United States Solid Waste and EPA 500-F-01-343
Environmental Protection Emergency Response September 2001
Agency (5105) www.epa.gov/brownfields/
Washington, DC 20460
oEPAThe Brownfields Economic
Redevelopment Initiative
Proposal Guidelines
for Brownfields Assessment
Demonstration Pilots
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EPA s Brownfields Assessment
Demonstration Pilots
Introduction
As a part of the Environmental Protection Agency s (EPA) Brownfields Economic Redevelopment
Initiative, the Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilots are designed to empower States,
communities, tribes, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely
manner to prevent, assess, and safely cleanup brownfields to promote their sustainable reuse. EPA has
awarded cooperative agreements to States, cities, towns, counties, and Tribes for demonstration pilots
that test brownfields assessment models and facilitate coordinated public and private efforts at the
Federal, State, tribal and local levels. To date, the Agency has funded 399 Brownfields Assessment
Pilots.
EPA expects to select up to 38 additional National assessment pilots by April 2002. States, political
subdivisions (including cities, towns, counties), and Federally recognized Indian tribes that have an
interest in environmentally sound redevelopment of brownfields are invited to apply. EPA expects to
select a discreet number of pilots specifically dedicated to Federally recognized Indian tribes. The
deadline for new proposals for the 2002 assessment pilots is December 10, 2001. All proposals must
be postmarked by USPS or delivered at U.S. EPA Headquarters by other means, no later than December 10,
2001, and a duplicate copy sent to the appropriate U.S. EPA Regional Office. Previously unsuccessful
applicants are advised that they must revise and resubmit their proposals to be considered for
the 2002 National assessment pilot competition.
Background
Many sites across the country once used for industrial/commercial purposes have been abandoned or
are under-used some are contaminated, some are merely perceived to be contaminated. A report
from the General Accounting Office (GAO: Community Development, Reuse of Urban Industrial
Sites, June 1995, GAO/ RCED-95-172) finds that:
As states and localities attempt to redevelop their abandoned industrial sites, they have
faced several obstacles, including the possibility of contamination and the associated
liability for cleanup ... This situation is caused largely by federal and state environmental
laws and court decisions that impose or imply potentially far-reaching liability. The
uncertain liability has encouraged businesses to build in previously undeveloped non-urban
areas called greenfields where they feel more confident that no previous industrial use
has occurred.
The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) has likewise determined that there
exists a compelling need to address issues of economic development and revitalization of America s
urban [and rural] communities. The NEJAC has requested that EPA:
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Provide leadership in stimulating a new and vigorous national public discourse over the
compelling need to develop strategies for ensuring healthy and sustainable communities in
America s urban [and rural] centers and their importance to the nation s environmental and
economic future.
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EPA s Brownfields Initiative
EPA defines brownfields as abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities
where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.
EPA s Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative is an organized commitment to help
communities revitalize such properties by addressing potential health risks, and, as a result, restoring
economic vitality to areas where brownfields exist. Experience gained from the brownfields
assessment pilots, along with partnerships and outreach activities, is providing a growing knowledge
base to help direct EPA s Brownfields Initiative. Successful brownfields redevelopment is proof that
economic development and the environment can, and indeed, must co-exist.
EPA s efforts under the Brownfields Initiative can be grouped into four broad and overlapping
categories:
*D Providing grants for brownfields pilot projects;
*D Clarifying liability and cleanup issues;
*D Building partnerships and outreach among federal agencies, states, tribes, municipalities,
communities, and other entities; and
*D Fostering local job development and training initiatives.
The brownfields assessment pilots (each funded up to $200,000 over two years) test assessment
models and facilitate coordinated assessment and cleanup efforts at the federal, state, tribal, and local
levels. These funds are to be used to bring together community groups, investors, lenders, developers,
and other affected parties to address site assessment and cleanup planning issues. The pilots serve as
vehicles to explore a series of models for states and localities struggling with such efforts.
In fiscal year 2002 (FY02), an additional $50,000 may be awarded to an applicant to assess the
contamination of a brownfields site(s) that is or will be used for greenspace purposes. Greenspace
purposes may include, but are not limited to, parks, playgrounds, trails, gardens, habitat restoration,
open space, and/or greenspace preservation. This $50,000 is available only in addition to the
$200,000 that is available for other eligible work defined in these guidelines. Please refer to Part II of
the Evaluation Criteria section. Note that use of the additional $50,000 must be in accordance with
the authorities and guidelines described below.
These pilots focus on EPA s primary mission protecting human health and the environment.
However, it is an essential piece of the nation s overall community revitalization efforts. EPA works
closely with other federal agencies through the Interagency Working Group on Brownfields and builds
relationships with other stakeholders on the national, tribal, and local levels to develop coordinated
approaches for community revitalization.
