We are currently working toward remediating the The Roads Compound and The Old Stone Child College, and would appreciate the public’s opinion and support.
Want to learn more about asbestos? We have provided some information for you to read more about it.
About Our Program
What is a Brownfield?
A Brownfield site, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
“… is a real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands.”
The definition is found in Public Law 107-118 (H.R. 2869), the "Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act", signed into law January 11, 2012. You can read the law Here.
Possible Brownfields may include but are not limited to, open dump sites that are buried or on the surface, tire piles, and abandoned buildings containing asbestos or lead base paint.
History of Brownfields
Since the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, different types of cleanups have taken place throughout the United States. Some of these cleanups have been and continue to be, Brownfield sites. These cleanups are made possible through different programs such as EPA’s Brownfields Program (the Program). The Program has changed the way contaminated properties are cleaned up and managed. It is designed to empower reservations, states, communities, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment, to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfield site.
There are many types of Brownfields grants, for example Assessment grants, Clean Up grants, Revolving Loan grants, and Workforce Development and Job Training grants. Rocky Boy’s Reservation is currently receiving the, “State and Tribal Response Program” grant.
You can read a more in depth history of Brownfields Here.
Brownfields Program in Rocky Boy
The Chippewa Cree Tribal Response Program (TRP), also known as the Brownfields Program, began its first round of funding in 2007. Since that time, the TRP has strived to uphold the four elements of the TRP, which are,
1. Timely Survey and Inventory of Brownfield Sites
2. Oversight and enforcement Authorities or Other mechanisms and Resources
3. Mechanisms and Resources to Provide Meaningful Opportunities for Public Participation
4. Mechanisms for Approval of a Cleanup Plan and Verification and Certification that Clean-up are Complete
There is still a lot to be done for Rocky Boy’s Reservation, but with the help of everyone in the community, we will see our Mother Earth looking and feeling healthy again!