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	Seminoles and the Land
	Seminole Clothing: Colorful Patchwork
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Seminoles and the Land

Traditional Seminole cultural, religious, and recreational activities, as well as commercial endeavors, are dependent on a healthy Everglades ecosystem. In fact, the Tribe's identity is so closely linked to the land that Tribal members believe that if the land dies, so will the Tribe. The Seminoles saw the Everglades in decline and recognized that they had to mitigate the impacts of man on this natural system. Seminole environmental projects are designed to protect the land and water systems within the Reservation while ensuring a sustainable economic and cultural future for the Tribe.

Tribal Environmental Programs

• The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delegated to the Tribe the authority to implement the Clean Water Act within the Tribe's jurisdiction. As part of that program, the Tribe implemented a sophisticated monitoring system, adopted water quality standards for the Big Cypress reservation, and is developing standards for the other reservations.

• As party to the Seminole Land Claims Settlement Act of 1987, the Tribe transferred the land and water rights to a part of the historic Big Cypress State reservation to the State to be managed by the Water Management District for Everglades restoration. This action expanded State holdings in the environmentally sensitive Rotenberger Tract and Water Conservation Area 3A, which are part of the Everglades Protection Area.

• The Tribe has developed other programs, as well, including spill prevention plans for above ground storage tanks and removal programs for underground storage tank facilities.

• Brownsfields Tribal Response Program

• The Tribe actively participates in a number of task forces, working groups, and commissions regarding the restoration of the South Florida ecosystem. The Tribe spends a considerable amount of resources supporting the overall design and implementation of restoring South Florida's environment.

The Seminole Everglades Restoration Initiative is an ambitious, multi-year project that will have a significant impact on the quality and quantity of water flowing off of the Big Cypress Reservation and into the Florida Everglades. It is designed to mitigate the impacts of development on the environment; more specifically, to improve water quality, to increase water storage capacity, and to enhance hydroperiods. This $65 million program has received consistent support from the state and federal task forces working to improve the South Florida environment. The entire project has been included in the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida's report on the projects needed for Everglades restoration.

Restoration Benefits

• Addresses the harmful impacts of development on the South Florida ecosystem
• Improves water quality to meet water quality standards
• Enhances the hydroperiod in the Big Cypress National Preserve
• Improves the water quality in the Everglades Protection Area
• Removes phosphorus and other pollutants from water leaving the Reservation
  and flowing to the Big Cypress National Preserve into Mullet Slough to the
  Everglades Protection Area
• Rewaters the Big Cypress National Preserve
• Conveys and store irrigation water
• Provides improved flood control

The next section discusses the traditional Seminole Clothing.