United States Solid Waste and EPA 500-F-99-288
Environmental Protection Emergency Response October 1999
Agency (5101) www.epa.gov/brownfields/
Washington, DC 20460
Brownfields Economic
Redevelopment Initiative
Proposal Guidelines
for Brownfields Assessment
Demonstration Pilots
-------
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, safely
cleanup, and promote the sustainable reuse of brownfields. EPA has awarded cooperative agreements to
States, cities, towns, counties, and Tribes for demonstration pilots that test brownfields assessment models,
direct special efforts toward removing regulatory barriers without sacrificing protectiveness, and facilitate
coordinated public and private efforts at the Federal, State, tribal and local levels. To date, the Agency has
funded 307 Brownfields Assessment Pilots.
EPA expects to select up to 50 additional National assessment pilots by April 2000 . States, 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 2000 assessment pilots is
February 16, 2000. Proposals must be post-marked or sent to EPA via registered or tracked mail by the
stated deadline. Previously unsuccessful applicants are advised that they must revise and resubmit
their proposals to be considered for the 2000 National assessment pilot competition. Previously
funded applicants may be eligible to apply for additional funds later this fiscal year under a separate process.
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:
"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."
-------
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 both environmentally and economically, mitigate potential health risks, and restore 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:
! Providing grants for brownfields pilot projects;
! Clarifying liability and cleanup issues;
! Building partnerships and outreach among federal agencies, states, tribes, municipalities,
communities, and other entities; and
! Fostering local job development and training initiatives.
The brownfields assessment pilots (each funded up to $200,000 over two years) test cleanup and
redevelopment planning models, direct special efforts toward removing regulatory barriers without sacrificing
protectiveness, and facilitate coordinated environmental cleanup and redevelopment 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 the issue of cleaning up sites contaminated with
hazardous substances and preparing them for appropriate, productive use. The pilots serve as vehicles to
explore a series of models for states and localities struggling with such efforts.
In fiscal year 2000 (FYOO), 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 in addition to the $200,000 that is available for
other eligible work defined in these guidelines. Please refer to Part n 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
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. All restrictions on EPA's use of funding cited in CERCLA apply to brownfields
assessment pilot cooperative agreement recipients. Brownfields demonstration pilot proposals should
conform to the following guidelines:
! 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. These activities can encompass administration,
public/community involvement, or field work associated with site assessment, site identification, site
characterization, and site remediation planning and design.
! Brownfields assessment pilot funds may be used to assess, identify, characterize, and plan
response or plan cleanup 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).
! 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.
! 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).
! 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
4
-------
other federal or state enforcement actions in place at a site 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 will 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 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).
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.
-------
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.
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 EPA Regional Brownfields Coordinators (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 describes the work to be performed, including a Quality Assurance Project Plan, 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'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, tribal, and local sustainable development, 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, and federally recognized
Indian tribes.
-------
Structure of the Proposal
Proposals for brownfields pilot projects should consist of the following sections:
Cover Page
Project Overview
Budget
Responses to Evaluation Criteria
Parti
Part II (Greenspace)
Attachments (please provide a list)
[1 page]
[2 pages]
[1 page]
[up to 10 pages]
[up to 2 pages]
[as appropriate; please provide a
list]
Attachments should be kept to a minimum. Attachments that will be considered during proposal evaluation
are letters of certification1, commitment, support, or partnership from other government or private entities and
maps. Examples of attachments that will not be considered 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 (S1/^" 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 Coordinator (see list on page 20).
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.
Project title: this should be as specific as possible.
Proposals from universities, port authorities, regional planning commissions, redevelopment
agencies, etc. should include a letter from the state Governor or Attorney General (or, in the case of
political subdivisions, from the Mayor or a resolution from the City Council) certifying that the applicant
is an entity eligible to receive funds under CERCLA section 104(d), 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.
-------
2. Location: city, county, and state or reservation, tribally-owned lands, tribal fee lands, etc. of the
pilot area.
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).
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 proj ect 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/Fax/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 proj ect period must not exceed two years. When planning the proj ect 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 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
! Map of brownfields target area(s).
! The background section should be a description of the factual and historical context for the
potentially affected site(s) and community (or communities).
! 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
! 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
! Describe the overall strategy for achieving the goals and objectives.
Authority
! 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, please provide a separate budget for the
$50,000. The following is a suggested format for your budget:
Budget
Categories
Personnel
Fringe Benefits
Travel
Equipment
Supplies
Contractual
Other
Total
Project Tasks
Taskl
Task 2
Task3
Task 4
Total
10
-------
Evaluation Criteria (Part I ~ Required)
Except for the budget, Part I should address activities eligible for funding up to $200,000; Part n 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. 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
(4 points out of 20)
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.
