CR3 News Magazine 2018 VOL 2: February Black History Special Edition | Page 29

Hannahville Indian Community

L. Scott Wieting – Environmental Specialist

Program in Existence since – 1993

Program Projects – Radon Testing, Indoor Air Quality Education

Location – Wilson, Michigan

The Hannahville Indian Community (Community) began its Indoor Air Quality Program in 1993,

Through the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan/EPA Environmental Multi-Media Program which

provided environmental services to 5 federally recognized Tribes within Michigan. These

activities included radon testing of several Reservation homes, along with the development of information fliers which include environmental tobacco smoke, indoor wood burning, and radon.

In 1997, the Community received its own EPA General Assistance Program (GAP) grant which

included the continuation of indoor air quality efforts within the Hannahville Reservation.

The primary focus within the air portion of the GAP Program is radon testing in governmental

buildings and Tribal residences. The Hannahville Reservation, which is mostly located in

Menominee County, Michigan, is in an area of moderate potential for radon levels above 4.0 pCi/L (EPA’s Map of Radon Zones – Michigan).

The Hannahville Environmental Department began testing governmental facilities in 1998. These facilities include Tribal Administration, Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy, Visions Center and the Tribal Health Center. The following year, voluntary radon testing was made available to Tribal residences. The Hannahville Environmental Department has continued to offer Radon testing through the GAP Program in most years since.

The Community coordinates some of its Radon Program activities with the State of Michigan,

which provides Radon test kits to the Community. The State also provides education and outreach materials associated with Radon awareness and the promotion of testing homes.

The Community is committed to investigating and remediating indoor air quality issues in order to protect human health. Our Program efforts continue to provide information to Tribal Managers and residents on air quality risks so that they can make informed decisions on how to improve or maintain healthy indoor air quality.

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