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Agricultural Resource Management Plan Yankton Reservation

Ihanktonwan Band of Nakota Nation South Dakota

Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs

May 2010

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Final Agricultural Resource Management Plan, Yankton Indian Reservation, SD

YANKTON INDIAN RESERVATION AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

APPROVAL/SIGNATURE PAGE

Compiled By: ___________________ __________________________ Date Approval Recommended by: ________________________________ __________________________ Roy Pulfrey Date Natural Resources Manager, Great Plains Region Approval Recommended by: ______________________________ __________________________ Ben Kitto Yankton Agency Superintendent Date Approved by: ______________________________ __________________________ Mike Black Date Regional Director, Great Plains Region ______________________________ __________________________ Robert Cournoyer Date Chairman, Yankton Tribe

Final Agricultural Resource Management Plan, (ARMP), Yankton Indian Reservation, South Dakota

May 2010 ES-1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this Agricultural Resource Management Plan (ARMP) is to determine

available agriculture resources, identify specific tribal agricultural resource goals and

objectives, establish management objectives for the resources, identify actions to be taken

to reach the established objectives and evaluate the current use of the land. The ARMP

also addresses the constraints that limit maximum productivity, and provides

improvement options to utilize renewable resources on the reservation.

In addition, the ARMP addresses problems with soil types, takes into account the biotic

environment, the general physical environment, as well as the ecosystems found on the

Yankton Indian Reservation to provide for future opportunities. This ARMP is intended

to protect, conserve, utilize, and maintain the highest productive potential on Indian

agricultural lands to increase production and expand the diversity and availability of

agricultural products for subsistence, income, and employment. In addition, it will help

manage agricultural resources consistent with integrated resource management plans,

enable Indian farmers and ranchers to maximize the potential benefits available to them,

develop Indian agricultural lands and associated value-added industries, and assist trust

and restricted Indian landowners in leasing their agricultural lands for a reasonable

annual return.

An ARMP collects all available information into a single document for use by the

Yankton Indian Reservation in making decisions concerning agriculture, education, and

full utilization of the resources on the reservation. It provides information and resources

necessary to enhance Indian self-determination, promote employment opportunities, and

improve the social and economic well-being of Indian and surrounding communities.

Although primarily a management tool, an ARMP also assists the Yankton Indian

Reservation in meeting its obligations under the American Indian Agricultural Resource

Management Act.

Final Agricultural Resource Management Plan, (ARMP), Yankton Indian Reservation, South Dakota

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Environmental documents, aerial photographs, and other information sources were

reviewed to identify current and historical land uses and potential sources of

improvement. A soil survey of Charles Mix County was also used to ascertain the soil

types located on the Yankton Reservation in order to identify possible areas of concern

regarding land usage and identify possible solutions.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page Signature Page Executive Summary 1.0 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 Purpose and Scope..........................................................................................1-1 1.2 Past Agricultural Practices/History.............................................................1-1 1.3 Goals and Objectives ......................................................................................1-2 1.4 Responsibilities................................................................................................1-2

1.4.1 Reservation Stakeholders...................................................................1-3 1.4.2 External Stakeholders.........................................................................1-3

1.5 Authority..........................................................................................................1-4 2.0 CURRENT CONDITIONS, VALUES, AND USE ..............................................2-1

2.1 Yankton Reservation General Information .................................................2-1 2.1.1 General Description............................................................................2-1 2.1.2 Regional Land Uses ............................................................................2-1 2.1.3 Current Land Use................................................................................2-9

2.1.3.1 Current Agricultural Practices (Crops & Livestock)..........2-9 2.1.3.2 Current Lands Under Crop Farming ...................................2-9 2.1.3.3 Current Lands Used for Livestock/Grazing.......................2-9

2.1.4 Constraints and Opportunities .......................................................2-10 2.2 General Physical Environment and Ecosystems .........................................2-11

2.2.1 Topography........................................................................................2-11 2.2.2 Soils .....................................................................................................2-11 2.2.3 Climate................................................................................................2-12 2.2.4 Floodplains.........................................................................................2-13 2.2.5 Waterbodies .......................................................................................2-13

2.3 General Biotic Environment ............................................................................2-19 2.3.1 Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species and Species of

Concern...............................................................................................2-19 2.3.2 Wetlands ............................................................................................2-20 2.3.3 Fish and Wildlife ...............................................................................2-20 2.3.4 Vegetation ..........................................................................................2-21 2.3.5 Birds (including Migratory Birds) ..................................................2-27

2.4 Outdoor Recreation ..........................................................................................2-31 2.5 Cultural Resources (Pre-historic, Historic and Architectural resources)..2-32

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3.0 AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.....................................................................3-1 3.1 Crops and Livestock (including Dairy) ...........................................................3-1

3.1.1 Administration and Supervision of Grazing, Leasing, Proper Land Use, and Related Activities......................................................3-2 3.1.2 Crop Management ..............................................................................3-3 3.1.3 Business Development and Technical Assistance..........................3-6 3.1.4 Educational and Training Opportunities/Outreach .....................3-8 3.1.5 Grants, Loans, and Other Funding ................................................3-11

3.1.5.1 Finance Counseling and Finance Programs...................3-12 3.1.5.2 Links and Sources of Information ...................................3-13

3.2 Agricultural Services .......................................................................................3-13 3.2.1 Integrated Pest Management ..........................................................3-13 3.2.2 Seeding and Fertilizer.......................................................................3-14 3.2.3 Nursery...............................................................................................3-19 3.2.4 Veterinary and Animal Feed ...........................................................3-23 3.2.5 Soil Range Conservation Techniques (Erosion Control, Irrigation) ...........................................................................................3-26

4.0 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO REACH GOALS AND OBJECTIVES…….4-1 4.1 Yankton Tribal Goals and Objectives ..............................................................4-7 4.1.1 Critical Tribal Values..........................................................................4-8 4.1.2 Tribal Goals and Objectives for Farm and Pasture Land and ........... Agriculture (Five Year and Long Term Range Objectives)...........4-8

4.1.3 Specific Management Objectives for the Yankton Reservation .......................................................................4-10 4.1.3.1 Soil Management Objectives ............................................4-10 4.1.3.2 Water Management Objectives ........................................4-10 4.1.3.3 Vegetation Management Objectives................................4-10 4.1.3.4 Farm and Pasture Land Management Objectives .........4-11 4.1.4 Management Issues and Actions to Implement ...........................4-12 4.1.4.1 Soil Management Issues....................................................4-12 4.1.4.2 Water Management Issues................................................4-17 4.1.4.3 Vegetation Management Issues .......................................4-17 4.1.4.4 Recreation, Roads, and Access Management Issues.....4-19 4.1.4.5 Funding Requirements, Schedule for Implementation and Responsible Party and Stakeholders .......................4-20 4.1.5 Monitoring and Evaluation Activities ...........................................4-27 4.1.5.1 Soil Monitoring..................................................................4-28 4.1.5.2 Water Monitoring ..............................................................4-28 4.1.5.3 Vegetation Monitoring ......................................................4-29 4.1.5.4 Wildlife Monitoring...........................................................4-29 4.1.5.5 Recreation, Roads, and Access Monitoring....................4-29

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5.0 SUMMARY .................................................................................................................5-1 5.1 Sustainable Agriculture.....................................................................................5-1 5.2 Issues /Areas of Concern and Opportunities................................................5-1

APPENDICES A – References B – Aerial Photographs C – Fertilizer Best Management Practices D – Additional Resources Tables 2-1 Population of Yankton Tribal Lands and Charles Mix County .......................... 2-1 2-2 Land Status at Yankton Indian Reservation........................................................... 2-9 2-3 Threatened & Endangered Species Found within the Yankton Indian Reservation................................................................................................................2-19 2-4 Number of Acres and Percentage of Forest Cover Types .................................. 2-22 2-5 Birds Found On or Near the Yankton Indian Reservation ................................ 2-27 3-1 Yankton Indian Reservation – Agricultural Statistics .............................................. 3-1 3-2 Land Status ................................................................................................................. 3-2 3-3 Charles Mix County Soil Information................................................................... 3-10 4-1 Yankton Sioux Reservation Natural Resource Management .............................. 4-1 4-2 Grants to Fund Projects on the Yankton Reservation......................................... 4-20 4-3 Implementation of ARMP Goals and Objectives ................................................ 4-25 4-4 Site-Specific Yankton Management Checklist ..................................................... 4-27 5-1 Sustainable Agriculture Based on Soil Type.............................................................. 5-1

Figures 2-1 Charles Mix County, Yankton Indian Reservation ............................................... 2-3 2-2 Yankton Indian Reservation, South Dakota........................................................... 2-5 2-3 Yankton Indian Reservation Land Ownership Map............................................. 2-7 2-4 FEMA Floodmap for Yankton Indian Reservation ............................................. 2-15 2-5 Water Bodies Located in the Yankton Indian Reservation ................................ 2-17 2-6 Forest Cover Types in the Yankton Indian Reservation .................................... 2-23 2-7 Ecoregions in South Dakota ................................................................................... 2-25 4-1 Adaptive Management “Feedback Loop”............................................................ 4-13 4-2 Adaptive Management............................................................................................ 4-15 4-3 Yankton Sioux Reservation Noxious Weed Control Program Map................. 4-21 4-4 Lewis and Clark Trail on the Yankton Indian Reservation ............................... 4-23

Final Agricultural Resource Management Plan (ARMP), Yankton Indian Reservation, South Dakota

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1.0 OVERVIEW 1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of the Agricultural Resource Management Plan (ARMP) is to establish a comprehensive assessment of the improvement, funding, and development needs for all Indian agricultural lands. It is created to establish a comparison of management and funding provided to comparable lands owned or managed by the Federal Government through Federal agencies other than the Bureau; and to identify any obstacles to Indian access to Federal or private programs relating to agriculture or related rural development programs generally available to the public at large. Indian agricultural lands are renewable and manageable natural resources which are vital to the economic, social, and cultural welfare of many Indian tribes and their members. The development and management of Indian agricultural lands in accordance with integrated resource management plans will ensure proper management of Indian agricultural lands and will produce increased economic returns, enhance Indian self-determination, promote employment opportunities, and improve the social and economic well-being of Indian and surrounding communities. (Pub. L. 103-177, Sec. 2, Dec. 3 1993, 107 Stat. 2011.) The ARMP will also provide for the development and management of Indian agricultural lands; and increase the educational and training opportunities available to the Indian people and communities in practical, technical, and professional aspects of agriculture and land management to improve the experience and technical abilities of Indian tribes and their members. (Pub. L. 103-177, Sec. 3, Dec. 3 1993, 107 Stat. 2011.) 1.2 PAST AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES/HISTORY Agriculture is one of the main industries in the Yankton Indian Reservation, coming in second only to the industry of education, health, and social services. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census in 2000, 16 percent of the people in Yankton Reservation are employed in the agricultural industry. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, there are approximately 68 farms on the reservation that take up a total land area of 142,749 acres; this acreage includes the extended farm acreage located outside the immediate reservation boundaries. The average size of each farm is 2,207 acres. Dryland farming is dominant in Yankton Reservation, but some areas are irrigated. The Yankton Indian Reservation like many other tribes relies heavily on agriculture. The main cropping systems within the reservation are row crops and small grain grown in rotation with legumes. Corn, grain, and oats are the main cultivated crops, but wheat and barley are also grown. The acreage planted to soybeans and sunflowers has recently increased, while alfalfa and smooth bromegrass are the main crops grown for tame pasture and hay. Crops are grown on both tribal and allotted farmlands.


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In addition to farmland, there are 17,033.70 acres used as pastureland, and 3,269.46 acres of other land. There are also three leases where the owners lease directly to individuals. The leased land consists of 200.61 acres divided into a 62.320 acre tract, a 63.290 acre tract, and a 75 acre tract. The BIA provides farmers herbicides for noxious weed control. The herbicides include Tordon 22k, 2,4-D Amine (4lb.) and Milestone. The application of the herbicides varies from ground to aerial applications. 1.3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This ARMP establishes management standards and guidelines for the Yankton Indian Reservation agricultural land. It has been developed based upon a resource-specific management policy and is responsive to tribal goals and objectives supported by Tribal Resolution. The goals and objectives of the ARMP are:

• To serve to protect, conserve, utilize, and maintain the highest productive potential on Indian agricultural lands through the application of sound conservation practices and techniques. These practices and techniques shall be applied to planning, development, inventorying, classification, and management of agricultural resources.

• To increase production and expand the diversity and availability of agricultural products for subsistence, income, and employment of Indians through the development of agricultural resources on Indian lands.

• To manage agricultural resources consistent with integrated resource management plans in order to protect and maintain other values such as wildlife, fisheries, cultural resources, recreation and to regulate water runoff and minimize soil erosion.

• To enable Indian farmers and ranchers to maximize the potential benefits available to them through their land by providing technical assistance, training, and education in resources and use of credit and marketing of agricultural products, and other applicable subject areas.

• To develop Indian agricultural lands and associated value-added industries of Indians and Indian tribes to promote self-sustaining communities.

• To assist trust and restricted Indian landowners in leasing their agricultural lands for a reasonable annual return, consistent with prudent management and conservation practices, and community goals as expressed in the tribal management plans and appropriate tribal ordinances.

The ARMP will help determine available agricultural resources, identify specific tribal agricultural resource goals and objectives and establish management objectives for the resources. (Pub. L. 103-177, title I, Sec. 101, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2014.)

1.4 RESPONSIBILITIES The United States and Indian tribes have a government to government relationship. The United States has a trust responsibility to protect, conserve, utilize, and manage Indian agricultural lands consistent with its fiduciary obligation and its unique relationship with Indian tribes. In fulfillment of this responsibility, the U.S. government and the Department of the Interior carry


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out this trust responsibility by providing for the development of self-determination of Indian tribes. This is done by providing for the management of Indian agricultural lands and related renewable resources in a manner consistent with the identified tribal goals and priorities for conservation, multiple use, and sustained yield. The Secretary of the Interior has been authorized to take part in the management of Indian agricultural lands, with the participation of the beneficial owners of the land, in a manner consistent with the trust responsibility of the Secretary and with the objectives of the beneficial owners. (Pub. L. 103-177, title I, Sec. 101, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2014.) The Yankton Indian Reservation along with it’s Tribal Government and tribal members are also responsible for developing and using the resources granted by the U.S. Government and the Department of the Interior. Pursuant to a self-determination contract or self-governance compact, an Indian tribe may develop or implement an Indian agriculture resource plan. The tribe shall have broad discretion in designing and carrying out the planning process. If the tribe chooses not to contract the development or implementation of the plan, the Secretary shall develop or implement, as appropriate, the plan in close consultation with the affected tribe. Participation from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal Government as well as tribal members is of utmost importance in the success of the development of Indian self-determination. The responsibility of the Yankton Indian Reservation is to implement the ARMP in order to best utilize the resources available on the reservation. In addition, it is the responsibility of the tribal members to use the resources made available to them through the development and implementation of the ARMP.

1.4.1 RESERVATION STAKEHOLDERS Reservation stakeholders include:

• The Bureau of Indian Affairs • The Tribal Council • The Yankton Sioux Tribe • Individual tribal members

1.4.2 EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS External stakeholders include:

• United States Government • United States Department of Agriculture • National Resource Conservation Service • The state of South Dakota • Residents of South Dakota


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1.5 AUTHORITY The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct all land management activities on Indian agricultural land in accordance with goals and objectives set forth in the approved agricultural resource management plan, in an integrated resource management plan, and in accordance with all tribal laws and ordinances, except in specific instances where such compliance would be contrary to the trust responsibility of the United States. Unless otherwise prohibited by Federal law, the Secretary shall comply with tribal laws and ordinances pertaining to Indian agricultural lands, including laws regulating the environment and historic or cultural preservation, and laws or ordinances adopted by the tribal government to regulate land use or other activities under tribal jurisdiction. The secretary shall:

• Provide assistance in the enforcement of such tribal laws; • Provide notice of such laws to persons undertaking activities on Indian agricultural lands;

and • Upon the request of an Indian tribe, require appropriate Federal officials to appear in

tribal forums.

In any case in which a regulation or administrative policy of the Department of the Interior conflicts with the objectives of the agricultural resource management plan provided for in section 3711 of this title, or with a tribal law, the Secretary may waive the application of such regulation or administrative policy unless such waiver would constitute a violation of a Federal statute or judicial decision or would conflict with his general trust responsibility under Federal law.


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2.0 CURRENT CONDITIONS, VALUES, AND USE 2.1 YANKTON RESERVATION GENERAL INFORMATION 2.1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Yankton Indian Reservation is located in the south-central portion of South Dakota, within the eastern part of Charles Mix County (Figure 2-1). The Missouri River borders the reservation to the south (Figure 2-2). Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River creates Lake Francis Case, which is on the southwestern portion of the reservation. The Yankton Indian Reservation encompasses 36,740 acres of trust land. According to the 2000 census, the population at the reservation is 6,500 persons (Table 2-1). The town of Marty, the tribal headquarters of the reservation, is located approximately 12 miles west of Wagner, South Dakota and 8 miles east of Fort Randall Dam. The Yankton Indian Reservation is comprised of six communities, which include the following: Dante, Lake Andes, Marty, Pickstown, Ravinia, and Wagner. The city of Wagner is the largest community on the reservation.

Table 2-1 Population of Yankton Tribal Lands and Charles Mix County

Area Total Population American Indian Population

Yankton Tribal Lands 6,500 2,633 Charles Mix County 9,350 2,644

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, Census 2000, SF1, Population by Race, March 15, 2010

2.1.2 REGIONAL LAND USES Farming is the principal enterprise in Charles Mix County. About 56 percent of the farm income is derived from the sale of livestock and livestock products. Many of the crops are used as feed for livestock. In 2007, farmland totaled 660,519 acres, which is about a 10 percent decrease from 2002. There are approximately 693 farms averaging about 953 acres in size. About 60 percent of the farmland in the county is used for cultivated crops or for tamed pasture and hay, and about 34 percent is range. Dryland farming is dominant, but some areas are irrigated. The main cropping system is row crops and small grain grown in rotation with legumes. Corn, grain, hay feed, and oats are the main cultivated crops. Wheat and barley are also grown. The acreage planted to soybeans and sunflowers is increasing. Alfalfa and smooth brome grass are the main crops grown for tame pasture and hay. According to the Natural Agriculture Statistics Service, corn was grown on about 119,500 acres in 2008, oats on 6,300 acres, barley on 600 acres, and wheat on 96,300 acres in Charles Mix County.


