The NIGC Environmental, Public Health and Safety (EPHS) program is designed to assist and provide technical guidance to tribes in developing and operating their facilities in a manner consistent with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other applicable environmental public health and safety laws/ regulations/tribal ordinances. The EPHS program is broken down into two distinct but not mutually exclusive areas.
The first area addresses compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It is designed to ensure that the environmental impacts of an Indian gaming operation are considered when the Chairman of the NIGC decides to approve a management contract between a tribe and management company. There are numerous ways the NIGC ensures compliance with NEPA. In some cases, a proposed management contract may be categorically excluded. Other times, a proposed management contract may require a thorough environmental review in the form of an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The second area addresses the status of the Environmental, Public Health and Safety (EPHS) conditions of Indian gaming facilities that are currently operating (EPHS Survey Program). It is designed to ensure Indian gaming facilities have tribal ordinances/laws or regulations to protect the environment and the public health and safety. The EPHS program has several aspects, including but not limited to, EPHS Site Visit Survey of Indian gaming facilities, EPHS training for employees/managers, and other assistance to tribes or facilities as requested. The goal of the program is to help tribes operate Indian gaming facilities that are safe for the public, employees, and the environment.
Contact Information:
Brad Mehaffy, REM, CIPS
NEPA Compliance Officer/EPHS Program Manager
1441 “L” Street, Suite 9100
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 632-7003 (Phone)
(202) 632-7066 (Fax)
bradley_mehaffy@nigc.gov