Reno Red Cloud News Today

With decades of experience, Reno Red Cloud knows more than anyone about water on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. As climate change makes fire season on the reservation more dangerous, he sees a growing need for water to fight those fires.

Long-dormant wells with elevated levels of arsenic may help alleviate water shortages by providing an alternative source for fighting fires on the Pine Ridge Reservation

“We’re looking to deal with extended drought and the increasing intensity of wildfires.”

Old wells that were plugged because of arsenic levels will be reopened on the Pine Ridge reservation to fight increasing numbers of wildfires.

A community-led water-testing project made up of households that rely on private well water with high arsenic levels saw on average a 47 percent drop in partici

A community-led water-testing project made up of households that rely on private well water with high arsenic levels saw on average a 47 percent drop in partici

The money will go toward the Oglala Dam, which has been out of commission for some time.

The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council recently passed a resolution to support the proposed mineral withdrawal, which will ban mining around the Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills, preserving the land and drinking water. The ban would cover about 32 square miles encompassing the Pactola Reservoir and areas of public land upstream that drain into the reservoir via Rapid Creek. Organizers at NDN Collective have been working with the Oglala Sioux Tribe to foster support for the proposed mineral withdr...