The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes recently were awarded an $110,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish and enhance a Pesticides Program on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
According to Rich Janssen, Division Manager of Environmental Protection for the Tribes the grant will allow CSKT to determine the amount, types, and uses of pesticides within the exterior boundaries of the reservation. The funding will also train and individual to educate the public on the proper uses of pesticides and become a local point of contact for certified applicators.
“This is the first year of our pesticides program which has the potential to be funded long term,” said Janssen. “It will address the issue of pesticides so we can continue to protect the environment for the health and well being of all reservation residents.”