What are Brownfields
On January 11, 2002, President Bush signed into law
the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (Brownfields
Law). The Brownfields Law includes provisions to establish, enhance and,
empower tribal response programs which will play a critical role in the
successful cleanup and revitalization of Brownfields sites. A “brownfield” is defined by the United Stated
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential
presence of hazardous substances, pollutant or contaminants.” The purpose of
the Brownfields Program is to encourage re-development at these properties. This
is accomplished through co-operations between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and
it's members, state and federal agencies, and the enhancement of the
tribal response program.
The
Water Resource Management Department (WRMD) of the Seminole Tribe of
Florida (STOF) received funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct
Targeted Brownfield Assessments and received funds to
establish a Brownfields Tribal Response Program.
History of Seminole Brownfield Program
The Seminole Tribal Response Program was established in October of
2003. The EPA’s Brownfields Initiative is to empower States, Tribes,
communities, and other stakeholders in economic development to work
together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean-up and sustainability
re-use Brownfields. The Water Resource Management Department is responsible for identifying eligible Brownfield
sites on the reservation; establishing oversight and enforcement
authorities; establishing a public record; provide opportunities for
public participation; develop mechanisms for approval of a clean-up plan.
Currently, Seminole Water Commission acts as public forum for any water
quality issues affecting Seminole Tribe of Florida members and surrounding
neighbors. We are currently in the investigational stage of
developing procedures to enable the water commission to satisfy elements
of the Tribal Response Program grant to allow public review and
participation of clean-up and response activities.
