Tulalip Tribe Brownfields Training

Akana provided technical guidance to support the Tulalip Tribe in developing a Brownfields program that meets EPA requirements and promotes community involvement. The project aimed to establish a comprehensive inventory of Brownfields sites, create clear procedures for environmental response, and ensure compliance with federal standards while respecting tribal governance.

Akana’s role included advising on the creation of a Brownfields inventory using existing Tulalip information systems and incorporating public access and comment opportunities. The team reviewed Tulalip tribal code to confirm alignment with the Tribal Response Program (TRP), recommending revisions and drafting new codes where necessary. Akana also assisted in developing standard operating procedures for responding to releases, overseeing remediation activities, and implementing agreed-upon actions for site assessment and cleanup.

To strengthen program effectiveness, Akana recommended a decision-making framework for establishing cleanup standards that adhered to federal requirements and fit within Tulalip’s management structure. The team researched other tribal Brownfields programs to identify best practices for public involvement and provided initial recommendations for a Tulalip-specific engagement strategy. These efforts laid the foundation for a transparent, compliant, and community-focused Brownfields program.