Brownfields Tribal Response Program
The Qawalangin Tribe’s Brownfield Tribal Response Program (TRP) is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Tribe’s TRP helps address the assessment, clean up, and redevelopment or reuse of brownfield sites. A brownfield site is property in which the redevelopment or reuse is complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances or contaminants.
The objectives and goals of the TRP are:
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Build tribal capacity, by increasing the knowledge and resources of staff to respond to and oversee assessment or cleanup of contaminated lands.
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Maintain an inventory of contaminated sites and mitigation activities.
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Address the assessment, clean up, and redevelopment or reuse of brownfield sites.
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Ensure thorough and complete contaminated site cleanups that are protective of human health and the environment.
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Be a community resource to support public comment, outreach and education.
Some of the Qawalangin Tribe’s current and ongoing projects within the TRP include review of and provide comments on technical documents (e.g., groundwater monitoring at the Pre-WWII Tank Farm) for active cleanup sites and maintain the site inventory and public record of contaminated sites. The public record can be found on the Tribe’s website, which contains a summary of sites undergoing active mitigation.
Tribal staff are working with the OC and other stake holders to coordinate planning and site mitigation priorities. We are continually working to build the capacity of tribal staff to address environmental concerns on the island and ensure that the Tribe and community concerns are met.
Green and rust discoloration seen on the shoreline rocks in the Delta Western area.
If you have information regarding a site of potential environmental concern, please complete the “Site Reporting Form” or contact elise@qawalangin.com with any questions.
More information on EPA’s Brownfields program can be found at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields
Two large aboveground storage tanks near a dump site.
