EPA Petroleum Brownfields:
Developing Inventories
Printed on Recycled Paper
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
SECTION I: Site Inventory As A Program Tool 2
Definition Of A Petroleum Brownfields Site Inventory 2
Benefits Of Developing A Petroleum Brownfields Site Inventory 2
Key Considerations For Building An Inventory 3
Functions And Capabilities Of Petroleum Brownfields Site Inventories 4
SECTION II: Planning And Building An Inventory 6
Stage 1 - Planning The Inventory 6
Stage 2 - Developing The Inventory 14
SECTION III: Petroleum Brownfields Inventory Best Practices 17
Examples Of Brownfields Inventories 17
Descriptions Of Petroleum Brownfields Inventories 18
APPENDIX I: EPA Brownfields Grant Opportunities A-l
Section 104(k) Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), And Cleanup Grants A-l
Section 128(a) State And Tribal Grants A-l
Exchange Network Grants A-l
APPENDIX II: Resources A-3
Contacts And Technical Assistance A-3
Web Sites And Resource Documents A-4
APPENDIX III: EPA Property Profile Form A-5
APPENDIX IV: Publicly Available Inventories A-10
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INTRODUCTION
Petroleum Brownfields: Developing Inventories, a publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), is intended as a tool to help states, tribes, EPA Brownfields Assessment grant recipients, and others
develop an inventory of relatively low-risk, petroleum-contaminated brownfield properties. The publication
has three sections. Section I identifies petroleum brownfields inventories as a tool for building and
promoting a brownfields program. Section II outlines considerations for building an inventory, and Section
III discusses best practices from stakeholders that have implemented a petroleum brownfields inventory.
The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields
Revitalization Act ("Brownfields Law") defines a
brownfield site as "real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated
by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant." The law further
defines the term "brownfield site" to include a site that
"is contaminated by a controlled substance...; is
contaminated by petroleum or a petroleum product
excluded from the definition of 'hazardous
substance'...; is mine-scarred land."
There are continuing challenges for the future success of
the revitalization of petroleum sites, including the
relatively small size of petroleum sites, which may
impact the sites' marketability; liability concerns
associated with site redevelopment; and the unique
assessment and cleanup approaches for petroleum
contamination. This publication intends to enhance Abandoned gas station along commercial strip
communication among stakeholders and facilitate
opportunities for the redevelopment of petroleum
brownfield sites to help overcome these challenges.
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SECTION I: SITE INVENTORY As A PROGRAM TOOL
In order to understand the benefits and challenges of petroleum brownfields inventories, EPA contacted 25
brownfields stakeholders from across the country with existing petroleum site inventories to discuss their
experiences and best practices. These stakeholders included representatives from state agencies, non-profit
organizations, regional planning councils, and local governments, all of which had a role in building or
promoting their respective brownfields programs.
Although this publication is specifically intended to assist in developing inventories of petroleum-
contaminated brownfields, many of the techniques, examples, and resources may also apply to other types of
brownfields inventories. Many stakeholders indicated that they did not build their petroleum brownfields
inventory independent of other types of brownfields. For instance, the North Side Development Company in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, used the same process to identify and inventory all brownfields in their target area
but developed a system to categorize the petroleum versus non-petroleum sites differently to help manage
funding opportunities by contaminant type.
DEFINITION OF A PETROLEUM BROWNFIELDS
SITE INVENTORY
A petroleum brownfields site inventory is a collection
of site-specific information for properties that are
potentially contaminated with petroleum-related
products and other hazardous substances. The design
and utility of these inventories exist in various forms
with varying levels of complexity, ranging from
manual lists to electronic spreadsheets to Web-based
databases linked with geographic information system
(GIS) mapping tools. These inventories have a variety
of purposes, including management and tracking,
reporting, prioritizing, and marketing, and should be
designed consistent with the needs of the particular
brownfield program it serves. Specific examples of
various types of inventories are provided in Section
III: Petroleum Brownfields Inventory Best Practices.
BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING A PETROLEUM
BROWNFIELDS SITE INVENTORY
There are many benefits associated with petroleum
brownfields site inventories. Site inventories can help
establish a brownfields program by identifying
targeted properties for assessment, cleanup, and
redevelopment. Site inventories also help established brownfields programs track and measure success,
manage financial resources, and respond to potential inquiries related to redevelopment. In addition, site
inventories can also help promote redevelopment opportunities.
A recognized concern when considering a site inventory is the resources required for development and
maintenance. While a site inventory can be resource intensive, it does not always have to be a significant
BENEFITS OF INVENTORIES
Site data inventories provide many benefits to
brownfields stakeholders. Inventories allow
states, tribes, and municipal governments to
focus available resources on site prioritization
and more clearly target their cleanup and reuse
efforts. Other benefits include:
Identifying properties and areas eligible for
special financing programs;
Tracking property activities;
• Helping measure and meet state and local
environmental goals;
• Collecting information to help meet EPA
grantee reporting requirements;
• Increasing awareness and encouraging
dialogue on brownfields;
• Promoting infill redevelopment to potential
developers; and
• Marketing available properties to private
interests.
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investment. Inventories can be started with minimum resources or time, depending on the information
requirements. Stakeholders should not base the decision of developing a site inventory solely on the
limitation of resources. If it is believed a brownfields program can benefit from a site inventory, there are
many initial steps that can be taken to develop a useful preliminary inventory that can evolve in scope and
size with the program.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUILDING AN INVENTORY
Many states, tribes, municipal governments, and non-profit organizations have embraced the brownfields
inventory as an effective tool for resource prioritization, community outreach, and marketing to attract
private investment in cleanup and redevelopment. Others, however, are concerned about the potential stigma
of the "brownfields" designation from a site's listing in an inventory, as well as the resources required to
build, manage, and keep the inventory up to date. Additionally, concerns have been raised about confidential
or sensitive information being included in inventories that may or may not be publicly available.
Stigma
To help alleviate concerns regarding sites being designated as
brownfields within inventories, some communities make data from
their inventories available only through requests for specific site
criteria. If the inventory is to be shared outside the immediate
organization, concerns about releasing information regarding
private properties should be fully understood so that an informed
decision can be made. Some communities only include a private
property on inventories if the owner gives permission, or if the site
is located in an area that has been designated as in need of
redevelopment. In sensitive situations, careful consideration should
be given to the inventory's data fields so that they contain only
information appropriate for public release.
Stakeholders take varying approaches to making data publicly
available and addressing stigma that might be associated with the
information. However, in designing an inventory tool and
determining accessibility, community-right-to-know requirements
and/or Freedom of Information Act requirements need to be a
consideration.
SITE INVENTORY USED To
PRIORITIZE NEEDS
The Northern Lakes Economic
Alliance in Cheboygan County,
Michigan, developed a site
inventory that included brownfields
with petroleum contamination and
those with other hazardous
substances, which helped conserve
financial resources. The brownfields
program officer stated that
development of the inventory has
been a valuable tool and allows an
opportunity for community
members to discuss concerns and
opportunities in a public forum by
seeking their input throughout the
inventory development stage.
Some stakeholders address the concern of designating properties as "brownfields" by using the inventory
only as an internal tool to prioritize resources, with none of its information publicly available. Other
jurisdictions make some data publicly available while keeping other data private; for instance, offering
publicly-accessible information only for publicly-owned properties. As long as the actual or potential
contamination on these properties is not misrepresented, some stakeholders do not use "brownfield" or
"contaminated land" labels within their inventories, preferring broader descriptions such as land and
buildings available for redevelopment.
Most stakeholders seek some sort of release from property owners to list their site's information. As part of
this process, it is explained to property owners that such releases do not act as an admission or recognition of
any site contamination. Frequently, listing may help a property owner realize the potential of the property by
attracting developers who offer to clean up any contamination. As part of the effort to de-stigmatize
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properties on brownfields inventories, many states work with landowners to emphasize that the definition of
brownfield includes properties with the potential presence of contamination and that listing a property in an
inventory does not change any actual condition of the land.
Inventory Ownership
Another legal/regulatory consideration when
developing a property inventory is identifying
and agreeing upon who "owns" the inventory.