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Source: National Atlas; nationalatlas.gov

Figure 2-1 Charles Mix County, Yankton Indian Reservation


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Source: National Atlas; nationalatlas.gov

Figure 2-2 Yankton Indian Reservation, South Dakota


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Figure 2-3

Yankton Indian Reservation Land Ownership Map


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2.1.3 CURRENT LAND USE There is no planning and zoning on the Yankton Indian Reservation. Shown below is the reservation’s land class status:

Table 2-2 Land Status at Yankton Indian Reservation

Land Status Acres Total Area 440,000 Trust Land 36,740

Tribal Owned 24,488 Allotted Owned 12,252

Tribal Fee 2,236 Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Great Plains Region The total land area of the Yankton Indian Reservation is approximately 440,000 acres, in which 24,488 acres are tribally owned and 12,252 acres are allotted. Figure 2-3 shows the ownership of the land within the reservation. Much of the land use is in agriculture and grazing. 2.1.3.1 CURRENT AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (CROPS & LIVESTOCK) The total number of acres of land leased through the BIA is 33,452.66 acres with 13149.50 acres of farmland, 17,033.70 acres of pastureland and 3,269.46 acres of other land. There is also 520 acres of rangeland designated as wildlife habitat. In addition, there are three leases whereas the owners lease directly to individuals. The tracts contain 62.320 acres, 63.290 acres, and 75 acres for a combined total of 200.61 acres. In order to control noxious weeds, the BIA provides herbicides to lessees. The herbicides provided include Tordon 22k, 2,4-D Amine (4lb.) and Milestone. The application of these herbicides vary from ground application to aerial application 2.1.3.2 CURRENT LANDS UNDER CROP FARMING There are approximately 13,149.50 acres of land on the Yankton Indian Reservation that are currently being farmed. The crops grown on tribal and allotted farmlands are corn, soybeans, hay feed, sunflowers, winter wheat, spring wheat, oats, millet and alfalfa. Table 3.1 shows the amounts of these crops that were harvested on the reservation. 2.1.3.3 CURRENT LANDS USED FOR LIVESTOCK/GRAZING The reservation currently uses a total of 669 acres for rangeland. This rangeland is used as buffalo pastures and is separated into two separate pastures. The east buffalo pasture contains 374 acres and the west buffalo pasture contains 295 acres. The buffalo head count on the Yankton Reservation is approximately 125.


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2.1.4 CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES The Yankton Indian Reservation faces many constraints concerning the land and soil types that exist on the reservation. Water erosion, wind erosion, soil fertility, soil moisture content, and soil tilth are the main constraints on land usage. Water erosion reduces productivity and results in sedimentation. Productivity is reduced when the more fertile surface layer is lost and part of the subsoil is incorporated into a plow layer. Loss of the surface layer is especially damaging on soils that have a thin surface layer. Erosion also reduces the productivity of soils that tend to be droughty. Wind erosion is a slight to severe hazard on many of the soils in Charles Mix County. The hazard is especially severe in the Henking, Inavale, and Munjor soils. Wind erosion can damage these soils in a few hours if winds are strong and the soils are dry and are not protected by a plant cover or surface mulch. Soil fertility is the ability of the soil to supply nutrients necessary for plant growth. The fertility of soil helps in determining the crop yields that can be obtained from the soil. It also dictates which plants would be best served by the available nutrients in the soil. As the fertility of the soil gets lower, crop yields will decrease due to the lack of available nutrients. It is for this reason that soil fertility plays a vital role in the achievement of high crop yields. Soil tilth is an important factor in the germination of seeds and the infiltration of water into the soil. Soils with good tilth are granular and porous. In Beadle, Promise, and Walke soils, tilth is poor or fair. These soils dry out slowly in the spring and cannot be easily tilled when dry. If they are farmed when wet, they tend to be cloddy when they dry. As a result of the cloddiness, preparing a seedbed is difficult. Opportunities exist to eliminate or control erosion and soil problems. There are measures to assure that erosion is controlled. These measures that control erosion minimize the pollution of streams and lakes by sediment and preserve water quality for fish and wildlife, recreation, and municipal use. Not only this, but they also reduce the amount of fertilizer needed in cropped areas and prevent the removal of plant nutrients. To avoid water erosion, a cropping system that keeps a plant cover on the surface for extended periods holds soil losses to an amount that does not reduce the productive capacity of the soils. If a plant cover cannot protect the soil, careful management of crop residue is essential. Minimizing tillage and leaving crop residue on the surface increases the infiltration rate, reduces the runoff rate, and helps to control erosion. Terraces and diversions also reduce the length of slopes and the runoff rate and help to control water erosion. Wind erosion can be controlled by an adequate plant cover, a cover of crop residue, and a rough surface. In addition, windbreaks of suitable trees and shrubs are also effective in reducing wind erosion. Low fertility soil can be managed a few different ways. It can be improved by applying fertilizer and by including grasses and legumes in the cropping system. The kinds and amounts of fertilizer needed on Ethan and other soils that have a high content of lime in the surface layer


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generally differ from the kinds and amounts needed on soils that do not have lime. On all soils, the addition of fertilizer should be based on the results of soil analysis, on the needs of the crop to be planted, and on the expected yield level. Soil moisture content can be controlled through the use of proper irrigation on farmlands. By providing a source of water other than natural rain events, it is possible to manage the soil moisture content to produce the highest crop yield possible. By taking soil moisture measurements and applying water as necessary though irrigation, farmers can ensure the soil moisture is adequate for the crops that will be grown on the land. In order to control soil tilth, it is necessary to till the soil in a timely manner. In addition, the inclusion of grasses and legumes in the cropping system, and incorporation of crop residue into the soil improve tilth and increase the rate of water intake. 2.2 GENERAL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND ECOSYSTEMS 2.2.1 TOPOGRAPHY The Yankton Indian Reservation lies within the Coteau du Missouri Division of the Missouri Plateau. The Coteau du Missouri Region consists of gently rolling and hilly end moraines of the Mankato Substage of Wisconsin Glaciation and nearly level to undulating ground moraines. The reservation is mostly farmland with some small areas of timber. The remainder of the reservation is rolling hills and prairie suitable for grazing. The area around Lake Francis Case is high rolling hills with wooded coulees providing drainage into the lake. Elevation in Charles Mix County ranges from about 1,220 feet above sea level to 2,130 feet. The lowest elevation is on the floodplain along the Missouri River. 2.2.2 SOILS According to the Soil Survey of Charles Mix County (USDA), many soils in the county formed in glacial material derived from preglacial formations of granite, gneiss, limestone, sandstone, and shale. The glacier broke into pieces and mixed these materials as it was transported. The glacier then redeposited the materials as it melted. Some deposits consist of material sorted by water as the material was deposited or by wind and water after the material was deposited. Other deposits consist of unsorted material or glacial till. Soils in the Yankton Reservation are primarily derived from glacial deposits that consist mainly of silty glacial drift, poorly sorted glacial till, stratified glacial outwash, and stratified loamy glacial drift. The glacial drift has a high content of silt, is friable, and contains few fragments of shale or stone. This type of deposit tends to weather to a light yellowish-brown silt loam. The glacial till is loam or clay loam that contains small fragments of shale and small stones and rocks, while the glacial outwash consists of sand, gravel, and loamy material deposited by glacial melt water. Loess covers the uplands above the breaks adjacent to Lake Francis Case and the Missouri River.


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There is a distinctive black color to the topsoil in the Yankton Reservation because of the continuous growth of prairie grass species for thousands of years before the agricultural development of European settlers. Soils in the reservation have a thick dark surface layer in which the organic matter level is often three to five percent. The thickness of this “mollic” horizon indicates the depth to which roots have penetrated. Soil associations found in Charles Mix County are listed below:

1. Agar-Lowry Association 2. DeGrey-Walke Association 3. Eakin-DeGrey Association 4. Eakin-Highmore-Ethan Association 5. Highmore-Eakin Association 6. Homme-Ethan-Onita Association 7. Highmore-Walke Association 8. Beadle-Eakin Association 9. Bon Association 10. Albaton-Aowa-Haynie Association 11. Salmo Association 12. Delmont-Enet-Talmo Association 13. Ethan-Betts-Clarno Association 14. Sansarc Association

2.2.3 CLIMATE Cold winters and hot summers characterize the continental climate that is present at the Yankton Indian Reservation. Temperatures in this area can range from as high as 110 degrees in the summer to 20 degrees below zero in the winter. Summertime in the Yankton Reservation is usually warm, but hot spells are frequent and cool days are occasional. During the summer months, the average temperature is 74 degrees and the average daily maximum temperature is 86 degrees. Wintertime on the reservation is generally cold, with arctic air frequently surging over the area. During the winter months, the average temperature is 23 degrees and the average daily minimum temperature at 13 degrees. Seasonal snowfall is about 25 inches. The annual average precipitation in the Yankton Reservation is 23 inches. Of this, 80 percent usually falls in April through September, which includes the growing season for most crops. Thunderstorms occur approximately 44 days of the year, mainly taking place during the summer months. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms strike occasionally, while hailstorms also occur in scattered, small areas during the warmer part of the year. On the reservation, the average relative humidity in mid-afternoon is about 60 percent. The humidity becomes higher at night, with the average at dawn being about 80 percent. The prevailing wind comes from the south and the average wind speed is at its highest in the spring at 13 miles per hour.


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2.2.4 FLOODPLAINS The Yankton Indian Reservation is located at the Southeast corner of Charles Mix County in South Dakota. There are two different flood zones that occur within the Reservation, Zone A and Zone X. Zone A, which is land where no base flood elevations have been determined, and Zone X includes areas of 0.2% annual chance of flood; areas of 1% annual chance of flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance of flood. A map of the Yankton Indian Reservation showing these flood zones can be seen in Figure 2-4.

2.2.5 WATERBODIES Within the Yankton Reservation, Lake Francis Case and the Missouri River provide excellent sources of water for domestic and industrial use and for irrigation. Many small dams, dugouts, and flows of Coteau Creek provide water for livestock. Figure 2-5 shows the water bodies located within the Yankton Indian Reservation. The primary industry in the Yankton Reservation is agriculture and the key to its full development is water. Water of sufficient quality and quantity is needed by the Indians and non-Indians living on the reservation to promote full economic development. However, problems with water quality and inadequate supply are common throughout the reservation. Therefore, this has a detrimental effect on health and quality of life as it deters economic growth. The Yankton Reservation is serviced by a rural water system which provides water to a majority of the reservation. Though this is true, residents within the reservation that are not serviced by the rural water system depend on poorly-constructed or low-capacity individual wells as their domestic source of water. However, bacteria or other undesirable minerals often contaminate these wells. In addition, these wells do not provide an adequate quantity of water and they are costly to maintain and operate.

Scattered throughout the reservation is surface water in small streams, lakes, and dugouts. With the exception of the Missouri River, these water sources are an unreliable source of water year-round because they are usually only available during wet periods in the spring. During drought periods, these surface waters tend to dry up, which can prove detrimental to livestock raised on the reservation. In addition, surface waters are also undependable as a source of water because precipitation can be scanty and erratic. Shallow groundwater is scarce and unreliable within the Yankton Reservation. Where it is found, it is often of a poor quality. This lack of an adequate water supply has also reduced the livestock production on the reservation. The grazing lands cannot be fully utilized and valuable resources go unused. Deeply buried bedrock aquifers underlie the entire reservation and contain artesian water. However, these aquifers are not considered a highly developed water source because of the high to very high salinity and other mineral content found within the water.


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April 2010

2-15

Source: EPA Floodplain Maps

Figure 2-4 FEMA Floodmap for Yankton Indian Reservation


May 2010

2-16



May 2010

2-17

Source: Adapted from National Atlas, nationalatlas.gov

Figure 2-5 Water Bodies Located in the Yankton Indian Reservation


May 2010

2-18



May 2010 2-19

2.3 GENERAL BIOTIC ENVIRONMENT 2.3.1 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED (T&E) AND SPECIES OF

SPECIAL CONCERN Four animal species are federally listed in Charles Mix County. These include the whooping crane (Grus americana), least tern (Sterna antillarum), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), and the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus). On August 8, 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed the bald eagle from the threatened and endangered species list. Table 2-3 lists the threatened and endangered species found in the Yankton Reservation, as well as their status and expected occurrence.

Table 2-3 Threatened and Endangered Species Found within the Yankton Indian Reservation

Species Status Expected Occurrence

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Delisted Migration, Winter Resident, Nesting

Whooping Crane Grus americana

Endangered Migration

Least Tern Sterna antillarum

Endangered Migration, Nesting

Piping Plover Charadrius melodus

Threatened Migration, Nesting

Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus

Endangered Resident in the Missouri River

Source: United States Fish and Wildlife Service Bald eagles occur throughout South Dakota and new nests are appearing each year. The bald eagle has been delisted from the endangered species list; however, they are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The species’ nesting season is January to August. Any nests found should be reported to the USFWS, Ecological Services office in Pierre, South Dakota. Whooping cranes migrate through South Dakota on their way to northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. They occupy numerous habitats such as cropland, pastures, wet meadows, shallow marshes, shallow portions of rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and stock ponds, and both freshwater and alkaline basins for feeding and loafing. Overnight roosting sites frequently require shallow water in which they stand and rest. The birds normally do not stay in any one area for long during migration. Any whooping crane sightings should be reported to the USFWS, Ecological Services office in Pierre, South Dakota. Least terns and piping plovers are known to nest along the Missouri River. These species use sparsely vegetated interchannel sandbars, islands, and shorelines for nesting, foraging, and brood rearing. They are sensitive to human disturbances, which often limits reproduction. The birds typically breed in South Dakota between the dates of May 1 and August 15.


May 2010 2-20

No confirmed breeding of wild pallid sturgeon has been documented in South Dakota in more than a decade and stocking of hatchery-raised pallid sturgeon has become necessary. The pallid sturgeon occurs in the Missouri River, but is imperiled by alteration of river flows. 2.3.2 WETLANDS According to the National Wetlands Inventory Maps, several wetlands exist in the Yankton Indian Reservation. If a project may impact wetlands or other important fish and wildlife habitats, the USFWS, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) and other environmental laws and rules, recommends complete avoidance of these areas, if possible. If this is not possible, attempts should be made to minimize adverse impacts. If adverse impacts are unavoidable, then measures should be undertaken to replace the affected areas. Work requiring the alteration or disturbance of wetlands or streams may require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers according to the regulations set forth in Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act or Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. 2.3.3 FISH AND WILDLIFE Open land wildlife in the Yankton Reservation consists of wildlife that frequent cropland, pastures, meadows, and areas that are overgrown with grasses, forbs, and shrubs. These areas produce grain and seed crops, grasses and legumes, and wild herbaceous plants. Some wildlife species that are found within this area include the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), gray partridge (Perdix perdix), western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus). The wetland habitat consists of marshy or swampy shallow water areas. Waterfowl are abundant in wetlands during breeding and migration periods. Ducks, geese, herons, minks (Neovision vision), muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), and shore birds are some examples of wildlife species that use wetlands within the boundaries of the Yankton Reservation for all or part of their life cycle. Many wildlife species inhabit the pastureland. Pastureland habitat consists of areas of native shrubs and herbaceous plants. Wildlife attracted to areas of pastureland includes lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), meadowlark, sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), white-tailed deer, and white-tailed jackrabbit. Common wildlife predators consist of coyote (Canis latrans), red fox, raccoon (Procyon lotor), skunk, and hawks. The coyote is now the largest carnivore found in the Yankton Reservation. Coyotes usually occur along major river drainages, preferring areas not often disturbed by humans. However, coyotes will adapt to human activity when necessary, particularly in areas of urban development.


May 2010 2-21

Other mammals and birds found in the reservation include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), deer mice (Peromyscus spp.), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), beaver (Castor canadensis), fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata), great-horned owl (Bubo virginianus), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus). Walleye (Sander vitreus), bass, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), northern pike (Esox lucius), perch (Perca spp.), and other fish inhabit most of the permanent water access. Walleye are predominant predators in South Dakota and can comprise up to 50 percent of the fish community by number. Walleyes are spring spawners with spawning taking place when water temperatures reach 42 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. 2.3.4 VEGETATION Within the Yankton Indian Reservation, native trees and shrubs grow primarily where soil and water relationships are favorable. Most grow on the floodplains along the Missouri River and on the breaks along the deeper drainageways. Scattered individual plants or clumps of American elm (Ulmus americana), American plum (Prunus americana), boxelder (Acer negundo), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), leadplant (Amorpha canescens), desert false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa), dwarf false indigo (Amorpha nana), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), and wild rose (Rosa californica) are common in drainageways. Peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides), plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and sandbar willow (Salix interior) are also common throughout the reservation. Juniper trees are also found throughout the reservation. Cedar trees are found throughout the reservation and are a cause for concern for the reservation as the cedar trees are encroaching on rangeland. Figure 2-6 shows the forest cover types found within the Yankton Indian Reservation. Table 2-4 lists these forest cover types and shows the amount of acres each encompasses. There are three types of prairies found throughout South Dakota: tall-grass prairie, mixed-grass prairie, and short-grass prairie. These different types of prairies differ in the amount of precipitation each receives, which in turn affects the types of dominant plants and animals associated with each. The Yankton Indian Reservation lies within the “Tall-grass Transition” section of the plains. The Tall-grass Transition portion of the plains is characterized as a community with a dense cover of tall and mid-grasses. This area occupies the transition between mixed and tall-grass prairies. Dominant species within this area are western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea), green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), and prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha). The altered community develops a shorter aspect with increases in sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), and needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), as well as a number of perennial and annual forbs. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a common invader species in the reservation.


May 2010 2-22

The Yankton Indian Reservation is located within the Level IV Ecoregion in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains. Within this ecoregion, the reservation is located on the Southern Missouri Coteau Slope and the Southern Missouri Coteau. The Southern Missouri Coteau Slope has mesic soils and a substantial cap of rock-free loess. This area is characterized by having level uplands in which sunflowers, wheat, millet, and barley are frequently planted. Willow, green ash, and elm tend to grow within riparian areas. The natural vegetation found within the rangeland of this area is western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, big bluestem, and needle-and-thread. The Southern Missouri Coteau Slope is dominated cropland, with corn, small grains, grain sorghum, and alfalfa being cultivated. The Southern Missouri Coteau Ecoregion exhibits muted coteau topography with gently undulations rather than steep hummocks. This area is known for stream erosion back cutting into areas of internal drainage. Natural vegetation of this ecoregion includes western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, needle-and-thread, and porcupine grass. Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) and northern reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta) are also found in poorly drained areas.

Table 2-4

Number of Acres and Percentage of Forest Cover Types

Forest Cover Type Acres Percentage Cottonwood 1,018.39 43.08%

Mixed Hardwoods 1,345.37 56.92% TOTAL 2,363.76 100%

Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Region


May 2010 2-23

Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Region

Figure 2-6

Forest Cover Types in the Yankton Indian Reservation


May 2010 2-24



May 2010 2-25

Source: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Figure 2-7 Ecoregions in South Dakota


May 2010 2-26



May 2010 2-27

2.3.5 BIRDS (INCLUDING MIGRATORY BIRDS) A list of birds that can be found in or around the Yankton Indian Reservation is shown in Table 2-5.

