Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Indian Reservation, Montana

Stressed Vegetation Adjacent to Old Agency Landfill and Near Closed Post and Pole Facility

Stressed Vegetation Near Closed Landfill and Post Facility (June 2001)

Site Overview

Site Location

Box Elder in Northern Montana

Site Description

One of the major concerns on the Rocky Boy Reservation is groundwater potentially impacted by an old agency landfill and the remediated Post and Pole Superfund Site. Primary Tribal concerns are associated with protection of agricultural lands and culturally significant plant species.

Organization Requesting Assistance

Tribal Environmental Program

Beginning Date of Assistance

November 2000

Summary of TOSNAC Assistance

The TOSNAC Program provided an orientation to groundwater course. The Chippewa Cree Tribal Environmental Program and TOSNAC coordinated a three-day groundwater workshop at Stone Child College in Box Elder. The course was attended by Chippewa Cree Tribal members and program staff, Stone Child College students, and environmental professionals from neighboring Ft. Belknap reservation.

In June 2001, Dr. Willis Weight and Kevin Mellot of Montana Tech University partnered with the TOSNAC Coordinator to provide a short course, "Groundwater in Tribal Lands", at Stone Child College. The course provided an orientation to groundwater studies, including both occurrence and contamination aspects. Principles that were discussed included flow direction, sources, chemicals of concern, areas of concern, volume, monitoring wells, sampling, analysis, and watershed-specific dynamics. Students reviewed literature, received class lectures and participated in discussions and field activities. After completing the course, students discussed priority areas for the placement of groundwater monitoring wells on the Rocky Boy's Reservation and worked on a sampling plan for existing wells.

In October 20002, Brenda Brandon consulted with Joan Mitchell, Tribal Environmental Planner, about the Air Force decision to devleop a bombing range at a nearby reservation and its impact on the Chippewa Cree Tribe. TOSNAC provided Air Force contact information, and discussed development of a letter of support for the Chippewa Cree Tribe focusing on the potential impact of bombers flying over nearby natural gas wells and threats to natural resources.

Tribal Members Observe As Dr. Willis Weight Demonstrates Monitoring Well Sampling Techniques (June 2001)

Tribal Members Observe As Dr. Willis Weight Demonstrates Monitoring

Well Sampling Techniques (June 2001)

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

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

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

TOSNAC Information Contacts

Brenda Brandon

TOSNAC Program Manager

E-mail: brendabrandon@msn.com

Voice: 785.749.8498 OR 785.532.6519

Mailing addresses

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

Center for Hazardous Substance Research

104 Ward Hall

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS 66506-2502

Kevin Mellott
Director of TOSC and TAB
Montana Tech University
1300 W. Park Street
Butte, MT 59701

Voice: 406.496.4220
Fax: 406.496.4116
E-mail: kmellott@mtech.edu