Many different offices or departments within
an organization are typically involved in
creating and using the inventory—the
environmental or health department, the tax
office, the economic/community development
office, etc. Identifying the roles and
responsibilities of each department in the
planning stage will help overcome some of the
inherent challenges in working on this type of
inter-departmental effort.
Resources
New shopping center on former petroleum site
in Hartford, Connecticut
To help address concerns regarding limited resources, each stakeholder needs to consider the intended use of
the inventory and what information needs to be collected to meet overall goals. The inventory does not need
to be a complex, comprehensive tool if the stakeholder has limited funds or staff resources. For instance,
while a GIS Web-based inventory might be helpful or even necessary in some communities, this level of
complexity would not be needed for others.
In ventory Maintenance
Another consideration is how, once developed, the inventory will be updated and managed. This
consideration will determine the inventory's level of complexity (i.e., how many different types of data will
be included). Site information can change, and data will need to be updated and tracked. Once a site
inventory has been planned and built, its manager must ensure that it is used to meet its stated purposes:
inventories often go underutilized. An inventory manager and the inventory's key stakeholders should
occasionally reevaluate the inventory's purpose, design, and content to ensure it continues to meet program
needs, and they should consider upgrades if needed.
FUNCTIONS AND CAPABILITIES OF PETROLEUM BROWNFIELDS SITE INVENTORIES
Petroleum brownfields site inventories have different functions and capabilities, ranging from tracking basic
information to complex tasks such as aiding in site prioritization. Typical functions include site monitoring
and tracking; data retrieval, exchange, and reporting; site planning and prioritizing; and marketing and public
outreach. Following are descriptions of inventory functions. Understanding an inventory's potential functions
and capabilities can help determine whether your program should develop a site inventory.
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• Site Monitoring And Tracking - organizing and maintaining brownfields property-related information
• Data Retrieval, Exchange, And Reporting - obtaining information through inventory outputs, data
queries, and user-system interfaces and/or sharing data between stakeholders (including fulfilling EPA
grant reporting requirements)
Prioritization And Planning - arranging brownfields properties based on criteria and associated
thresholds and/or preferences; ranking properties based on user-defined criteria to help identify priority
sites for investigation, cleanup, and redevelopment
• Marketing And Public Outreach - advertising brownfields properties available for cleanup and
redevelopment and/or sharing property information with the general public or selected developers
• Streamlining The Redevelopment Process - organizing site information and characteristics can help
streamline steps that are taken during the redevelopment process
Further detail on each of these purposes and examples is described in the next section, Section II: Planning
And Building An Inventory.
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SECTION II: PLANNING AND BUILDING AN INVENTORY
Information presented in this Section includes questions to consider in creating and planning a petroleum
brownfields site inventory, useful data to include, types of inventory designs, and methods to collect the data
that will populate the inventory.
Prior to initiating development of a petroleum brownfields site inventory, the entity pursuing the
development should meet with potential partners to discuss the approach. Asking key questions during the
planning phase will save time and resources and ensure that the inventory is a useful tool. Discussions should
include identifying the purpose of the inventory: who will be using the inventory, and what will they be using
it for? Will this be an internal tool for prioritizing brownfields efforts? Will stakeholders use it to market
economic development projects? Will the information be shared with community-based partners or other
governmental/quasi-governmental partners? Will it be generally available to the public for marketing or other
purposes? These decisions will drive the type of information collected and shape the format in which the
information is stored.
INVENTORY DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE
Key components for planning an inventory can be considered in two stages; however, these components can
be revisited before, during, or even after the inventory has been created.
Stage 1 - Planning The Inventory
Determine the purpose and audience of the inventory, including whether all or part of the inventory
will be public.
• Assess key stakeholder needs, available resources, the estimated number of properties for inclusion,
and mechanisms for updating the information.
• Determine the inventory design and content.
Stage 2 - Developing The Inventory
Collect data.
Build and populate the inventory.
• Reassess the inventory and update data.
Stage 1 components should be completed jointly before moving on to Stage 2, which consists of more linear
components. The components and steps are described in detail below.
STAGE 1 - PLANNING THE INVENTORY
Determine The Purpose Of The Brownfields Inventory
Stakeholders indicated that one of the most limiting factors in the development of a site inventory is the
availability of staff and financial resources; however, many indicated that pre-planning the inventory and
collecting only the data necessary to meet project goals can reduce project costs. Determining the purpose
and use of the brownfields inventory up front in the inventory development stage will help manage resources
and expectations for the project. Thinking through the use of the inventory will help identify the required
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PLANNING AN INVENTORY
CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS
data, answer future questions as to what will be the
design and content of the inventory, and manage
expectations for the data collection effort.
Stakeholders reported that without proper planning, it
is easy to become overwhelmed in the development of
an inventory that is more complex and larger than their
programmatic needs. A lesson learned to help ensure
that the inventory does not exceed resources or
programmatic needs is to outline the inventory goals
and needs up front in the planning process. Creating an
inventory that is larger than needed not only strains
budgets, it becomes more burdensome to update and
manage. Purpose(s) of the inventory may include:
• Site Monitoring And Tracking - Even the most
basic inventory should monitor and track property-
related information. This inventory function allows
the managing entity to track data elements such as
property location, owner, and size. More complex
inventories may contain additional information
such as environmental status or other site
attributes. The inventory can be updated to reflect
changes in site status, including ownership,
activities undertaken (assessment, cleanup, reuse),
or other important site characteristics. This
function provides information on the number and
size of petroleum brownfield sites within the
targeted inventory area and allows quick
identification of potential or confirmed
environmental concerns. For example, in New Jersey, the City of Trenton's petroleum brownfields
inventory provides a quick snapshot of the number of former service stations in the city, their locations
and ownership status, and whether or not environmental work has been performed at a site.
• Data Retrieval/Exchange/Reporting - Another basic function of an inventory is the retrieval and
output of information. Data can be retrieved in ways that include reports, graphic representations, and
data queries.
Inventories may also allow for data to be exchanged between stakeholders, particularly if the entities use
the same inventory platform. Often, information from an inventory that is managed by a municipality or
county is transferred to regional, state, or federal governments. For example, two of the three county
inventories overseen by the South Florida Regional Planning Council directly transfer their data to the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection as all three entities use the same Microsoft Access
database platform. In this example, data transfer occurs when regulatory actions take place.
EPA Brownfields State and Tribal (Section 128(a)) grant recipients are required to take reasonable steps
to develop and/or maintain a system or process that can provide a reasonable estimate of the number of
brownfields in their target areas. Brownfields Assessment grant recipients may use grant funding to
create and/or maintain a site inventory. If grant funding is used on a property, recipients are also required
to report on these property activities to EPA through the Assessment, Cleanup, and Redevelopment
Below is a simple checklist of questions that you
should consider before launching an inventory
effort. Consider outlining answers to each
question to help guide you during the inventory
development stage.
• What is the purpose of this inventory?
• Who is the intended audience?
• What information is required to meet the
purpose of the inventory and the needs of the
audience?
• How many resources do I have to devote to
this effort?
• What is the geographic area to be covered?
• What funding sources are available to assist
in this effort?
• What platform (e.g., hard copy, electronic) is
most appropriate for meeting the needs of
the audience?
• Are there critical project
partners/stakeholders that need to be
engaged up front in the inventory
development process?
• What sources will be used to collect data to
populate the inventory?
• How will this inventory be updated?
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Exchange System (ACRES) data system or in a Property Profile Form. To help meet EPA requirements,
reports can be designed to pull relevant data directly from an inventory system. For example, the
brownfields inventory created by Fort Edward, New York, can output reports in the same format as
EPA's Property Profile Form (see Appendix III).
Planning Purposes - Inventories can be a powerful tool
for planners, providing important information for
consideration during the development of land use plans,
zoning ordinances, or economic development plans. When
inventories are linked to mapping systems and information
such as the condition of buildings is included in the data
collection, an inventory can indicate which areas are most
in need of assistance, which are ripe for redevelopment,
and which zoning distinctions are most appropriate. For
example, in New Jersey, the City of Camden's Industrial
Sites Inventory included brownfields in a comprehensive
database of all industrial properties in the city and was
used to identify areas where industrial uses could be
expanded as well as where properties were underutilized
and ripe for industrial redevelopment.
