Oglala Lakota Nation/Former Badlands Bombing Range

Site Overview

Site Location

Approximately 50 miles southeast of Rapid City, South Dakota on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Site Description

This tribal land was used as a military bombing range during World War II. Unexploded ordnance is a major concern. The Oglala Lakota Nation, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Air Force, EPA, National Park Service, and the State of South Dakota, is working to return this site to usable land.

Organization Requesting Assistance

Oglala Lakota Nation and Badlands Bombing Range Restoration Advisory Board

Beginning Date of Assistance

Spring 1995

Summary of TOSC Assistance

Representatives from the TOSC and Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities (TOSNAC) Programs have attended multiple Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meetings; provided reviews of contamination investigation reports; held a workshop on science, math, and chemistry for the Technical Review Committee, whose target audience was the tribal elders of the Oglala Lakota; and provided information about the health and environmental risks of certain chemicals (beryllium, selenium, and phosphorus). Future activities at the site include meetings with tribal elders and community members to explain EPA guidelines, regulations, and the importance of community involvement; developing written educational materials to help explain mitigation, policies, and guidelines; and further researching the health and environmental effects of chemicals found at the site, with special attention to plants.

NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended. Communities seeking technical assistance should contact:

- Belinda Young in EPA Region 7’s office (for help in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, or Iowa) at 913-551-7463 and Young.Belinda@epa.gov;

- Briana Bill in EPA Region 5’s office (for help in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) at 312-353-6646 and Bill.Briana@epa.gov; or

- Karen Martin at EPA Headquarters at 703-603-9925, Martin.Karenl@epa.gov; or

- EPA personnel identified at the bottom of the TOSC Information Contacts below:

TOSC Information Contact

Brenda Brandon
Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center
155 Indian Ave., Box 5001
Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, KS 66046