Published: April 28, 2009 10:17 pm      

Commissioners work with BIA to improve roads

DUNCAN — There are 313 Chickasaw citizens living in Stephens County and an agreement signed Monday by the Stephens County commissioners with Chickasaw Nation will help improve some roads.

The routes are listed as priorities for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Indian Reservation Roads Inventory System, but funding won’t be available for about two years.

Shawn Horton, special projects coordinator for the Chickasaw Nation, from Ada, was at the commissioners’ meeting Monday for the memorandum approval. He said the inventory identifies county roads where Chickasaw Indians live and the funding will help counties with maintenance.

The Chickasaw Nation has 13 counties that are within its boundaries. Pontotoc County and the Tishomingo area in Johnston County receive a large portion of funding because of the Chickasaw population, through the BIA system, it was noted at the meeting.

“Stephens County has never gotten it,” Commissioner Dee Bowen said. “BIA has been super to some counties.”

The memorandum of understanding includes the statement that the routes provide for Chickasaw citizens in commutes to schools, employment, health care and other services provided by the Chickasaw Nation. Sixteen routes are inventoried, but they are listed in the agreement as four-digit numbers, not actual road names.

Horton said because the county does fall within the Chickasaw Nation and the casino is here, those add to reasons why funding is forthcoming.

Bowen was glad that Stephens County is getting some attention.

In other business, commissioners had to choose selection committee members for bridge inspection services for the county. Cobb Engineering consultants in Duncan received the top ranking, Bowen said. The screening process is required based on legislation approved last year, he noted.

“We picked them because we feel like they best serve Stephens County. We used them last year and they were outstanding,” he said.

Other companies also were ranked.