Department of Environmental Conservation and Safety (DECS)

The Pawnee Nation is located in north-central Oklahoma and has a land base over 28,000 acres and is spread over a three county area (approximately 458 square miles).  The land use is predominantly agricultural and oil and gas production.  The Pawnee Nation established the Pawnee Nation Department of Environmental Conservation and Safety (DECS) in 1996 (via the Pawnee Nation Environmental Regulatory Act) as the lead Tribal agency for managing natural resources and enforcement of all environmental and conservation laws and regulations. The Pawnee Nation Environmental Regulatory Act  established the Pawnee Nation Environmental Regulatory Commission (ERC) which is comprised of five members appointed by the Pawnee Nation Business Council (legislative branch of the Pawnee Nation).  The ERC is charged with the duty and responsibility to assist in the development, implementation, education, and enforcement of the environmental and conservation laws and regulations of the Pawnee Nation. 

The DECS has and continues to develop a sustainable multimedia environmental management process for the Pawnee Nation.  The DECS include three components in all of its program and project development activities: 1) Administration and Policy, 2) Education (for both short term and long term audiences, and 3) enforcement (civil and criminal).  Programs, initiatives, and/or projects managed by the DECS include water pollution control (CWA-106,104), safe drinking water (SDWA-UIC), air quality (PM2.5), non-point source pollution (CWA-developing 319), pesticides (FIFRA), solid waste (RCRA), and emergency response and incident management (FEMA). 

The PBC approved the Pawnee Nation Environmental Conservation and Safety Code which provides for the commissioning of DECS law enforcement officers and protection of natural resources of the Pawnee Nation.  In addition, the PBC has approved the Pawnee Nation Solid Waste Disposal Act which regulates solid waste disposal within Pawnee Indian Country.  The DECS is currently developing Pawnee Nation Water Pollution Control Act, Pawnee Nation Water Quality Standard, Pawnee Nation Pesticide Code, Pawnee Nation Oil Pollution Control Act, and The Pawnee Nation Environmental Crimes Act.

The DECS has been involved in the creation and implementation of the Pawnee Environmental Education Center.  The Center is governed by a board consisting of representatives from the City of Pawnee, Pawnee County Conservation District, Pawnee Public Schools, Pawnee Education Foundation, and the Pawnee Nation.  The Center is located near Pawnee Lake and consist of approximately 28 acres of diverse aquatic habitats, upper and bottom land forest ecosystems, and forbs and grasses.  Use of the Center is at no cost and is available to all schools, groups, and public. 

The DECS has a qualified and capable staffing of environmental specialist and is commissioned by the Pawnee Nation to provide for enforcement of all Tribal environmental and conservation laws via commissioned DECS law enforcement officers. 

©Copyright Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. P.O. Box 470 Pawnee,Ok 74058
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last updated August 10, 2005