Welcome to the

Tribal Lands Assistance Center

The TLAC will provide all federally recognized Tribes including Alaska Native Villages a single point of access to information and resources regarding contaminated sites on and near Tribal lands and waters.

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
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