Prioritizing - Inventories can allow users to prioritize
sites, which can be weighted and ranked based on user-
defined criteria. An inventory can help to categorize
properties based on criteria such as ownership status,
zoning, or readiness for assessment, cleanup, or
redevelopment—all of which can help in decision-making
and managing resources.
EPA BROWNFIELDS GRANTEE
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Section 128(a) State and Tribal grant
recipients are required to take
reasonable steps to develop and/or
maintain a system or process that can
provide a reasonable estimate of
brownfields sites. EPA Brownfields
Assessment grant recipients may use
grant funding to create and maintain
an inventory.
All EPA Brownfields grant
recipients—Assessment, Cleanup, and
Revolving Loan Fund grantees—are
required to capture specific data
elements and accomplishments on a
regular basis through the EPA ACRES
data system.
Using an inventory to prioritize properties also assists in making funding eligibility determinations for
sites contaminated with petroleum or other hazardous contaminants. Due to many property-specific
factors (i.e., the presence of underground storage tanks (USTs), when the USTs operated, whether the
USTs were insured, when the property changed hands, etc.), there is no individual, simple method to
make petroleum eligibility determinations. However, with the aid of site inventories, petroleum
eligibility determinations may be made easier by creating tools such as a "decision tree" to assess
specific data. For example, software can be created that assembles information needed to make
petroleum eligibility determinations from inventories.
Marketing And Public Outreach - Site inventories allow inventory managers to market properties
available for redevelopment. For example, inventories have been established by government entities for
the purpose of identifying available properties. Pennsylvania Site Search (PASiteSearch) is an example
of an inventory that allows property owners to market sites by indicating whether properties are available
for sale, lease, or other cooperative arrangement. The inventory is maintained by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection's Land Recycling Program, and property owners may provide
as much or as little information as they like for their own property. Information can include property
location, size, and contact information. Sites are added frequently, and information is updated regularly
through maintenance of the inventory.
Streamlining The Redevelopment Process - An inventory can help communities streamline the
redevelopment process by clearly identifying elements that typically occur during the process. By
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promoting the opportunity for site redevelopment, the redevelopment process can be streamlined by
engaging interested developers. The redevelopment process can be made smoother by having many
redevelopment elements already organized and presented to help quickly educate and engage potential
investors, developers, and site users.
Assess Key Stakeholder Needs, Available Resources, Number Of Properties,
And Mechanisms For Updating The Information
The following interdependent aspects should be considered in the planning of an inventory:
Partnerships - Involve key stakeholders, such as real
estate brokers, developers, lenders, adjacent property
owners, community members, public officials, etc. In
addition, determine if, how, and to what extent they
should have access to the inventory's information.
Number Of Properties - The number of properties
included in the targeted inventory area may alter the
purpose and type of the inventory and affect the number
of data elements in it, based on the inventory's use and
the program's available resources.
Inventory Update And Maintenance - Updating site
inventory information requires adequate time and staff
availability as well as a manageable number of properties
and pieces of data. Inventories that are used frequently
require an update and maintenance schedule. External
databases that can be used to automatically update the
inventory should be considered during the design phase.
If the tax assessor's database can be used to update
information such as property improvements, ownership
status, and other data, the inventory should be designed
with this in mind. Other partner databases that can
potentially provide updates to your inventory include
real estate databases, city-owned or vacant property
databases, building inspector databases, or databases that
contain information on deed restrictions.
PARTNERSHIPS
Developing partnerships with
stakeholders will assist in determining
the purpose, scope, and function of an
inventory. It is important to engage all
relevant stakeholders at the beginning of
the development process to ensure that
the inventory is as comprehensive and as
useful as resources allow. Stakeholder
input helps to determine which data
elements to include and how information
should be disseminated. Talking with
stakeholders also helps them understand
resource and other constraints that affect
whether and how an inventory will be
built and maintained. Partnerships may
include economic and/or community
development organizations, health
departments, tax assessors,
environmental departments, and/or city
planning departments.
Determine Type Of Inventory Design And Content
After determining the purpose of the inventory and assessing project resources and needs, the next step
should be to design and determine the inventory's content. There are many different types of inventory
designs, including hard copy files, electronic spreadsheets, electronic databases, and Web-based databases. It
is important to realize that no one type of inventory is better than another, and each should be tailored to
meet the current and future needs of stakeholders. If an electronic format is selected for the inventory, it is
important to include the organization's information technology (IT) office in the inventory development
stage to ensure that the system's software and other elements comply with the organization's IT resources
and rules.
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There is also a wide range of data for possible inclusion in an inventory, including, but not limited to:
address, lot and block, zoning, acreage, prior uses of the property, environmental conditions, environmental
report information, cleanup activity, redevelopment plans, neighboring uses, building conditions, ownership,
access to utilities or transportation infrastructure, and socioeconomic measures.
Consideration of what types of information community groups may be interested in can influence the
inventory's data fields. For example, the presence of sensitive populations in the vicinity (nursing homes,
schools, day care centers, hospitals, etc.) may be of interest. An understanding of state requirements would
be important in considering which data fields should be included. For example, New Jersey requires the
identification of sensitive populations within 200 feet of a site prior to the start of remediation. For
communities with mechanisms in place to update the inventory regularly, these fields would be particularly
helpful.
Ideally, all of these data should be inventoried; however, there
are key data elements that, if included, allow for a sufficient
understanding of a property's status. These key elements
include:
• Property identification number - if tied to the tax
assessor's database, this can allow for easy reference to
tax information or past ownership;
• Size - allows for discussion on reuse opportunities, as
well as cleanup cost estimates;
Location - not only address but tax block and lot, and,
if available, latitude and longitude;
Project ownership/contact information - provided in
case of reuse interest or to assist in determining
eligibility for funding sources; and
• Environmental and contaminant information -
identification of contaminants of concern; presence of
known tanks, piping, hydraulic lifts, or other areas of
concern; environmental project or case numbers if
applicable; and environmental site assessment dates
and findings.
If there is a chance that EPA Brownfields funding will be used on any of the sites, it is helpful to plan ahead
during the inventory design process for the collection of required data elements. EPA Brownfields grant
recipients are required to collect information on specific data elements and either complete data entry into the
EPA ACRES data system or file Property Profile Forms for sites. (See Appendix III: EPA Property Profile
Form for more information about specific data requirements.) In addition, the inventory can meet other
reporting requirements from additional local, state, or federal funding programs.
Petroleum Brownfields Inventory Data Types
Categories of tracked data elements include property background, environmental conditions, and institutional
controls, as well as cleanup, redevelopment, and socioeconomic information. The data elements tracked in an
inventory depend upon the scope of both the inventory's managing entity and the goals of the program. The
information provided below is an expansion of examples provided above.
SHARING INVENTORY DATA
When designing an inventory, it is also
important to consider how data will be
shared with stakeholders. If the goal of
the inventory is property
redevelopment, it may be useful to
have the inventory available to many
stakeholders, such as environmental
contractors, developers, lenders, etc.
Some methods of data distribution,
such as hard copy outputs and Web-
based systems, can require users to
request information from the
inventory's manager. Also, allowing
users direct access to an inventory will
likely require permission from the
manager.
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Property Background
Inventories typically track some form of property background information. One data element often
included is a tax identification or parcel identification number designated by the overseeing entity.
Applying these municipally-designated numbers to each property allows inventory managers to easily
keep track of properties and link to other databases for information exchange. Other common data
elements include the property's location (e.g., address, town, and state), tax block and lot numbers,
latitude and longitude (used for mapping), past and present ownership information, property size, zoning
classification and vacancy status, and property tax status (e.g., foreclosure, liens, delinquency).
Another consideration for incorporation of the property background information is the inclusion of
surrounding property/neighborhood characteristics. Capturing information about the surrounding
property uses or availability of developable land may help increase the success of marketing by enticing
developers with current land uses or the availability of additional property for development.
