United States Office of Public Affairs February 1996
Environmental Protection Region 5
Agency 77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604
EPA BASIC
BROWNFIELDS Fact Sheet
What is a brownfield?
Brownfields are abandoned, idled or under-used industrial and commercial
sites where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or per-
ceived environmental contamination that can add cost, time or uncertainty
to a redevelopment project Sites that once provided economic vitality and
jobs to urban communities are now avoided by new industry, developers
and lenders. A brownfield site may be as small as the vacant 1/4 acre
comer gas station with remaining underground storage tanks, or as large as
a several hundred acre abandoned factory that may have dumped wastes
on its property. Estimates show that there may be as many as 450,000
brownfield sites across the country.
One of the many factors that may be an obstacle to redevelopment is
environmental contamination. Prospective developers and owners are
fearful they will be held liable for the costs associated with the clean up of
contamination, even if they were not involved in the contamination of the
property. Banks are often reluctant to issue loans on brownfield properties
because of liability concerns or the fear that the clean-up costs will exceed
the value of the property.
Why is brownfield redevelopment important?
Redeveloping brownfields is important because it links economic vitality
and jobs with environmental protection. Recycling brownfields into
productive use discourages urban sprawl while retaining or creating new
jobs for the surrounding communities. Previously abandoned properties
are returned to the tax base which further serves to increase neighborhood
economic vitality. In addition, brownfields are often "eyesores" so their
redevelopment improves the appearance of the surrounding community.
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How are the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the states working
together io encourage brownfield redevelopment?
EPA and state governments recognize that successful brownfield redevelopment can best occur
when state and local governments, community groups and the private sector work together to
solve problems that combine environmental clean up, urban planning, and economic redevelop-
ment. A major reason that redevelopment projects are often halted is the fear of liability in
clean-up costs. To address this, EPA has formed partnerships with its' states in Region 5 to more
effectively communicate liability issues, increase understanding of environmental risks, and to
educate local governments, communities, and the private sector, about brownfields redevelop-
ment
In recent years, states have developed voluntary cleanup programs which are designed to provide
liability protection to private parties that clean up brownfields sites. Even though the federal
government may have little or no legal interest in most brownfield sites, EPA is taking steps to
diminish the fear of liability under federal laws by modifying existing agreements, with-states that
have voluntary cleanup programs. Through these modified agreements, EPA fully supports state
cleanup programs and essentially pledges that the successful cleanup of a site under the state's
program will also satisfy EPA. Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota have signed such an
agreement with EPA, Region 5. Similar changes to the agreements with Michigan and Ohio are
anticipated in the near future.
What other avenues is EPA pursuing to promote redevelopment of brownfields?
EPA supports the important role that state and local governments share in economic redevelop-
ment and is committed to finding opportunities to forge partnerships at the federal, state, and
local levels to encourage the redevelopment of brownfields. EPA is working with states and
municipalities to develop and issue guidances that will clarify the liability of prospective pur-
chasers, lenders, property owners, and others regarding their association with activites at a site.
In addition, EPA will fund 50 brownfield demonstration pilots by the end of 1996. These pilots,
each funded for up to $200,000 over a two-year period, are designed to support creative site
assessment, clean-up and redevelopment solutions. Special efforts will be directed toward
removing regulatory barriers without sacrificing environmental protection, and toward creating
public/private sector partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels.
In Region 5, the demonstration pilots to date include: Cities of Detroit, MI; Indianapolis, IN;
Cleveland, OH (Cuyahoga County Planning Commission); suburban Chicago (die West Central
Municipal Conference); and Northwest Indiana (cities of East Chicago, Gary, Hammond). There
are also regional brownfield pilots underway with Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota state environ-
mental agencies. In addition, EPA staff have been assigned to three cities and regional
brownfield team members are available to provide assistance (see below).
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What other issues are linked to brownfields?
Environmental justice and pollution prevention (P2) are two of the many issues that are linked to
brownfields. In urban areas, many lower income or minority communities are concerned about
multiple pollution sources that may expose residents to unacceptable amounts of environmental
contamination. These communities want plans that promote both economic redevelopment and
environmental justice initiatives. Brownfield redevelopment must proceed in a way that does not
compromise the environmental health and well-being of local residents.
Pollution prevention (P2) promotes the development of more efficient manufacturing practices
which generate less pollution and which ultimately lowers pollution-control costs. Consideration
of P2 is an important part of a brownfield redevelopment project. P2 not only results in lower
manufacturing costs, but it also promotes cleaner and more efficient redevelopment of a site. P2
practices encourage sustainable land use redevelopment and reduce the likelihood of a redevel-
oped site becoming another brownfield.
For further information
General information on regional brownfields pilots and EPA guidances are
available through EPA Region S Hotline: 1 -800-621 -8431 (EL, IN, MI, MN,
OH, WI).
Need Further Assistance?
Region S Brownfields Team Contacts:
UaryBeth Tuohy 312-886-7596 (General info)
Joe Dufficy 312-886-7255 (State activites)
Andrew Warren 312-353-5485 (Legal issues)
Region S State Contacts:
Illinois-Gary King 217-785-9407 or Steve Colantino 217-785-3497
Indiana - Gabriele Hauer 317-233-6429
Michigan - Claudia Kerbawy 517-335-3397
Minnesota - Ken Haberman 612-296-0892
Wisconsin - Cora Norlund 608-267-0540
Ohio - Jennifer Kwasneiwld 614-644-2279
At the local level yon are encouraged to contact your City Planning
Department or regional planning commission.
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