CHEMEHUEVI INDIAN TRIBE - ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 1976
Havasu Lake, CA 92363

Contact:
Office: 760-302-4058
Fax:  760-858-1189

Director: 760-302-4059
E-mail: dir.epa@cit-nsn.gov

Location:
2000 Chemehuevi Trail
Havasu Lake, CA 92363

Personnel:
Brian Kellywood, Environmental Director

Vacant, Environmental Technician

Cruz Regla, Education/Outreach Coordinator
Salina Rodriguez, Water Quality Technician

Mario Donahue, Field Crew

Daniel Felix Jr., Field Crew

More About Us:

When asking several CIT members what they think The Environmental Department does, we mostly heard – “You deal with the ENVIRONMENT”. And of course, that is only part of the answer.

This year, during the  Covid-19, we have had the opportunity to re assess our priorities, get better organized and set forth a plan that will not only help save our “environmental surroundings” – but safeguard them for future generations to enjoy, manage and hopefully pass on to our great, great grandchildren -  better than we found it.

We as the Chemehuevi Nation, must be united as we work together to not only make lasting improvements, but to ensure that all we do (and as we achieve each task), we keep in mind the soil, air and many plants and animals with whom we share our beautiful desert kingdom. That as the guardian of our ENVIRONMENT we are solution providers with a united purpose.

The History or our people and the lands we have inhabited have changed many times, and through the years we have learned to adapt. As our neighbors in the region plan to grow their desert cities, we must take the lead in educating and encouraging them to work with all of us in protecting OUR ENVIRONMENT.

In today’s world, the GROWING DESERT is affected by Global Warming. Even small changes in temperature and precipitation can drastically impact the plants and animals in our little part of the Mojave Desert. It is predicted that as global warming continues, desert areas will expand.

Human activity is one the greatest challenges in containing “desertification”. As people look for better places to live and desert communities seek to “grow” buy building more, their demand for land and water become serious obstacles in overcoming the threats they present to all of us.

THREATS

The advent of global warming continues to increase drought and wildfires. In so doing, they alter the landscape in many ways, including slow-growing trees and shrubs, and the death to wildlife animals and plants and eroding resourceful soil.

The planting of non-native plants and irrigation used to enrich crop fields lead to high salt levels in the soil and into our river and water that such high salt levels become too high to support indigenous  plant life. Grazing animals too, are known to destroy many native plants and kill desert animals.

Off-road vehicles, when used irresponsibly, cause irreparable damage to our desert land and habitats. The use of gas and oil carelessly by any and all of us, also present long lasting negative effects to our ENVIRONMENT.

SOLUTIONS

We at The Environmental Department are learning and developing creative and cost-effective ways to slow, if not stop, the abuse we have been witnessing of our sacred lands. We know firsthand that the most effective way to make long lasting change is through community education, awareness, action, and participation.

YOUR PARTICIPATION in projecting  with us the importance of a pristine environments is the first step.

The Tribal Environmental Program Director is Brian Kellywood.

Contact the department for any environmental concerns at 760-302-4058