Table 2-5 Birds Found On or Near the Yankton Indian Reservation

Common Name Scientific Name Common Loon Gavia immer

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena

Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Western Grebe Aechmophorus

occidentalis

Clark's Grebe Aechmophorus

clarkii American White

Pelican Pelecanus

erythrorhynchos Double-crested

Cormorant Phalacrocorax

auritus

American Bittern Botaurus

lentiginosus Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Great Egret Casmerodius

albus Snowy Egret Egretta thula

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Green-backed

Heron Butorides virescens

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi

Tundra Swan Cygnus

columbianus Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Ross' Goose Chen rossii

Brant Branta bernicla Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Wood Duck Aix sponsa Green-winged Teal Anas crecca

American Black Duck Anas rubripes

Common Name Scientific Name

Mallard Anas

platyrhynchos Northern Pintail Anas acuta

Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Gadwall Anas strepera

American Wigeon Anas americana Canvasback Aythya valisineria

Redhead Aythya americana Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris

Greater Scaup Aythya marila Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis

Common Eider Sonateria mollissima

Oldsquaw Clangula hyemalis Black Scoter Melanitta nigra

Surf Scoter Melanitta

perspicillata White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus

Common Merganser Mergus

merganser Red-breasted

Merganser Mergus serrator

Ruddy Duck Oxyura

jamaicensis Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus

leucocephalus Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Red-shouldered

Hawk Buteo lineatus Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus

Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni


May 2010 2-28


Red-tailed Hawk Buteo

jamaicensis Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis

Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos

American Kestrel Falco sparverius

Merlin Falco

columbarius Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus Gray Partridge Perdix perdix

Chukar Alectoris chukar Ring-necked

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus

Blue Grouse Dendragapus

obscurus Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus

Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus

Greater Prairie-chicken

Tympanuchus cupido

Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus

Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo

Northern Bobwhite Colinus

virginianus

Yellow Rail Coturnicops

noveboracensis King Rail Rallus elegans

Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Sora Porzana carolina

Common Moorhen Gallinula

chloropus American Coot Fulica americana Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis

Whooping Crane Grus americana

Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis

squatarola American Golden-

plover Pluvialis dominica

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius

semipalmatus

Piping Plover Charadrius melodus

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus


Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa

melanoleuca Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria

Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia

Upland Sandpiper Bartramia

longicauda

Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis

Long-billed Curlew Numenius

americanus

Hudsonian Godwit Limosa

haemastica Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Red Knot Calidris canutus

Sanderling Calidris alba Semipalmated

Sandpiper Caldris pusilla Western Sandpiper Calidrus mauri Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Dunlin Calidris alpina

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos

Stilt Sandpiper Calidris

himantopus Buff-breasted

Sandpiper Tryngites

subruficollis Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

Long-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus scolopaceus

Common Snipe Capella gallinago American Woodcock Scolopax minor Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan

Bonaparte's Gull Larus

philadelphia

Ring-billed Gull Larus

delawarensis California Gull Larus californicus


May 2010 2-29

Common Name Scientific Name Herring Gull Larus argentatus

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreusBlack-legged

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Sabine's Gull Xema sabini Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Common Tern Sterna hirundo Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri

Least Tern Sterna antillarum

Interior Least Tern Sterna antillarum

athalassos Black Tern Chlidonias niger Rock Dove Columba livia

Mourning Dove Zenaida

macroura

Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus

erythropthalmus

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus

americanus Barn Owl Tyto alba

Eastern Screech-owl Otus asio Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus

Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca

Burrowing Owl Speotyto

cunicularia Barred Owl Strix varia

Long-eared Owl Asio otus Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor

Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus

nuttallii

Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus

vociferus Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica

White-throated Swift Aeronautes

saxatalis Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Selasphorus platycercus

Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon

Lewis' Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

Common Name Scientific Name Red-naped Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus nuchalis

Downy Woodpecker Picoides

pubescens Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus

Three-toed Woodpecker

Picoides tridactylus

Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus

Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus

pileatus Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus borealis

Western Wood-peewee

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood-peewee Contopus virens

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens

Alder Flycatcher Empidonax

alnorum Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii

Least Flycatcher Empidonax

minimus

Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri

Pacific-slope Flycatcher

Empidonax difficilis

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Great Crested

Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans

Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalisEastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Muscivora forficata

Horned Lark Eremophila

alpestris Purple Martin Progne subis

Tree Swallow Tachycineta

bicolor

Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta serripennis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia


May 2010 2-30


Cliff Swallow Hirundo

pyrrhonota Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis

Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata

Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus

cyanochephalus

Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga

columbiana Black-billed Magpie Pica pica

American Crow Corvus

brachyrhynchos Common Raven Corvus corax

Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus

Mountain Chickadee Parus gambeli Tufted Titmouse Parus bicolor

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis

Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea Brown Creeper Certhia americana

Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus

Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus

House Wren Troglodytes aedon

Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis

Marsh Wren Cistothorus

palustris American Dipper Cinclus mexicanusGolden-crowned

Kinglet Regulus satrapa Ruby-crowned

Kinglet Regulus calendula Blue-gray

Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides

Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi

Veery Catharus

fuscenscens

Common Name Scientific Name Gray-cheeked

Thrush Catharus minimus Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina

American Robin Turdus migratoriusVaried Thrush Ixores naevius

Gray Catbird Dumetella

carolinensis Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes

montanus Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum American Pipit Anthus rubescens Sprague's Pipit Anthus spragueii

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius

ludovicianus European Starling Strunus vulgaris

Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius

Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus

Philadelphia Vireo Vireo

philadelphicus Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus

Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeous Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina

Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata

Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla

Virginia's Warbler Vermivora virginiae

Northern Parula Parula americana

Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Dendroica pensylvanica

Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia

Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina


May 2010 2-31

Common Name Scientific Name Black-throated Blue

Warbler Dendroica

caerulescens Yellow-rumped

Warbler Dendroica coronata

Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens

Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus

Palm Warbler Denroica palmarum

Bay-breasted Warbler

Dendroica castanea

Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea Black-and-White

Warbler Mniotilta varia American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla

Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea

Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus

Ovenbird Seiurus

aurocapillus Northern

Waterthrush Seiurus

noveboracensis

Common Name Scientific Name Conneticut Warbler Oporornis agilis

Mourning Warbler Oporornis

philadelphia MacGillivray's

Warbler Oporornis tolmiei Common

Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla

Canada Warbler Wilsonia

canadensis Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens

Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed Grosbeak

Pheucticus melanocephalus

Blue Grosbeak Guiraca caerulea Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoenaIndigo Bunting Passerina cyanea

Dickcissel Spiza americana Source: Sharps and Benzon and the South Dakota Natural Heritage Database 2.4 OUTDOOR RECREATION North of Greenwood, near the Treaty of 1858 Monument, is a bison herd that freely roams the area. Guided tours to see the bison herd can be arranged through the tribe. The Treaty of 1858 Monument pinpoints the spot where a treaty designating land for the Dakota Sioux was signed. Another area of interest within the Yankton Indian Reservation is Struck by the Ree’s grave. This gravesite is found just north of the Treaty of 1858 Monument. The legend surrounding Struck by the Ree begins in the days of Lewis and Clark. According to legend, Meriwether Lewis took a Yankton baby and wrapped him in an American flag, saying he would grow up to be a friend of the white man. This boy grew up to become Struck by the Ree, a highly respected Yankton chief. A stone image commemorating this leader marks his gravesite. Lake Andes is a natural, shallow, prairie lake whose water supply depends entirely on natural runoff. The area around the lake is one of the most popular fishing and hunting resort areas in South Dakota. At Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, north of Pickstown, wildlife and waterfowl can be observed in their natural habitat. Grebes, pelicans, herons, and gulls are commonly spotted species. In addition, white-tailed deer and ring-necked pheasants are frequently found in the grasslands surrounding the lake. Karl Mundt National Wildlife Refuge is a few minutes south of Lake Andes and serves as a refuge for eagles and many other species of wildlife. However, this refuge is closed to the public.


May 2010 2-32

Lake Francis Case is the reservoir that was formed when Fort Randall Dam was constructed on the Missouri River in the 1950s. Recreational activities here include camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, water-skiing, and other water sports. Lake Francis Case is also a great destination for canoeists and kayakers. The Fort Randall Dam and Power plant offer tours and exhibits of Fort Randall Dam. 2.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES (PRE-HISTORIC, HISTORIC, AND

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES) Cultural resources are typically divided into three major categories: archaeological resources (prehistoric or historic), architectural resources, and traditional cultural properties.

• Archaeological resources consist of the physical remains of past human activity. The scientific study of these remains is essential to the understanding and appreciation of prehistoric and historic cultural development. Prehistoric refers to any time or object that predates recorded history, while historic refers to any time or object of the past after written record.

• Architectural resources are those standing structures that are usually over 50 years of

age and are of significant historic or aesthetic importance to be considered for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

• Traditional cultural properties are properties or places that are eligible for inclusion on

the NRHP because of their association with cultural practices or beliefs that are (1) rooted in the history of a community, and (2) are important to maintaining the continuity of that community’s traditional beliefs and practices.


May 2010 3-1

3.0 AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 3.1 CROPS AND LIVESTOCK (INCLUDING DAIRY) The following information is provided to show the farming statistics, the livestock inventory and crops harvested.

Table 3-1 Yankton Indian Reservation – Agricultural Statistics

2007 South Dakota Census of Agriculture Farms Operated by All Farms American Indians

Farms Farms: (number) 64 4 Land in farms (acres) 141,274 1,475 Average farm size (acres) 2,207 369 Farms by size: (number) Less than 1,000 acres 29 3 1,000 acres or more 35 1 Farms by type of organization: (number) Family, Individual, Partnership 59 3 Corporation, Cooperative, Trust 5 1

Livestock Inventory and Crops Harvested Livestock and Poultry Inventory (number) Cattle and calves 13,798 (D) Hogs and pigs (D) - Sheep and lambs 755 (D) Horses and ponies 480 (D) Bison (D) (D) Crops Harvested (acres) Corn for grain 15,816 (D) Corn for silage or greenchop 1,461 - Wheat for grain, All 25,505 96 Winter wheat for grain 24,783 96 Spring wheat for grain 722 - Barley for grain - - Oats for grain 1,402 (D) Livestock Inventory and Crops Harvested Continued Sunflower seed, All 8,410 - Soybeans for beans 13,068 - Hay, haylage, grass silage 13,848 (D) (D) Not Disclosable Source: South Dakota 2007 Census of Agriculture


May 2010 3-2

3.1.1 ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION OF GRAZING, LEASING, PROPER LAND USE, AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

There is no planning and zoning on the Yankton Indian Reservation. Shown below is the reservation’s land class status:

TABLE 3-2 Land Status

Land Status Acres Total Area 440,000 Trust land 36,740

Tribal Owned 24,488 Allotted Owned 12,252

Tribal Fee 2,236 Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Great Plains Region The total land area of the Yankton Indian Reservation is 440,000 acres, in which 24,488 acres are tribally owned and 12,252 acres are allotted. The map in Figure 2-3 shows the ownership of the land within the reservation. Much of the land use is in grazing and agriculture. In order for grazing to occur, federal regulations require a party wishing to use Indian trust land for grazing to obtain a permit. Permits may be issued by the tribe or an individual Indian landowner, subject to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) approval. Permits may also be granted solely by the BIA under certain circumstances, including if the Indian landowner requests it to do so. The BIA establishes the grazing rental rate for individually owned Indian lands and for tribal land where the tribe has not established the rate. This rate is to represent the “fair annual rental,” which is defined as “the amount of rental income that a permitted parcel of Indian land would most probably command in an open competitive market” by 25 C.F.R. § 166.4. The BIA is allowed to adjust the grazing rental rate to ensure that Indian landowners are receiving fair annual returns. The BIA is also very involved in administering leases, monitoring right of way agreements, and collecting and distributing lease income. In general, the BIA requires any Indian co-owner in a tract to get a lease before using or possessing the land. This allows only an Indian landowner who owns 100 percent of the trust or restricted interest in a tract to take possession without a lease or any other prior authorization. Agricultural leases, in particular must conform to any agricultural resource management plan developed by the tribe with jurisdiction over that land. Leases of Indian trust lands are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal land use statutes. However, the BIA has approval authority on both allotted and tribal lease lands. The BIA also has significant enforcement authority upon violation of a lease. In order to establish proper land use on Indian reservations, the American Indian Agriculture Resource Management Act of 1993 (AIARMA) was passed. This act provides for the


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establishment of a viable system for the management and administration of Indian owned agricultural lands; to enhance the capability of Indian ranchers and farmers to produce crops and products from such lands; to affirm the authority of the Indian tribal governments in the management and regulation of Indian agricultural lands; and to enhance the educational opportunities for Indian students in the management of Indian natural resources. Pursuant to AIARMA, Indian agricultural lands should be managed:

• To protect, conserve, utilize, and maintain the highest productive potential on Indian agricultural lands through the application of sound conservation practices and techniques;

• To increase production and expand the diversity and availability of agricultural products through the development of agricultural resources on Indian lands;

• To protect and maintain other values such as wildlife, fisheries, cultural resources, recreation and to regulate water runoff and minimize soil erosion;

• To enable Indian farmers and ranchers to maximize the potential benefits available to them through their land;

• To develop Indian agricultural lands and associated value-added industries of Indians and Indian tribes to promote self-sustaining communities; and

• To assist trust and restricted Indian landowners in leasing their agricultural lands for a reasonable annual return, consistent with prudent management and conservation practices, and community goals.

3.1.2 CROP MANAGEMENT Crop and forage production takes advantage of biological processes but also depends on management inputs. Historically, many so called modern management systems have also resulted in net losses of the earth's natural resources. In an effort to integrate the many management options for efficient and sustainable crop/forage production, producers must use integrated crop production systems. Such systems employ knowledge of crops and crop rotations, maintenance of soil health, pest, and nutrient management. Knowing the production capability of crops and forage in any given field, and then managing for a yield goal approaching this limit but not exceeding it, is a major step toward a sustainable cropping system. A crop managed for a yield higher than possible within the production limits, is often more vulnerable to disease or some other production hazard. It can be wasteful, potentially environmentally detrimental, and economically unjustifiable to apply fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water for a yield greater than possible within the constraints of growing degree-days, sunshine, time-temperature windows, and other fixed parameters of our physical environment. Low annual rainfall and shallow soil are examples of real physical limits to crop and forage production. Irrigation may be able to alleviate some of the problems but only to a certain extent. Beyond that, other factors of the environment become the limiting factor. Even where some crop rotations are implemented, physical problems can result without adequate knowledge of cropping systems. In a rotation of wheat following peas or lentils, which


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intuitively sounds healthy, root diseases that affect wheat may reside in the soil long enough to cause reduced yield for the next wheat crop. Knowing when, and exactly why yields are less than the production limits of the cropping system, is just as important to crop and forage production as knowing and deliberately managing for yields within the limits of the system. Maintaining the organic matter content of the soil is vital to the long-term productivity of the soil. Organic matter is the natural form of slow-release fertilizer for plant growth, and it provides the glue, or supports the microorganisms that provide the glue for aggregate stability and structure essential for soil aeration, soil and water conservation, and healthy roots. Two enemies of soil organic matter are burning and excessive tillage. Burning physically destroys the crop residue needed to build or maintain levels of organic matter, and tillage accelerates the microbial destruction of organic matter. Burning and tillage are primarily used for pest and disease control, but are also used for removing excessive amounts of crop residue. Curtailing these practices requires greater use of crop rotation and dependence on resistant varieties. The most economical and least labor intensive approach to increasing the organic matter of the soil content, or at least counter the loss of organic matter because of tillage, is to grow the material where needed in the field, as long as it is returned to the soil. Legumes may also be grown for hay or seed and then used as a source of organic material for the soil. The advantages legumes are: the ability to fix nitrogen, they leave the soil undisturbed and accumulate organic matter, and they allow time for the soil to rid itself of harmful pathogens. Because no-till farming is practiced by of a majority of the farmers on the Yankton Reservation, these methods would benefit those not practicing no-till farming. Pest management must also take on an integrated approach to be highly effective and efficient. Integrated pest management (IPM) is the selection, integration, and implementation of pest control based on predicted economic, ecological, and sociological consequences. IPM generally seeks to maximize use of naturally occurring pest controls, including weather, disease agents, predators, and parasites. In addition, IPM utilizes various biological, physical, and chemical control and habitat modification techniques. In an effective IPM system, artificial controls are imposed only as required to keep a pest from surpassing intolerable population levels. The presence of a pest species does not necessarily justify action for its control. IPM utilizes five basic principles for effective pest management:

1. Potentially harmful species will continue to exist at tolerable levels of abundance. The philosophy is to manage rather than eradicate the pests.

2. The ecosystem is the management unit. Knowledge of the actions, reaction, and interactions of the components of the ecosystem -forest, urban, agricultural, and others- is requisite to effective IPM programs. With this knowledge, the ecosystem is manipulated in order to hold pests at tolerable levels while avoiding disruptions of the system.

3. Use of natural controls is maximized. An effective IPM system, utilizes to the fullest, the


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existing regulating and limiting factors (e.g. parasites, predators, weather) which check the pests' population growth. 4. Any control procedure may produce un- expected and undesirable consequences. 5. An interdisciplinary systems approach is essential. Effective pest management is an integral

part of the overall management of a farm or ranch. Many of the control techniques suitable for pest management have been known for many years. Some of the most effective nonchemical techniques (e.g. biological control, pest-resistant crop varieties, tillage, and crop rotation) were used widely before World War II. These techniques were de-emphasized, particularly by insect and weed control scientists, as effective postwar chemicals became available. Recent problems such as insect pest resistance, increasing costs of pesticides, and ecological damage have renewed interest in the pre-war control techniques. A crop managed for a yield higher than possible within the production limits, is often more vulnerable to disease or some other production hazard. The differences in yield reflect varying cultural and management practices, climate and soil properties. The fertility of a soil is determined by its ability to supply the sufficient quantity and rate of essential plant nutrients for optimum crop and forage yields. Harvest of crops and forages can result in a loss of plant nutrients from the soil. If these nutrients are not replaced, soil fertility will gradually decline and yields will decrease. Nutrient levels in soil can be increased by applying commercial fertilizer, livestock waste, municipal sludge, or by growing nitrogen-fixing crops such as alfalfa. Soil sampling is a convenient method for assessing the availability of nutrients in the soil from year to year. Frequent soil testing is needed; these differences in yield reflect varying cultural and management practices, climate and soil properties. The fertility of a soil is determined by its ability to supply the sufficient quantity and rate of essential plant nutrients for optimum crop and forage yields. Harvest of crops and forages can result in a loss of plant nutrients from the soil. If these nutrients are not replaced, soil fertility continues to decline as the nutrients in the soil are depleted. Regardless of when or how a field is fertilized, a soil testing program should be used as a guide to meeting the fertility needs of the crop as accurately as possible. The test should be made as close as possible to the time of planting. Soil samples should be taken just before planting begins. In crop, soil sampling can also be done if topdressing with nitrogen fertilizer is being considered. About 2.4 - 2.7 pounds of nitrogen should be available for each bushel of attainable yield per acre. More must be added if wheat is grazed (winter wheat), about 1 pound of nitrogen for every seven pounds of animal weight gain. The total estimate of fertilizer required takes into account the yield goal and native sources of nutrients. Nutrient management is affected by many physical and chemical factors as stated in detail in earlier papers. Factors that need to be considered when determining fertilizer requirements are: moisture, temperature, organic matter content of the soil, soil texture, soil structure, aeration, and soil pH.


