Understanding Tribal Response Programs (TRPs)

Guidance, examples, and tools for building and strengthening TRPs.

Resources: Understanding Tribal Response Programs (TRPs)

Tribal Response Program Overview
Tribal TAB TRP Training Modules
- Establishing a TRP
- Establishing a TRP in Alaska
- Enhancing a TRP
Developing a Policy for Tribal Approval of Cleanup Plans and Verification of Clean-up on Brownfields and Contaminated Sites, TLEF 2021
Beyond Inventory: Using BiT for Tribal Project Management and Community Asset Mapping, TLEF 2025
Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) Training
QAPP Template & Guidance from EPA Region 1
QAPP Standard Crosswalk Tool
QAPP Template from EPA Region 7
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Training
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Template
Brownfields Procurement for Tribal Communities
Tribal Brownfields Request for Proposal (RFP) examples
iTRIBES Handout – Coming soon!
Steps in Choosing an Environmental Consultant Citizens Brief
EPA State and Tribal Response Programs
BiT: Your Brownfield Management Solution

TRP Training Modules

Tribal case studies, community voices, and examples of brownfields reuse to strengthen outreach, build collaboration, and highlight how Tribal nations are transforming lands and strengthening their communities.

View our TRP Training Modules

Watch our Tribal Response Program Overview

For generations upon generations, Native American tribal people have lived in balance and in harmony with the land that sustained them.

Because of progress and development from Western civilization, tribes face even greater challenges with their land. Today, tribes face severe environmental issues that threaten their health, well-being and traditional way of life.

In 2002, the United States Congress passed the Brownfields Revitalization Act, which addresses the issue of many thousands of contaminated sites across the country that went well beyond the scope of the previous 1980 federal Superfund cleanup program.

Section 128A of the ACT provides funding for States and tribes to establish programs to address hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants. The goal of this program is to address existing brownfields as well as future contaminants.

This video explains what a brownfield site is and documents the four elements of a tribal response program, focusing on questions about the brownfields inventory process, oversight and enforcement program, outreach and Public Partnerships, and the cleanup process and certification.