Environmental Conditions
Information typically found in a site inventory
speaks to the known past and present
environmental conditions of a property. This
may include information regarding the presence
of USTs and related leaks. Other typically
tracked information includes: environmental
case or project numbers, the beginning and
completion of environmental site assessments,
funding used to complete site assessments,
types and levels of contamination found
through assessments, and the environmental
conditions of surrounding properties (e.g.,
nearby gas stations and dry cleaners).
Site assessment on Hopi Indian Reservation
Cleanup Activity Information
Inventories also track cleanup information, such as start dates, which may be determined by the
beginning of demolition or remediation; contamination levels prior to and following cleanup; and
funding used to complete cleanup. Cleanup completion is another element typically included in
inventories; this can be signified by a No Further Action (NFA) letter or Certificate of Completion
(COC) issued by the state or tribe under its voluntary cleanup program.
Institutional controls (ICs) may be tracked with cleanup information. Some inventories maintain
information regarding these administrative or legal measures, which helps minimize the potential for
human exposure to contamination or protect the integrity of a cleanup remedy. Generally, there are four
categories of ICs usually related to restrictions on the future uses of the property, including: (1)
proprietary controls in the form of easements or covenants; (2) governmental controls (e.g., zoning,
building codes); (3) enforcement/permit tools such as orders and consent decrees; and (4) informational
devices (e.g., state registries, deed notices).
Redevelopment Information
Inventories also maintain redevelopment information. This includes the date(s) upon which
redevelopment activities began at the property, such as a groundbreaking ceremony; redevelopment
completion dates; funding used to complete redevelopment; and future property use(s).
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Socioeconomic Impacts
Some inventories also track the socioeconomic impacts of property cleanup and redevelopment. Such
information may include short- and long-term jobs leveraged due to cleanup and redevelopment and
local census information. Tracking jobs leveraged by acknowledging the number of construction jobs on
the site during assessment and cleanup, as well as jobs at the new use of the site, helps tell the story of
the benefits associated with redevelopment. As an example, the Colorado Historic Byways Initiative
collected information on jobs leveraged to help demonstrate the economic benefits achieved through
several redevelopment projects (see www.coloradobrownfieldsfoundation.org/casestudies.html).
Collected socioeconomic information may be used to calculate future tax revenues based on job creation,
local and/or state property taxes, and state business and occupation taxes. Certain inventories may not
maintain socioeconomic information, particularly when socioeconomic impacts are not within the
purview of the overseeing entity. For example, this may be the case when environmental quality is the
focus of the inventory's managing entity rather than community development. Nonetheless, recipients of
EPA Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup, and Revolving Loan Fund grants are required to maintain
information on certain socioeconomic impacts of their grants, including the number of cleanup and
redevelopment jobs leveraged.
The following chart (see next page) identifies possible data for inclusion in petroleum brownfields
inventories. Once again, inventory managers should consider upfront which data elements are important for
their purposes—the more data fields included in an inventory, the more resources required for creating and
updating it.
Once the inventory's design and content are agreed to, the planning phase (Stage 1) is complete. Stage 2
includes the physical creation of the inventory.
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PETROLEUM BROWNFIELDS INVENTORY DATA OPTIONS
PROPERTY BACKGROUND
• Tax identification number and/or parcel identification
number
Property location (address, town, state)
Tax block and lot numbers
Latitude/longitude
Past owner(s) name and contact information
Present owner name and contact information
Property size
Former use(s)
Current use(s)
Number, size, condition, and age of existing
structure(s)
Presence of historic structures
Zoning classification
Vacancy status
Tax status
Assessed land value
Nuisance complaints
Utility availability
Rail and road access
Waterfront access, footage
Enrollment in state voluntary cleanup program
Availability of photographs and/or video
Property narrative/highlights
Adjacent property information
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
• Petroleum contamination information
• Presence, history of underground storage tanks
(USTs) or aboveground storage tanks (ASTs)
• Product(s) released from USTs/ASTs
• Type of response/closure methods
• Start and completion date(s) of Phase 1,11, and/or III
environmental site assessments
• Funding used to complete site assessments (federal,
state, local)
• Types and levels of contamination
• Media affected
• Cleanup required (Y/N)
• Environmental conditions of surrounding properties
• Nearby sensitive populations
• Nearby sensitive ecosystems
• Proposed cleanup plans
• Estimated cleanup costs
CLEANUP ACTIVITY INFORMATION
Cleanup start and completion dates
Acres cleaned up
Contaminants removed
Media addressed
Contamination levels prior to and following cleanup
Funding used to complete cleanup (federal, state,
local)
• Types of institutional controls implemented
REDEVELOPMENT INFORMATION
• Property owner, contact information, date of sale
• Redevelopment start and completion date(s)
• Funding used to complete redevelopment (federal,
state, local)
• Desired future use(s) of the property
• Acres and types of greenspace created
• Developer name and contact information
SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS
• Short- and long-term jobs leveraged
• Population of surrounding area
• Low- and moderate-income zones
• Census tract
FINANCIAL INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITIES
• Federal, state, and local Empowerment/ Enterprise
Zones, Renewal Communities designations and
incentives
• Remediation tax incentives
• Leverage federal/state/local grants or loans
• Redevelopment tax incentives
• Cultural/historic preservation tax incentives
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STAGE 2 - DEVELOPING THE INVENTORY
Collect Data
After determining the inventory's design and content, the process for data collection should be developed.
There are many methods to obtain property-specific data, including but not limited to: collecting data from
state and local tax, environmental, and health offices; area surveys and site visits; public input; property files
managed by a state government; fire insurance maps from private companies and/or local fire departments;
census reports; historic documents such as city directories, crisscross directories (reverse directories searched
by multiple data points such as phone number, address, and name to retrieve all site information available),
and historic phone books; and building inspection reports. In most cases, inventory managers use more than
one method of data collection. Once the methods are determined, the process of data collection can begin.
Examples of data collection methods are briefly described below:
Partner Queries
One of the most basic methods of developing an inventory is to
ask stakeholders to self-select sites and provide relevant data.
This could include internal stakeholders, such as members of the
planning, real estate, and economic development divisions of a
municipality, or external stakeholders, such as real estate brokers
or the business community. Bucks County, Pennsylvania, asked
its municipalities to nominate sites for inclusion in its petroleum
site inventory.
Surveys And Public Input
Site information also comes from direct surveys of
knowledgeable parties as well as general public input. Surveys
and interviews may be conducted of residents who have lived in
the area for many years as well as current and past property
owners. Also, complaints from the general public and nearby
property owners can provide information on property that could
be considered a brownfield. Public or community meetings can
be held to elicit information about potential sites. Public input is
particularly helpful in determining property history.
Site Visits
Some inventory managers conduct site visits in order to gather property information. Generally, site visits
can provide insight on the condition of structures and the condition and usage of adjacent properties.
Sometimes, if site access is granted, the presence of underground storage tanks can also be ascertained. If
access has not yet been granted, viewing the site without trespassing allows the inventory manager to
determine if it is worth approaching a property owner about inventorying (and possibly assessing, cleaning
up, and redeveloping) a brownfield. If site visits and field surveys are to be used, it is often useful to engage
community groups or college students for a low-cost way to survey large areas. If this method is to be used,
training is essential to ensure consistent reporting.
RECORD SEARCHING
In New Jersey, the City of Plainfield
used historical document searches to
update its existing database of
petroleum and hazardous substance
brownfield sites and found nearly
200 additional former gas station
sites to add to its inventory.
Likewise, the City of Trenton used
historic records and discovered
approximately 130 petroleum
brownfields that had not previously
been included in its brownfields
inventory.
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Reports And Other Documentation
Property-specific information may also be obtained through a variety of existing documents. These include
property files managed by a state government, fire insurance maps from private companies and/or local fire
departments, census reports, and inspection reports of potentially-contaminated properties. Building
inspections also provide pertinent information, such as a property's background and environmental
conditions. Particularly valuable for uncovering former gas station sites is research in past city directories,
crisscross directories, and historic phone books. In this way, historic gas stations that closed prior to the
instituted reporting requirements can be discovered and addressed.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
To maintain accurate and
reliable data, an inventory
should undergo quality
assurance (QA) procedures
during the population and
updating of data. The QA
process will verify and
determine if the data meets the
needs and purpose of the
inventory.
