Design of the 40-Acre Lake Within the Exterior Boundaries of the Oneida Reservation
Status: In Progress Location: Northeast WI, within the exterior boundaries of the Oneida Reservation Description: The final goal of this project is to replace the injured fishery & gathering resources lost because of the release of PCBs into the Fox River ecosystem. Time estimates indicate that it will take 40+ years for the contamination level of PCBs in fish in the Fox River/Green Bay fishery to drop below the FDA recommended maximum level for unlimited consumption. Creation of the lake will allow the Oneida Tribe to resume their traditional diet without fear of PCB injuries. A major objective of the lake design is to create a sustainable fishery for Tribal members with minimal impact from non-tribal influences. Benefits: This project will begin to compensate the Oneida Tribe for injuries to the reservation fishery. While working to replace/restore the Fox River/Green Bay fishery, model predictions indicate that it will be more than 40 years before the fish consumption advisories (FCA) for PCBs in the fish will be removed. Construction of a forty-acre lake within the exterior boundaries of the Oneida Reservation will allow the Oneida Tribe to return to the traditional and culturally significant use of the resources. Time estimates to final construction of the lake are four to five years with a sustainable fishery within ten years bringing partial compensation to the Reservation decades before natural attenuation of the PCB-contaminated sediments and restoration of the Green Bay fishery. The lake may also have additional cultural significance if construction allows for wild rice beds, inclusion of ceremonial gathering sites and educational opportunities for the Oneida Tribe. Restoration Goal(s): Fishery Resource Enhancement Project Contact:Tom Nelson
The Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin
Last Revised: Tuesday March 01 2005
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