Guidelines for the Preparation of
Proposals
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Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 66.811. Funding for the brownfields assessment
pilots is authorized under Section 104(d)(l) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, (CERCLA or Superfund), 42 U.S.C.
9604(d)(l). States (including U.S. Territories), political subdivisions (including cities, towns,
counties), and Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible to apply. EPA welcomes and
encourages brownfields projects by coalitions of such entities, but only a single eligible entity may
receive a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreement funds will be awarded only to a state, a
political subdivision of a state, or a federally recognized Indian Tribe.
Through a brownfields cooperative agreement, EPA provides funds to an eligible state, political
subdivision, or Indian Tribe to undertake activities authorized under CERCLA section 104. Use of
these assessment pilot funds must be in accordance with CERCLA, and all CERCLA restrictions on
use of funds also apply to the assessment pilots. By awarding a cooperative agreement, EPA
anticipates substantial involvement in the pilot activities. Brownfields demonstration pilot proposals
should conform to the following guidelines:
*D Pilot activities must be directed toward environmental response activities preliminary to
cleanup, such as site assessment, site identification, site characterization, and site response
or cleanup planning and design. Site identification in this case means the identification of
sites at which such contamination may be an issue of concern.
*D Brownfields assessment pilot funds may be used to assess, identify, characterize, and plan
response activities at contaminated sites targeted for redevelopment. These funds may not
be used to pay for development activities that are not CERCLA response activities (e.g.,
construction of a new facility, purchase of property).
*D Brownfields assessment pilot funds may be used for planning and/or studies regarding legal,
fiscal, economic and other issues, so long as such plans and studies are necessary and
appropriate to planning and directing an assessment or cleanup action.
*D Brownfields assessment pilot funds may only be used at sites where there is release, or
substantial threat of release, of a CERCLA hazardous substance, or there is a release, or
substantial threat of release of a pollutant or contaminant which may present an imminent
and substantial danger to the public health or welfare. In addition, funds may be used at
sites where there is a reason to believe that a release has occurred or is about to occur (e.g.
based on past historical uses).
*D Brownfields assessment pilot funds may be used for public/community involvement
activities to explain site selection, assessment, characterization, or cleanup planning
activities at a site or set of sites. These activities should be directed toward obtaining more
effective public involvement in decisions regarding environmental assessment and cleanup
at such sites. These funds may not be used for general education activities (e.g., grants to
schools for development of curriculum).
*D Brownfields assessment pilot funds may not be used for activities at any sites listed or
proposed to be listed on CERCLA s National Priorities List, base realignment and closure
(BRAC) sites, or any areas currently undergoing cleanup under RCRA corrective action
authorities. If there are any other federal or state enforcement actions in place at a site
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proposed to be included in this pilot project, please describe (in the Implementation Planning
section) the enforcement action, its environmental response requirements, and how the
brownfields project would supplement the environmental work required.
Brownfields assessment pilot funds may not be used for actual cleanup or other response
activities associated with such cleanups (e.g., landscaping and ground-water extraction and
treatment). Site cleanups should be carried out through other means, such as state voluntary
cleanup programs, state government grants, state tax incentive programs, tribal funds,
contributions from responsible parties, developers, or a loan from a federally funded
revolving loan fund.
Brownfields assessment pilot funds may not be used for job training of community
members. Support for job training activities may be available through the Hazardous
Material Training and Research Institute, EPA programs, other federal agency programs, and
state, local, and tribal programs. However, specific training related to tasks to be conducted
by the applicant under the grant are allowable (e.g., database training of grant personnel to
create a site inventory would be allowable).
Brownfields assessment pilot funds may not be used to support lobbying efforts of the
grantee (e.g., lobbying members of Congress, or lobbying for other federal grants,
cooperative agreements, or contracts). Federal grant funds may not be used for fund-raising
purposes.
Brownfields assessment pilot funds may not be used for assessment, identification,
characterization, or cleanup planning at sites contaminated by petroleum products, unless
they are believed to be co-mingled with a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant
(e.g., used oil).
Brownfields assessment pilot funds may not be used to address, identify, characterize, or
plan for the cleanup of products that are part of the structure of and result in exposure within
residential buildings or business or community structures (e.g., interior lead-based paint or
asbestos which results in indoor exposure).
Brownfields assessment pilot funds may not be used to match any other federal funds
without specific statutory authority.
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Evaluation of the Proposals
The National brownfields assessment pilots are administered on a competitive basis. To ensure a fair
selection process, evaluation panels consisting of EPA Regional and Headquarters staff and other
federal agency representatives will evaluate the proposals. The evaluation panels will assess how well
the proposals meet the selection criteria outlined below. The evaluation panels make recommendations
to EPA senior management. Final award decisions are made by EPA senior management, and may take into
account policy considerations such as geographic distribution of funds.