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The health of the soil is affected by numerous factors, any number of which cannot be easily singled out as causal factors in maintaining healthy soils. However, soil erosion can quickly cause the decline of healthy soil if left unabated. Soil erosion is caused by either wind or water forces. Wind erosion occurs in varying forms including suspension in the air, saltation, and surface creep. Each of these has the capability of moving vast amounts of soil. When you observe soil suspended in the air, it is estimated that at least 15 tons/acre/year is being lost from a particular location. Five tons/acre/year are the general established soil loss tolerance assigned to a particular soil. This means, that an amount of soil approximately the thickness of a dime, over one acre, can be eroded and still maintain its productivity sustainably over a long period of time. However, large amounts of soil can be lost in a short time, whereas, the development of soil may take anywhere from 400-1000 years depending on climatic characteristics. It may be that any amount of erosion could be considered detrimental to the ecosystem for these reasons. Water erosion occurs in various forms including sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion. All are caused by water concentrating and flowing, uninterrupted, over the slope of the land until the aspect of the land becomes fit enough for the suspended soil particles to fall out causing sedimentation. All forms of erosion are detrimental to the health of the soil. Every bit of erosion also causes losses to nutrients and organic matter that are found in the soil which eventually causes deep felt crop and forage production declines. To protect against erosion, various conservation practices can be designed and implemented including: residue management, filter strips, herbaceous wind strips, grassed water- ways, shelterbelts, crop rotations, conservation tillage systems, contour cropping systems, terraces, etc. However, the best way to prevent soil erosion is to manage crop residue to keep it on or near the soil surface during critical erosion periods. Integrated crop management is the wise use of biological and management processes. By understanding the primary factors of ICM and how they interact with each other and the environment, enables land users to effectively produce crops and forages that will sustain us indefinitely. Without their wise use, the soil as a natural resource will not remain renewable but will steadily decline in fertility making food and fiber production ever more expensive. Since we all rely on the soil for all our nutrition, we all have responsibility toward keeping our soil healthy. 3.1.3 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The Division of Economic Development (DED) of the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED) was created to address specific Indian Country economic development problems and opportunities. The DED seeks to create a tribal environment, and provide tribes with strategic advice and planning to make the most of business opportunities. The Division of Workforce Development implements the Indian Employment, Training, and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992, which authorizes tribal governments to integrate a variety of education, employment, training, and social services under a single plan, single budget, and


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single reporting system. Federal programs that are covered under the law include any program, which provides services to Indian youth or adults that:

• Helps such persons succeed in the workforce, • Encourages self-sufficiency, • Familiarized youth or adults with the workplace environment, • Facilitates the creation of job opportunities, • Allows tribes to use a portion of the funds for economic development, or • Provides services related to any of these goals.

In order to participate under this law, the Yankton Sioux Tribe would need to submit an integrated service plan and budget to the division. Following an interagency review, the Secretary of the Interior will approve or deny the plan. If approved, the appropriate funds would be transferred and the Tribe would be able to begin implementing its services. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) throughout the United States. The CTA program provides voluntary technical assistance to land-users, communities, units of state and local government, and other Federal agencies in planning and implementing conservation systems. This assistance is for planning and implementing conservation practices that address natural resource issues. It helps people voluntarily conserve, improve and sustain natural resources. Objectives of the program are to:

• Assist individual land users, communities, conservation districts, and other units of State and local government and Federal agencies to meet their goals for resource stewardship and assist individuals to comply with State and local requirements. NRCS assistance to individuals is provided through conservation districts in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed by the Secretary of Agriculture, the governor of the state, and the conservation district. Assistance is provided to land users voluntarily applying conservation and to those who must comply with local or State laws and regulations.

• Assist agricultural producers to comply with the highly erodible land (HEL) and wetland (Swampbuster) provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act as amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et. seq.) and the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 and wetlands requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. NRCS makes HEL and wetland determinations and helps land users develop and implement conservation plans to comply with the law.

• Provide technical assistance to participants in USDA cost-share and conservation incentive programs. (Assistance is funded on a reimbursable basis from the CCC.)

• Collect, analyze, interpret, display, and disseminate information about the condition and trends of the Nation’s soil and other natural resources so that people can make good decisions about resource use and about public policies for resource conservation.

• Develop effective science-based technologies for natural resource assessment, management, and conservation.


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Technical assistance is for planning and implementing natural resource solutions to reduce erosion, improve soil health, improve water quantity and quality, improve and conserve wetlands, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, improve air quality, improve pasture and range health, reduce upstream flooding, improve woodlands, and address other natural resource issues. The 2008 Farm Bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide up to 90 percent of the costs associated with planning and implementing conservation measures for socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers or ranchers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CStP). Beginning farmers are defined as producers who have operated a farm or ranch for 10 or fewer years. Two criteria are used to define limited resource farmers and ranchers.

• A person with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than $113,600 in each of the previous two years, and

• A total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of county median household income (determined annually) in each of the previous two years.

In addition to these programs and offices, there is a great availability of funds for business development and technical assistance. Some of the funding opportunities are listed in Section 3.1.5. 3.1.4 EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES/OUTREACH There are a multitude of educational and training opportunities for the Yankton Indian Reservation of South Dakota. The BIA offers many opportunities for tribal communities, and there are several federal programs providing assistance as well. These resources include training in agriculture management, soil conservation, technical assistance, range management, as well as soil survey information. Agricultural education and training opportunities are offered through the BIA. The BIA Division of Workforce Development (DWD) is focused on implementing P.L. 102-477, the Indian Employment, Training, and Related Services program of 1992. This program allows tribes to combine education, training, employment, job placement, welfare reform, and related federal resources into one comprehensive resource to assist Indians in becoming self-sufficient. In order to take advantage of these opportunities the BIA DWD must be contacted. The U.S. Government also supplies educational and training opportunities. Section 3731 of the American Indian Agricultural Resource Management Subchapter II – Education in Agriculture Management provides that the Secretary of the Interior will maintain in the BIA or other appropriate offices or Bureaus within the Department of the Interior at least 20 agricultural resources intern positions for Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in an agriculture study program. In addition, the Secretary shall pay, by reimbursement or otherwise, all costs for tuition, books, fees, and living expenses incurred by an agricultural resources intern while


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attending an approved postsecondary or graduate school in a full-time agricultural study program. Section 3731 also provides for Indian education outreach. The Secretary shall conduct, through the Bureau, and in consultation with other appropriate local, State, and Federal agencies, and in consultation and coordination with Indian youth to explain and stimulate interest in all aspects of management and careers in Indian agriculture and natural resources. The NRCS has implemented an extensive joint outreach effort with the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC), the Indian Nations Conservation Alliance (INCA), and other partners to increase awareness of USDA services. This agency helps land users and tribal communities approach conservation planning and implementation with an understanding of how natural resources relate to one another and how those activities affect us all. The NRCS also provides technical assistance and works closely with individual landowners and operators, organizations, and city, county, State, and tribal governments to ensure that soil and water conservation practices are carried out according to specifications while community values are also taken into consideration. The Grazing Land Conservation Initiative provides technical, educational, and related assistance to those who own and manage private grazing land. Healthy and productive grazing land is a substantial component of the agricultural economy and is the largest of all agricultural land uses. This technical service supports and encourages better grazing management, improved livestock production, protection of soil from wind and water erosion, reduction of drought impacts, control of invasive weeds, and the use of energy-efficient production techniques. It also provides opportunities for water conservation, wildlife habitat development, stream bank protection, and water quality improvement. Technical assistance ensures that the resources remain healthy and productive. The NRCS administers this program as well, and any inquiries can be made directly to the NRCS. The NRCS provides many other resources for tribes such as the Soil Survey Program. Soil surveys provide an orderly, on-the-ground, scientific inventory of soil resources that includes maps showing the locations and extend of soils, data about the physical and chemical properties of those soils, and information derived from that data about potentialities and problems of use on each kind of soil. The information derived from a soil survey is in sufficient detail to meet all reasonable needs of farmers, agricultural technicians, community planners, engineers, and scientists in planning and transferring the findings of research and experience to specific land areas. Soil surveys provide the basic information needed to manage soil sustainability. In addition, it provides information on soil behavior under alternative uses, potential erosion hazard, its potential for ground water contamination, and its suitability and productivity for cultivated crops, trees, and grasses. Information from the soil survey of Charles Mix County has been researched and is provided in table 3.1.4. The NRCS provides soil surveys for privately owned, non-Federal lands. Most States with federally recognized tribal reservations within their exterior boundaries have a State and/or local American Indian Outreach Coordinator. These individuals are available to help tribes become more familiar with and access NRCS programs and services. The Outreach


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Coordinators can be reached at the State NRCS offices or in a local office in the State in which the tribal headquarters is located. In addition, the Farm Service Agency Outreach (FSAO) staff has created a program for Native American Outreach. Through this program, the FSAO staff:

• Assists limited-resource and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in improving their income through better farm management and financial planning;

• Works with community-based organizations to provide technical assistance and training to limited-resource and socially disadvantaged farmers; and

• Partners with community-based ranchers and organizations to enhance program delivery to underserved communities.

Additional information about this program can be obtained by contacting the Director, Outreach Staff, FSA, USDA (telephone: 202-690-1299) or by visiting http://www.fsa.esda.gov/outreach.

Table 3-3 Charles Mix County Soil Information

Charles Mix County South Dakota Soil Survey United States Department of Agriculture

Soil Type Fertility Organic

Content Water

Capacity Permeability Runoff Cultivated Crops

Grain & Seed

Crops Agar Medium Moderate High Moderate Slow Well Suited Good

Albaton Medium Moderate Moderate Slow Slow Fairly Well Suited Fair

Aowa Medium Moderate High Moderate Slow Well Suited Good

Beadle Medium Moderate High Moderately Slow Medium Poorly Suited Poor

Betts Low Low High Moderate Rapid Not Usually Suited Very Poor

Bon High High High Moderate Slow Well Suited Good Clarno Medium Moderate High Moderate Medium Well Suited Fair DeGrey Low Moderate Moderate Slow Slow Poorly Suited Poor Delmont Medium Moderate Low Moderate Medium Poorly Suited Poor Eakin Medium Moderate High Moderate Slow Well Suited Good

Enet Medium Moderate Low Moderate Slow Fairly Well Suited Fair

Ethan Low Low High Moderate Medium Fairly Well Suited Very Poor

Haynie Medium Moderate Very High Moderate Slow Well Suited Good Highmore Medium Moderate High Moderate Slow Well Suited Good

Homme Medium Moderate High Moderately Slow Medium Well Suited Good

Lowry Medium Moderate High Moderate Medium Well Suited Good

Onita High High High Moderately Slow Slow Well Suited Good

Salmo Medium High High Moderately Slow Slow Poorly Suited Very Poor


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Soil Type Fertility Organic Content

Water Capacity Permeability Runoff Cultivated

Crops

Grain & Seed

Crops Sansarc Low Low Low Slow Rapid Poorly Suited Very Poor Talmo Low Low Low Rapid Low Poorly Suited Very Poor Walke Medium Moderate Moderate Slow Slow Poorly Suited Fair

Source: Charles Mix County South Dakota Soil Survey 3.1.5 GRANTS, LOANS, AND OTHER FUNDING The Yankton Indian Reservation has many different opportunities for grants, loans, and other funding available to them. The funding comes in differing ways including tribal funding to assist in differing agricultural programs, as well as individual funding to support the individuals in the tribe. Money issued by the BIA Department of the Interior includes:

• Grants for Protecting and restoring the agronomic and rangeland resources on trust lands and facilitating the development of renewable agricultural resources.

• Grants to conserve water and operate and maintain the irrigation water delivery systems on Indian irrigation projects.

• Loans to assist Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, Native American Organizations, and individual American Indians in obtaining financing from private sources to promote business development initiatives.

• Grants to maintain, protect, enhance, and develop Indian forest resources through the execution of forest management activities.

• Grants to assist in the conservation of the Nation’s natural resources by providing financial assistance for land management, research, and data collection/analysis to further the preservation of natural resources.

• Grants to assist Indian tribes in the management, planning and development of their water and related land resources.

Money issued by the RBCS Department of Agriculture:

• Loans to assist Indian tribes or individuals in rural areas to obtain quality loans for the purpose of improving, developing, or financing business, industry, and employment.

Money issued by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA:

• Loans to enable federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal corporations to acquire land within tribal reservations.

• Loans to assist eligible farmers to become owner-operators of not larger than family farms; makes efficient use of the land, labor, and other resources; carry on sound and successful farming operations; and enable farm families to have a reasonable standard of living.


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Money issued by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Department of Labor:

• Grants to support employment and training activities for Indian individuals in order to develop more fully the academic, occupational, and literacy skills, make such individuals more competitive in the workforce, and to promote the economic and social development of Indians.

Money issued by Rural Utilities Service (RUS), USDA:

• Grants and loans to provide basic human amenities, alleviate health hazards and promote the orderly froth of the rural areas of the nation by meeting the need for new and improved rural water and waste disposal facilities.

Money issued by Rural Development, USDA:

• Grants uses include acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; pollution control and abatement, capitalization of revolving loan funds including funds that will make loans for start ups and working capital; training and technical assistance; distance adult learning for job training and advancement; and project planning.

Money issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA:

• Grant uses: conduct surveys, inspections to detect and appraise infestations, eradication and control activities, and carry out regulatory actions to prevent interstate spread of infestations and disease.

3.1.5.1 FINANCE COUNSELING AND FINANCE PROGRAMS The National FSA American Indian Credit Outreach Initiative (AICOI) is the best source for finance counseling and finance programs available to the Yankton Indian Reservation. The AICOI is a USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) funded outreach and educational effort to provide one-on-one FSA loan application preparation assistance and other kinds of financial opportunities to American Indian farmers, ranchers, and the youth. The major objective of this initiative is to ensure American Indians are afforded an opportunity to understand, access, and participate in the plethora of FSA administered credit opportunities available, as well as some of the other USDA programs that are available for Indian families. At this point in time, this program is the only external outlet for potential American Indian borrowers to receive counseling, education and on-on-one assistance to complete a GSA or guaranteed commercial loan application. Money Management International (MMI) is a company that offers great opportunities to the Yankton Sioux Tribe, as well as individual tribal members. MMI will help with budgeting, money management and credit issues through online, telephone and in-person counseling. MMI helps assess finances and works with a person to create a livable budget to balance income with expenses. MMI will also help develop action items that will help achieve an individual’s financial goals. In addition, MMI's education extends beyond immediate credit problems to


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create strong financial knowledge. From personal finance teacher's resources for children to money management tools, MMI's education center helps make finance easy to learn and understand. As well as these resources, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) is another resource for financial counseling and education. CCCS is a trusted source of financial solutions for everyday people. They provide the tools necessary to help consumers become better money managers through counseling and educational services. Financial counseling provides the opportunity to address individual financial issues or concerns in a private confidential setting. A certified credit counselor will review the client’s current financial position including income, expenses, debt and current goals. They will then help the client review their options and map out an action plan to address their needs and achieve their goals. CCCS offers financial counseling in person, by telephone and on-line. As well as these services, CCCS offers financial education seminars located on-site that can be customized to meet the financial needs of a community such as the Yankton Indian Reservation. 3.1.5.2 LINKS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION Grants and Loans Sources: http://www.federalgrantswire.com

• Agriculture on Indian Lands (15.034) • Business and Industry Loans (10.768) • Irrigation Operations and Maintenance on Indian Lands (15.049) • Indian Loans-Economic Development (15.124) • Indian Tribes and Tribal Corporation Loans (10.421) • Forestry on Indian Lands (15.035) • Research Grants (Generic) (15.650) • Water Resources on Indian Lands (15.037) • Farm Ownership Loans (10.407) • Native American Employment and Training (17.265) • Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities (10.760)

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/rbeg.htm http://www.educationmoney.com/prgm_10.025_agric.html 3.2 AGRICULTURAL SERVICES 3.2.1 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.


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IPM is a series of pest management evaluations, decisions, and controls. In order to implement IPM, the Yankton Indian Reservation would need to follow the EPA’s four-tiered approach to IPM: Setting Action Thresholds The action threshold is the point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken. Sighting a single pest does not always mean control action must be taken. The level at which pests will either become an economic threat is critical to guide future pest control decisions.

Monitor and Identify Pests Not all insects, weeds, and other living organisms require control. Many organisms are innocuous, and some are even beneficial. IPM programs work to monitor for pests and identify them accurately, so that appropriate control decisions can be made in conjunction with action thresholds. This monitoring and identification removes the possibility that pesticides will be used when they are not really needed or that the wrong kind of pesticide will be used. Prevention As a first line of pest control, IPM programs work to manage the crop, lawn, or indoor space to prevent pests from becoming a threat. In an agricultural crop, this may mean using cultural methods, such as rotating between different crops, selecting pest-resistant varieties, and planting pest-free rootstock. These control methods can be very effective and cost-efficient and present little to no risk to people or the environment. Control Once monitoring, identification, and action thresholds indicate that pest control is necessary, and preventive methods are no longer effective or available, IPM programs then evaluate the proper control method for both effectiveness and risk. Effective, less risky pest controls are chosen first, including highly targeted chemicals, such as pheromones to disrupt pest mating, or mechanical control, such as trapping or weeding. If further monitoring, identifications and action thresholds indicate that less risky controls are not working, then additional pest control methods would be employed, such as targeted spraying of pesticides. Broadcast spraying of non-specific pesticides is a last resort. The preferred pesticides are biopesticides, which are pesticides that are natural and cause the least harm to the environment while still producing the desired result. Biopesticides include naturally occurring substances that control pests, microorganisms that control pests, and pesticidal substances produced by plants containing added genetic material. 3.2.2 SEEDING AND FERTILIZER Corn is one of the Yankton Indian Reservations most farmed crops. Obtaining maximum profit from a corn crop depends on the timely planting of an appropriate hybrid seed, at the proper depth, with a planter that evenly spaces the seeds. It is recommended that a corn planter be used in order to place the seed in the ground at uniform depth and with a uniform distance between seeds. Growing conditions should also be considered because poor seed quality or problems


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such as soil crusting, areas that are too wet or too dry, or cold soil temperatures for extended periods may be responsible for non-uniform stands. Timing is also very important when planting corn. Spring planting periods for corn range from late April to mid-June with the optimal suggested seeding dates occurring between May 1st and May 15th. A general rule to follow is that corn should not be planted until the soil temperature (measured at two inches between seven and eight a.m.) approaches fifty degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the seeds will readily absorb water and will initiate root and shoot growth, which would be hindered in colder temperatures. Successful seed germination depends on soil moisture and temperature. Under optimal conditions, seed is commonly placed 1 ½ to 2 inches below the soil surface. In dry conditions, it may be advantageous to plant deeper (2 to 3 inches). If the soil is very dry and rain is not expected, seed may be placed up to 3 inches deep. Planting deeper than 3 inches is not recommended as reduced emergence may result. The likelihood of rain is an important factor when making planting depth decisions. If surface residue has been removed, rain can seal the surface of the soil, making it difficult for the developing plant to emerge. Once planted, closers or packing wheels should be used to apply pressure for good seed-to-soil contact but keep in mind, too much pressure will compact the seedbed. The down-pressure should be adjusted in consideration of soil moisture and residue conditions. Nutrient availability is another factor affecting seed germination and plant growth. Corn is a heavy consumer of nitrogen, lack of nutrients in the soil could drastically decrease crop yield. To provide nutrients for corn, fertilization up to three times during its development is recommended. In addition, insects and weeds must be controlled in order for a successful yield to occur. Crop rotation and use of hybrid corn varieties are useful in making crops more resistant to pests and diseases, and producing a better overall crop yield. Soybeans are another staple crop of the Yankton Indian Reservation. Soybeans are used as food substitutes, fertilizer, animal feed, and as a source of special oils, among other uses. Soybeans are hardy plants and are well adapted to a variety of soil conditions. In order to obtain a high yield soybean crop, top quality soil is required. Ideal soil for optimum soybean production is a loose, well-drained loam. The advantages of top quality soil include movement of air to roots and nitrogen-fixing root nodules, increased water holding capacity, reduced erosion, reduced weed populations, maintenance of steady and balanced nutrients to roots and balance pH, and increased potential to protect roots. Preparing the seedbed is vital in farming soybeans. The ideal seedbed for soybeans should provide moisture and the appropriate temperature for rapid germination and seedling emergence. The soil should remain friable without crusting over when dry. Germination of weed seeds should be delayed or prevented. Soil moisture must be sufficient to allow uniform and steady germination rates. If soybeans germinate and grow rapidly, weeds can be shaded out. When planting soybeans, the seeds should be planted deep enough to meet the moisture and temperature requirements for germination. Typical planting depths are 1 to 1 ½ inches, but if soil is low in moisture or sandy, planting 2 inches deep are recommended. In cool moist soil,


