State of emergency declared after East Glacier Sewer Lagoon System fails

The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council declared a state of emergency Tuesday after the failure of the East Glacier lagoon system.

The failure, which occurred April 28, threatens public health, safety and the environment — including nearby waterways and affected residences in the East Glacier area, according to the declaration from the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council. 

The Council said the system failure highlights longstanding concerns regarding the federal government's legal obligations under the Indian Sanitation and Facilities Act. Under the law, the Indian Health Service must ensure that Native communities have access to safe and adequate sanitation infrastructure.  

“Insufficient funding and support from the Indian Health Service to ensure the structural integrity of the East Glacier lagoon system have contributed directly to the current emergency. The East Glacier lagoon system is one of several water and sewer systems the Indian Health Service has failed to uphold in its trust responsibility,” the release said.  

Site assessments specific to the East Glacier lagoon system have been conducted in coordination with environmental and water program officials, and response planning is underway to mitigate impacts, stabilize the lagoon system and begin necessary repairs. 

Local officials are working in coordination with Indian Health Service and Environmental Protection Agency and other relevant agencies on emergency response efforts, the release said.  

“However, this short-term coordination does not replace the Indian Health Service’s ongoing trust responsibility to ensure reliable, fully funded wastewater infrastructure for the East Glacier community and all other communities within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet Nation. Its failures have left critical infrastructure vulnerable, and our community exposed to preventable risks,” the release said.  

Inquiries to the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, Indian Health Service and the Environmental Protection Agency were not returned by press time.  

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4440 or tinman@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.