Proposals must be clear and decisive, strictly follow the criteria, and provide sufficient detail for the
panels to compare the merits of each and decide which proposal best supports the intent of the pilot
program. Vague descriptions and unnecessary redundancy may reduce the chance of a favorable
rating. Proposals providing the best evidence of a true need, a quality project, and appropriate use of
funds will have the best chance of being recommended by the panels. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to contact and, if possible, meet with their EPA Regional Brownfields
Representative early in the process of preparing their proposal (see contact list on page 20).
The panels will evaluate the proposal for a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot (Part I) first.
From those proposals recommended by the panels to move forward to EPA Senior Management for
final selection, the panel will evaluate those competing for an additional $50,000 for a greenspace
initiative (Part II) and will also make recommendations to EPA Senior Management for greenspace
funding. An applicant may still be selected to receive a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration pilot
grant of up to $200,000 even if the applicant is not selected to receive the additional $50,000 for
greenspace.
The panels recommendations will be presented to EPA Senior Management for final selection. When
a proposal is selected, applicants will receive a confirmation letter, and the appropriate EPA Regional
Brownfields Coordinator and Regional Grants Specialist will be informed. The applicant then will be
asked to submit a formal cooperative agreement application package. This package will include a
formal work plan that provides a project overview (goals and objectives), describes the work/tasks to
be performed, including Quality Assurance documents (i.e., Quality Assurance Project Plan, Quality
Management Plan, etc.), a final budget, deliverables (i.e., quarterly progress reports, etc.), and the
required certification forms. When an applicant is a county, municipality, or tribal consortium, an
additional letter of support will be required from the appropriate state, Territory, or Indian Tribe as an
attachment to the cooperative agreement. The EPA Regional Brownfields Coordinator and Regional
Grants Specialist will work closely with the applicant to process and finalize the cooperative
agreement package. Applicants with proposals that are not selected will be informed in writing. An
applicant may choose to revise the proposal for submittal by a future deadline announced by EPA at a
later date. EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no awards.
EPA strongly encourages pilot proposal applicants to contact their State Intergovernmental Review
Office early so that the required intergovernmental review process may begin immediately upon
selection by EPA. If the State does not have an Intergovernmental Review Office, the successful
applicant must provide notice of the proposed agreement directly to affected State, area-wide,
regional, and local entities. EPA will provide further guidance, if needed.
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EPA s goal is to select a broad array of assessment pilots that will serve as models for other
communities across the nation. EPA seeks to identify proposals that demonstrate the integration or
linking of brownfields assessment pilots with other federal, state, regional, tribal, and local sustainable
development, planning, mass transportation, community revitalization, and pollution prevention
programs. Special consideration will be given to Federal Empowerment Zones and Enterprise
Communities (EZ/ECs), communities with populations of under 100,000, communities on or near an
American Heritage River, and federally recognized Indian tribes.
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Structure of the Proposal
Proposals for brownfields pilot projects should consist of the following sections:
*D Cover Page [1 page]
*D Project Overview [2 pages; 3 pages are acceptable
if applying for the additional greenspace funding]
*D Budget [1 page]
*D Responses to Evaluation Criteria
Part I [up to 10 pages]
Part II (Greenspace) [up to 2 pages]
*D Attachments (please provide a list) [as appropriate; please provide a
list]
Attachments should be kept to a minimum. Attachments that are most important to EPA during
proposal evaluation are letters of certification1, commitment, support, or partnership from other
government or private entities and maps. Examples of attachments that EPA will give little weight to
during proposal evaluation include strategies or plans developed for other programs, advertising
brochures, newspaper articles, statutes, and videotapes. Information in these types of attachments
should be distilled and incorporated into the responses to criteria.
To ensure fair and equitable evaluation of the proposals, please do not exceed the above, single-sided
page limitations. There is no guarantee that pages submitted beyond the limitations will be reviewed
by the evaluation panels and doing so could reduce your chances of a favorable rating. In addition, all
materials included in the proposal (including attachments) must be printed on letter-sized paper (8%"
by 11") and font sizes may be no smaller than 11 points. Please submit two copies of your proposal
materials, including attachments, to EPA headquarters. In addition, please submit one copy of your
proposal, including attachments, to your EPA Regional Brownfields Representative (see list on page
20).
Applicants should clearly mark information they consider confidential. EPA will make final
confidentiality decisions in accordance with Agency regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 2, Subpart B.
Cover Page
This is intended to identify the brownfields pilot applicant and a point of contact for communication
with EPA. This should be on a single page and in the format of your choice.
1 Universities, port authorities, regional planning commissions, redevelopment agencies,
etc. should include a letter from the state Governor or Attorney General certifying that the
applicant is an entity eligible to receive funds under CERCLA section 104(d), (e.g., a state
political subdivision), has the authority to enter into this agreement with the US EPA, and has the
authority to carry out the work included in the proposal.
