The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe (CSKT) holds treaty rights to hunt and fish in the waters and lands surrounding the CFAC facility—rights guaranteed under the Hellgate Treaty of 1855. Now, the Tribe is raising serious concerns that the EPA’s proposed cleanup plan fails to protect those rights and could cause continued harm for generations to come.
In October 2024, CSKT formally requested that the EPA delay its final Record of Decision, citing inadequate tribal consultation and deficiencies in the proposed cleanup plan. The Tribe’s position is clear: the EPA must take a harder look at current and future threats to treaty-protected resources before locking in a plan that leaves toxic waste on-site permanently.
Why This Matters
The CSKT’s treaty rights aren’t just historical—they’re legally binding and actively exercised today. The Tribe has consistently advocated for a cleanup plan that truly protects the Flathead River watershed, fisheries, and wildlife that sustain their people and the broader community.
Their involvement in this process is critical. As co-trustees of natural resources, the Tribe brings a long-term perspective and legal standing that strengthens the case for comprehensive remediation over containment.
Key Documents
The following publicly available documents detail the Tribe’s concerns and EPA’s response: