Watch this video for an overview of the TLAC website.
A Community to Share, Learn, and Heal Native Lands
The Tribal Lands Assistance Center (TLAC) is a resource for Tribes and Tribal communities facing contamination, or the threat of contamination, — regardless of location, size, scope, or severity. Its services, as determined by Tribal needs, are responsive, comprehensive and proactive. Concurrently with responsiveness to Tribal inquiries and needs, the Center will focus on training Tribal professionals and other Tribal officials. That is, responses to inquiries will include providing a clear understanding of the rationale for each response, thereby building Tribal knowledge in the applicable subject(s).
What are Contaminated Sites?
Contaminated Sites are sites that are known, or suspected, to pose significant risks to the Tribal community, its traditional practices, and/or subsistence resources through releases of hazardous substances to the air, ground, or water. Small spills may be addressed quickly, whereas, severely impacted lands or waters may require comprehensive strategies and mitigation efforts that must be sustained for decades.
What is CERCLA/Superfund?
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is informally called Superfund. Superfund sites are “discovered” when the presence of hazardous waste is made known to EPA. The Superfund program is administered by EPA in cooperation with state and Tribal governments. Tribes can lead cleanup efforts if they have the necessary technical and management expertise.
ITEP Superfund Events & Site Visits
The Tribal Superfund Working Group (TSFWG) participates in one site visit and the annual Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF) each year where they engage in presentations, networking, talking circles, and conduct their annual meetings with other interested Tribal representatives that work on Superfund related issues.
Superfund
News & Announcements
EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) Public Engagement Call
Nov 7, 12 pm Alaska; 1 pm Pacific; 2 pm Mountain; 3 pm Central; 4 pm Eastern Join EPA staff and experts as they engage the public on the following topics: Working with Tribes in abandoned uranium mines clean-ups Strengthening community resilience through natural...
EPA Proposes to Expand Public Access to Information on More Than One Hundred PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
EPA is proposing to add 16 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 15 PFAS categories representing more than 100 individual PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). It would also designate them as chemicals of special concern so they must meet...
Webinar: EPA Funding for Emerging Contaminants
EPA was allocated $5 billion for fiscal years 2022-2026 to address emerging contaminants (such as PFAS) in drinking water systems for small or disadvantaged communities, including Tribes. EPA will host two webinars to discuss programs that address emerging...