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1. Project title: this should be as specific as possible.
2. Location: city, county, and state or reservation, tribally-owned lands, tribal fee lands, etc. of
the pilot area. Identify if an American Heritage River is located in close proximity of the
city, county, or reservation.
3. Population of the pilot area (for tribes, the number of tribal/non-tribal members affected).
4. Applicant identification: the name of the main implementor of the project (e.g., state or
local agency) and the recipient of the pilot funds.
5. Project contact: the name of the person who is responsible for the project proposal. We will
contact this person if we need further information. The project contact should be a
representative from the appropriate political subdivision.
6. Mailing address of the project contact.
7. Telephone/Fax/E-mail of the project contact.
8. Name of the representative of the appropriate political subdivision (Mayor, County
Executive, Tribal President, etc.) if different from the project contact.
9. Mailing address of the representative of the appropriate political subdivision or tribal official
if different from the project contact.
10. Telephone/F ax/E-mail of the representative of the appropriate political subdivision or tribal
official if different from the project contact.
11. Date submitted: the date when the proposal is post-marked or sent to EPA via registered or
tracked mail.
12. Project period: the project period must not exceed two years. When planning the project
period, take into consideration that a final report is due at the end of the project.
13. Community background: statistics on the demographics and employment for the specific
neighborhoods which comprise the target area of your pilot (i.e., poverty and
unemployment rates). Please provide the source of the data presented.
14. Cooperative partners: give details of the individuals and organizations that have agreed to
participate in the implementation of the project. Please note that funding to cooperative
partners will be subject to compliance with 40CFR Part 31 and 40CFR Part 35, Subpart O.
Project Overview
The Project Overview is an important opportunity to briefly summarize the overall goals and
objectives of a proposed pilot and your strategy/plan for achieving those goals and objectives. If you
are also applying for the additional $50,000 for greenspace, please provide a brief and distinctly
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separate summary of that project as well. Some of the information you provide in the Project
Overview will overlap with the selection criteria. Provide an overview of the following topics:
Background and Overall Goals
*D Map of brownfields target area(s).
*D The background section should be a description of the factual and historical context for the
potentially affected site(s) and community (or communities).
*D Discuss the ultimate target or goal of your overall brownfields effort. This may represent
broader goals than those to be attained by an EPA brownfields pilot; however, it will provide
an important context for understanding how EPA brownfields pilot funding might be used
within the framework of a broader redevelopment strategy. Goals should be specific,
measurable, attainable, realistic, and within a time frame. Try to be as specific as possible in
detailing the means for measuring success.
Project Specific Objectives
*D Discuss the specific objectives of the EPA-funded aspects of your brownfields project.
Please refer to the Guidelines (see page 4) when writing this section.
Project Strategy
*D Describe the overall strategy for achieving the goals and objectives.
*D Describe project milestones and project schedule.
Authority
*D Describe the legal authority for example, state, tribal, or municipal Superfund or voluntary
action/cleanup authorities or other local, state, Territorial, or Tribal authority available for
identifying, assessing, and cleaning up the brownfields sites that will be part of the EPA-
funded aspects of your project.
Budget
Provide a proposed budget for your project. The budget should show the distribution of the
demonstration pilot funds, including cost estimates for each of the proposed pilot activities.
A clear and concise budget is a critical element of the package. A significant portion of the
budget should be for site-specific activities (e.g., site assessment, design, and cleanup
planning), while administrative costs should be kept to a minimum. In cases where site-
specific activities are not planned, the applicant must clearly explain why this project does
not incorporate site-specific activities and provide a detailed project plan and budget for the
other planned tasks. Each task should be explained in the Value Added by Federal Support
section of your proposal. If you are applying for the additional $50,000 for greenspace,
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please provide a separate budget for the $50,000. Please utilize the following format for
your budget:
Budget
Categories
Personnel
Fringe Benefits
Travel
Equipment
Supplies
Contractual
Other (specify)
Total
Project Tasks*
Taskl
Task 2
Task3
Task 4
Total
*Provide a short description of each task, {e.g., Task 1, Phase I Environmental Assessment(s)}
Note: EPA defines equipment as items which cost $5,000 or more. Items costing less than $5,000 are
considered supplies.
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Evaluation Criteria (Part I — Required)
Except for the budget, Part I should address activities eligible for funding up to $200,000; Part II
should address the project proposal and evaluation criteria relative to the $50,000 available for
greenspace purposes.
