Mission
The Brownfields Program mission is to assess and remediate potentially hazardous sites on Tribal Land, abandoned properties, and new real estate to ensure protection of natural resources.
A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
The Environmental and Brownfields Program coordinates compliance and enforcement activities among the Tribal Council, Lands, Property and Facilities Management, Forestry, Wildlife, Range, Energy, Natural Resources Enforcement, BIA, USEPA, USACE, and other appropriate Federal Agencies, and responds as part of a team of several Tribal programs to hazardous materials incidents.
The Brownfields Program is authorized under Section 128(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and managed by USEPA. SUIT is one of 22 Federally Recognized Tribes in USEPA Region 8 with a Brownfields Program.
Since 2005, the Brownfields Program has responded to reports of over 70 potentially hazardous sites on the SUIT Reservation. Please contact the Brownfields Program for the public and administrative records for these sites, and/or to request a site assessment.
Brownfields Program Core Elements
- Timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites.
- Oversight and enforcement authorities, or other mechanisms and resources, that are adequate to ensure that a response action will protect human health and the environment and is completed.
- Opportunities for meaningful public participation.
- Mechanisms for approval of a cleanup plan and verification that a response is complete.
2020-2025 Brownfields Sites
Old KSUT Building
Priority: KSUT building was permanently vacated in February 2021.This building has historic significance, is well-known to the local community, and is prominently located on the Tribal Campus.
Status: Near completion. In October 2024, remediation of asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint was complete.
Asbestos-containing materials were removed from the door caulking, floor tiles, roofing felt, transite panel and as debris in the soil. Lead-based paint on the exterior of the building was encapsulated on the porch, roof fascia, and gable ends. New roof and windows were installed. Light ballasts that may have contained PCB were also removed.
The KSUT building was permanently vacated in February 2021. In 2020, Operation and Maintenance Plan was prepared to provide guidance and procedures for the proper identification, maintenance, and preventative exposure from materials that are considered as hazardous materials.
Institutional Controls: In March 2021, the basement crawl space was contained and sealed off and air quality monitoring was performed. Laboratory results of all indoor air samples are non-detect for asbestos fibers. As part of Engineering/Institutional Controls, Building Maintenance and other departments were given the Operation and Maintenance Plan in April 2021.
Virbeth No. 1 Well Pad
Status: Virbeth No. 1 Well Pad was completed in July 2022
The site was a former abandoned oil and gas well. Clean-up activities included excavation and disposal of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils from the former production pit, soil amendment for the former well pad, and surface stabilization and restoration to facilitate the re-growth of native vegetation.
Services Provided to the Tribal Membership
- Maintains a current Public Record of reported hazardous sites, response actions planned and completed, and site restrictions.
- Assists with Real Estate Transactions to protect buyers from liability for environmental contamination, by performing Environmental Site Assessments according to American Society for Testing and Materials standards and federal regulations.
- Responds to requests for property assessments for environmental conditions, regulated building materials, and other hazards.
- Responds to hazardous materials reports, spills, and emergencies.
- Supports Worker Safety and community health by communicating site hazards with signs and maintaining Institutional and Engineering Controls.
- Assists with Operations and Maintenance Plans to protect workers and building occupants from exposure to health hazards from environmental conditions.
- Provides Education and Outreach on health and safety, avoiding exposure to hazardous materials, and resources for property development.
Project Timeline
