Brownfields Success Story: Spirit Lake Tribe, North Dakota

Revitalizing Tribal Lands

Since 2006, Spirit Lake Tribe has used EPA Brownfields funding to complete over 100 brownfields cleanups and over 150 environmental assessments. The majority of the cleanups have occurred on abandoned houses that were contaminated with asbestos and lead and in some cases methamphetamines.  Housing is a need for the Tribe, and these cleanups have facilitated the renovation or removal of substandard structures so that new and safe homes can be built in their place.

The Tribe has also used Brownfields funding to complete cleanup on a variety of other Tribal properties including a Head Start building that needed asbestos abatement prior to renovation.  At another site, vermiculite asbestos present in the building debris of a former post office posed a health risk to people and nearby wetlands. The asbestos, building debris, and contaminated soils have been removed, and the area is now natural open space adjacent to existing recreational fields. 

Keys to Success

With over two decades of experience, Spirit Lake Tribe has a refined assessment and cleanup process that maximizes the use of EPA funding to help them meet revitalization goals. The process typically begins in the spring by completing a brief application for a no-cost Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) for multiple sites with suspected contamination. During the summer, environmental specialists contracted by EPA perform the assessments which identify the presence and locations of contaminants and estimate the costs of removing them. With information gained from the TBAs, the Tribe then completes planning and budgeting for cleanups in the summer and fall. Typically, they use funds from their CERCLA 128(a) Brownfields Tribal Response Program grant to pay for the cleanups. Cleanups are completed by the end of the field season and sites are returned to productive use.   

The forested beauty of Spirit Lake Tribal lands.  A historic ski lift with Devil's Lake in the background. 

Old Hospital Success Story 

In August 2021, Spirit Lake Tribe used $112,000 in Brownfields 128(a) funding to conduct cleanup and demolition of the Old Hospital and Halfway House in Fort Totten, North Dakota. The building had been vacant since 1981 and was a major hazard and eyesore for the community.  EPA conducted a Phase II environmental assessment through the TBA program and found lead based paint throughout the interior of the structure. After cleanup and demolition, the Tribe built new structures for office space and equipment storage, investing over $300,000 and transforming the property into a community asset.

Community Quotes

“The local community is very happy with the recent cleanups. We have eliminated major hazards, and the properties can be safely reused.” 

—Arthur Carmona, Spirit Lake Environmental Protection Administration.

For more information:
Visit the EPA Brownfields website at www.epa.gov/brownfields or contact Ted Lanzano at (303) 312-6596 Lanzano.Ted@epa.gov.