Your response to each of the following criteria will be the primary basis on which EPA selects or
rejects your proposal for one of the pilots. The proposal evaluation panels will review the proposals
carefully and assess each response based on how well it addresses each criterion. Applicants should
address all of the evaluation criteria. Responses to the evaluation criteria will be utilized to determine
whether to make an award and the amount of funds to be awarded. All evaluation criteria are equally
important. There is no guarantee of an award. If a particular criteria is not relevant to your proposal,
please acknowledge and explain why it does not apply.
1. Problem Statement and Needs Assessment
The purpose of this section is to show clear links between your community s brownfields and
measurable environmental, economic, and social impacts. This section should present a big picture
view by not only describing the problem (environmentally, economically and culturally), but also
providing evidence of commitments of support from outside resources and how the proposed
Brownfields project impacts the overall community and other revitalization efforts and planning
programs.
Effect of Brownfields on your Community or Communities
*D Define your community or communities. This definition will be assumed to apply
throughout your response to the criteria unless otherwise noted.
*D Characterize the impact of brownfields on your community (or communities) by describing
their extent (size, number, location) and providing specific evidence of their economic and
environmental impacts. Maps and demographic data can be provided as evidence of such
impacts. If applicable, identify areas around or near your proposal that are current
Brownfields pilots and describe the jurisdictional entity that received Brownfields funding in
the past (i.e. county, city, state). Describe how your proposal is distinct from other
brownfields pilot projects in the area.
Value Added by Federal Support
„. D Explain how you will use the EPA funding provided through the cooperative agreement to
advance your overall brownfields goals and objectives.
*D Describe other EPA assistance (technical, legal, enforcement, risk communication, pollution
prevention) that might be beneficial to your program.
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*D Describe other EPA grants and/or cooperative agreements that you are currently receiving
and whether those funds are related to the Brownfields pilot.
*D Demonstrate how this cooperative agreement will leverage additional resources, support, or
assistance for addressing brownfields. Describe additional local, state, tribal, or federal
sources of technical, financial, or regulatory support that you intend to access and how an
EPA pilot may help gain that support. Evidence can be documented through letters of
support. (Brownfields assessment pilot funds may be used in conjunction with other
programs to develop creative solutions to sustainable development issues as long as the
brownfields pilot funds themselves are used in accordance with the authorities and
limitations described in these guidelines).
2. Community-Based Planning and Involvement
This section is integral to the Brownfields philosophy and pilot development. The purpose of this
section is twofold: 1) to demonstrate that the application has been developed with community
involvement and support, and 2) to clearly identify how the community will be involved throughout the
project by the development of a detailed Community Involvement Plan and Environmental Justice
Plan. The applicant s response to this section should take into consideration the specific community
involvement needs of their community.
EPA believes that early community involvement in the development of the proposal and throughout
the project is necessary and critical to the success of a pilot. The review panel will give preference to
projects where there is concrete evidence of early community involvement and a strong commitment
to involve the community throughout the project. Examples of community support which EPA
evaluates include letters of support from grass-roots community organizations and agreements
between the applicant and interested community groups.
Existing Local Commitment
*D Provide evidence of your community s or communities interest in brownfields problems.
Describe your efforts to involve community-based organizations in developing this proposal.
Provide a list of the community-based organizations involved and a contact person,
phone number, and brief description of the organization s activities and
representation. These organizations may include, but are not limited to, local citizen
groups, environmental organizations, civic organizations, local business groups and
institutions, educational institutions, and local labor organizations. (EPA will conduct
reference checks to ensure that organizations identified are supportive and involved with the
brownfields project).
*D Describe your efforts to develop partnerships at the local, state, and tribal level with other
stakeholders to ensure appropriate and sustainable cleanup and redevelopment of
brownfields. Stakeholders may include affected public authorities, citizens, potentially
responsible parties, current owners, potential future owners, chambers of commerce, lending
institutions, developers, labor groups, and other organizations interested in brownfields
cleanup and redevelopment.
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*D Describe the progress that your community has made in the assessment, cleanup, and
revitalization ofbrownfields.
*D Describe creative solutions that your community has made in areas of master-planning,
pollution prevention, and sustainable development, and describe how these solutions link to
brownfields.
*D Describe how your project will address the environmental and public health priorities of the
impacted community which is the target area of your proposal.
Community Involvement Plan
*D Describe your plans for ensuring the future, long-term involvement of your communities.
Describe existing or proposed processes for actively seeking and using their input. Describe
how affected communities will be involved in the selection of sites for the brownfields pilot,
future land-use decisions, and site ownership decisions.
*D Discuss any special communication needs of under-represented communities and how you
plan to meet those needs, including plans for communicating in languages indigenous to the
community. Describe the expertise available in your area that you might access, such as risk
communication specialists, environmental professionals, community colleges, translators,
technical associations, and other community-based organizations.
Environmental Justice Plan
„. D Environmental justice seeks to rectify the disproportionately high burden of environmental
pollution that is often borne by low income, minority, and other disadvantaged communities.
