2025 Land and Emergency Management Tribal Program Accomplishments
EPA’s Land and Emergency Management Tribal program is committed to protecting human health and the environment in Indian country, while supporting Tribal sovereignty, acting consistently with the federal trust responsibility and strengthening the government-to-government relationship with Tribes. This page summarizes accomplishments in 2025 to provide training, funding, technical assistance, and support to our Tribal partners in cleanup, prevention, waste management, and response programs. Collaboration with our many partners helped us increase Tribal understanding and participation in key land programs, including solid and hazardous waste, underground storage tanks, emergency management, Superfund, Brownfields, legacy hardrock mines, and federal facilities. For past accomplishments, please visit the 2024 Land and Emergency Management Tribal Accomplishments, 2023 Land and Emergency Management Tribal Accomplishments, 2022 Land and Emergency Management Tribal Accomplishments, 2021 Land and Emergency Management Tribal Accomplishments, and 2020 Land and Emergency Management Tribal Accomplishments.
Over 1,000 people participated in 14 OLEM-led webinars for Tribes
1,010 people participated in 14 OLEM-sponsored training webinars for Tribes in 2025.
Provided $696,000 to build capacity and support Tribes in cleanup, prevention and response programs
OLEM offices collectively contributed $696,000 in 2025 to the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals to support the OLEM Tribal Program. Under these cooperative agreements, ITEP held the TLEF, supported the Tribal Waste and Response Steering Committee and the Tribal Superfund Working Group, provided training and online materials for Tribes, and completed other activities to build Tribal capacity.
57% of Tribes that applied for Section 104(k) grants were successful
In FY25, OLEM selected 57% of the Tribes that submitted eligible applications for Section 104(k) competitive Brownfield Grants (Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants). Tribes received a combined total of over $7.9 million.
Awarded $962,000 to the Regions to support Tribal efforts to address hazardous waste
In 2025, EPA provided approximately $962,000 in hazardous waste grant funding to improve hazardous waste management program capacity on Tribal lands.
Presented information to 191 Tribal participants on four TSFWG calls
In 2025, quarterly calls of the Tribal Superfund Working Group provided discussion of priorities common to both Tribal Nations and EPA, including Good Samaritan legislation, an EPA report on flooding at contaminated sites, building positive relationships with researchers, Bunker Hill restoration activities, and future group research areas. 191 participants attended these calls.
Tribal staff educated OLEM employees on working effectively with Tribes
In FY25, OLEM hosted a Tribal speaker from Quapaw Nation for an EPA Headquarters Lunch & Learn to highlight best practices for working with Tribes during the Superfund process.
Awarded $7.4 million to Tribes via Superfund cooperative agreements
In FY25, EPA provided more than $7.4 million dollars to Tribes through Superfund cooperative agreements, including more than $1.4 million to support Tribes' meaningful involvement in the Superfund process.
Completed 20 cleanups in Indian country
OLEM completed 20 cleanups of leaking underground storage tanks at 14 Tribes in 2025, exceeding our target goal of 11 cleanups for FY 2025.
Awarded federal inspector credentials to eight members of Tribes or Tribal consortia
As of 2025, EPA has awarded federal inspector credentials to members of eight Tribes or Tribal consortia. Once they are federally credentialed, these Tribal inspectors help EPA ensure compliance at UST facilities in Indian country.
630 in-person and virtual participants registered for the hybrid 2025 TLEF
OLEM co-hosted the 2025 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum in Minneapolis, MN, bringing together 480 in-person and 150 virtual attendees to learn, share, network, and build Tribal capacity to implement cleanup, prevention, and response programs in Indian country.
Provided training on consultation to 113 OLEM staff
In May 2025, as part of the Tribal Program Webinar Series for OLEM staff, OLEM hosted a training on government-to-government consultation. The training featured Coeur d’Alene Tribe Councilman Caj Matheson sharing a Tribal perspective on the importance of consultation. 113 OLEM staff participated.
Engaged with Tribes on the Good Samaritan Act at three events
OLEM engaged with Tribes at three events as they developed the pilot program under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act. Tribes attended the first Good Samaritan Summit in Golden, CO in April 2025. EPA presented a program overview at the TLEF in Minneapolis, MN in August 2025. EPA hosted an online webinar on the program in December 2025 that included Tribal representatives.