May 2010 3-16

seed can be planted one inch deep. Row width is another consideration when planting. An important goal is stand uniformity. If weeds are controlled, soybeans will yield more in narrow rows than in 30-inch rows. In narrower rows, weeds cannot be cultivated easily. Soil nutrients play an important role in the germination and development of all crops including soybeans. Since most soils have deficiencies or imbalances in the amounts of nutrients available, fertilizer is often a necessity. The recommended fertilizer is one with low nitrogen content, as studies have shown that where nitrogen fertilizer was added to soil, no yield increase occurred, while the root nodules fixed less nitrogen. The fertilizer used should also add or replenish those nutrients the soil is lacking for soybean production which include nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and sulfur. A soil analysis should be done to determine the optimal fertilizer. Hay is a generic term for grass or legumes that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal feed, particularly for grazing animals like cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Many types of hay may also include legumes, such as alfalfa. A firm seedbed is essential for grass and legume establishment. A well-packed seedbed will permit a shallow, precise seeding depth and allow the seed to be placed in close contact with moist soil. Seedbed preparations usually differ due to soil types, however, tillage is usually necessary. No-till alfalfa establishment is a viable alternative to tilled seedbeds. Seeding should be done in early spring into clean small-grain stubble, which is very successful when weed growth is controlled with post-emergent herbicides. When using no-till alfalfa, soil moisture is preserved for seed germination and early growth, allowing successful stand establishment even in dry years. Prior crops do have an influence on successful stand establishment when seeding directly into crop stubble. The crops found to have the best grass stands are sorghum, millet, oats, barley, wheat, and flax stubbles. Improper planting depth is the cause of many grass and legume (hay) seeding failures. A shallow seeding depth is important in establishing grasses and legumes. Large-seeded wheatgrass should be planted .35 to .65 inches deep on medium to heavy textured soils. It may be necessary to plant at .75 to 1.25 inches deep on sandy soils due to rapid drying of the surface. The shallower depths are recommended for small-seeded grasses and legumes. In order to maintain a healthy crop, fertilizer must be used if the soil does not provide the needed nutrients for both grass and legumes. Fertilizer recommendations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and micronutrients should be based on soil test data. In grazed pastures, these nutrient levels remain relatively stable or decline at much slower rates than in hay or field crop situations due to the recycling effect of the livestock. Therefore, once a soil test is completed and the fertilizer applied, retest pastures every three years to monitor nutrient levels. Hay fields should be tested annually. Sunflowers work well as a full season crop in rotation with corn, and soybeans, which are two major crops on the Yankton Indian Reservation. The farmers on the reservation can benefit from farming sunflowers because adding sunflowers to an existing crop rotation can reduce pest problems such as corn borer or soybean cyst nematode. Other advantages of sunflowers are that its vigorous growth and robust size make it very competitive with most weeds. Sunflowers


May 2010 3-17

generally grow best on well-drained soils, but are tolerant of clay loam or silty clay loam soils and perform fairly well on sandy loam soils. The sunflower season shorter than most crops, so it can be planted later or harvested earlier, helping to spread out workload. The recommended planting depth for sunflowers is 1 to 1 ½ inches below the soil. Row spacing studies have shown that sunflowers do not yield better in narrow rows, whereas wide rows are preferable. They are not particular sensitive to seeding rate, since head size (and seed number) per plant will increase in a thinner strand. Seeding rates should range from 15,000 to 25,000 plants per acre. Planting can begin anytime after soils have warmed to 50o Fahrenheit. Planting on different dates is recommended to reduce risk and spread out labor load. To ensure a good yield from a sunflower crop, soil fertility must be considered. A soil test should be conducted to ascertain the nutrient components of the soil where the sunflower crop will be planted. Sunflowers have modest fertility needs, but they do respond well to nitrogen. Phosphorous and potassium should be applied based on soil test recommendation, and on sandy soils, sunflowers are often responsive to extra potassium fertilizer. Successful wheat production requires the use of management practices that contribute to high yields of forage or grain. Wheat is most productive when planted on soils that have good surface and internal drainage, a fertility level of at least medium and a neutral of slightly acidic soil. Fields that have poor surface or internal drainage or that are subject to prolonged overflow should not be planted to wheat. Seedbed preparation should be thorough enough to incorporate existing vegetation and permit uniform planting. Plowing may be required where excessive vegetation exists as when following corn or grain sorghum with wheat. If little vegetation is present, disking may provide a good seedbed and allow proper drill operation. Planting with a no-till drill may be successful if the surface is smooth and little vegetation is present. Planting wheat earlier than the recommended planting dates will subject the plants to greater insect and disease pressure and also make the plants more prone to winter injury. Although wheat emerges sooner and the shoot develops faster in warm soil (75 to 80 degrees), the root system develops much faster and more extensively if the soil is cools (55 to 60 degrees). For proper emergence and a vigorous stand, plant seed at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Coverage should be less in medium to heavy textured soils than in light or sandy soils. Coverage should also be reduced for late planting and for planting into soils with abundant moisture for emergence. Planting with a grain drill is the preferred method because it allows uniform depth of planting and results in a more uniform stand. Broadcast seeding followed by light disking or harrowing to cover the seed can be used where drilling is not convenient. A seeding rate of 60-90 pounds per acre of high quality seed planted into a good seedbed with adequate moisture is satisfactory. Adjust the seeding rate up to about 90 pounds per acre for broadcast planting, late planting, or planting into a poorly prepared seedbed or one with inadequate moisture. Test soils to determine fertilizer and lime needs well before planting time. Nitrogen is often the most deficient of all the plant nutrients. Wheat is very sensitive to insufficient nitrogen and very responsive to nitrogen fertilization. Phosphorous is another important nutrient necessary for a


May 2010 3-18

high yield wheat crop. Depending on the soil analysis, other nutrients necessary for proper fertilization include potassium, sulfur, zinc, and chloride. Barley is a short-season, early maturing crop. It is produced in a variety of climates and in both irrigated and dry land production areas. In fact, barley is the third largest feed grain crop produced in the United States, after corn and sorghum. It grows best in a site that has good drainage and high oxygen (well-ventilated). The soil should not contain too many nutrients because this will make barley leggy, and it will lose its compact shape. Barley can be grown in winter or spring, and planting barley early in the season increases your chances for a good crop. The ideal temperature for growing barley is close to freezing. So, plant the barley in cool ground. Plant the seeds so that there are 20-25 barley plants in every square foot. There should be a distance of 20 inches between the rows. It is recommended that the seeds be planted between 1 and 1½ inches below the soil surface. Planting closer to the soil surface is desirable for quick emergence and helps establish a quick stand to compete against weeds. Planting too deep is often a problem. A firmer seedbed, depth control measures (such as depth gauge bands) on seeding equipment, and a planting speed of about 3 to 4 mph is suggested. In order to obtain a good crop yield, fertilizer use should be based on soil nutrient analysis. Barley requires adequate nitrogen, but the line between adequate and excessive nitrogen is fine. In addition, excessive nitrogen may result in lodging, which lowers yields and increases the incidence and severity of head blight and other diseases in some years. If fertilizer is necessary, nitrogen can be applied with the seed at planting, and phosphorus application is most efficient and results in the highest yield and economic returns if applied near or with the seed. The most efficient fertilizer should be chosen based on the results of the soil analysis. Oats are normally grown as a grain crop, as a forage crop (greenchop, ensilage, haying, and grazing), alone or in mixtures with rye and clovers, as a catch-crop for nitrogen, as a crop to control erosion (cover crop), and as a crop to add organic matter to the soil (green manure). The palatability of oats as forage, as well as its forage quality, is the best of the small grains. As a result, the performance of animals pastured on oats (or, more commonly, oats in combination with other winter annual grasses or legumes) is outstanding. Preparation of a smooth, firm, vegetation-free seedbed aids in precise planting and obtaining a good stand. Disking is probably the most common method of seedbed preparation for small grains. However, recent studies suggest that deep tillage before planting may be beneficial. Chisel-plowing and turn-plowing usually result in 5 to 15 bushels per acre more than disking or no-till and 600 to 1,000 pounds per acre higher forage yields. Oat seed should be placed in firm contact with enough soil to prevent rapid drying. Seed should be placed at depths of 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches. Deeper coverage may result in loss of vigor and failure of the seed to produce emerged seedlings. For uniform depth of coverage, the seedbed should be smooth and the grain drill should be adjusted so that all openers are planting at the same depth. If some openers are planting too deep or shallow, poor seed emergence and poor stands may result in those rows.


May 2010 3-19

Soil acidity (low pH) often reduces the yield of oats. This can be easily corrected by introducing lime to the soil. The recommended pH range for oats is 5.8 to 6.5. Any needed lime should be incorporated into the topsoil before planting time. Soil analysis will dictate the nutrients necessary for a good crop yield. The main nutrients important in oat production are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Needs vary from field to field, and fertilization with these elements should be based on a soil test. Fertilizer use for agriculture by the Yankton Indian Reservation should follow those guidelines set out in fertilizer use best management practices (BMP) by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI). This information can be found in Appendix 2. 3.2.3 NURSERY A nursery can be a part of a diversification strategy to make a farm more profitable or a nursery can be a sole enterprise. In either case, the Yankton Indian Reservation could benefit from establishing a nursery on the Reservation. According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (NSAIS) and nursery business can be set up different ways. There are three different nursery options. Landscape nurseries, which grow plants for retail sales and for their in-house landscape service; retail nurseries, which include small nurseries and garden centers that grow plants on limited acreage for strictly retail sales to the homeowner and to landscape contractors; and wholesale nurseries, which include contract propagators, contract growers, and distributors of nursery stock for wholesale to other nurseries, landscape contractors and retail outlets. The most important things to consider before starting production are what crops to grow and how to market them. Some important facts to consider are that container-grown crops generate about ten times more sales per acre than field crops. Lawns and garden centers draw close to eighty percent of their customers from a five to fifteen mile radius. Retail garden centers usually want small plants in one to three gallon containers, while landscapers want larger container plants in the three to five gallon range. Lastly, the nursery industry is dependent on the construction industry and on the rate of unemployment in the vicinity of the nursery. Before starting a nursery business, a market analysis is necessary to determine what opportunities exist to sell plant materials in the local area. A market analysis includes finding out what crops other nurseries grow successfully in the region. The analysis also evaluates competition potential from area nurseries. Marketing starts with a decision about what to produce and at what volume. Determine what kind of customers the nursery will attract and what size of plants those customers want. The different customer categories are mass merchandisers, which normally want large volumes of a few popular plant species, landscapers who want high quality specimens carefully identified by their customer, and lawn and garden centers whose range falls in between the mass merchandisers and the landscapers in terms of variety and size. From here, the buyer’s preferences must be determined. There must be constant monitoring of customer characteristics and purchases. Lastly, determine what combination of plants will maximize profits. Ornamental plants fall into general categories of shade trees, conifers, perennials, vines, shrubs, bulbs and


May 2010 3-20

annuals. While most nurseries grow a range of plants, there is a trend toward specialization. Growing only native groundcovers or only daylilies are viable niche markets. There are two types of nursery production, field and container. Field stock is either direct-seeded or transplanted from seedlings and then lifted as bare-root stock for use as nursery liners, fruit trees, seedlings for Christmas trees, windbreaks and conservation plantings. Field stock is also grown for balled and burlapped landscape or shade trees. Container stock, which is propagated from seed, rooted cuttings and field grown seedlings, is common in both forestry and landscape nursery production. Container growing trees have a greater chance for survival and establishment after transplanting. Containerized production does not require good soil and takes up less acreage. Containerized stock also enables the grower to extend the planting season. Soil productivity is not as important when growing only containerized products, but relatively level land with good draining is still necessary. Beginning nursery managers must learn the length of time required to produce marketable crops and how to schedule planting so the proper number of each species is available for the first year of sale and following years. A wide selection of ornamentals is produced in containers. Homeowners usually prefer to buy containerized plants because the plants are easier to transport and transplant than balled and burlapped plants. The advantages of container production include:

• Achieving high plant densities • Using land unsuited for field production • Planting at times independent of the weather • Eliminating some operations, like root pruning • Lowering transportation costs because of lightweight media • Experiencing less root loss and a greater chance of survival

The disadvantages are also numerous:

• Small containers need frequent watering • Nutrients deplete rapidly • Plants require winter protection • Plants can easily become root-bound • Wind can knock over trees • Containers are costly • Labor costs to pot up plants are high • Temperature extremes stress roots

There are several factors to keep in mind when deciding what containers to use. Factors include cost, design features that control root growth, durability, shipping capacity, availability, how the container affects growing medium moisture content and temperature, and how the container suits the particular needs of the nursery. Round black plastic pots are the industry standard, but can cause root constriction that leads to plants with poorly developed root systems. Copper-lined containers control root growth. Copper kills root tips that encounter it, forcing roots to branch


May 2010 3-21

within the root ball instead of circling around it. Plants grown in copper-treated containers are taller, less root-bound and have higher transplant survival. White and light-colored containers also produce more root growth and square and stair-step pots help keep plants from becoming root bound. Pots and containers designed for enhanced root growth are an important feature in containerized nursery production. Most container nurseries use great amounts of plastic in the form of pots, flats, hanging baskets, and greenhouse film. The nursery can reuse some of these products, but it is important to have a recycling system in place. Buying multiyear, ultraviolet-stabilizing greenhouse film decreases the amount of sheet plastic used each year, but this kind is very expensive and not always readily available. There are numerous recyclers around the country that accept nursery plastic, however many recyclers require nurseries to gather a certain amount of plastic before sending a truck to pick it up. This can be counteracted by combining plastic waste with other growers in the community. Weed control is another important factor to consider in container production. Weeds compete for water and nutrients and hinder sales of nursery stock. Weed control efforts should focus on two areas: in the pot and under the pot. Sanitation is the least costly and most effective method for controlling weeds. To prevent weed seeds from blowing into pots, a vegetation-free zone on and surrounding the production bed is critical. To keep weeds from growing under the pot, place pots on geotextile weed barriers or landscape cloth. Hand weeding is used less often due to the high cost associated with it, but it may be appropriate in a small nursery setting. Herbicides are widely used in container nursery production. Growers use a weed-free medium to establish nursery plants, but wind, birds and surface irrigation water all deposit weed seeds onto the pot surface. Pre- and post-emergent herbicides are commonly used in commercial nursery production to control these opportunists. Irrigation is another decision that must be made in the development of a new nursery. The two most widely used irrigation systems are overhead and drip or trickle systems. Overhead irrigation systems are designed to cover a large area and these systems are the least expensive to install. The downside is that this method does produce uneven water distribution, which can slow plant growth, encourage disease, and contribute to runoff. Large containers are usually watered with a drip or trickle system, which uses 60 to 70 percent less water than an overhead system. Drip irrigation systems cost more to install but have superior application uniformity and efficiency. Drip irrigation systems are also affected less by wind and crop canopies and produce less runoff. Another advantage is that workers can continue to work while the plants are being irrigated. The biggest disadvantage to a drip or trickle irrigation system, besides the initial cost, is keeping the pipes and emitters clean. In order to keep your plants healthy, integrated pest management is a necessity. Integrated pest management is an ecologically based pest control strategy that is part of the overall crop production system. It is called integrated because all appropriate methods from multiple scientific disciplines are combined into a systematic approach for optimizing pest control.


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Management implies acceptance of pests as inevitable components at some population level in the agricultural system. An integrated pest management program involves using resistant cultivars, building up populations of beneficial organisms, monitoring numbers of pests, developing treatment thresholds and using spot treatments of pesticides that are the least harmful to beneficial organisms and the environment. It is important to identify pests early so nursery managers can take appropriate measures quickly. Fertilization is another main component in starting a successful nursery. Large-scale container nursery productions are a huge success largely due to advances in media and fertilizer combinations. Commercial synthetic fertilizers including slow-release and liquid fertilizers are key factors in successful plant growth. There are four basic ways to fertilize containerized plants: incorporate, topdress, liquid feed and foliar feed. In a nursery container, fertilizer incorporation in the nursery mix is combined with liquid feeding should provide sufficient nutrition. Several organic fertilizers provide the nitrogen, which include alfalfa meal, blood meal and cottonseed meal, among others. Materials that provide phosphorous include oak leaves, bone meal and shrimp wastes, among others. Greensand, granite meal and soybean meal all provide potassium. Maintaining adequate levels of nutrients in the container medium is necessary for optimum growth of woody ornamentals. Potting media also plays an important role in nursery success. Field soil is sometimes used in container mixes. Field soil makes up ten to thirty percent of the mix by volume, but soil is heavy and requires the additional step of pasteurization to eliminate diseases and weed seeds. The standard replacement for soil is peat moss, but there is concern that peat is a non-renewable resource. In addition to peat moss, composted pine bark, a by-product of the lumber industry is an excellent medium for containerized plants. If container production is not chosen, field production is the other option. The most profitable product of field nurseries is bagged and burlapped shade trees for the landscape industry. In-ground production is advantageous to tap-rooted tree species, mass plantings, and inexpensive establishment. Disadvantages include a higher percentage of plant loss and longer establishment periods after transplantation. Field nursery production involves the use of unique soil management practices. Soil-building cover crops and crop rotations are important to maintain good soil structure, fertility, and organic matter. Integrating living mulches, cover crops and the application of high-quality composts in field nursery operations are the fastest ways to improve nursery soil. To reduce pest problems, plant a diversity of species rather than a large block of single species followed by a large block of another species. A recent innovation in field nursery production is the use of in-ground fabric containers, sometimes called root control bags, or field grow bags. The advantages of these field grow bags are numerous. Bags enhance rooting, leave eighty percent of roots intact during transplanting, make harvesting easier, save labor and time, do not require special machinery at harvest and can