Describe any Environmental Justice situations, due to past or current circumstances, in or
near the vicinity of the brownfields project area. Identify the affected communities and
describe how these communities have participated in the development of your brownfields
plans and will continue participating in their implementation.
*D Describe your plans for ensuring that all affected disadvantaged populations benefit
environmentally and economically (directly or indirectly) from the assessment, cleanup, and
reuse ofbrownfields as proposed in your application. Describe how you plan to ensure that
environmental risks to disadvantaged communities are not increased during assessment and
cleanup or as a result of redevelopment.
*D Describe other steps you have taken or plan to take (outside of the brownfields program) to
achieve an appropriate level of environmental quality in all disadvantaged communities near
brownfields.
3. Implementation Planning
Based upon the results of pilots to date, EPA believes that the successful pilots are those which have
stakeholder support and a comprehensive plan for all steps of the redevelopment process. The
purpose of this section is to show that you have apian which incorporates the critical elements of a
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successful project. For example, your comprehensive plan should include a discussion of site
selection, site assessment, community involvement, financing cleanup, finding a developer, and
transferring ownership.
Government Support
*D Provide evidence of support from state, tribal and local environmental, economic
development, planning, and health agencies (including local health departments). Evidence
of support can be documented through letters from these agencies. If an applicant is a
county, municipality, or tribal consortium, a letter of support from the appropriate
state, Territory, or Indian Tribe is required.
Site Selection and Environmental Site Assessment Plan
*D Describe the process by which brownfield site(s) have been or will be identified and the
parties or groups that participated or will be participating. Identify sites or areas in which
site assessments will be conducted. If specific sites have not been selected yet, describe the
process by which the selection will take place.
*D EPA recommends that specific sites for brownfields assessment and redevelopment efforts
be proposed. If specific sites are proposed, describe whether the proposed sites are publicly
or privately owned and whether the current owner caused or contributed to the release of a
hazardous substance. The applicant shall explain why pilot funds are necessary for the site.
EPA will generally approve expenditures for site activities where the property is publicly
held. If the property is privately held and if the current property owner has caused or
contributed to the release of a hazardous substance and the owner cannot or does not plan to
conduct the site activities, the applicant should explore reimbursement mechanisms with the
private site owner(s).2 (Any fees or other monetary reimbursement that the recipient
receives in connection with this cooperative agreement are governed by the program income
regulations at 40 CFR 35.290 and 40 CFR 31.25.) For all other privately held sites, EPA
will consider the site circumstances and public benefits to the proposed site activities. EPA
will make a case by case decision with respect to proposed site activities in the brownfields
pilot projects. The fundamental concept of polluter pays, upon which all the EPA cleanup
initiatives are based, applies to the Brownfields Initiative.
„. D If the property is privately owned at the time of the activities, please include an Access
Agreement or a letter of support from the land owner in the Attachments of your proposal or
describe your plans for obtaining access for conducting the site activities.
2The cost reimbursement mechanism can be reimbursement for fees for service, in kind
services, reduction in the purchase price of the property, a commitment to pay for, or conduct,
cleanup activities or other compensation arrangement which are commensurate with the value
provided by the assessment activities to be funded under the cooperative agreement with the EPA
monies. EPA will treat any reimbursed funds as program income, and the applicant would be
authorized to supplement its Brownfields program with any such private funds in accordance
with 40 CFR 35.290 and 40 CFR 31.25.
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*D If sites are proposed, describe the specific site assessment activities that will be conducted
on your site(s). If your project involves more than one site, describe the activities for each
site and the number of sites undergoing the various phases of site assessment. In addition to
site assessment, describe any other cleanup planning activities (i.e. cost estimating, cleanup
design planning) that will be conducted on your site(s). If any environmental assessment or
cleanup activity has already occurred on the brownfields site(s) you plan to assess or within
your targeted brownfields area, describe in detail the nature, scope, and resolution of such
activity. Also explain why additional response activities through a brownfields assessment
pilot are necessary and appropriate.
*D Describe your plans to ensure the use of quality environmental sampling and analysis
procedures necessary for sound environmental assessments of brownfields. Describe your
plans for accessing the technical environmental expertise in your state, tribe, or region.
Describe your plans for ensuring implementation of appropriate health and safety measures
during on-site activities.
Reuse Planning and Proposed Cleanup Funding Mechanisms
*D Briefly describe your anticipated reuse of the selected brownfields site(s) or your plans for
soliciting interest in the site(s), planning a new use for the site(s), and/or securing a
developer for the site(s). If appropriate, explain the anticipated role of a future developer in
conducting any necessary cleanup of the property.
*D Demonstrate the link between your brownfields assessment program and the eventual
cleanup of contaminated areas by identifying potential sources of funds for cleanup.
