EPA v. Settlement with U.S. DOI for Violations at Tribal Schools in Region 5 (National Case)

Case summary

This is a comprehensive national settlement with the Department of the Interior (DOI) to address alleged violations of waste, water, air, toxics and community right-to-know laws at 72 schools and 27 public water systems in Indian Country owned, operated, or the legal responsibility of DOI’s Indian Affairs Office. DOI will implement an environmental compliance auditing program and an environmental management system (EMS), designed to improve environmental practices at all of its BIE schools and BIA public water systems serving these schools. DOI has also agreed to install a Supplemental Environmental Project, a solar energy system which will serve a school located in the Grand Canyon, ensuring a more reliable source of electricity for the school and local community. DOI will also pay a civil penalty of $234,844 which it must spend to correct violations of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) at schools across Indian Country.

Defendants (1)

• United States Department of the InteriorNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (8)

• ONEIDA NATION SCHOOL DISTRICT

  N7120 SEMINARY ROAD, ONEIDA, WI, 54155

  Registry ID: 110032611500

• BUG-0-NAY-GE-SHIG SCHOOL

  15353 SILVER EAGLE DRIVE NW, BENA, MN, 56626

  Registry ID: 110021730493

• FOND DU LAC OJIBWE SCHOOL

  105 UNIVERSITY ROAD, CLOQUET, MN, 55720

  Registry ID: 110020662460

• JOSEPH K. LUMSDEN BAHWETING ANISHINABE SCHOOL

  1301 MARQUETTE AVE., SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI, 49783

  Registry ID: 110020662433

• LAC COURTE OREILLES OJIBWE SCHOOL

  8875 N. ROUND LAKE SCHOOL ROAD, HAYWARD, WI, 54843

  Registry ID: 110020661470

• NAY-AH-SHING SCHOOL

  43651 OODENA DRIVE, ONAMIA, MN, 56359

  Registry ID: 110020662479

• MENOMINEE TRIBAL SCHOOL

  6817 W. CHURCH STREET, PO BOX 39, NEOPIT, WI, 54150

  Registry ID: 110043152539

• CIRCLE OF LIFE SCHOOL

  32674 COUNTRY HIGHWAY 21, WHITE EARTH, MN, 56591

  Registry ID: 110020662451

Statutes cited

• TSCA 205 — Plan Submission - LEA
• SDWA 1412/1414 — National Drinking Water Regulations
• TSCA 203 — EPA Regulations - Asbestos in Schools

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Settlement with U.S. DOI for Violations at Tribal Schools in Region 5 (National Case)entered 2011-08-18

  Primary law: TSCA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2011-08-18Final Order Issued
• 2011-08-18Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2011-10-12Enforcement Action Data Entered