Contaminated sites in Tribal communities often require navigating multiple EPA programs to move from assessment and cleanup to successful reuse. This session will highlight how Superfund and Brownfields programs support Tribal communities. From the Brownfields Program offering competitive grants for site reuse planning and remediation to the Superfund program making a visible and lasting difference in communities by cleaning up contaminated sites and ensuring that people live and work without the risk of being exposed to harmful contamination. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how sites move from contamination to reuse, including the different roles Superfund and Brownfields Programs play at addressing cleanup.
The session will focus on helping communities better understand available resources, key decision points, and opportunities to support future land use goals. This session also shares practical strategies for navigating funding, building Tribal program capacity, and forming partnerships that respect sovereignty. Attendees will gain insight into aligning resources with community vision to turn legacy contamination into lasting, locally driven impact for future generations.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the roles of Superfund and Brownfields programs in addressing contamination sites
- Identify key decision points and available resources related to cleanup and reuse activities
- Explore how sites transition from cleanup to future community use
- Recognize opportunities for Tribal engagement and community-driven planning efforts
- One Case study from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on their utilization of Brownfields in Tribal communities.