Funding sources may include potentially responsible parties, potential purchasers, financial
institutions, state, tribal, and local funding programs, or other federal grants (funds from an
EPA brownfields assessment pilots cannot be used for site cleanup activities). Describe
commitments of cleanup funding from these and other sources. Evidence of support from
these parties can be demonstrated through letters from their organizations.
Flow of Ownership Plan
*D Describe the anticipated flow of ownership of brownfields properties throughout the process
of assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment. Potential scenarios for transferring ownership
may include a direct transfer of ownership to a private purchaser or interim ownership by a
public authority, court-appointed trustee, lessor, tribal re-acquisition, or bankruptcy
authority. Describe commitments or interest from potential future owners. Evidence of
commitments or interest from these parties can be demonstrated through letters of support
*D Describe the problems, particularly with respect to liability, associated with the ownership
scenario that you anticipate. Describe how you plan to address these problems, including
through partnerships with stakeholders, such as chambers of commerce, business groups and
institutions, and lending institutions.
4. Long-Term Benefits and Sustainability
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Applicants should demonstrate how this project will support an effective, long-term approach to
redevelopment. The planning and practice ofbrownfields redevelopment efforts should be guided by
the concept of sustainable development, defined as the capacity to meet the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The success of the
above efforts should be measured by program evaluation and result indicators.
Long-Term Benefits
*D Describe the local barriers that you will face in revitalizing brownfields. Describe the
technical and managerial methods, particularly innovative methods, that you plan to
implement to address these barriers and facilitate brownfields cleanup and reuse. Document
how the brownfields pilot will increase program capacity, community involvement, and
regional partnerships that will remain in place beyond the EPA pilot term. Describe how
this project can serve as a model for others to use in addressing barriers to revitalizing
brownfields.
Sustainable Reuse
*D Describe specific methods that you plan to use to promote sustainable reuse of brownfields
and the prevention of future brownfields. Describe how these methods would protect and
restore the future use and the quality of the natural environment, improve the quality of life
for the community, broaden the prospects for future generations, and help reduce energy
consumption. Specific methods could include: zoning and permitting processes that
incorporate environmental quality and equity; reuse and/or recycling of existing buildings,
infrastructure, and on-site materials; green building design and construction; incorporation
of energy efficiency technology; renewable energy design; Brightfields; the development of
eco-industrial parks; local workforce training and development; native landscaping; and
other pollution prevention methods.
Measures of Success
*D Describe how assessment, cleanup, and revitalization ofbrownfields will spur additional
beneficial activity in nearby locations, how site assessment will benefit the community, and
whether a direct health or environmental threat will be mitigated.
*D Describe an on-going evaluation process that will assess the management of the pilot and
achievement of goals. Describe how an on-going evaluation will be accomplished.
*D Describe your plans for measuring success in achieving your brownfields pilot goals.
Describe baseline measures that you have developed or plan to develop for the measures of
success. Please ensure that your measures of success are specific and linked to the process,
direct results, and overall goals established for your pilot project. Measures of success may
include municipal coordination; number of sites identified; number of sites assessed; number
of sites prepared for redevelopment; environmental indicators; economic indicators; social
indicators; institutionalized environmental or communication processes; increased
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availability of previously unavailable facilities, such as parks or recreation areas; or other
indicators of a successful brownfields program.
Describe any reports or other deliverables you plan to provide to EPA as documentation of
your project s progress and success.
Evaluation Criteria (Part II ~ Optional)
5. Greenspace
Those proposals selected to receive up to $200,000 may also be selected to receive $50,000. An
additional $50,000 may be awarded to an applicant to assess the contamination of a brownfields
site(s) that is or will be used for greenspace purposes. Greenspace purposes include, but are not
limited to, parks, playgrounds, trails, gardens, habitat restoration, open space, and/or greenspace
preservation. This $50,000 is available only in addition to the $200,000 that is available for other
eligible work defined in these guidelines. This section must be consistent with the budget outlined in
Parti.
The greenspace funding may be used for assessment, planning for cleanup and reuse, and community
involvement related to the site. Use of the greenspace funds must be in accordance with CERCLA, and
all CERCLA restrictions and assessment program guidelines also apply to greenspace funds.
This is an optional portion of the assessment pilot proposal. All proposals will be reviewed based on
Parti, Evaluation Criteria #1-4. The projects that are selected that include a request for greenspace
funding will be further evaluated on Part II, Evaluation Criteria #5. Based on this evaluation, some,
but not all, greenspace proposals are likely to be funded. An applicant may still be selected to receive
a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration pilot grant of up to $200,000 even if the applicant is not
selected to receive the additional $50,000 for greenspace.
Authority and Context
*D Describe the local agency(ies) responsible for greenspace and explain the partnership with
the pilot lead office. Attach letters of support documenting partnership.
