PUBLIC NOTICE: The EBCI Natural Resources Department (Water Quality Program) invites public comment on the amended Antidegradation Analysis for the EBCI Tribal Hatchery. The analysis report can be viewed in its entirety here. Comments may be directed to Rainee Tetreault in the Water Quality Office via email at raintetr@ebci-nsn.gov, via post at PO Box 1925 Cherokee, NC 28719, or by phone at 828-359-6771.  Public comment period ends on November 30th, 2023. Thank you!

Working Together to Provide a Sustainable Environment

Fish & Wildlife

We focus on maintaining and improving our culture, economy, and ecosystems as we protect and enhance aquatic animal and wildlife populations.

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Forestry Management

We strive to protect and conserve the Tribe’s forest interests and utilization of all timber and non-timber products by individual forest type management.

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Air Quality Management

We are the only tribe with a continuous air monitoring program in EPA Region 4. We maintain three monitoring sites on the Qualla Boundary.

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Horticulture

We are responsible for the propagation of native and cultural significant plants for aquatic restoration and wildlife improvement projects.

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Water Quality Management

Our lab is a state certified laboratory responsible for the water quality monitoring of various stream sites that are Tribally owned, or waters that affect Tribally owned land.

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Regulatory Compliance

We are responsible for many environmental regulatory issues on the lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.  Some of these include site reviews, underground storage tanks, permits and inspections.

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Our Programs

Our Commitment

The EBCI Natural Resources program was created in 2015 with a mission to manage, enhance, and protect natural resources for the present-day Cherokee community and future generations.

Our program includes offices responsible for land, water, air, fish, wildlife, and plant conservation activities.  The continued maintenance of ecosystem integrity and the associated economic, social, and cultural benefits a healthy environment provides is increasingly challenging as our community grows.  Today, EBCI Natural Resources works to integrate cultural values with adaptive scientific initiatives in order to effectively sustain Cherokee natural resources.

For more information on what we do, download the Integrated Resource Management Plan (“Legacy Plan”) or contact us if you have any questions.