The primary objectives of EPA's cercla section 128(a) state and tribal response program grants are to provide financial support to states, US territories, and tribal nations to (1) establish or…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians a formula grant of $132,000 under the State and Tribal Response Program Grants (CFDA 66.817) for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This grant funds the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council's brownfields response program to enhance environmental remediation capacity on tribal lands in Wisconsin. The award supports the establishment and enhancement of a tribal environmental response program in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 128(a).

Under this award, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council will conduct a timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites on reservation lands, perform Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, oversee limited cleanup activities at identified sites, and maintain enforcement mechanisms and public participation opportunities. The recipient will also develop and maintain a public record documenting completed response actions and planned future remediation activities. Additionally, the grant supports program management and coordination activities to advance the tribe's four statutory response program elements: site inventory mechanisms, enforcement authorities, public participation resources, and cleanup plan approval and verification procedures.

The primary objectives of EPA's cercla section 128(a) state and tribal response program grants are to provide financial support to states, US territories, and tribal nations to (1) establish or enhance the four statutory elements of an effective state or tribal response program, as specified in cercla section 128(a)(2), (2) maintain and update, at least annually, a public record of sites, pursuant to cercla 128(B), that includes the name and location of sites at which response actions have been completed during the previous year and the name and location of sites at which response actions are planned to be addressed in the next year, and (3) conduct a limited number of brownfield site assessments or cleanups that will help establish or enhance the state or tribal nation's response program. The purpose of this award is to enhance the capacity of LAC DU flambeau's brownfields response program to meet the section 128(a) elements. LAC DU flambeau will oversee and perform planning, assessment, and cleanup of brownfields sites throughout the state/territory/tribal land. This year's workplan includes continued operation of a tribal response program and progressive steps toward response program development that responds to community and government concerns. The seven objectives to focus on include a timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites on reservation lands; oversight and enforcement authorities or other mechanisms and resources; mechanisms and resources to provide meaningful opportunities for public participation; mechanisms for approval of a cleanup plan and verification and certification that cleanup is complete; public record requirement; site specific brownfield assessments and cleanups; and tribal response program management and coordination. Activities:LAC DU flambeau will perform the following activities: timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites, which are properties whose expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances. IT also includes oversight and enforcement authorities to ensure that response actions protect human health and the environment; resources to provide meaningful public involvement; mechanisms for approval of cleanup plans, and verification of complete responses. The objective of this project is to assist in remediating and reusing brownfields sites throughout the state/territory/tribal land including assessment and cleanup oversight, technical assistance, onsite presence and verification of site documents, and certification of site cleanup. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:LAC DU flambeau will update inventory and databases of sites, update map(S), review and revise public participation plans, update the public record, submit workplans, budgets, amendments, and submit reports as appropriate. LDF will also participate in conferences, trainings, meetings and maintain trained tribal response program staff on duty.