a unique all-tribal College that offers a variety of bachelor accreditations, including four Bachelor of Science degrees (American Indian Studies, Elementary Education, Business and Environmental Science) to federally-recognized tribal members. Haskell Institute was established by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in 1884, as a United States Indian Industrial Training School. Haskell agricultural properties were initially farmed by students. Later in the 1960s, much of the area was converted to wetlands and is now sighted for highway development. The wetlands area is used for educational, cultural and spiritual purposes by HINU community, which includes students, alumni, administration, faculty, staff, local Native American residents, as well as representatives from associated tribes across the nation.
HINU is impacted by heavy traffic air emissions, primarily generated by 23rd Street's route through Lawrence. There are three existing air emissions sites and one large quantity hazardous material generator and storage facility located adjacent to HINU campus. Previous HINU contaminant cleanup initiatives include asbestos abatement, underground storage tank removal, pesticide-use management, and mold remediation. Additional potential health risk exposure concerns relate to quality of drinking water in buildings with older waterlines, as well as overflow and leakage from dilapidated City of Lawrence sewage-pump station located adjacent to Haskell Cemetery that drains into a stream and impacts areas of cultural significance.
Wetlands south of Haskell enhance Lawrence watershed
Haskell Indian Nations University students, the Wetlands Preservation Organization and other impacted HINU community members.
September 2002
Since the early 1970’s the debate about the need and location of a southward route to direct east and west-bound traffic through the City of Lawrence has presented challenges to the Federal and State Highway commissions and city planners, as well as HINU community. The transfer of federal BIA land to Baker University in 1968 granted use of the wetlands for educational purposes and oversight by the U.S. Department of Education through 1998. The following summary provides a timeline of important events related to the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) Project and development of the Preferred Alternative (32nd Street-B Alignment):
The ROD for the Section 4(f)-Evaluation will be finalized in July of 2007. Currently, there is no allocation of federal or state funding for SLT construction. For updates about the project, see TOSNAC Publications links below.
Haskell Community celebrates Earth Day to support wetlands preservation (April 2002)
The Haskell Environmental Research Studies (HERS) Center houses the TOSNAC program and serves as a environmental resource center for HINU students and tribes. The HERS Center provides access to SLT documents and information related to the SLT highway development project. The TOSNAC program provides technical expertise, preparation and presentation of summary and review comments about SLT documents for HINU students and impacted Native American communities. Outreach efforts related to SLT highway development considerations, contaminant exposures, and risk communication include the following TOSNAC activities:
TOSNAC (February 2003). Review and Comments: Native American Cultural Risk Concerns for Final Environmental Impact Statement Section 404 Permit Application by Kansas Department of Transportation, K-10 Highway (South Lawrence Trafficway), December 2002.
TOSNAC (September 2002). Preliminary Review and Comments for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Section 404 Permit Application, by Kansas Department of Transportation, K-10 Highway (South Lawrence Trafficway). August 2002.
Medicine Wheel symbolizes the sanctity of Haskell's history and success
Selected chronology of the Haskell-Baker wetlands and South Lawrence Trafficway, by Clark H. Coan
Sacred Land Film Project - Haskell-Baker Wetlands
Sierra Club Kansas Chapter Web site - South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT): Threat to Haskell-Baker Wetlands. Timeline of public records (letters, media, etc.)
NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended. Communities seeking technical assistance should contact:
- Karen Martin at EPA Headquarters at 703-603-9925, Martin.Karenl@epa.gov; or
- EPA personnel identified at the bottom of the TOSNAC Information Contacts below:
Brenda Brandon
TOSNAC Program Manager
E-mail: brendabrandon@msn.com
Voice: 785.749.8498 OR 785.532.6519
Mailing addresses
Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center
155 Indian Ave., Box 5001
Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, KS 66046
OR
Center for Hazardous Substance Research
104 Ward Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-2502
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The Center for Hazardous Substance Research Last modified October 13, 2009 |
