The U.S. Department of the Interior agreed on a comprehensive settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address alleged violations of waste, water, air and right-to-know laws at schools and public water systems in Indian Country.
The agency will have to invest millions of dollars to comply with environmental violations.
The EPA inspected tribal schools and found hazards that ranged from how the facilities disposed of fluorescent bulbs to monitoring asbestos in buildings.
“We know that a lot of attention that this will bring will help prioritize their resources and focus on the schools that have the most needs and ensure that children are getting safe drinking water,” said EPA spokeswoman Angela Baranco.
The interior department, which oversees tribal schools, will audit and manage programs designed to improve environmental practices at all of its Indian Country schools.