May 2010 3-23

be harvested year-round. Bagged and burlapped plants are normally harvested only during dormancy. There are also disadvantages when considering bagged and burlapped planting. The initial investment in grow bags is expensive, plants need more staking and water after transplanting, damaged bags cannot be used, mechanical cultivation and precise fertilizer application are difficult and bag removal can be difficult and time consuming. One last disadvantage that must be accounted for is that bagged and burlapped production leads to the loss of 200 to 250 tons of topsoil per acre at each harvest. The digging and removal of topsoil from bagged and burlapped nursery operations can seriously deplete the farm’s most important resource over a long time. Weed control is also another necessary factor to consider for field planting. Weed control in modern field nursery production is based on the use of herbicides. There are many excellent non-chemical alternatives, however. These include mechanical cultivation, flame weeding, mulches, living mulches, steam and solarization. At some point, nurseries must dig up field grown trees and plants. Plants are often stored after digging. Conventional production systems dig trees in late fall or early winter and store trees in warehouses until early spring. During this time, nurseries spray bare-root trees with fungicides and bacteriostats to keep problems from arising. There are many major considerations when starting a nursery, the most important being cost. The costs of nursery production include overhead, direct and marketing costs. Overhead costs include all the general costs of operating the nursery, like taxes, depreciation, interest, rent, utilities, insurance, maintenance and repair, new construction, new equipment, supplies, managerial and administrative salaries and labor wages that cannot be assigned to a particular crop. Direct costs are tied to a crop, like purchasing seed, potting media and fertilizers. When pricing the plants to be sold, a few things should be taken into consideration to ensure a profitable return. Exact production costs should be attained and the price should include these costs and a reasonable profit for each crop. Prices and quantities offered by competitors need to be considered if there is competition nearby. Lastly, supply and demand for the crop should be considered, excluding the price for high-quality products, and loyal customer demand. Nursery managers can alter their production systems to incorporate products and techniques that will help the nursery meet some of the goals of sustainable agriculture. Nurseries can reduce fertilizer and pesticide runoff, conserve soil, recycle plastics and use organic waste. If the resources are available to the Yankton Indian Reservation, a nursery production could be a very successful addition to the reservation. 3.2.4 VETERINARY AND ANIMAL FEED The Yankton Indian Reservation uses its’ land for a variety of purposes, one being buffalo farming. Buffalo are normally raised commercially for sale, breeding, tourism, and for their meat. The meat is valued for its high protein content and its low calorie, fat and cholesterol content. The Yankton Indian Reservation currently has approximately 125 buffalo that are kept


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on two different pastures, an east pasture and a west pasture. The combined acreage is 669 acres in total, which is more than suitable for the number of buffalo. There are many issues to consider when farming buffalo. Fencing is one main concern. A strong fence is necessary to keep them from getting lost and to prevent them from destroying property. Exterior fences are of great importance. An exterior fence of at least six feet tall is recommended, because buffalo are capable of jumping over six feet. In addition, correct handling of the buffalo is important. Buffalo are not a domestic animal and require different handling than cattle for example. Buffalo are much more nervous and excitable in close quarters. They must be worked slowly and calmly, because buffalo react as a group to danger and stress. If one panics, the whole herd will panic and this can lead to injury or death of buffalo as well as farmers. Feed for buffalo is roughly the same as for a cow. After weaning from their mothers milk, young bison feed on a variety of green plants for the rest of their lives. Bison feed mostly on grass. They also eat a few other small plants, as well as twigs of willows and low shrubs. Bison normally feed five times a day: just before dawn, before midday, in the middle of the afternoon, one to two hours before sunset, and again around midnight. One major difference from cows is that buffalo can be raised on grain. This gives farmers another food source to utilize when the pastures are not producing enough food for the buffalo. There are other benefits to raising buffalo, such as no artificial shelter is needed, they have a long productive life, cows calve on their own, they are disease resistant/very hardy animals and they thrive in most American landscapes. These are many of the reasons why buffalo farming is and should continue on the Yankton Indian Reservation. Raising cattle is another opportunity that the Yankton Indian Reservation can use to help with self-determinacy. In order to start raising cattle, a suitable number of cattle must be purchased. The best way to find cattle at good prices is to go to a local co-op, which will normally help in finding farmers who have cattle for sale. Another good source for buying cattle are auction houses, however, attention must be paid that the animal is in good health. After the cattle are obtained, there are five basic factors to consider when raising beef cattle: shelter, water, pasture, hay, and feed. In regards to shelter, it is not necessary to build oversize barns; a simple windbreak will provide a suitable shelter for yearlings and older cattle. An important consideration when providing shelter for cattle is to make it draft free, but not tight. Cattle give off a great amount of moisture in respiration and voiding of wastes. Structures that do not allow that moisture to escape can cause all sorts of health problems in the cattle. A good three sided shed, with its back into the wind will provide plenty of shelter during the worst of weather. Having shelter is very beneficial to cattle. During the summer, cattle will benefit from some shade. A few trees, preferably on high ground, or a shed or barn with opposite opening sides will provide satisfactory shade. Most cattle prefer high ground with shade in order to catch a breeze coming from any direction. Another beneficial part of shelter is fencing. Sturdy fences


May 2010 3-25

are a must when raising cattle. They can tear things up that are not sturdily built. Fences are expensive to build and maintain and will deteriorate rapidly if cattle are allowed to rub against them. A single “hot” wire (one hooked to an electric fence charger) will keep them off the fence preserving the life of the fence. Cattle also need a good supply of water. A typical cow will drink twelve gallons of water per day. This amount can be used as a baseline when providing troughs or tubs as a water source. Tank heaters will also pay off in the winter and will minimize the ice chopping that must be done. Pasture is another necessary factor when raising cattle. The best all-around pasture for cattle in the north-central states is mixtures of Ladino and grass, which will produce a good amount of grazing for the cattle. Other plant types to consider are Bluegrass, Redtop, Sudan Grass, and Rye. The local County Extension Agent should be consulted for their recommendations. Hay use can be very beneficial to the production of good beef cattle. Hay, especially good legume hay, will produce hearty cattle and usually a profit. It is likely that it will take one-half to three-quarters ton of hay in fattening out a steer or heifer. When it comes to hay, alfalfa is tops for beef cattle. It is the standard by which all other hay is judged. It is also the most expensive hay to purchase if you are buying it. Under most conditions, it will produce a greater yield than other plant types. Alfalfa produces more than twice as much digestible protein per acre as mixed clover-timothy hay, and over three times as much as corn. It is also richer in vitamins and minerals. Some good substitutes for alfalfa include Red clover, Alsike clover, Ladino clover, Sweet clover, Annual Lespedeza, and Soybeans. Ground feeding can be used in addition to hay feeding. For feeding, corn is the best crop for fattening cattle. If hay feeding is supplemented with ground feeding, a good mixture to use is 1000 lbs corn, 100 lbs. beef supplement, 50 lbs. molasses feed, and 5 lbs. salt. Any feed mill or co-op can grind the formula. The salt in the mixture is necessary because cattle require salt for the maintenance of health. In many cattle farming operations, salt licks or mineral blocks will be found readily available for the cattle. In addition to cattle farming, dairy farming can be another good source of jobs and income. As in cattle farming, cows are the core of the dairy farming business. The milk produced by the cows is the product that will be sold. As such, a majority of the cows on the dairy farm need to be female. A male can be used in order to produce calves for sale to slaughterhouses to supplement the dairy farm income. One drawback to dairy farming is the high startup cost. Dairy farms are one of the most expensive businesses to operate and start. The most expensive startup costs are incurred by equipment purchases. The necessary farm equipment includes tractors for pulling machinery around, and a hay baler, which helps bale the feed for the cattle. Each round bale produced by this machine will feed roughly twenty five cows for one day. In addition, a combine is necessary to harvest the crops that will be used for feeding the dairy cows. If a farming operation is currently running, much of this equipment will already be available and will result in a lower startup cost. Storage buildings are also necessary to store both feed for the cattle, as well as the


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manure, which can be used as fertilizer for future crops. Lastly, milking equipment is necessary unless milking the cows can be accomplished by hand. Having the milking equipment in the dairy farm will help cut the time required to produce milk from the cows rather than doing it by hand. Feed is a very important part of running a successful dairy farm. Cows can feed on a number of plants such as grass and corn among others. These feed products can be bought from local farmers, a co-op, a feed store, or can be grown on site, which would be much more cost efficient. If the feed is grown on owner property, another advantage is being able to sell the extra feed that will not be used for the dairy farm operation. 3.2.5 SOIL RANGE CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES (EROSION

CONTROL, IRRIGATION) Soil erosion has affected land all over the world. Soil erosion can be described as soil particles being shifted around due to the devastating impact of rainfall, wind and ice melt. It is a natural process but in most cases, human activity speeds up the process. Once the soil particles shift around to unknown areas, it begins to cause gullies, cracks and severe dryness to the soil. Soil erosion will affect plants, flowers, vegetation and crops because the soil does not contain enough nutrients or energy to help them grow healthily. Soil erosion control is an action, which is taken into place by farm owners to prevent the destruction of soil, which is caused by the natural effects of wind, rain and excessive water on the soil surface. Soil erosion prevention should begin with soil erosion controlling methods. Prevention methods should be determined by the depth and severity of soil erosion, which has occurred. Soil erosion prevention methods will help keep your soil healthy and willing to offer a place for plants and trees to grow and thrive. There are many ways to prevent soil erosion from occurring. There are also many products to assist with this process. There are four main top soil erosion prevention methods, which can help control erosion at a low cost. Planting Vegetation One of the most common ways to prevent soil erosion on vegetation and crop properties is to plant flowers, trees and crops over the affected soil. Plants act as protective shields to the soil lessening the impact of rainfall, wind, excessive watering and ice melt. The plants will also help stabilize the soil and prevent it from becoming prone to soil erosion. Some popular soil erosion prevention plants are wild flowers, crop veggies, small trees and herbs. Plants that crawl up and spread instead of growing upwards are also great soil erosion prevention plants. Matting Erosion prevention products are available in many styles. One of the most common products that are mostly used on vegetation crops and vacant land is matting. Matting is available in wood fibers, which make it environmentally friendly and biodegradable. The matting will be


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placed on the soils surface and prevent erosion from occurring. The matting will allow plants, crops and trees to grow through it and the soil will be healthy and stabilized. Matting can be cut to size to suit the property. Mulch/Fertilizer Another soil erosion prevention method, which is beneficial to the soil and plants, which live in it, is applying a layer of mulch and fertilizer over the soil. The mulch and fertilizer layer will assist the soil to soak in water slowly and it will also lessen the impact of rainfall is it penetrates through to the soil. The mulch and fertilizer layer will also stabilize the soil by regaining its pH levels to be health and neutralized. Any type of mulch or fertilizer can be used to prevent soil erosion. Residue and Crop Covers Residues and crop covers are two ideal ways for soil erosion control. The benefits of proper crops on all types of soils is vitally important as they act as shields to the soil and they intercept the force of water and rain delicately and therefore the soil will be protected against erosion from these natural forces. Root systems of the crop covers will help stabilize the underlying soil, which will control the soils erosion. In addition, building a man made dam will help retain runoff water which will then reduce soil erosion. Protecting the land on farm property from erosion will help manage and protect against problems cause by erosion. Erosion controls should be implemented due to the many benefits including:

• Crop yields will sustain and improve in growth; • Drainage costs will be low; • Nutrients and chemicals will be retained when applied; • Hazards will not occur if soil erosion does not occur; • Water quality will improve dramatically; and • Soil structure will be maintained.

In addition to erosion control, irrigation is necessary for soil range conservation. Irrigation is the controlled application of water for agricultural purposes through manmade systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall. Crop irrigation is vital throughout the world in order to provide the world's ever-growing populations with enough food. Many different irrigation methods are used, including:

• Center-Pivot: Automated sprinkler irrigation achieved by automatically rotating the sprinkler pipe or boom, supplying water to the sprinkler heads or nozzles, as a radius from the center of the field to be irrigated. Water is delivered to the center or pivot point of the system. The pipe is supported above the crop by towers at fixed intervals and propelled by pneumatic, mechanical, hydraulic, or electric power on wheels or skids in fixed circular paths at uniform angular speeds. Water is applied at a uniform rate by progressive increase of nozzle size from the pivot to the end of the line. The depth of water applied is determined by the rate of travel of the system. Single units are ordinarily about 1,250 to 1,300 feet long and irrigate about a 130-acre circular area.


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• Drip: A planned irrigation system in which water is applied directly to the Root Zone of plants by means of applicators (orifices, emitters, porous tubing, perforated pipe, etc.)

• Operated under low pressure with the applicators being placed either on or below the surface of the ground.

• Flood: The application of irrigation water where the entire surface of the soil is covered by water.

• Furrow: A partial surface flooding method of irrigation normally used with clean-tilled crops where water is applied in furrows or rows of sufficient capacity to contain the designed irrigation system.

• Gravity: Irrigation in which the water is not pumped but flows and is distributed by gravity.

• Rotation: A system by which irrigators receive an allotted quantity of water, not a continuous rate, but at stated intervals.

• Sprinkler: A planned irrigation system in which water is applied by means of perforated pipes or nozzles operated under pressure to form a spray pattern.

• Sub-irrigation: Applying irrigation water below the ground surface either by raising the water table within or near the root zone or by using a buried perforated or porous pipe system that discharges directly into the root zone.

• Traveling Gun: Sprinkler irrigation system consisting of a single large nozzle that rotates and is self-propelled. The name refers to the fact that the base is on wheels and can be moved by the irrigator or affixed to a guide wire.

• Supplemental: Irrigation to ensure increased crop production in areas where rainfall normally supplies most of the moisture needed.

• Surface: Irrigation where the soil surface is used as a conduit, as in furrow and border irrigation as opposed to sprinkler irrigation or sub-irrigation.

A well designed, properly installed and appropriately maintained irrigation system can be the most efficient way to keep soil healthy and provide for a good crop yield. The benefits of an automatic irrigation system include:

• reduced labor for watering; • convenience; • full landscape coverage; • easy control over irrigation timing for overnight or early-morning watering; and • minimized plant loss during drought.


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4.0 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO REACH GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Yankton Sioux Reservation has a number of natural resources available to them. These resources must be managed in a way that ensures sustainability over a long period of time. Natural resource management is a very reliable way to help increase the sustainability of the natural resources on Reservation land and must be implemented to help the Tribe reach their goal of sustainability. For this reason, critical management issues have been identified for each resource on the Yankton Sioux Reservation and proposed management policies have been identified to address the management issues. In addition, control discussions were developed to help in implementing the proposed management policies. The identified management issues, proposed restoration, and control discussion for the Yankton Sioux Reservation are found in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1

Yankton Sioux Reservation Natural Resource Management

Management Issue Proposed Remediation Control Discussion A. Agriculture 1. Integration of United States Department of Agriculture programs. 2. Soil erosion 3. Control of Noxious weeds. 4. Lack of agricultural and irrigated lands available for leasing.

USDA/BIA/Tribal resource discussion on integration of programs on Trust land. Implement a management database which identifies those tracts most susceptible for erosion. Monitor and enforce rotational grazing stipulations. Integrate active pest management programs; cost-share program and require strict compliance with weed control on trust lands. Monitor and enforce weed control stipulations on trust land. Enforce regulatory requirements that require good land management practices. Recover under-utilized or non-utilized land. Identify and seek information on

Trust land agricultural programs should be integrated into trust lands. Over grazing causes severe soil erosion. Active enforcement of Conservation stipulations would alleviate this issue. Reseed areas or practice grazing rotation to mitigate this issue. Total control is highly unlikely. Mitigation activities should be directed at controlling the point of origin and the subsequent spread. A variety of control measures should be implemented: herbicides and biotic control. The Tribe may develop and implement a policy regarding Tribal members or Tribal Corporation leasing of Tribal lands. Research resources for


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5. Agricultural lands converted to non-agricultural purposes. 6. Integration of USDA programs. 7. Alternative markets for agricultural products. B. Grazing (not haylands) 1. Water resources for tracts utilized for gazing.

developing irrigation resources for trust land. Identify allotted, tribal, and tribal fee lands which may be impacted by the conversion. Evaluate the development priorities and projects against the total land base. Classify lands for agricultural development. Document losses and allow for seek federal programs to compensate for losses. Request/integrate agricultural extension activities into Trust land management Tribal farmers should be made aware of the potential for alternative crops and livestock. Tribal farmers should be made aware of the programs to control noxious and invasive weeds. Tribal farmers should be made aware of the potential for alternative crops and livestock. Some allotted and tribal tracts do not have water resources for AUM utilization.

developing irrigated tracts. Consult with Tribe on developing a land code which protects the land base but allows tribal members to request homesite acres—1.0 to 1.5 acres along border of tract. Implement and utilize data management system to classify lands. Cropland productive capability will be negatively impacted by uncontrolled development. The Tribe needs to develop codes to protect their Natural Resources. Tribal farmers need assistance from USDA extension agents. Establish a program by which the two entities work together on issues. State programs may not be available to Tribal farmers. USDA and BIA provide program expertise to assist tribal farmers. Tribal farmers work with USDA agents to develop and integrate crops and livestock into alternative markets. Identify tracts without water. Develop a plan to acquire funds for drilling wells on tract or creating catchments.


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2. Control grazing management on allotted and tribal tracts. 3. Enforce rotational grazing plan on allotted and tribal tracts. 4. Allotted and tribal lands should have appropriate improvements: wells, fence, and wildlife control. C. Land Management 1. Land leases

Sustain compliance activities regarding AUM and grazing rotation. Fence all grazing tracts to allow for rotational grazing. Research, plan, and implement a range improvement project to address: fencing, water, and rotation plan for allotted and tribal tracts. Integrate cross fencing into tribal and allotted tracts to accommodate rotational grazing. Develop water catchments/wells on all allotted and tribal grazing tracts. Lessees must conform to conservation plans and adhere to terms of lease.

Utilize conservation plans and compliance checks to address over-grazing activities. Ensure that a rotational plan is in place for all tracts. Secure funds to address fencing needs. Inventory all allotted and tribal grazing tracts. Identify the necessary improvements and then research funding opportunities to assist in developing the resources. Inventory all allotted and tribal grazing tracts and identify the tracts where cross fencing would most likely be applicable. Fencing provides the best tool to conserve and protect foraging resources. Lack of water on allotted and tribal tracts depresses the potential for additional rental rates. Lack of water hampers the management of both livestock and wildlife. Compliance inspections conducted all allotted and tribal lands. Enforce conservation plans and secure damages for non-compliance.


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2. Land Code 3. Fences 4. Land Consolidation 5. Home Sites 6. Rights-of-Ways 7. USDA and other agency coordination for land management. D. Water Resources 1. Surplus water usage.

Tribe should develop and implement a land code. Fence major boundaries. Land fractionization is becoming a serious problem. Allotted individuals sometimes own less than a hundredth a percent in the tract. Home sites are placed on valuable agricultural land. All allotted and tribal tracts should be inventoried to determine if a right of way exists on the tracts. Incorporate programs from these agencies into the land management process. Tribal development of water code. Tribal code development regarding proposed water

The land codes will be utilized in conjunction with federal regulations to control use of the resource. Trespass occurs on allotted and tribal tracts where there is no clear boundary. The Tribe should participate in the land consolidation program. The Tribe should enforce a policy which restricts home sites from valuable agricultural land. The home sites should be located on the border of the agricultural tracts—1.0 to 1.5 acres. Trespass could be occurring if a non-approved right-of-way exists on the tract. Negotiations must be initiated to bring the trespasser into compliance. Damages must be sought. The Tribe currently is not a participant in any agricultural related program. The Tribe should develop the water code for enhanced economic development, recreation, and other usage.


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E. Minerals 1. Gravel 2. Oil and Natural Gas F. Water & Air Quality 1. Agriculture, confinement facilities, and housing add to nonpoint source pollution. 2. Water Well locations 3. Controlled/uncontrolled burns. G. Wildlife 1. Fish and Wildlife harvest

leasing/marketing. Identify allotted and tribal tracts where gravel resources exist. Identify potential for oil and natural gas resources. Inventory and compile a list of all nonpoint source pollution originators on the YST reservation. Potential surface and groundwater contamination from septic systems. Old farmsteads may have unidentified water wells on the property. Pollution may be caused by controlled and uncontrolled field or pit burning. Establish and monitor harvest by members and non-members to meet management objectives.

