The Division of Environmental, Facilities, Safety, and Cultural Resources Management (DEFSCRM) assures compliance with applicable environmental and cultural resource statutes. The Division coordinates with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to address Safety and environmental compliance. The Division also addresses safety issues in the workplace and works with the BIE to address Safety and environmental compliance.
Environmental Services provides regulatory and technical guidance and support to the Program Offices of the Midwest Region (i.e. Tribal Operations, Social Services, Facilities, Fee-to-Trust, Water Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Transportation and Realty) and the Agency Offices (i.e. Minnesota, Great Lakes and Michigan) for the protection of the environment on Indian trust lands or restricted lands in Indian County. Environmental Services tracks and reports Environmental and Disposal Liabilities. Environmental Services ensures regulatory compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and other federal regulations through compliance assistance reviews of internal and external projects pursuant to 59 IAM 3-H Indian Affairs National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Guidebook and 602 Departmental Manual Chapter 2 Land Acquisition, Exchange and Disposal: Real Property Pre-Acquisition Environmental Site Assessments.
The BIA-Midwest Region (BIA-MR) archaeological staff is entrusted with the task of keeping the Region in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), etc. Regional Tribes generate projects, BIA archeologists ensures the BIA remains in compliance when funding or issuing a permit for those projects. Our goal is to work cooperatively with Tribes to provide timely, accurate, and useful archaeological reviews to ensure cultural resources are protected and projects are not delayed. We provide technical assistance to six (6) BIA-MR Branches – Roads, Forestry/Fires, Realty, Division of Fee to Trust, Wildlife and Parks, and Water Resources. Additionally, we provide technical assistance to Regional Tribes and consult with both Tribes and the five (5) States within the Region regarding NHPA compliance. Approximately 650 projects are reviewed annually.
The Regional Facility Management Program provides Technical Assistance such as professional consultation, advice, training, and guidance to 10 P.L. 100-297 Bureau of Indian Education Grant Schools, 3 Adult Detention Facilities, 1 Juvenile Detention Facility, and 4 Bureau of Indian Affairs Agency sites throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa.
The program provides guidance in accordance with 80 IAM, IA Policies and Regulations to BIE/OJS/BIA administrations in developing plans and prioritizing deferred maintenance work orders which determines ranking of improvement and repair projects for schools, detention facilities, and Agencies. Provides funding for the Operations and Maintenance, Facility Improvement and Repair, Minor Improvement and Repair, Structural Fire, and Emergency Reimbursement programs to cover costs for space and physical facilities that house Indian Affairs programs, staff, and equipment across the nation. Ensuring that all employees have a safe and healthy work environment through the efficient use of resources for new construction, renovation, and maintenance of education, non-education, and detention Indian Affairs funded facilities.
The Safety office is responsible for policy, oversight, and technical assistance for safety management issues within the Midwest Region. These include providing workman's compensation processing, tort claim coordination and safety inspections.