Build And Populate The Inventory
Building the inventory will be a unique process for each
community. After the data has been collected, it should be entered
into the chosen inventory type (e.g., hard copy files, electronic,
Web-based). In some instances, this will require the inventory's
manager to use internal or external staff resources to build the
inventory and/or populate the inventory with the data.
For those developing any type of electronic inventory,
standardizing the data will help ensure better data quality,
reporting, and transferability. For example, creating uniform
formats for street addresses (e.g., Street, ST., ST, NE, N.E.) and
phone numbers (e.g., (123) 456-7890, 123-456-7890) may seem
like a small nuance but will lead to better data quality and
reporting. Providing researchers or field survey teams with handheld devices to directly enter data into the
inventory database will help to eliminate errors in transcribing field notes. However, be sure that people are
comfortable using such equipment and that the systems are backed up regularly to avoid losing data.
Site inventories come in a range of designs, which are often dictated by the managing entity's jurisdiction
and available resources. For electronic tools, the entity may have preferred computer applications and/or
information technology (IT) program requirements that need to be considered. Some typical inventory
designs are described below.
Hard Copy Files
A basic inventory format is the use of hard copy files. Although hard copies may include similar information
as electronic versions, hard copy inventories are becoming less widely used with time. However, in instances
when a managing entity has a small jurisdiction to oversee, hard copy files can be just as useful as an
electronic inventory.
Electronic Spreadsheets
Another inventory platform is the electronic spreadsheet, which can more easily track large numbers of
properties and data elements. Spreadsheets are also useful in that they allow users to sort and prioritize
properties based on criteria and associated thresholds. For example, the site inventory managed by the
Niagara County Department of Economic Development in western New York permits users to sort
information for more than 43 different properties. By using a spreadsheet platform, county officials are easily
able to sort properties by location and size when parties inquire about a specific type of property.
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Trenton, New Jersey, firehouse on old gas station site
Electronic Databases
Databases allow for a systematic format of data entry as well as easily readable outputs (e.g., property
profiles, reports) and greater ability to categorize data and apply prioritization criteria. With appropriate use
interfaces (for data entry and updating), databases can be more welcoming than other platforms to users who
are less computer savvy. However, although electronic databases are becoming more common, sufficient
resources, such as funding to purchase software and to train staff, are needed to maintain them.
Web-Based Databases
Communities across the country use the Internet to
maintain site inventories. Some communities only
make their inventories available on their internal
intranet, thereby ensuring access strictly for
designated users. While having a site inventory
available online can make it easily available to
anyone who can access the Internet, this platform
may require alternative output methods and other
tools for users lacking Internet access.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Some advanced site inventories use GIS to capture,
store, analyze, and display property-specific spatial
data. Because GIS can connect graphic features on a
map to site inventory information, inventory
managers may determine which data elements may be included (e.g., property latitude and longitude, cleanup
activity information, presence of USTs, economic incentives). Although GIS can provide a highly-detailed,
visual representation of property information, establishing and maintaining this type of system requires
sufficient resources. Several state and federal agencies already have GIS standard requirements that can be
referenced during development to help facilitate data sharing in the future. As an example, review the U.S.
EPA Geospatial Data Requirements document at www.epa.gov/geospatial/policies.html.
Reassess Inventory And Update Data
After an inventory has been in use for some time, the manager should reassess its usefulness. In some
instances, the inventory may need to be upgraded to a new design, such as moving from hard copy files to
electronic spreadsheets. Perhaps changing the electronic platform will allow for better communication with
other databases and thus enhanced utility, or it may be discovered through use that additional fields are
needed. Whether the inventory design is upgraded or not, the data should be regularly reviewed and updated.
Updating inventory data can be challenging for both small and large communities. The update of data fields
will vary by community depending on several possible changes to relevant data that might include
demographics, site conditions, and ownership information. Small communities often lack the financial
resources and staff needed to maintain up-to-date property information. On the other hand, large
communities often have so many properties to oversee that updating information can become overwhelming.
Updating an inventory requires planning resources accordingly, including maintaining a manageable number
of properties and pieces of data and setting a schedule. Updating the inventory should be considered during
initial development planning to ensure that the project is not too large for future efforts.
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SECTION III: PETROLEUM BROWNFIELDS INVENTORY BEST PRACTICES
There is no one ideal inventory because what works for one community may not work for another. However,
discussions with petroleum brownfields stakeholders illustrate that there are many inventories that exemplify
best practices. The following best practices are designed to demonstrate that regardless of the size,
complexity, or resources devoted, inventories are a useful tool for many types of organizations. Many of the
best practices captured during the conversations with petroleum brownfields stakeholders were used to
develop the steps identified in Section II: Planning And Building An Inventory. Best practices include
planning out the inventory in advance of data collection, engaging community members and project partners
to identify sites, and organizing data to meet specific organizational needs.
EXAMPLES OF BROWNFIELDS INVENTORIES
Generally, findings from discussions with stakeholders indicate that inventories fall into three levels of
complexity, which are described in the table below. These levels do not necessarily apply to every inventory;
rather, they describe common categories used by practitioners.
SITE INVENTORY GENERAL LEVELS OF COMPLEXITY
Basic
Moderate
Advanced
Resources
Limited resources, uses
in-house staff, may be
developed over time as
sites emerge
Moderate commitment of
resources, may involve
dedicated interns or
outsourced work
Project budget in the $100,000 to
$200,000 range to cover software
development, document research,
and field surveys
Inventory
purpose
Used for site monitoring,
tracking, and/or public
outreach
Used for site monitoring,
tracking, public outreach,
reporting, planning
purposes, prioritizing, and
marketing to private sector
Used for site monitoring, tracking,
public outreach, reporting, in-depth
planning purposes, prioritizing,
enhanced marketing to private
sector, community outreach tool,
and/or data exchange
Inventory
design
Hard copy files, basic
spreadsheet
Electronic files (e.g.,
searchable spreadsheets,
database)
Interactive Web-based database
linked to a geographic mapping
system
Amount of
data
Few data elements per
property, covering
mainly locational
information
Moderate number of data
elements per property,
covering locational and
environmental information
Many data elements per property,
covering locational, environmental,
and site quality information suitable
for marketing purposes
Number of
properties
Limited number of
properties, may focus on
a particular geographic
sub-area (such as a
commercial strip), site
selection methods
limited
Limited or moderate
number of properties, may
or may not focus on a
geographic sub-area,
multiple site selection
methods may be employed
Typically consists of many
properties, may be city or
community wide, various site
selection methods employed
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DESCRIPTIONS OF PETROLEUM BROWNFIELDS INVENTORIES
Following are examples of stakeholders that have had success in the planning, development, and use of a
petroleum brownfields site inventory. Information shared in these examples is aimed to help identify
practices, uses, or end results that could be useful to other petroleum brownfields stakeholders. The examples
are arranged alphabetically by state.
Los Angeles Environmental Affairs Department. California
The Los Angeles Department of Environmental Affairs' initial brownfields inventory included
approximately 150 properties from all over the 466-square mile city. This inventory required the use of a
contractor and was created in an electronic spreadsheet format to track former gasoline station properties.
The inventory was developed using fire department files (where storage tank compliance violations were
filed); records of underground storage tank permits; and state and county databases. City officials also
conducted site visits to identify underutilized sites.
Through an EPA Brownfields Assessment grant, the city expanded this inventory to include other types of
sites and updated it from an electronic spreadsheet to an advanced yet user-friendly Web-based database.
This internal management and marketing inventory is easily shared and accessible across seven city
departments. The inventory is not shared with the public due to property owner concerns regarding the
stigma of the brownfields label. However, the inventory's properties can be marketed to community
redevelopment agencies and neighborhood associations through inventory-generated publications, including
one-page property profiles. Information on the Los Angeles brownfields program can be found at
www. lacity.org/ead/labf/.
Best Practice: Site inventories evolve over time, with increases in the number of tracked properties,
leveraged resources, and technology advancements. Inventory platforms can change as needed.
