EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.
$187,914
EPA has selected Blackfeet Community College for a job training grant. The college plans to train 30 students and place 21 in environmental jobs. Graduates will be tracked for one year. The 246-hour training program will include HAZWOPER/HAZMAT certification and course work in hazardous materials management, lead risk assessment, asbestos and mold abatement, methamphetamine lab cleanup, and geographic information systems. Montana Tech will provide a majority of the training, although the college plans to hire additional qualified Native American instructors. A limited number of training spots will be made available to non-tribal members residing on the reservation. The Blackfeet Tribal Employment Rights Office will assist in the placement and support of trainees throughout their first year of employment.