About the Program
The Pyramid Lake Tribal Response Program (aka Brownfields Program) is an environmental program which operates within the Pyramid Lake Natural Resources Department. The primary purpose of the program is to serve the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe as an enforcement authority to ensure that suspected contaminated sites are assessed, and if necessary cleaned-up in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The program is also involved in establishing ordinances.
The program receives annual funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the form of a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) 128(a) grant to perform assessment and clean-up activities.
What is a Brownfield?
The EPA defines a brownfield as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant". Brownfield properties are often abandoned commercial or industrial sites, but can also be residential in nature and suspected contamination must be hindering the redevelopment of the property.
Some examples of potential brownfield sites and hazards which may be present include:
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Decommissioned gas stations - petroleum, leaking underground storage tank
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Illegal dump sites - hazardous substances (paints, pesticides, household chemicals)
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Abandoned housing built before 1989 - asbestos containing materials, lead based paint
If you would like to report a site that you believe or know to be contaminated, please fill out Form 105 and the Tribal Response Coordinator will launch an investigation.