The goal of this project is to develop a template for water resources and watershed planning for rural Indigenous communities in the Intermountain West that emphasizes local community needs and concerns and Indigenous and place-based knowledges. It will also account for challenges related to access to data and resources and the complexities of unique community-tribal-local-state-federal government interactions.
Objectives:
• Conduct a broad review existing water resources and watershed management plans (nation-wide and within Intermountain West states) for levels of inclusion of Indigenous and rural communities.
• Collect baseline environmental data including water quality of springs, groundwater, and other water sources in Torreon and Ojo Encino.
• Support efforts to update or develop watershed management plans including any additional preliminary data collection and outreach activities.
• Create a living resource document for Indigenous and rural communities that provides guidance for communities in developing water resources and watershed management plans. Invite and communicate with other TN Indigenous and rural community partners to add additional considerations.
Charter Summary:
The project aims to develop a water resources and watershed planning template with rural Indigenous communities in the Intermountain West. Focused on the Ojo Encino and Torreon chapters of the Navajo Nation, the research addresses challenges such as multi-jurisdictional complexities, data access, and resource limitations. These chapters recently started receiving water from a new supplier and the region has been heavily impacted by oil and gas development in the San Juan Basin.
The project involves co-developing environmental sampling and monitoring plans, supporting watershed management efforts, and creating a comprehensive resource document for Indigenous and rural communities. We envision strengthening and growing our relationship with community partners in Torreon and Ojo Encino to further understand and support their watershed planning needs.
Students
- Brandon Francis, MS (NMSU)
- Leona Morgan, MCRP (UNM)
- Kayla Jim, Undergraduate (UNM)