Effect of Brownfields on your Community or Communities
! Define your community or communities. This definition will be assumed to apply throughout your
response to the criteria unless otherwise noted.
! 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.
! Describe the process by which brownfields site(s) have been or will be identified. If specific site(s)
have not been selected yet, describe the process by which the selection will take place.
Value Added by Federal Support
! Explain how you will use the EPA funding provided through the cooperative agreement to advance
your overall brownfields goals and objectives.
! Describe other EPA assistance (technical, legal, enforcement, risk communication, pollution
prevention) that might be beneficial to your program.
11
-------
! Describe other EPA grants and/or cooperative agreements that you are currently receiving and
whether those funds are related to the Brownfields pilot.
! 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
(6 points out of 20)
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 EnvironmentalJustice
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 and agreements between the applicant and interested community
groups.
Existing Local Commitment
! 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).
! 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.
12
-------
! Describe the progress that your community has made in the assessment, cleanup, and revitalization
of brownfields.
! 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.
! 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
! 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.
! 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
! 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 how
these communities have participated in the development of your brownfields plans and will
continue participating in their implementation.
! Describe your plans for ensuring that affected disadvantaged populations benefit environmentally
and economically (directly or indirectly) from the assessment, cleanup, and reuse of brownfields 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.
! Describe other steps you have taken or plan to take (outside of the brownfields program) to
achieve an appropriate level of environmental quality in disadvantaged communities near
brownfields.
3. Implementation Planning
(6 points out of 20)
13
-------
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
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
! Provide evidence of support from state, tribal and local environmental, economic development,
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
! Describe the process by which brownfield site(s) have been or will be identified. 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.
! 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.
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.
14
-------
! 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.
! 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).
! 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
! Briefly describe 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.
! 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
! 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.
! 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.
15
-------
4. Long-Term Benefits and Sustainability
(4 points out of 20)
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
! 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
! Describe specific methods that you plan to use to promote sustainable reuse of brownfields.
Describe how these methods would protect and restore 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
! 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.
! 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.
! 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
16
-------
environmental or communication processes; increased 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
(8 points)
Those proposals selected to receive $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 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 Part I.
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, scored,
and ranked based on a total of 20 points for Part I, Evaluation Criteria #1-4. The projects that are
selected that include a request for greenspace funding will be further evaluated based on the points
obtained in 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 (2 points out of 8)
! Describe the local agency(ies) responsible for greenspace and explain the partnership with the pilot
lead office. Attach letters of support documenting partnership.
! 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 (2 points out of 8)
17
-------
! 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 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 (4 points out of
8)
! Describe the site selection process. Identify the site(s) you plan to assess.
! Describe the 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. Identify additional potential site assessment funding sources.
! Describe site control, acquisition, and flow of ownership.
! 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.
! Describe project milestones and project schedule.
! Describe potential funding sources and public/private partners that will be involved in the cleanup,
redevelopment, and maintenance of the site.
18
-------
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 February 16, 2000. 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 Coordinator (see list on page 20).
Activity Timeline for February 16, 2000 Proposals
February 16, 2000 Deadline for proposals for EPA 2000 awards.
March 2000 Panels evaluate proposals.
April 2000 Announcement of EPA 2000 awards.
The proposals must be post-marked or sent to EPA via registered or tracked mail by
February 16, 2000 to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OSWER Outreach and Special Projects Staff (5101)
401 M Street, SW
Room SE 385
Washington, DC 20460
19
-------
EPA Regional Brownfields Contacts
If you have questions regarding the proposal guidelines, you may call your Regional representative presented
below:
Regions and States
EPA Region 1
John Podgurski
EPA Region 2
Larry D'Andrea
EPA Region 3
Tom Stolle
EPA Region 4
Mickey Hartnett
EPA Region 5
Jane Neumann
EPA Region 6
Stan Hitt
EPA Region 7
Susan Klein
EPA Region 8
Kathie Atencio
EPA Region 9
Jim Hanson
EPA Region 10
Susan Morales
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) 918-1209 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) 353-0123 Fax (312) 886-7190
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 500 (EPR)
Denver, CO 80202-2466
Phone (303) 312-6803 Fax (303) 312-6071
75 Hawthorne Street, SFD 1-1
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone (415) 744-2237 Fax (415) 744- 1796
1200 Sixth Avenue (ECL-115)
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone (206) 553-7299 Fax (206) 553-0124
401 M Street, SW (5101)
Washington, D.C. 20460
Phone (202) 260-8474 Fax (202) 260-6606
20
-------
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(5101)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
EPA 500-F-99-288
October 1999
------- |