Brownfields Response Program...

In 1995, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Brownfields Program and has since then, grown into a principal nationwide plan of environmental restoration. In 2003, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes began a Tribal Brownfields Response Program funded by grant monies provided by the EPA.

As you read this, you might say to yourself "we do not have such Brownfields here on the Flathead Indian Reservation" but in fact we may. Brownfields can be almost anywhere and any thing that includes underground storage tanks, Methamphetamine labs, abandoned or under used buildings, and opens dumps.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency State and tribal response programs play a significant role in cleaning up Brownfields. As Congress recognized in the legislative history of the Brownfields Law, "The vast majority of contaminated sites across the nation will not be cleaned up by the Superfund program. Instead, most sites will be cleaned up under State authority." Prior to the passage of the Brownfields Law, EPA developed a framework for negotiations between EPA regions and states regarding State Voluntary Cleanup Programs. This preliminary framework was the precursor to how EPA works with states and tribes today.

The EPA also states that the continued demand for Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment in communities throughout the country, coupled with increasingly limited state and tribal resources, makes access to federal funding critical. The law authorizes EPA to provide up to $50 million in grants to states and tribes to establish or enhance their response programs. Generally, these response programs address the assessment and cleanups for the purpose of potential in redevelopment of Brownfields. This funding will enable states and tribes to develop or enhance their response program's infrastructure and capabilities. For some recipients, the funding will provide an opportunity to create new response programs to address contaminated properties. States and tribes also can use the new funding to capitalize a revolving fund for cleanup, purchase environmental insurance, or develop other insurance mechanisms to provide financing for cleanup activities. In addition, the funds can be used to establish or maintain the statutorily required public record, to oversee cleanups, and to conduct site-specific activities.

The EPA provides financial assistance to states and tribes, which increases their capacity to meet the Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment challenges. It will also help to ensure that properties are cleaned up safely, according to state and tribal standards. In the start of the Tribal Response Program in 2003, the Program received grant funds in the amount of $99,000. In 2009 the Program received grant funds in the amount of $154,603. These funds were used to perform program management activities that include but not limited to;

Administer and implement the TRP Four Elements.
	Timely Survey and Inventory of Brownfield Sites.
	Oversight and enforcement Authorities or Other mechanisms and Resources.
	Mechanisms and Resources to Provide Meaningful Opportunities for Public Participation.
	Mechanisms for Approval of a Cleanup Plan and Verification and Certification that Clean-up are Complete
Develop and approve RFPs.
Manage/oversee contracts.
Prepare Property Profile Forms.
Obtain Training as needed and available.
Inspect sites within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Resolve issues, concerns, and complaints.
Administer and implement the CSKT Solid Waste Ordinance NO 106A.
Assists and provide technical assistance when necessary to EPA, Lake County Environmental Health, Tribal Law Enforcement, Tribal Programs, and Tribal Council.
Write quarterly, mid & end year reports due to EPA.
Write quarterly, mid & end year reports due to CSKT.
Maintaining Public Record for the Tribal Response Program.

Fiscal Year 2009
During FY08-2009 the Brownfield Program performed five Environmental Site Assessments, they are;

	Arlee and Dixon Agency Home Sites for possible asbestos and lead based paint contamination.
	Two Finely Point home sites and one Ronan home site. These three home sites were contaminated by Methamphetamines.

Also, during FY08 2009 the Tribal Response Program requested FY09 2010 Tribal Response Program 128(a) grant funds to conduct one (1) cleanup at the old St. Ignatius/Woodcock Community Dump #1 site located off Sabine Road; during Phase V assessment it was determined that concentrations of arsenic and lead are above screening levels in the shallow soil, and CSKT intends to remove these soils.

The Tribal Response Program also request FY10 128(a) grant funds to conduct one (1) site assessment utilizing FY09 2010 grant funds; using EPA Region 8 Brownfield Grant “SITE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION OUTLINE” forms which is an EPA requirement before an environmental site assessment can be performed. The Brownfield Program received an $188,750 clean-up grant for the Elmo Cash Store with the Salish Kootenai Housing Authority. To view any past or present Brownfield site activities you can click on site assessments, you can also view the Public Record on this site.

The Brownfield coordinator has attended numerous training sessions on Brownfield, solid waste, and hazardous waste issues. The tribes also completed a reservation wide Brownfield inventory with the aid from Portage Environmental, Inc. an Indian owned environmental consulting firm based out of Idaho Falls, Idaho in October of 2004. Sites are still being added to the Brownfield Inventory as new potential Brownfield sites are recognized. An estimated 130 sites have been added to the Brownfield Inventory since the beginning of the program in 2003.

The Brownfield program ensures the protection of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes natural resources by inspecting the exterior boundaries of the reservation for illegal or abandoned sites that might comprise of solid and/or hazardous substance such as Illegal dumping that consists of waste materials that are unknown until investigated, these materials may have the probability to contaminate the natural resources of the reservation, and may cause severe health risks to the public.

The Brownfield program conducts inspections through methodology that consist of; sample collection, laboratory and chemical analysis, field investigation, research, observations, documenting, interviews, GPS, digital photos, and inquiries. This assists the program to ensure that the safety of the tribes’ natural resources is met.

If you need to report a potential Brownfield site or would like an environmental site assessment done at a potential Brownfield site or would like information available in the public record please provide the site location and contact information to Marlene McDanal, the Brownfield Coordinator at mmcdanal@cskt.org  , or P.O. Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855.

The Brownfield coordinator can also be reached at (406) 675-2700. The Natural Resources Department offices are located at 301 Main Street in Polson, Montana. Normal office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Closed most holidays.