*D Describe existing open space/greenspace plans, activities, and resource needs with respect to
brownfields redevelopment in your community. Explain if this site is near, on, or adjacent
to any brownfields sites described in Part I of your proposal and the relationship, if any, of
the project or sites. Describe public and private commitment to this greenspace project.
Describe the potential impact on the surrounding community.
Community Involvement
*D Describe community involvement efforts planned or underway near the site(s). Describe
environmental justice considerations, measures to involve environmental justice populations,
and anticipated benefits to low income and/or people of color communities
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disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution. Describe how affected
communities were involved in the selection of the site(s), and how they will be involved in
future land use decisions.
Site Identification, Site Assessment Plan, Flow of Ownership, and Reuse Planning
*D Identify the specific site(s) you plan to assess and describe the process for selecting the
site(s). Describe the site(s) and the brownfields issues associated with the site(s).
*D Describe the site assessment activities that will be conducted on your site(s). Please be sure
to differentiate these activities from any greenspace activities proposed in Part I. If your
project involves more than one site, describe the activities for each site and the number of
sites undergoing the various phases of site assessment Identify additional potential site
assessment funding sources.
*D Describe site control, acquisition, and flow of ownership.
*D Describe the proposed end use of the site(s) being assessed and the anticipated benefits to
the community. Provide a brief summary of any feasibility studies, if available.
*D Describe project milestones and project schedule.
*D Describe potential funding sources and public/private partners that will be involved in the
cleanup, redevelopment, and maintenance of the site.
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Schedule for Selecting National
Brownfields Assessment Pilots
The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response will accept proposals post-marked or sent to
EPA via registered or tracked mail by December 10 , 2001. A detailed activity timeline corresponding
to the proposal deadline is outlined below. For assistance with your brownfields assessment pilot
proposal, please call your Regional Brownfields Representative (see list on page 20).
Activity Timeline for December 10 , 2001 Proposals
December 10 , 2001 Deadline for proposals for EPA 2002 awards.
February 2002 Panels evaluate proposals.
April 2002 Announcement of EPA 2002 awards.
All proposals must be postmarked by USPS or delivered at U.S. EPA Headquarters by other means, no later
than December 10, 2001, and a duplicate copy sent to the appropriate U.S. EPA Regional Office.
If sending via an overnight express delivery service, please send to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OSWER Outreach and Special Projects Staff (5105)
Attn: Becky Brooks
401M Street, SW
Room SE 385
Washington, DC 20460
Phone 202-260-8474
If sending via first class mail, please send to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OSWER Outreach and Special Projects Staff (5105)
Attn: Becky Brooks
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
EPA Regional Brownfields Contacts
If you have questions regarding the proposal guidelines, you may call your Regional representative presented
below:
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Regions and States
EPA Region 1
Diane Kelley
EPA Region 2
Larry D'Andrea
EPA Region 3
Tom Stolle
EPA Region 4
Mickey Hartnett
EPA Region 5
Diane Spencer
EPA Region 6
Stan Hitt
EPA Region 7
Susan Klein
EPA Region 8
Kathie Atencio
EPA Region 9
Jim Hanson
EPA Region 10
Tamara Langton
EPA Headquarters
Becky Brooks
CT, ME, MA, NH,
RI,VT
NJ, NY, PR, VI
DE, DC, MD, PA,
VA,WV
AL, FL, GA, KY,
MS, NC, SC, TN
IL, IN, MI, MN, OH,
WI
AR, LA, NM, OK,
TX
IA, KS, MO, NE
CO, MT, ND, SD,
UT,WY
AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS,
GU
AK, ID, OR, WA
Address and Phone Number
One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (Mailcode H10)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
Phone (617) 918-1424 Fax (617) 918-1291
290 Broadway
18th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone (212) 637-4314 Fax (212) 637-4360
1650 Arch Street (3HS34)
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Phone (215) 814-3129 Fax (215) 814-5518
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone (404) 562-8661 Fax (404) 562-8628
77 West Jackson Boulevard (SE-4J)
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone (312) 886- 5867 Fax (312) 886-6741
First Interstate Bank Tower at Fountain PI.
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone (214) 665-6736 Fax (214) 665-6660
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone (913) 551- 7786 Fax (913) 551-8688
999 18th Street, Suite 300 (EPR)
Denver, CO 80202-2466
Phone (303) 312-6803 Fax (303) 312-6067
75 Hawthorne Street, SFD 1-1
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone (415) 744-2237 Fax (415) 744- 1796
1200 Sixth Avenue (ECL-1 12)
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone (206) 553-2709 Fax (206) 553-0124
401 M Street, SW (5105)
Washington, D.C. 20460
Phone (202) 260-8474 Fax (202) 260-6606
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