The Tribe may be able to lease the water to municipalities or to ensure that they control their water resources. Market the gravel resources for additional economic development. Seek a responsible company to conduct feasibility studies on oil and natural gas reserves on allotted and trust lands. Limit pollutants in a cost-effective manner. Properly installed and operated septic systems are safe. Older systems may decay and cause pollution. Inventory and identify all existing above ground water wells. Require permits for all burning activities. Restrict burning activities during drought periods. Enforce tribal wildlife codes for harvesting wildlife on trust lands.


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2. Identification and protection of special fish and wildlife areas. 3. Wildlife impacted by agricultural activities. 4. Lack of diversity in native wildlife species. 5. Competition between livestock and wildlife. 6. Lack of access for hunting and fishing activities. 7. Continue stocking water resources with fish stock. 8. Identify potential disease impacts on fish and wildlife. H. Cultural Protections 1. Protection of traditional cultural properties and

Develop and enforce closures and usage restrictions to protect selected sites. Seasonal closure in specific areas to protect wildlife. Develop diversity management plans, habitat protection, and improvement projects. Small scale restoration projects on selected allotted and tribal tracts. Develop and implement wildlife zones on allotted and tribal tracts. Provide access to river and dam banks for fishing access. Identify all water resources within reservation boundaries that can provide habitat for fish. Identify and monitor any disease outbreaks. Inventory for all identified resources, add to database, and

Critical areas for wildlife must be protected from over harvesting. Protect trust acres from over agricultural utilization. Plant food plots for wildlife. Identify allotted and tribal tracts to determine wildlife occupancy and habitation. Based upon wildlife surveys, a small scale restoration should be attempted regarding threatened species. Plant food plots for wildlife and allow residual plant material in fields to assist in winter survival. Inventory allotted tracts and tribal tracts for wildlife. Sell licenses for fishing for economic return. Continue stocking efforts to improve fishing opportunities for tribal members and non-members. Work with GFP to identify and monitor disease outbreaks. Tribal staff needs data on location and nature of cultural


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resources. 2. Protection of archeological resources and artifacts. 3. Impacts on riparian areas from dewatering, overgrazing, and development.

develop review process for new projects. The Tribe has established a Tribal Historical Protection Office (THPO). Prohibit development and/or restrict permanent structures in floodplain zones. Implement habitat conservation plans and other programs to prevent dewatering, overgrazing, and development.

resources the Tribe desires to protect. Tribal staff needs data on location and nature of archeological resources the Tribe desires to protect. Riparian areas have been damaged by development (Choteau Creek) and need protection for recovery of the habitat. Maintain a diverse ecosystem by incorporating habitat conservation and other programs.

Source: Mr. Benjiman Kitto, Bureau of Indian Affairs 4.1 Yankton Tribal Goals and Objectives

• Protect and expand Ihanktonwan tribal land ownership and jurisdiction within the Yankton Sioux Reservation.

• Administer and manage agricultural resources for sustainable levels of production while

providing environmentally sensitive resource management oversight. • Develop and sustain an Ihanktonwan Tribal Farming enterprise which utilizes trust land

resources to become a self-sustaining entity. • Administer and manage the Ihanktonwan trust land resources to secure a viable economic

return on each trust tract. • Evaluate and ensure that each lessee of trust land is adhering to their lease stipulations

and Plan of Conservation Operations.

4.1.1 Critical Tribal Values

• Tribal and Allotted Land ownership, management, and protection are critical to the future of ourselves, our children and unborn generations, and it is the concurrent duty of the United States and the Ihanktonwan Oyate to provide land resource management and protection for the good of the Ihanktonwan Oyate.


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• The land is a gift from the Great Spirit to Ihanktonwan Oyate which must always be treated with the highest respect.

• Sustain, retain, and preserve the natural resources located within the Yankton Sioux Reservation.

• Protect, preserve, and sustain the Ihanktonwan Oyate land base while providing all living things with an environmentally healthy natural environment.

4.1.2 Tribal Goals and Objectives for Farm, Pasture Land and Agriculture (Five Year and Long Term Range Objective)

Farm and Pasture Land Goals and Objectives

Goal: Enhance and maintain resources to make it possible for the Yankton Sioux Tribe to use the allocated land to its full potential, which is to continue land use while keeping it a sustainable resource.

Five Year Objectives:

• Develop a Tribal Land Committee who recommends to the Yankton Sioux B&CC lease approval or rejection on tribal lands;

• Implement a weed management program using various measures to restore forage productivity on tribal range lands;

• Establish monitoring systems to evaluate the effects of management as a tool in order to make future decision making more effective; and

• Provide for and conduct feasibility studies to develop a Tribal livestock enterprise (buffalo and cattle).

Long Term Range Objectives:

• Use vegetation management practices to provide for multiple use healthy plant communities and increased forage production;

• Identify priority management areas where environmental damages and resource conflicts related to livestock grazing may occur; develop and implement conservation measures to resolve these problems.

• Continue to pursue the development of irrigated pastures within Tribal range lands to improve land conditions and foster healthy and productive land resources;

• Explore initiatives to minimize any grazing conflicts that may occur; • Improve livestock grazing opportunities by establishing grazing allocations and creating

incentives for Tribal members to establish practical ranching operations; • Develop and maintain water developments with available funds to protect spring

channels and water quality, while providing adequate water for proper livestock distribution.


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Agriculture Goals and Objectives Goal: Manage agricultural resources for sustainable levels of production that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially acceptable.

Five Year Objectives:

• Establish and implement acceptable standards for management, protection, and improvement of water quality conditions;

• Identify agricultural management concerns of the Tribe to enhance individual producer’s agricultural production.

• Establish and administer an agricultural lease improvement fund to conserve and protect agricultural resources while enhancing Tribal leasing opportunities;

• Continue to establish and implement irrigation on Tribal lands to provide for better soil conditions and improved sustainable levels of production;

• Provide for and conduct soil sampling analysis on Tribal lands to provide for proper agricultural planning.

• Establish and implement noxious weed control and management compatible with the policies for Reservation-wide weed control;

• Acquire sufficient professional and technical staff to manage Tribal agricultural lands according to adopted Tribal plans and ordinances; and

• Identify funding opportunities for various agricultural improvements and education. Long Term Objectives:

• Conduct meetings with agricultural resource users to identify their management concerns; • Promote improvement of agricultural productivity and stability through increased

diversity and efficiency, sustainable farming and grazing practices, and the evaluation of alternative crops and new technologies;

• Encourage increased Tribal member participation and idea generation for Tribal agricultural improvement;

• Implement information exchange to help establish wider use of irrigation on Tribal land, and to assist irrigators in water management for energy and water savings, as well as to protect water quality;

• Increase agricultural education, training, and information exchange opportunities in practical and technical areas geared to the needs of the Tribe.

• Enhance interactions and cooperation with federal and state agencies for agricultural cost-sharing projects, cooperative resource improvement projects, and better information exchange.

• Inventory, evaluate, and plan agricultural uses of current Tribal lands to maximize use of the land and to provide for maximum crop yields.

• Investigate and implement Indian agricultural marketing cooperatives for livestock and crops.

• Promote agricultural research activities tailored to the Reservation community and conditions.


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4.1.3 Specific Management Objectives for the Yankton Reservation 4.1.3.1 Soil Management Objectives Soil on the Yankton Reservation should be maintained in a way that provides sustainable crop yields while maintaining the soil resources for future crops. To do this successfully, a soil erosion plan should be implemented to help retain soil nutrients. This plan will help implement policies and procedures to prevent the loss of valuable nutrients on Tribal land. An increase in irrigated farmland must also be considered, because the soil moisture content establishes how the crops will be able to absorb the nutrients necessary for growth. In order to increase Tribal farmers’ knowledge of the soil and to establish a baseline of soil characteristics on Tribal land, the Reservation should provide for soil sampling. This will enable farmers to manage the nutrient concentrations more effectively through the use of fertilizers and other means. In addition, soil quality management must be implemented in order to maintain the viability of the soil on the Yankton Reservation. This will be accomplished by enhancing the organic matter in the soil, avoiding excess tillage, managing pests and nutrients efficiently, preventing soil compaction, keeping the ground covered, and by diversifying cropping systems. 4.1.3.2 Water Management Objectives The primary industry in the Yankton Reservation is agriculture and the key to its full development is water. A sufficient quality and quantity of water is needed by the Indians and non-Indians living on the reservation to promote full economic development. However, problems with water quality and inadequate supply are common throughout the reservation. Water on the Yankton Reservation comes from many different sources. These sources include rural water systems, wells, the Missouri River, and Lake Francis Case. The rural water system serving the Yankton Reservation provides sanitary water, free from detrimental minerals and bacteria that are harmful to the health of humans, livestock, as well as crops. The water coming from the wells and the Waterbodies on and near the Yankton Reservation is not treated as the rural water supply is. The Yankton Reservation should upgrade or replace existing poor quality and low capacity wells. Replacing these wells with newer equipment, pumps and adding water filtrations systems will increase the quality and quantity of water delivered. Water used by the Tribe coming from rivers, streams, and lakes should be tested for its’ suitability for use in irrigation and other activities. In addition to these measures, a Water Quality Improvement Plan should be established and implemented on the Reservation. This plan will help increase the quality of the water on the Reservation, and ensure its use is not detrimental to the Tribal members, the livestock, or the crops. 4.1.3.3 Vegetation Management Objectives Within the Yankton Indian Reservation, native trees and shrubs grow primarily where soil and water relationships are favorable. Most grow on the floodplains along the Missouri River and on


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the breaks along the deeper drainage ways. Scattered individual plants or clumps of American elm, American plum, boxelder, bur oak, common chokecherry, common hackberry, false indigo, green ash, western snowberry, and wild rose are common in drainage ways. Peachleaf willow, plains cottonwood, and sandbar willow are also common throughout the reservation. Cedar trees are also found throughout the reservation, and have started to encroach on the rangeland at the reservation. Cottonwood trees play an integral part of the ceremonies that take place on the reservation, and protection measures should be identified to protect these trees from encroaching tree species as well as any other threats to their existence. There are three types of prairies that are found throughout South Dakota: tall-grass prairie, mixed-grass prairie, and short-grass prairie. These different types of prairies differ in the amount of precipitation each receives, which in turn affects the types of dominant plants and animals associated with each prairie. Yankton Indian Reservation lies within the “Tallgrass Transition” section of the plains. The Tallgrass Transition portion of the plains is characterized as a community with dense cover of tall and mid-grasses. This area occupies the transition between mixed and tallgrass prairies. Dominant species within this area are western wheatgrass, big bluestem, little bluestem, porcupine grass, green needlegrass, and prairie junegrass. The altered community develops a shorter aspect with increases in sideoats grama, blue grama, and needle-and-thread, as well as a number of perennial and annual forbs. Kentucky bluegrass is a common invader species in the reservation. Vegetation is an important management concern because adequate plant cover and ground mulch help to control erosion and increase the moisture supply by reducing the runoff rate. Adequate vegetation cover also helps with soil formation, and nutrient storage and cycling. If the range is overgrazed, the more desirable tall grasses lose vigor and are replaced by less productive short grasses. Measures that prevent overgrazing should be implemented to keep the land in good condition. The vegetation on the Yankton Reservation should be increased by implementing an annual rotation plan, and by applying management that is effective on specific kinds of soil and range sites. In addition, controlling the spread of cedar trees is necessary in order to protect the availability and usefulness of the rangeland on the Reservation. 4.1.3.4 Farm and Pasture Land Management Objectives Farm and pasture land on the Yankton Reservation consists of over 17,700 acres. Of this land, 669 acres are currently being utilized for the Buffalo grazing on the Reservation. The Reservation should develop a plan for using the abundant farm and pasture land resources. This requires the Reservation to gather information about the productive capability of the land, current condition, possible future uses, and landowner objectives. Using this information, the Tribe should make decisions about how this land could be best utilized by the Tribe. If the land is to be utilized correctly, the Reservation should obtain and implement a Farm and Pasture Land Management Plan. Management techniques that generally result in the optimum production of vegetation are the control of undesirable brush species, conservation of water, and control of wind and water erosion. All farm and pasture lands under the jurisdiction of the Tribe shall be consolidated into management units. This will be done in a manner which will best meet the needs of the Tribe, the permittees, land ownership status and proper land use. The plan will


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also help the Tribe establish the grazing capacity of its lands, grazing seasons, grazing fees, as well as conservation and land use requirements. Most importantly, this plan will serve to:

• Preserve the land, water, fish, forest, vegetation, wildlife, and recreational values on lands within the Yankton Reservation, and improve and build up these resources where they have deteriorated;

• Promote use of the land resources by Yankton tribal members to support them in earning a living, in whole or in part through the grazing of their own livestock; and

• Provide for the administration of a grazing management program which will: o Yield the highest rate of return to grazing permittees consistent with the principles of

sustained yield management; o Promote long term resilient and sustainable rangeland ecosystem conditions; o Fulfill the resource management objectives of the Yankton Indian Reservation; o Promote fulfillment of the overall trust obligations of the federal government; and o Preserve and promote tribal authority and provide processes to implement such

authority as recognized in federal law. 4.1.4 Management Issues and Actions to Implement To implement the goals and objectives of this plan, the use of adaptive management as a resource management technique is useful for a decision-making approach. Adaptive management is a strategy used in planning whereby goals for the plan are set, information is collected to evaluate whether the goals are being met, and management is adjusted if necessary to ensure success in achieving the goals. This process results in a “feedback loop” (Figure 4-1) that incorporates better scientific understanding in everyday management practices. Figure 4-2 shows the adaptive management cyclic process and the linkages relevant to ARMP implementation. 4.1.4.1 Soil Management Issues Erosion, soil moisture content, and soil fertility are the main management issues on the Yankton Reservation. Erosion contributes to the lack of fertility in the soil. When erosion occurs, valuable nutrients needed by the crops are lost. In order to reduce the chances of erosion taking place, the Reservation will implement a Soil Erosion Prevention Plan. This plan will dictate specific actions that the Reservation as well as individuals need to take in order to prevent soil erosion. Soil moisture content is another issue that the Yankton Reservation must address. Water influences photosynthesis, respiration, absorption, translocation and utilization of mineral nutrients, cell division, and other processes. If the soil moisture content is low, crops are unable to gain the valuable nutrients they need. For this reason, the Yankton Reservation should implement a plan to increase irrigation throughout the Reservation. Without irrigation, soil moisture content depends solely on the weather. By increasing the amount of irrigated farmland, farmers will be able to manage the soil moisture content in a way that will help them achieve sustainable crop yields.


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Soil fertility is also a problem due to the lack of information about the soil found on the Reservation. To be informed of the existing nutrients in the soil on the Reservation, the Tribe will implement a plan to have soil sampling analysis done on different agricultural lands throughout the Reservation. After identifying the nutrient levels of the soil, a plan must be implemented to increase the availability of those nutrients in the soil. Once the lacking nutrients have been identified and a plan has been implemented to increase those nutrients, soil quality management practices will be implemented to keep the soil fertile. The soil quality management practices the need to be implemented include the following: • Add new organic matter to the soil every year to improve and maintain soil quality; • Reduce the amount of tillage on farmland to minimize the loss of organic matter and

protect the soil surface and plant residue; • Manage nutrients and pests by testing the soil and applying only the necessary chemicals at

the right time and place; • Reduce soil compaction caused by repeated traffic and heavy traffic on the soil to prevent a

reduction in the amount of air, water, and space available to roots and soil organisms; • Keep the ground covered by leaving crop residue on the surface or by planting cover crops

to prevent wind and water erosion as well as drying and crusting of the soil; and • Diversify cropping systems to help control pest populations, weeds, and diseases as well as

to keep a balance of nutrients in the soil.

Figure 4-1 Adaptive Management “Feedback Loop”

The Adaptive Management “Feedback Loop”

Evaluate

Implement the Goals & Objectives

Monitor

Respond


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May 2010 4-15

Figure 4-2

Adaptive Management


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4.1.4.2 Water Management Issues Water quality and quantity supplied are the main management issues on the Yankton Indian Reservation in regards to water. A portion of the Reservation is serviced by a rural water system, which provides treated water that is acceptable for regular use and consumption. The portion of the Reservation without service from the rural water system use wells as their main source of water. The majority of the wells used on the Reservation are poor quality and low capacity water wells. The quality of water from these wells is poor due to the high mineral and bacterial content of the ground water. The contaminants in the well water have a detrimental effect on health and the quality of life of those using the water. Though this is true, water quality is not the only problem with these wells. Most wells on the Yankton Reservation produce low quantities of water which can lead to a water shortage for those people using the wells. Due to inadequate water production from the wells, many Tribal members are forced to survive on the limited amount of water supplied to them from the wells. In addition to these issues, water quality standards are not currently in use on the reservation. Without water quality standards, the Tribe has no way of ensuring that those living on the reservation are drinking safe water. Without these standards, members could be drinking water that is detrimental to their health, and using water for irrigation that could be hurting crop yields. In order to improve the water quality at the Yankton Reservation, the Tribe will implement a Water Quality Improvement Plan on the Reservation. This plan will help the Tribe evaluate the current water quality and develop specific plans to improve the water quality on the Reservation. Water quality sampling will also be performed on the water sources used to irrigate the farm land. The sampling will ensure that the water used for irrigation is suitable for the crops, in order to provide for increased crop yields. To increase the availability of water where the rural water system is unavailable, the Tribe will make necessary improvements to the existing wells and equipment, and replace inadequate equipment to ensure the quantity of water supplied equals demand. In addition, the Tribe will implement a plan to change or add water filtration systems to the wells where it is found that contaminants in the water are higher than acceptable limits. In order to keep track of water usage and to ensure water quality and consumption remains a concern, the Tribe will implement a plan to: • Develop a database of wells located on Reservation land; • Issue well water permits to keep record of how many wells are on the Reservation; • Inspect the wells and equipment monthly; • Monitor the water consumption of each well bi-monthly; • Test the water quality yearly; • Inspect well connections and pipes for damage/corrosion; and • Inspect filtration systems as required by the manufacturer.

4.1.4.3 Vegetation Management Issues The main management issues regarding vegetation on the Yankton Reservation are overgrazing, invasion of noxious weeds, cedar encroaching on rangeland, and lack of proper vegetation


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management. Overgrazing is an intensity of grazing that modifies the plant cover so that its productive capacity is seriously impaired. There are differing degrees of overgrazing; however, the Reservation should implement measures to prevent overgrazing from occurring. In order to control overgrazing on their lands, the Reservation will implement a rotational grazing plan. In order to provide for rotational grazing, cross fencing is necessary to section the grazing lands. Cross fencing will allow for controlled grazing on the Reservation’s land. By using cross fencing and rotational grazing, the grass cover on the land will not be depleted below an established threshold. By keeping sufficient cover on the pasture, erosion is reduced due to the reduced amount of runoff and soil disturbance. In addition, the grass cover is allowed to replenish itself during the rotation which helps maintain a balance of vegetation on Reservation land. In order to protect the native vegetation on the Yankton Reservation, noxious weeds and encroaching cedar trees need to be addressed. Noxious weeds reduce native habitat for area animals by taking away optimal forage and changing the way animals use areas. Animals may choose to leave areas infested with noxious weeds, and move to different locations where optimal forage is available. This in turn over populates the new habitat over time and thus over grazes native species making the new area more susceptible to invading weeds. To combat the infestation of noxious weeds, the Yankton Indian Reservation has implemented a Noxious Weed Control Program to reduce the spread and incidence of noxious weeds in order to maintain and enhance diverse native plant communities, which are the foundation of functional ecosystems. In addition, plans have been made to control the spread of cedar trees on the reservation. These plans will help prevent the spread of cedar trees as well as eliminate them from areas of concern. To achieve this goal, proposed treatments (manual, biological or chemical) have been identified to prevent the establishment, control, contain (reduce the spread) and/or eradicate selected noxious weed populations as well as encroaching cedar trees. Sites for treatment have been selected based on the species present, densities, response to control measures, population size and location, proximity to valuable resources, adjacent land condition and other factors (Selected site can be seen in Figure 4-3). The following are common treatments that are used to eradicate noxious plant species: • Manual (hand pulling, clipping seed heads, etc.); • Biological (using insects to feed on different parts of the plant); • Chemical (using herbicides); and • Prescribed fire (using controlled fire).

