The goal of the Fort Belknap Indian Community is to protect human health and the environment and at the same time, revitalize our community through the brownfields efforts. Since July of 2001 the FBIC have been a recipient of a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot Grant, a Targeted Brownfields Assessment Grant, a Brownfields Job Training Grant, and recently a Brownfields Tribal Response Grant.

In July 2001, the U.S. EPA awarded the FBIC a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot Grant. Two sites were designated by FBIC as priority sites: The Old Agency Landfill and the Snake Butte Rock Quarry. The Old Agency Landfill was a community landfill that operated from the early 1930's until 1970. The landfill reportedly accepted all types of waste. The landfill is situated less than ¼ mile from the drinking water intake for the water treatment plant, located on the Milk River. The Snake Butte Rock Quarry; located approximately 10 miles south of the Fort Belknap Agency was utilized by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in the 1930's for obtaining rip-rap during the construction of the Fort Peck Dam. Upon completion of the Dam, the quarry was left abandoned without any form of cleanup. Cultural sites were destroyed during the mining process and evidence of blasting, railroad construction, and other damaging debris and potential contaminants were primary concerns of the Tribes.

The community has been involved since the beginning of the projects and has played an important role throughout the project. Elders and other community members offered valuable information on the past history of the sites during the Phase I investigations and have provided their input to the reuse of the areas. Since the Old Agency Landfill is located near a beautiful wetlands area with many types of waterfowl and other wildlife and people are often seen walking/jogging along an adjacent road near the site, the community expressed their desire to see the area become a community park with walking/jogging trails throughout the area. The Snake Butte area remains past and presently, a significant cultural area to both Tribes. The White Clay and Buffalo Chasers cultural societies have been actively involved in the project and have voiced their concerns toward the protection of the cultural resources of the area.

In May 2003, the EPA approved the FBIC's application for a Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA). A TBA supplements and works with other efforts under EPA's Brownfields Program to promote cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields. Under the TBA program, EPA provided the funding and technical assistance for an environmental site assessment at the Agency Dump Site. EPA's contractor URS Corp conducted a Phase I and Phase II ESA at the site.

In May 2003, the EPA awarded the FBIC a Brownfields Job Training Grant. The Job Training Program provided two separate curriculums, a Hazardous Waste Track and a Remediation Track. Several partners including, Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Fort Belknap College, Portage Environmental, Inc., and The White Clay and Buffalo Chaser's Societies provided instruction for the courses. Approximately 100 participants have been involved in the courses to date with 7 participants completing one of the tracks. Sixteen (16) individuals have received employment directly related to their training with an average wage of $16.00/hr. The curriculum for each track was unique because the courses not only focused on the scientific and technical aspect of environmental training, but also integrated the importance of our cultural values through a Cultural Preservation Awareness course during each Track. Through the many brownfields endeavors, our community has made much progress. There are many tribal members that are now trained and available to work with brownfields cleanup/redevelopment activities that the FBIC plans to pursue.

In August 2004, the FBIC was awarded a Brownfields Tribal Response Grant. The Brownfields Tribal Response Program will allow the FBIC to enhance their existing brownfields program and further their capabilities to address contaminated properties. EPA requires certain elements of the Tribal Response Program be addressed. The elements are: (1) a timely survey and inventory of brownfields sites, (2) oversight and enforcement authorities or other mechanisms and resources that are adequate to ensure that the necessary response activities are occurring, (3) mechanisms and resources to provide meaningful opportunities for public participation, (4) mechanisms for approval of a cleanup plan and verification and certification that cleanup is complete; and the establishment of a public record. Tribes also can use the new funding to capitalize a revolving fund for cleanup, purchase environmental insurance, or develop other insurance mechanisms to provide financing for cleanup activities. In addition, the funds can be used to establish or maintain the statutorily required public record, to oversee cleanups, and to conduct site-specific activities.