Engaged 527 attendees through four Tribal Waste Management webinars
In 2025, OLEM hosted four webinars for 527 people to discuss waste management issues that impact Tribes. These webinars served as a platform for knowledge exchange, success stories, and dialogue on key issues, covering topics from Tribal solid waste operation and maintenance to tools for planning for natural disaster debris.
Educated 292 participants on six emergency response webinars for Tribes
As part of the Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinar series, OLEM hosted 6 webinars for 292 people in 2025. The webinars focused on Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure regulation, rights under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), above ground storage tank safety, and emergency response measures related to lithium-ion battery fires.
Trained and certified 24 people to work on Superfund sites
In April 2025, EPA hosted a Superfund Job Training Initiative training on the Navajo Nation to support work at the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District Superfund site. 24 people were trained and certified.
Inspected 360 UST facilities in Indian country
EPA met its 3-year inspection goal for the underground storage tank program by inspecting 360 UST facilities at 77 Tribes in FY 2025.
Awarded more than $9.7 million to Alaska Native entities to address contamination on ANCSA lands
In 2025, EPA Region 10 awarded more than $9.7 million to six Alaska Native entities to clean up legacy contaminated sites on Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act lands and provide statewide technical assistance, outreach, and education.
Awarded $1.5 million to 21 Tribes to clean up leaking USTs
In 2025, 21 Tribes and Intertribal Consortia received $1.5 million in leaking underground storage tank cleanup and prevention funds.
Sent 33 editions of the OLEM Tribal Friday News Roundup to Tribal and EPA partners
OLEM sent out 33 editions of the OLEM Tribal Friday News Roundup to our Tribal and EPA partners in 2025. This email newsletter provides information, news, and announcements that may be of interest to Tribes, including webinars, conferences, consultation opportunities, grants, and other events related to cleanup, prevention, and response programs.
Awarded $33 million in Section 128(a) funds to 118 Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
In FY25, 118 Tribes and Intertribal Consortia received Section 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program funds. Tribes received approximately $33 million or 31% of the total funding allocated (including annual appropriated and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds). Tribes and Intertribal Consortia use these funds to build and strengthen Tribal environmental response programs and advance environmental self-governance.
Released NOFO for second round of SWIFR Tribal applications
EPA released the Notice of Funding Opportunity in September 2025 for the second round of Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. EPA anticipates awarding an additional $20 million in SWIFR grants to approximately 20 Tribes and Intertribal Consortia in FY26-FY27.
Regions provided technical assistance to 130 Tribes
In FY 2025, EPA regions strengthened waste management program capacity nationwide through 78 technical assistance activities with 130 Tribes.
15 Tribal environmental staff attended a site visit to Smurfit-Stone Mill and Milltown Reservoir Superfund sites
15 Tribal environmental staff attended the Tribal Superfund Working Group visit to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in September 2025. The group visited two Superfund sites: Smurfit-Stone Mill in Frenchtown, MT and Milltown Reservoir Sediments in Milltown, MT. This visit highlighted the different ways that Tribes engage with EPA and other stakeholders on the ongoing cleanup, management, and restoration of lands.
Regions hosted six emergency response events attended by Tribes
In FY25, Tribal government staff participated in six trainings, workshops, or drills hosted by EPA Regions. These tabletop exercises were designed to strengthen emergency preparedness and response during oil or hazmat scenarios.
Compliance rate at UST facilities in Indian country now on par with national rate
The Technical Compliance Rate for Indian country (62.6%) in 2025 is on par with the national rate (62.9%) for the underground storage tank program. This rate is the percentage of UST facilities deemed to be in compliance with all of the following requirements: spill prevention, overfill prevention, corrosion protection, and release detection based on inspections at UST facilities in FY 2025.
Launched free UST operator training for Tribes
In 2025, EPA launched its free, online UST operator training for Indian country designed to help UST facility operators gain knowledge to maintain a compliant system, as required by EPA regulations.
Issued BABA waiver for Tribal grant recipients at 7 federal agencies
In 2025, after government-to-government consultation with Tribes, EPA and six other federal agencies finalized a 5-year waiver for Tribal recipients of grant funding for the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) requirements. This waiver addresses the unique economic and social circumstances of Tribes and will prevent cost increases and project delays, ease the administrative burden on Tribes, and help Native American businesses build the capacity to source domestic materials.