Contact Information: Nuna Tersibashian • Nuna.Tersibashian@lacity.org • (213)978-0872
Colorado Historic Bvwavs Revitalization Initiative
The Colorado Historic Byways Revitalization Initiative is a partnership between state agencies and a nonprofit
organization and aims to further local economic development projects by providing environmental assessment
and cleanup services. The Initiative targets communities along scenic byways, historic districts, and other
economic development corridors. Initial community visits result in a list of potential sites. To collect
information on sites for inclusion in the inventory, the Initiative conducts outreach with local officials and
stakeholders, ranging from small meetings to community events. The intended purpose of the inventory is to
help local officials recognize their opportunities; to prioritize sites needing assessment, cleanup, and reuse
planning; to provide information to prospective developers; and to measure progress toward redevelopment
goals.
The inventorying process is kept simple, with all data maintained in an Excel spreadsheet that can be sorted and
updated with relative ease. The inventory collects basic site information, such as address, owner, site and
environmental conditions, as well as photographs. Currently, the inventory is used as an internal management
tool, but interest continues to grow in its use for local site marketing efforts. The inventory continues to be
evaluated and will likely evolve along with user needs.
Best Practice: Consider your organization's specific needs and design the inventory accordingly. A simple
design might prove more than adequate and provides a foundation to build on as needs develop.
Contact Information: Jesse Silverstein • jesse@ColoradoBrownfieldsFoundation.org • (303) 962-0940
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South Florida Regional Planning Council
The South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) assisted in the development of brownfields site
inventories for Broward, Miami-Bade, and Palm Beach counties. The purpose of these three inventories is to
track contaminated properties and designated areas as well as identify where resources need to be focused. The
approximately 2,000 properties within these inventories were identified through code enforcement violations,
inspections, complaints from the public, and private property owners. Although the data varies by county,
information found in all three databases includes property identification numbers, addresses, zoning
designations, current uses, owners, code violations, and environmental assessment records. This information is
tracked in both electronic and GIS formats and updated approximately every six months by each county. The
Broward and Miami-Bade county inventories are accessible on the Internet and shared directly with the Florida
Bepartment of Environmental Protection, which uses the same electronic database design for its own inventory.
Best Practice: The sharing of data across multiple brownfields site inventories provides benefits to multiple
stakeholders.
Contact Information: Cheryl Cook • cherylc@sfrpc.com • (954)985-4416
Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. Cheboyean County. Michigan
The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance planned a county-wide brownfields inventory, collecting information
on both hazardous waste and petroleum sites to combine into one inventory effort. The Alliance planned for a
GIS Web-based application inventory and designed the inventory to correlate with county GIS overlays such as
zoning, water, soils, etc. The Alliance conducted a broad search of all properties, identifying as many as
possible through multiple efforts. The Alliance held two public meetings to seek input on sites to consider
including in the inventory and conducted windshield surveys (site drivebys) to ensure proposed sites met
general criteria for inclusion. Once a list of sites was developed, the Alliance prioritized sites based on pre-
determined criteria as well as a visual inspection.
While the Alliance first developed the inventory as an internal tool, they believed it could achieve additional
successes by making it available to the public. The Alliance contacted property owners to inquire about
willingness to participate in Phase I environmental assessments and presented site information to prospective
developers and investors. The Alliance has eight sites with property owner participation and active marketing
efforts to encourage reuse. These owner participation sites and their environmental conditions are posted on the
Web site.
Best Practice: Modifying an inventory and associated data elements for public access.
Contact Information: Lisa Fought • lisa@northernlakes.net • (231)582-6482
\Department Of City Planning And Development, Kansas City, Missouri
Using EPA USTfield Pilot funds, the State of Missouri assisted the Bepartment of City Planning and
Bevelopment for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, by hiring a contractor to perform two "feasibility studies"
that identified 47 underground storage tank (UST) properties along the Prospect Avenue Corridor and 203
properties along the Troost Avenue Corridor in the Kansas City urban core. The initial focus on these sites was
a result of the use of LUST Trust Funds. The contractor reviewed relevant city department databases, city
records and permits, and fire insurance maps. The contractor also performed site visits on each block in the
targeted area in order to determine if an UST existed or was previously located on the property.
The feasibility studies identified properties that might be impacted with petroleum contaminants, including sites
where the presence of an UST could not be confirmed. The data was put into an electronic database, which
included information regarding historical site occupancy; location and ownership; current land use; UST status;
site inspection information such as property and building square footage and structural condition; and potential
eligibility for the state tank insurance fund. This information was used for internal management decisions and
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has been provided on a timely basis to prospective developers, both public and private, interested in properties
in the study areas.
As a result, six key urban redevelopment projects involving some of the studied petroleum sites have already
been assisted: ALDI Store project at 39th & Prospect Ave.; Satchel Paige Park project at 28th & Prospect Ave.;
Citadel Plaza project at 63rd & Prospect; Wabash Village affordable housing project at 51st & Prospect Ave.;
DeLaSalle Education Center expansion project at 37th & Troost Ave.; and Ashton Villas affordable housing
project at 57th Troost Ave. The ALDI, Satchel Paige, and DeLaSalle projects are actively in the process of
assessing, cleaning up and redeveloping UST sites in the study areas.
The studies have given the city another important tool to focus redevelopment efforts on key properties in the
Prospect Avenue and Troost Avenue corridors. Information regarding Kansas City's Brownfields Program can
be found on the Internet at www.kcmo.org/planning.nsf/busast/.
Best Practice: Feasibility studies that compile key environmental and real estate site information of UST
sites in large areas can help cities focus redevelopment efforts on key properties and respond to development
interest in a timely manner.
Contact Information: Andrew Bracker • andrew_bracker@kcmo.org • (816)513-3002
City Of Trenton, New Jersey
The City of Trenton's Brownfields Coordinator, with assistance provided by interns from local universities,
completed a city-wide inventory of current and former gas stations using ownership and operational history
records, such as a chain of title, city directories (available from 1938 to 1971), crisscross directories (available
from 1971 to the present), Sanborn fire insurance maps (available from 1890-1990), phone directories, and state
environmental files and databases. Through these methods, a total of 159 sites were identified. Of these, only
13 are currently operating in the city.
Information collected included address, lot and block, owner name and contact information, current land use,
zoning, known compliance history, and source of information. This information was linked to the city GIS
system to allow for the mapping of the sites as well as the ability to pull up census tract demographic
information and tax information on each site. Eight city-owned sites were initially selected to perform Phase I
investigations using EPA Brownfields Assessment grant funds. Additional phases of investigation are
underway at several of these sites.
Best Practice: Inventories can be linked to other data sources to expand the amount of information available.
Use of interns is a cost effective way to build an inventory.
Contact Information: J.R. Capasso • jcapasso@trentonnj.org • (609)989-3501
\Niagara County Department Of Economic Development, New York
The brownfields site inventory managed by the Niagara County Department of Economic Development in
western New York State was first developed for hazardous waste sites through input from the county's
Brownfields Working Group—which included representatives from every municipality in the county,
developers, and the county health department. Utilizing the same inclusive process, Niagara County created
an inventory of petroleum-specific brownfield sites. Initially, the petroleum inventory included over 1,500
sites throughout the county. With assistance from the Working Group, the inventory was narrowed down to
143 priority sites. The inventory includes both electronic spreadsheets and GIS components. The inventory
contains 43 different data fields ranging from basic site data to owner and environmental information. By
using a spreadsheet platform, county officials are also able to sort properties by location and size when
interested parties—typically developers—inquire about a specific type of property.
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Best Practice: Inventories can be most effective when they are developed using input from multiple
stakeholders, including municipality representatives, planning offices, developers, and other local
organizations.
Contact Information: Amy Fisk • amy.fisk@niagaracounty.com • (716)278-8754
Oswego County. New York
Oswego County maintains a brownfields site inventory for a one mile buffer along the Oswego River/Canal
corridor. While the county would like to expand its inventory effort county-wide, it recognized the need to
restrict the scope to ensure that the inventory was manageable. The county designed the inventory for use as
an internal prioritization tool and to help leverage additional grant funding for cleanup and redevelopment.
Twenty-five Phase I environmental site assessments have been completed; three Phase IPs are underway.
