The wetland area on the upper Reservation has two readily apparent sources of potential pollution influence: surrounding agricultural land use and the proximity of the Tribe’s septic leach-field.
The wetland is surrounded by and located down-slope of agricultural land used for beef cattle ranching and hay crops; the wetland has been fenced with a 100’ buffer to exclude livestock since the early- to mid-1990’s. Historic land use consisted of dairy ranching and potato farming. In 2002, The Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner reported that no permits for agricultural or restricted-use chemicals have been granted in this area. Manure from grazing animals or spread by local ranchers is likely the extent of local fertilizer use. Since livestock wastes are a potential source of biological and inorganic contaminants their presence in proximity to the wetland indicate a potential water source pollution issue. Additionally, soil erosion caused by cattle ranching is a potential source of sedimentation of the wetland.
The Tribe’s septic system, which serves 35 homes and a community center/tribal office, includes a 0.5-acre leach-field located 75 yards upslope of the wetland area. As with livestock wastes, the leach-field is a potential source of biological and inorganic contaminants that could influence the water quality of the wetland.
View of Reservation wetland (within willow stand), with cattle in foreground.
Water pollution Control Program
Background Tribe's Water Resources The Old Reservation
Threats to the Old Reservation Table Bluff Reservation Treats to TBR Water
Indian Island Threats to Indian Island Water Water Monitoring
