On January 11, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (Brownfields Law). The Brownfields Law includes provisions to establish, enhance, and empower tribal response programs which will play a critical role in the successful cleanup and revitalization of Brownfields sites. A Brownfields site is defined as all “real property” which includes residential, commercial, and industrial properties that can be expanded, redeveloped, or reused and may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Comprehension and Liability Act of 1980 § 101(39), as amended (CERCLA).
The Blackfeet Environmental Office has previously received two Brownfields Grants that were provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct assessments and to establish a Brownfields Tribal Response Program. Tentatively, six sites were chosen for the Assessment Grant which include the former Blackfeet Pencil Factory, Old Browning Dump, Cemetery Lake, St. Michael’s Cemetery, Sharp Lake, and No Name Lake. Assessments involve a historical or background investigation of the sites and are followed by sampling and analysis of those areas of concern. Next, field sampling will help determine the type of contaminants, concentration level, and the spread of contamination.
Finally, an evaluation of cleanup costs and options will be communicated with the public. The Tribal Response Program Grant involves establishing a public record, putting regulatory mechanisms in place for eventual cleanup, and ensuring cleanup is adequate based on tribal standards.
The Blackfeet Environmental Office strongly advocates public participation in this process. Public meetings will be updated and posted on this website, located under "Public Participation."
Brownfields Program
The Brownfields program was established in October of 2003. New legislation allowed the creation for a Brownfields Tribal Response Program and Brownfields Assessment Program. The new legislation passed by EPA’s Brownfields Initiative is to empower States, Tribes, communities, and other stakeholders in economic development to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely cleanup and re-use sustainable Brownfields sites.
The Response program at the Blackfeet Environmental Office is responsible for identifying eligible Brownfields sites on the reservation; establishing oversight and enforcement authorities, establishing a public record, providing opportunities for public participation and developing mechanisms for approval of a cleanup plan.
The Assessment program at the Blackfeet Environmental Office is in the process of selecting a contractor for Phase I and Phase II Assessments. There are six pre-determined sites that will be assessed throughout the coming months. The public will be included in this process. Community input is a vital part of each program and public opinion is highly regarded as these programs evolve.
