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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, cleanup, and redevelopment
of Brownfields. In 2003, EPA distributed almost $50 million
among all 50 states, 30 tribes, the District of Columbia,
and the Virgin Islands. 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 2003, the Confederated Salish
and Kootenai received grant funds in the amount of $99,000.
In 2007 the tribes received grant funds in the amount of
$190,633.00. Fiscal Year 2007
In the beginning of fiscal year 2007, The Confederated
Salish and Kootenai Tribes have solicited proposals for
completion of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and
development of a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP),
field-sampling plans, and the possible conduct of Phase II
Environmental Assessments at three Brownfield sites within
the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Mid year fiscal year 2007, the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribal Brownfield Response Program selected
Geomatrix to complete the Brownfield Assessment Project for
the two identified potential Brownfields sites. They are
charged with completion of the Phase I Environmental Site
Assessments, Phase II Sampling Analysis Plans (SAPs),
Quality Assurance Project Plan, and Health and Safety Plans.
End Year fiscal 2007, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
were completed for the two Tribal Brownfield sites. Also,
the Phase II Sampling Analysis Plans (SAPs), and Health and
Safety Plans have been completed. Also, the Quality
Assurance Project Plan for the Brownfield Program is
complete.
Again, they are:
- North Crow Home Site, 3707 North Crow Road, Pablo MT
59855
- Dixon Agency Home Site Lot 6, #10, Dixon Agency, MT
59831
Phase III assessments have been conducted at the previous
*primary Tribal Brownfield sites. These sites are in the
public record and can be accessed at the CSKT NRD Solid &
Hazardous Waste Program office upon request.
They are:
- Old St.Ignatius /Woodcock Dump, Savine Road,
St.Ignatius, MT 59865
- Elmo Cash Store, 77070 Hwy 93 Elmo, MT 59915
Due to final Phase III assessment reports for Elmo Cash
Store and Old St.Ignatius Dump sites, it is recommended that
additional Phase III Sampling be conducted at Elmo Cash
Store; additional shallow perched groundwater wells and one
deeper monitoring well near well MW-3.
Highlights of fiscal year 2003 (October 1,
2003-September 30, 2007)
In fiscal year 2003 a Brownfield committee was formed by
the tribal council and are charged with prioritizing
Brownfield sites. The committee consists of numerous
resource professionals, tribal attorneys, tribal council
members, concerned community members, and public citizens.
The public is invited to attend the monthly meetings.
Contact Marlene McDanal for more information and meeting
dates and times.
The Brownfield coordinator has also attended numerous
training sessions on Brownfield, solid waste, and hazardous
waste issues. The tribes also completed of an 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.
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, 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.
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