Energy & Environment

Indigenous Affairs

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Chickasaw Nation re-ups collaboration with EPA to study groundwater resources

KOSU | By Graycen Wheeler

Published October 22, 2024 at 5:30 AM CDT

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and EPA Assistant Administrator Christopher Frey met to sign the memorandum of understanding in September. — Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development Christopher Frey met to sign the memorandum of understanding in September.

The Chickasaw Nation has entered into a new memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development. This kind of agreement serves as an outline of intentions and responsibilities for collaborative work.

This agreement — an update on memoranda from 2008 and 2016 — outlines research to better conserve and protect the tribe’s groundwater.

Under the new agreement, the Chickasaw Nation will hire a hydrologist and other technical positions. It will work alongside federal researchers to study the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer near Davis, which provides drinking water for around 40,000 people.

“We look forward to working together with these agencies to ensure we utilize these resources wisely today and help preserve them for the benefit of our children and grandchildren," Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said in a statement.

The Chickasaw Nation is also coordinating with the Choctaw Nation to plan for long term sustainability of water resources in Southeast Oklahoma.

Chickasaw Nation re-ups collaboration with EPA to study groundwater resources

The Chickasaw Nation has entered into a new memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development. This kind of agreement serves as an outline of intentions and responsibilities for collaborative work.

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