Best Practice: Restricting your inventory to cover a smaller area can help save resources and refine the
inventory's process and goals.
Contact Information: Karen Noyes • knoyes@co.oswego.ny.us • (315)349-8292
North Side Industrial Development Company, Pennsylvania
The North Side Industrial Development Company is a non-profit organization promoting the cleanup and
reuse of industrial sites in the Pittsburgh region. The Company designed a petroleum brownfields site
inventory to identify sites along the Allegheny River corridor. Company staff met with community members
to identify sites for cleanup and redevelopment and collected information through one-on-one meetings with
local municipal leaders and open community forums. While information was collected on both hazardous
waste and petroleum sites, the Company maintained separate inventories for these categories.
With a real estate attorney on staff, the Company was able to reach out to property owners and promote the
benefits of participating in the brownfields program and secure access agreements for every site within the
inventory. The site access agreements allowed the Company to conduct environmental site assessments on
the sites with property owner permission. The inventory is now used to help identify sites for assessment,
cleanup, and reuse, and to promote redevelopment opportunities along the Allegheny River corridor.
Best Practice: Being able to promote the benefits of participation in the site inventory and brownfields
program enabled the Company to secure property access agreements for all sites.
Contact Information: Emily Buka • eb@riversidecenterforinnovation.com • (412)322-3523
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Washington State
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's Abandoned Commercial Tanks Project (Project ACT)
maintains an advanced site inventory of approximately 740 properties using both GIS and an electronic
database. The inventory allows county government staff to easily sort and rank properties based on more than
135 data elements. The Project ACT inventory also helps to understand some area-wide issues. TPCHD's
inventory gives it a big advantage in illustrating the impact of these old gas stations. The inventory of 372
abandoned sites, related site information, and GIS database used for mapping the information represent
valuable tools for this project. The inventory's capabilities can go from the area-wide to the one-site
perspective, and the inventory has provided the focal point that helps frame the conversation about this
brownfields issue that forges partnerships in government, business, and the community.
Best Practice: Employing PC-based technology to capitalize on pre-existing data and utilizing simple GIS
software to construct a tool that is very useful in forging partnerships.
Contact Information: Greg Tanbara • gtanbara@tpchd.org • (253) 798-4784
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APPENDIX I: EPA BROWNFIELDS GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The federal Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (the Brownfields law) of
2002 expanded the definition of a brownfield to include sites that are contaminated by petroleum or
petroleum products and are determined to be of relatively low risk relative to other petroleum sites within a
state. Also within the Brownfields law are several provisions that allow EPA Brownfields grant recipients to
conduct activities that help them to survey and inventory their brownfields, including petroleum-
contaminated sites. These provisions include:
Section 128(a)(2)(A) authorizes states and tribes to use federal grant funds to survey and inventory
brownfield sites [42 U.S.C. 9628(a)(2)(A)].
Section 21 l(k)(2)(A)(i) authorizes the use of federal grant funds, in the form of competitive Brownfields
Assessment grants, to be used to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning related to
brownfields [42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(2)(A)(i)].
In addition to Assessment grants and State and Tribal (Section 128(a)) grants, EPA funding is available for
petroleum brownfields inventory development activities through Exchange Network grants.
Section 104(k) Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), And Cleanup Grants
EPA's Brownfields Assessment grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize,
assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfields properties. An eligible
entity may apply for up to $200,000 to address a property contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants,
or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum) and up to $200,000 to address
a property contaminated by petroleum. To learn more about EPA's Brownfields Assessment, RLF, and
Cleanup grants visit: www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pilot.htm.
Section 128(a) State And Tribal Grants
Section 128(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA), as amended, authorizes a noncompetitive $50 million grant program to establish and enhance
state and tribal response programs. Each year, actual allocation of funds varies depending upon
Congressional appropriation.
The primary goal of the funding is to ensure that state and tribal response programs include, or are taking
reasonable steps to include, the following four elements in their programs:
1. Timely survey and inventory of brownfields sites.
2. Oversight and enforcement authorities or other mechanisms and resources to ensure that a response
action will protect human health and the environment.
3. Mechanisms and resources to provide meaningful opportunities for public participation.
4. Mechanisms for approval of a cleanup plan and verification/certification that cleanup is complete.
To learn more about EPA's Section 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program grants visit:
www.epa.gov/brownfields/state_tribal.htm.
Exchange Network Grants
The Environmental Information Exchange Network (Exchange Network) is a new approach for exchanging
environmental data between EPA, states, and other partners. The Exchange Network grant program provides
funding to states, territories, and federally-recognized Indian tribes to support the development of the
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Exchange Network. This network is an Internet- and standards-based secure information systems network
that supports the electronic collection, exchange, and integration of high-quality data. This grant program
supports the acquisition and development of computer hardware/software needed to connect to the Exchange
Network; the development of common data standards, formats, and trading partner agreements for sharing
data over the Exchange Network; and the planning, development, and implementation of collaborative and
innovative uses of the Exchange Network. This grant program may include the standardization, exchange,
and integration of geospatial information to address environmental, natural resource, and related human
health issues. For more information on the EPA's Exchange Network visit www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/.
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APPENDIX II: RESOURCES
The following information has been compiled to help stakeholders learn more about petroleum brownfields-
related programs and tools.
CONTACTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
U.S. EPA Office Of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST)
The EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks carries out a Congressional mandate to develop and
implement a regulatory program for underground storage tank (UST) systems and supports the assessment,
cleanup, and productive reuse of former petroleum-contaminated properties.
Steven McNeely
703-603-7164
mcneely.steven@epa.gov
U.& EPA Office Of Brownfields And Land Revitalization (OBLR)
The EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization provides financial and technical support that helps
clean up and reuse brownfields and other contaminated properties.
Doris Thompson
202-566-0203
thompson.doris@epa.gov
Technical Assistance To Brownfields (TAB) Communities
TAB grants provide geographically-based technical assistance and training to communities and other
stakeholders on brownfields issues with the goal of increasing a community's understanding and
involvement in brownfields cleanup and revitalization. TAB grants serve as an independent source of
information assisting communities with: community involvement; better understanding the health impacts of
brownfields; science and technology relating to brownfields site assessment, remediation, and site
preparation activities; brownfields finance questions, and information on integrated approaches to
brownfields cleanup and redevelopment.
• New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) serves communities in EPA Regions 1, 2, and 3
www.njit.edu/
• Enterprise Corporation of the Delta, Inc. (ECD) serves communities in EPA Regions 4 and 6
www.ecd.org/
Kansas State University serves communities in EPA Regions 5 and 7
www.engg.ksu.edu/CHSR/
• Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) serves communities in EPA Regions 8, 9, and 10
www.cclr.org/
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WEB SITES AND RESOURCE DOCUMENTS
Association Of State And Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO)
www. astswmo. org
ASTSWMO Tanks Subcommittee
www.astswmo.org/programs_tanks.htm
CERLA And Brownfields Research Center
http://www.astswmo.org/programs_cercla.htm
Northeast Midwest Institute
www.nemw.org
Recycling America's Gas Stations
www.nemw.org/recyclegas_stations.pdf
Smart Growth America
www. smartgrowthamerica. org/
U.S. EPA Office Of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST)
www.epa.gov/oust/
Petroleum Brownfields Action Plan: Promoting Revitalization And Sustainability
www.epa.gov/oust/rags/petrobfactionplan.pdf
U.& EPA Office Of Brownfields And Land Revitalization (OBLR)
www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/index.html
State Brownfields And Voluntary Response Programs: An Update From The States (September 2008)
www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pubs/st_res_prog_report.htm
Tribal Brownfields And Response Programs: Respecting Our Land, Revitalizing Our Communities (April
2008)
www.epa.gov/brownfields/tribalreport08.pdf
U.S. EPA Office Of SuperfundRemediation And Technology Innovation (OSRTI)
www. epa.gov/superfund
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APPENDIX III: EPA PROPERTY PROFILE FORM
(See next page)
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United States c „
^_ ^_ _ Form Approved.