In order to ensure that the quantity and quality of vegetation on the Reservation improves, it is necessary for the Reservation to adopt and implement a Vegetation Management Plan. This plan will help the Yankton Reservation improve the state of the vegetation on the land, as well as provide them with management tools to maintain the vegetation. The objectives of the Vegetation Management Plan are to: • Maintain and restore the structure and function of native plant communities; • Maintain and restore native wildlife habitat; • Develop and maintain native plant communities that are resistant to non-native plant

invasion; and


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• Preserve and maintain the land's aesthetic values. 4.1.4.4 Recreation, Roads, and Access Management Issues The main management issues regarding recreation, roads, and access are preserving the scenic values of the area as well as protecting the land and wildlife resources of the Yankton Reservation. A majority of the recreation in the area is provided by Lake Francis Case, which is the reservoir that was formed when Fort Randall Dam was constructed on the Missouri River in the 1950s. Recreational activities here include camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, water-skiing, and water sports. Lake Francis Case is also a great destination for canoeists and kayakers. Another recreational area is Lake Andes, which is one of the most popular fishing and hunting resort areas in South Dakota. Roads and access to Reservation lands can have long lasting effects on the lands and resources of the Yankton Sioux Reservation. Those that would have the greatest impact are the Lewis and Clark Trail (Figure 4-4), the Yankton Sioux Tribe leg of the South Dakota Native American Scenic Byway, roads leading to recreational areas on Reservation land, and other highways that traverse Reservation lands. The Lewis and Clark Trail as well as the South Dakota Native American Scenic Byway produce high amounts of traffic, especially during the summer months when tourism is high. This increased traffic can cause increased deterioration of the roads on the Reservation, as well as unwanted access to Reservation lands. In order to protect the resources of the Yankton Reservation, every effort should be made to minimize the impact that recreational activities have on reservation land. New recreational facilities or improvements should provide for public health and safety, as well as resource protection. Any new facilities or improvements that would cause additional use or destruction of Reservation land should be discouraged. The Reservation should implement rules and regulations governing recreational areas located on Reservation land in order to prevent misuse or harm to the land, animals, or water. The Reservation needs to monitor the hunting and fishing associated with these recreational areas to ensure all rules and regulations established by the Tribe are being followed. They should also implement a plan to block off recreational areas from Tribal lands, in order to maintain the integrity of the land that is close to recreational areas. Lastly, the Native American Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan should be implemented when it is completed. This plan will play a vital role in the preservation of the roads, and natural resources of the Yankton Sioux Reservation that are along the Byway. It will help provide technical, financial, and supervisory assistance that is necessary in order to preserve the valuable land resources that are along the Byway.

To protect the Reservation’s resources from the increased traffic and Reservation access, the Reservation should implement the use of road signs to provide safety and traffic management. These road signs will also help reduce the number of visitors that access unauthorized areas on the Reservation. The Yankton Reservation should also restrict motorized travel to designated routes and areas. By doing this, the deterioration of the roads on Reservation land will be kept to a minimum. To keep litter to a minimum, trash receptacles should be placed along the high


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traffic routes. Lastly, roads should be maintained in a way that will minimize the necessity of road closures which would increase unwanted traffic on Reservation roads. 4.1.4.5 Funding Requirements, Implementation Schedule, and Responsible Party and Stakeholders Table 4-2 provides a list of grants that can be used to fund various projects on the Yankton Reservation. Table 4-3 provides a listing of all actions to be taken, funding source, performance requirements, schedule and costs, and responsible entity for the implementation. Table 4-4 provides a management checklist, with proposed projects that will help the Yankton Reservation in managing all of the resources available to the Tribe. Additional resources for funding and conservation services provided by the NRCS, as well as Randall Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) can be found in Appendix D.

Table 4-2 Grants to Fund Projects on the Yankton Reservation

Grant Federal Agency Project

Description Funding Requirements for Funding

10.902 (Soil and Water Conservation) Covers: • Natural Resource Conservation

Services • Technical Assistance for Natural

Resource Planning

Department of Agriculture

Erosion Control/ Soil Fertility

Enhancement Unknown

• Must be a land user or land owner

• Must submit application

15.034 (Agriculture on Indian Lands) Covers: • Inventory, Analysis, Management,

and Improvement of Agricultural Lands

• Noxious Weed Control

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Range Management/

Vegetation Management

+$50,000

• Must be a Recognized Indian Tribe

• Must submit application

10.763 (Emergency Community Water Assistance) Covers: • Maintenance on Existing Well

Systems • Construction of New Wells • Developing Sources of Treating, and

Distribution of Water

Department of Agriculture

Water Quality Improvement +$302,640


• Must Submit Application

66.926 (Indian Environmental General Assistance Program) Covers: • Development of Programs to Address

Environmental Issues • Building Environmental Program

Tailored to the Tribe’s Needs

Environmental Protection

Agency

Integrated Natural Resource

Management Plan +$110,000


• Must Submit Application


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Source: David Lacompte, Bureau of Indian Affairs Figure 4-3 Yankton Sioux Reservation Noxious Weed Control Program Map


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May 2010 4-23

Source: National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

Figure 4-4 Lewis and Clark Trail on the Yankton Indian Reservation

Note: Lewis and Clark Trail is the top red line on the map


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May 2010 4-25

Table 4-3 Implementation of ARMP Goals and Objectives

Yankton Indian Reservation

Goals (Activities) and

Frequency

Quantifiable Objectives (Actions)

Funding Source Projects to Implement the Goals Identified

Timeline and

Estimated Cost

Responsible Agency

• Erosion Control • Frequency: Once

Prepare Erosion Control Plan

Grant (10.902)

• Survey erosion prone areas where agriculture is affected.

• Identify projects to prevent erosion in those areas (i.e., gabions, riprap, mulching, sodding, etc., or avoiding wetlands).

• Yankton Sioux Tribal Agency

• Yankton Sioux Tribal Members

• Farm and Pasture

Land Management • Frequency: Once

Prepare Farm and Pasture Land Management Plan

Grant (15.034) • Identify problem areas (i.e. overgrazing, noxious weed invasion, etc.)



• Vegetation Management

• Frequency: Once

Prepare Vegetation Management Plan

Grant (15.034) • Identify noxious weed control measures • Identify revegetation strategies • Identify native plant species that could be affected by

overgrazing, erosion, noxious weed infestation, etc.



• Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (in lieu of the three above-listed plans)

Prepare an INRMP Grant (66.926) • INRMP would include Erosion Control Plan; Range Management Plan; and Vegetation Management Plan

• INRMP would include site surveys to locate problem areas and would identify issues and means to alleviate the problems (i.e., erosion control along slopes, locations of noxious weeds, etc.). This information would be very site-specific.



• Soils Fertility

Soil Fertility Enhancement Plan

Grant (10.902) • Soil sampling, fertilizer planning, selection of crops that would succeed

• Irrigation availability/enhancement (?)



• Water Quality Enhancement

Water Quality Plan Grant (10.763) • Digging new wells • Replacing outdated equipment • Placing filtration systems




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Table 4-4 Site-Specific Yankton Management Checklist:

Priority

Proposed Project Name

Fiscal Year

Funding Estimate

1c Erosion Control Plan (revegetation, etc.) 1d Range Management Plan 1a Water Quality Enhancement Plan 2 Vegetation Management Plan 3a Prepare Integrated Natural Resources

Management Plan

3b Integrated Pest Management Plan 5 Monitoring Surveys 11 Section 404 Permit – Clearing Vegetation in

water bodies/Mo. River/wetlands

4a Electronic/GIS Database of Agricultural Resources (Agricultural outleasing; Agricultural land/crops; livestock to include cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, chicken, turkeys, etc.); buffalo herds

3c Control of Invasive Plant / Animal Species 4b Integration with Other Databases and CADD 6b Recreation Resources Enhancements / Benefits 6c Shoreline Access/Interpretive Trails 6a Trail Impact Monitoring and Maintenance 8 New Aerial Photography and Photogrammetry 7 Identification of Wetlands within Reservation 1b Grazing Plan (overgrazing mgmt) 10 Agricultural/Natural Resources Web Page 9 Bird Watching Stations/View Sheds and Trails Section 10 Permit for Irrigation Structures Prescribed Burning Aerial Ignition

Note: the above table is an example of projects by priority; subject to change. 4.1.5 Monitoring and Evaluation Activities The establishment of clear goals, objectives, performance requirements, and a well-defined monitoring program are keys to the Yankton Reservation’s implementation of this ARMP. The performance requirements may change as new information is gained. Due to the introduction of new information, monitoring in an adaptive management context focuses on early identification of undesirable trends and provides the guidance to determine the appropriate actions to reverse


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an undesirable situation or trend. By using adaptive management, the Yankton Reservation will be able to make necessary improvements and adapt to changes during the improvement process. Monitoring can be described as a continuous, ongoing process of project oversight. A monitoring program should contain at least the following:

• A list of improvement measures and related conditions of approval which have been adopted for the project;

• A schedule for regularly checking on the project’s compliance with the improvement measures or project revisions and related conditions of approval, including progress toward meeting specific goals;

• A means of recording compliance at the time of each check; • A statement assigning responsibility for monitoring implementation of the improvement

measures and related conditions of approval to specific persons or agencies, public or private;

• If monitoring duties are contracted to private individuals or firms, provisions for ensuring that monitoring reflects the independent judgment of the Yankton Reservation. Such provisions might include requiring the submittal of regular progress reports to the Yankton Reservation, establishing a mechanism for appealing actions of the contractor to the Yankton Reservation for decision, or selection of the contractor by the agency. Regardless of whether monitoring is performed by the Yankton Reservation or a contractor, the Yankton Reservation retains the ultimate responsibility for satisfying the improvement requirements;

• Provisions for funding improvement activities; and • Provisions for responding to a failure to comply with any required improvement measure.

4.1.5.1 Soil Monitoring On an annual basis, the individuals farming on Tribal lands will meet to discuss the effects of the soil quality management practices being used. During this meeting, individuals will share both successes and failures in order to provide insight and gain feedback from the community. This feedback should inform the individuals how to better implement these soil management practices to obtain sustainable crop yields. 4.1.5.2 Water Monitoring The Tribe will establish a committee that will oversee the implementation of the plans laid out in Section 4.1.4.2. The committee will be tasked with issuing the permits necessary to operate a well, and will provide new permits as necessary to keep up with increasing water consumption. This committee will also select qualified personnel to perform the inspections of the water wells, equipment, water usage, water quality, and filtration systems. In addition, the committee will serve the Tribe by addressing the concerns of the Tribal members in regards to water wells and water quality.


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4.1.5.3 Vegetation Monitoring Grazing land should be monitored on a monthly basis to ensure overgrazing does not occur. Once grazing patterns are identified, the Reservation should develop a schedule for rotational grazing. Once a schedule is established, monitoring should be done periodically throughout the rotation to ensure the vegetation is adequate for grazing. Noxious weed control efforts should be monitored by Tribal members based on the goals set forth in the Noxious Weed Control Program. In addition, areas of concern should be monitored on a monthly basis to ensure new populations of noxious weeds are not occurring on Reservation lands. The Reservation should also keep track of the progress during the implementation of the Vegetation Management Plan. Once the plans have been fully implemented, the Reservation should be monitored as necessary to ensure the goals and objectives of the plans are continuously met. 4.1.5.4 Wildlife Monitoring Wildlife on the Yankton Indian Reservation is a valuable resource to the Tribe members. To protect the wildlife on the Reservation, all laws and regulations set forth by the Yankton Sioux Tribal Code, specifically, Title XI-Yankton Sioux Tribal Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation Code, should be followed. In addition to the rules and regulations set forth in the Yankton Sioux Tribal Code, Title XI, wildlife surveys should be conducted yearly. These surveys will help to identify the differing wildlife population numbers and production on Reservation land. By doing so, the Yankton Reservation’s Wildlife Conservation Department and the Wildlife Conservation Commission will be better capable of setting quotas and start dates for the following year’s hunting seasons. By continuing to enforce their current rules and regulations and conducting wildlife surveys, the Yankton Reservation will be able to ensure wildlife will be kept a sustainable resource. 4.1.5.5 Recreation, Roads, and Access Monitoring The Tribe will monitor recreational areas, making sure all applicable laws and regulations are being followed. During high traffic months, monitoring of these areas should be increased to account for the increase in visitors. If new recreational projects are going to be developed, assessments should be done to minimize the effect to the environment and all alternatives should be considered before the project begins. In order to decrease unauthorized access to Reservation roads and land, signs should be put up marking restricted areas, as well as roads restricted to member use only. High traffic roads should be monitored and fixed promptly to ensure safety, and trash receptacles should be placed along these roads to prevent littering. Lastly, the Native American Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan, when completed, should serve as a guide to protecting and preserving the roads and land of the Reservation located along the Byway.


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May 2010 5-1

5.0 SUMMARY 5.1 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE The soil types that the land is comprised of dictates the sustainable agriculture on the Yankton Indian Reservation. At this time, the major crops grown on the Reservation are corn, soybeans, sunflowers, winter wheat, spring wheat, oats, millet and alfalfa. Table 5-1 shows the main cultivated crops that are sustainable and normally farmed based on the soil types found on the Yankton Indian Reservation.

Table 5-1

Sustainable Agriculture Based on Soil Type Soil Survey of Charles Mix County South Dakota 1980

Soil Type Sustainable/Farmed Crops Agar Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain Albaton Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain, Soybeans Aowa Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain, Soybeans Beadle Alfalfa, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain Betts None Bon Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain Clarno None DeGrey Alfalfa, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain Delmont None Eakin Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain Enet None Ethan Alfalfa, Corn, Small Grain Haynie Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain, Soybeans Highmore Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain Homme Alfalfa, Corn, Small Grain Lowry Alfalfa, Corn, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain Onita Alfalfa, Corn, Small Grain Salmo None Sansarc None Talmo None Walke Alfalfa, Grain Sorghum, Small Grain

Source: Charles Mix County Soil Survey 5.2 ISSUES/AREAS OF CONCERN AND OPPORTUNITIES On the Yankton Indian Reservation, the main issues or areas of concern deal with soil management, water quality, and vegetation management. Of the twenty different soil types found on the reservation, seven of them do not support cultivated crops. In addition, the soils that do support cultivated crops are low in nutrients and are very susceptible to erosion. Another limiting factor for farming is the lack of irrigation throughout the reservation. The lack of irrigation leaves the crops susceptible to drought, which could drastically reduce crop yield. In order to increase crop yield and counteract the issue of poor soil fertility, the reservation should get a detailed soil analysis done. By using a soil analysis, crops can be matched with the


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soils that will be the most beneficial for their needs. By fitting the crop to the soil, this greatly increases the chances of a good crop yield. In addition, a soil analysis will show what nutrients are lacking in the soil, which will enable the correct use of fertilizer to replace the nutrients the soil is lacking. Once the soil fertility is increased, erosion must be controlled in order to keep the nutrients in the soil. There are many methods to control erosion, which are described in Section 3.2.5. By implementing one or many of these methods, the chances of erosion will be reduced which will help the soil retain its nutrients. In order to counteract erosion, a cropping system should be adopted that keeps a plant cover on the surface for extended periods. This will hold top soil loss to a minimum. If a plant cover cannot protect the soil, careful tillage and leaving crop residue on the surface will help increase the infiltration rate, reduce the runoff rate, and help to control erosion. Developing an Erosion Control Plan for the reservation will help identify areas of the reservation that are affected most by erosion, and will help in deciding which preventative measure would work best in each case. In addition to soil issues, water quality on the reservation must be considered. Water is a valuable resource for the people living on the reservation. It is also needed by the crops and the livestock that are being raised on reservation land. The farmland that is irrigated makes up a very small percentage of the total farmland on the reservation. With the addition of irrigation to more of the farmed land, crop yields will increase. The addition of an irrigation system like a center-pivot irrigation system can provide close to 130 acres of crops with water per setup. If the center-pivot irrigation system cannot be implemented, a cheaper sprinkler irrigation system can be used to supply the much-needed water to the land. Irrigation is an opportunity that cannot be ignored because it is necessary to increase crop yields and increase the survival of the crops on the Yankton Reservation. Water quality is another issue that is important on the Yankton Indian Reservation. The water available on the reservation that comes from wells is poorly suited for drinking. Using this water for irrigation could have adverse consequences as well. In addition to commercial water purifiers, the South Dakota Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is also available to help deal with issues regarding water quality, grazing land health and development, as well as cropland protection and improvement. EQIP offers financial and technical assistance for eligible farmers and ranchers to install or implement structural and land management practices on eligible agricultural land. Any farmer or rancher who is engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. South Dakota NRCS supports the locally led conservation effort in the delivery of conservation programs. The State Technical Committee, convened by the State Conservationist, consists of individuals representing commodity groups; private entities; tribal representatives; private individuals; federal, state and local governments. The State Technical Committee identified the following four state resource concerns as priorities:

• Water Quality; • Grazingland Health and Productivity; and • Cropland Protection/Improvement.


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In order to apply for (EQIP), the following forms will need to be filled out: the Conservation Program Contract Form CCC-1200 and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Contract Appendix to Form CCC-1200. These forms must then be submitted at the local USDA Service Center. In addition to the EQIP program, the reservation must obtain and enforce a Water Quality Improvement Plan. Like EQIP, this will ensure that the water used on the reservation is not harmful to humans, plants, or animals. In addition to the soil and water issues, vegetation management is another cause for concern on the Yankton Indian Reservation. Noxious weeds are a problem because they can kill and replace the native vegetation found on land. In order to counteract this problem, a Noxious Weed Control Program has been implemented on the reservation. This plan helps combat the noxious weeds by clearing them out. This gives native plant species an opportunity to repopulate the area. In addition to the noxious weed problems, it is also necessary for the reservation to focus on the problems of overgrazing and proper plant cover. Overgrazing occurs when animals are allowed to eat the vegetation to a point where its productive capacity is very low. This in turn reduces vegetation ground cover that is necessary to prevent erosion. To prevent overgrazing, the Reservation will implement a rotational grazing plan. This plan will prevent the vegetation from being overused, and will allow it to retain its productive capacity. By implementing a Vegetation Management Plan, the vegetation on the Reservation can be kept a renewable resource. This plan will help to provide and sustain adequate ground cover, which in turn prevents erosion and helps to maintain the lands fertility and aesthetic value.


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