E PA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY S™!2
Washington, DC 20460
PROPERTY PROFILE FORM—Brownfields
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
searching data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Information, Code 2822T, Washington, DC 20460 and to the Paperwork Reduction Project,
Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. DO NOT RETURN your form to either of these addresses. Send your completed form to
the address provided by the issuing office.
PART I GRANT RECIPIENT INFORMATION
1. Grant Recipient Name (State/Tribe for Section 128(a) Grants; 2. Grant Number (contract number for TBAs):
requestor/contractor for TBAs):
D Section 128(a) - State and Tribal Response Program
D TEA (EPA Regions Only)
3. Type of Brownfields Grant (check only one box):
D Assessment
D Revolving Loan Fund
D Cleanup
For Assessment, Cleanup, and Revolving Loan Fund grants, what type of funding is being used at the property?
D Hazardous Substance D Petroleum D Both
Indicate if this form is the Initial or Updated Form: 6. Date:
D Initial Form D Updated Form
4.
5.
PART II PROPERTY INFORMATION
Property Background Information
7. Property Name:
8a. Street Address:
8b. City:
8c. State: 8d. Zip Code:
10. Parcel Number(s):
11a. Ownership Entity:
D Government (Tribal, state, Local) D Private
9. Size (in acres):
11b. Current Owner:
12a.
13a.
Ownership & Superfund Liability (Mandatory for Cleanup and RLF Grants)
During the life of the grant, did ownership change? 12b. If "yes," did Superfund federal landowner liability
Q yes D No protections factor into the ownership change?
D Yes D No D Unknown
Property Geographic Information (EPA Brownfields Program, or its contractors, will provide complete
latitude/longitude information if grant recipients are unable)
Latitude 13b. Longitude 13c. Horizontal Collection Method:
(use 00.000000 format): (use -000.000000 format):
13d. Source Map Scale Number (only if a map/photo was used):
136. Reference Point (e.g., Center of Facility or Station):
D WGS84-World Geodetic System of 1984
13f. Horizontal Reference Datum (Choose one):
D NAD27-North American Datum of 1927
D NAD83-North American Datum of 1983
Property History Information (as available)
14. Property Description / History / Past Ownership: 15. Predominant Past Use(s) (check ail that apply):
Type Acreage Type Acreage
D Greenspace D Commercial
D Residential D Industrial
EPA Form 6200-03 (9-2006)
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PART Ml ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION (mandatory for Assessment Grants,
State & Tribal Property Specific Assessments, and TBAs; as available for Cleanup and RLF grant recipients)
Table A — Environmental Assessment Activity (If there are multiple assessments, please use a separate line for each assessment)
Environmental
Assessment Detail
Source of Funding
(enter one source of funding per line; do not include
funding received prior to the award of this EPA grant)
Phase
(Choose
I This
US EPA
Grant
I State/
Tribal
(exclude
§128(a)
funds)
D
D
D
D
D
16. Indicate whether cleanup is required:
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D Yes
D
D
D
D
D
D No
Name of Entity I Amount of
Providing Funds I Funding
$
$
$
$
$
D Unknown
Make sure to complete Part V - INSTITUTIONAL CONTROLS INFORMATION before submitting this Property
Profile Form to your EPA Regional Representative
PART IV CONTAMINANTS & MEDIA AFFECTED INFORMATION (mandatory for all grant types)
Table B - Contaminants and Media Affected (check ail that apply)
Contaminants
Media
Class of Contaminant
Petroleum/Petroleum
Products
Controlled Substances
Asbestos
PCBs
VOCs
Lead
Other Metals
)
PAHs
Other Contaminants
Found (Cleaned Up
Media
Affected | Cleaned Up
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Soil
D
Air
Surface Water
Ground Water
Drinking Water
Sediments
No Media Affected
Unknown
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
No Contaminants D
Unknown D
State & Tribal Brownfields/Voluntary Response Program Information
17a. State & Tribal Program Enrollment (If the property was not enrolled in a state program, check Property Not Enrolled check box):
D Property Not Enrolled in a State or
Date of Enrollment
ID Number (if applicable)
Tribal Program
17b. Date No Further Action/Cleanup Completion Document Issued
(If the property was not enrolled in a state or tribal program, leave blank):
Date:
EPA Form 6200-03 (9-2006)
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PART V INSTITUTIONAL CONTROLS INFORMATION (mandatory for all grant types)
18a. Indicate whether Institutional Controls are required: D Yes D No
18b. If Institutional Controls were required, indicate the category (check ail that apply):
D Proprietary Controls (e.g., easements, covenants) D Governmental Controls (e.g., zoning, building codes)
D Informational Devices (e.g., state registries, deed notices) D Enforcement/Permit Tools (e.g., permits, consent decrees)
Address of Data Source (URL if available):
18c. Indicate whether Institutional Controls in place:
D Yes D No Date:
PART VI ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP INFORMATION (mandatory for Cleanup and RLF Grants and
State & Tribal Property Specific Cleanups; as available for Assessment Grants and TBAs)
19. Cleanup Activity Start Date:
20. Cleanup Activity Completion Date: 21. Acres Cleaned Up:
22. If EPA Brownfields funding was used, indicate the type and amount (if any non-EPA funding was used, fill out Table c):
Type
D Cleanup Grant
D RLF Loan
Amount
Type
D RLF Subgrant
D Section 128(a)
State/Tribal Grants
Amount
Table C - Environmental Cleanup Leveraged Funding Detail
Source of Funding
(enter one source of funding per line;
do not include funding received prior to
the award of this EPA grant)
Other
Federal
D
D
D
D
State/
Tribal
(exclude
§128(a)
funds)
D
D
D
D
Name of Entity Providing Funds
Amount of Funding
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
$
$
$
$
PART VII REDEVELOPMENT AND OTHER LEVERAGED ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Mandatory for Assessment,
Cleanup and RLF Grants; as available for State and Tribal Property Specific Activities and TBAs)
23. Redevelopment Start Date:
25.
Number of Cleanup and Redevelopment Jobs
Leveraged:
Redevelopment Information
24. Future Use and Estimated Acreage (check ail that apply):
Type Acreage Type
D Greenspace D Commercial
D Residential D Industrial
26.
Actual Acreage(s) and Type(s) of Greenspace Created:
Table D - Funds Used to Perform Redevelopment Activities
Source of Funding
(enter one source of funding per line;
do not include funding received prior to
the award of this EPA grant)
Other
Federal
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Name of Entity Providing Funds
Amount of Funding
$
$
$
$
EPA Form 6200-03 (9-2006)
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PART VIM ANECDOTAL PROPERTY INFORMATION fas available for all grant types)
27. Property Highlights
Property Photograph Information
28. Indicate whether photographs are available: 29. Indicate whether video is available:
D Yes D No D Yes D No
30. Grant Recipient Project Manager
Name (Please Print)
PART IX APPROVALS
Signature
Date
31. US EPA Regional Representative
Name (Please Print)
Signature
Date
EPA Form 6200-03 (9-2006)
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APPENDIX IV: PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INVENTORIES
The following entities have publicly available site inventories online.
EPA Community/State Web site
Region
1
1
3
3
4
4
5
5
10
Connecticut Department
of Economic
Development
State of New Hampshire
Bucks County
Redevelopment Authority,
Pennsylvania
State of Pennsylvania
State of Georgia
Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality
Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality
Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources
State of Oregon
www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=27 1 5&Q=3250 1 8
www2.des.state.nh.us/OneStop/ORCB Query.aspx?Project=UST
www.bcrda.com/brown.html
www.pasitesearch.com/selectsites/
www.gaepd.org/Documents/hazsiteinv.html
muster .deq. state .ms .us/webreportapplication/USTFacility Within
aspx
www.deq.state.mi.us/ustfields/
dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/brrts/index.htm
www.deq.state.or.us/lq/ECSI/ecsiquery.asp?listtype=lis&listtitle=Env
ironmental+Cleanup+Site%20Information+Database
COMMENTS?
Please send any comments on this publication or other information, such as lessons learned or success
stories, to Pbf_strategy@sra.com.
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United States Environmental Solid Waste and EPA 510-R-09-002
Protection Agency Emergency Response May 2009
5401P www.epa.gov/oust/
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