EPA's Brownfields Program seeks to reclaim America's brownfields to revitalise our neighborhoods, protect greenfields and reduce urban sprawl. WHAT IS THE BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS? Many brownfields are in prime locations along waterfronts or transportation corridors with access to existing infrastructure. EPA's Brownfields Program provides federal support for cleaning up our nation's brownfields. 1. Identification - Experts determine if environmental contamination is real or just perceived. Background information, such as historical records, is collected to leam about past practices and current conditions. 2 . Environmental Assessment — If it is determined that pollution may exist on a property, a more detailed field study is conducted to take environmental samples to confirm pollution levels. 3 . Cleanup — Once contamination has been delineated, cleanup can occur in conjunction with redevelopment objectives. How to Contact Us: Do you have Brownfields where you live? Call us to learn how EPA's Brownfields program can meet the needs of your community. Tom Stolle U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1650 Arch Street (3HS51) Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 814-3129 Visit our Web site to find out more: www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/bfs -•tf United States Environmental Protection Agsncy EPA903-F-03-007 EPA Region III serves the Mid-Atlantic Region states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. U.S. EPA'S BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM Providing Financial and Technical Assistance to Communities for Brownfields Revitalization Every awe of brownfields redeveloped saves four U.S EPA, Region III, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ------- WHAT ARE BROWNFIELDS? Many properties across the country that were once used for industrial and commercial purposes are abandoned and some are contaminated. Fear of contamination and the associated liability has hampered development of these sites and made developing in pristine areas, called "greenfields," more attractive. Left behind are blighted areas with abandoned facilities that cause both an economic and environmental drain on their communities. These properties are brotvnfields. In addition to former industrial sites, other examples of brownfields properties include abandoned gas stations, dumps, abandoned coal mines and illegal residential drug labs. WHO CAN APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE? State and local governments, Indian tribes, economic development corporations, industrial development authorities, regional councils, community or neighborhood organizations and nonprofit organizations can apply for brownfields funding. Call us first to discuss your eligibility. EPA has helped communities across the country successfully turn broimfields into community assets and lucrative businesses, such as shopping centers, manufacturing plants or community ball fields. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITIES EPA offers a variety of grant and loan programs to help communities assess and clean up brownfields and ready them for redevelopment. Assessment Grants Brownfields Assessment grants are available for pre-cleanup activities, such as: »»* D inventorying brownfield sites *•* D site investigation and environmental assessment *•* D planning for remediation and redevelopment »»* D health monitoring, long-term site care and environmental insurance. Cleanup Grants *«* Loan Program - EPA provides up to $1 million to communities to establish revolving loan funds for cleanups at brownfields. Private and public developers can apply for low or no interest loans for clean-up activities. A portion of the loan funds can also be used to provide grants, which don't require repayment, to pay for cleanup on publicly owned or nonprofit owned properties. Applicants must contribute 20 percent matching funds. »»* Direct Cleanup Grants — EPA provides grants of up to $200,000 to pay for site-specific cleanup on publicly owned or nonprofit owned properties. Applicants must contribute 20 percent matching funds. Work Force Training Grants EPA provides up to $200,000 for environmental job training of residents in brownfields communities. Public and private training institutions, such as colleges, community or nonprofit job training centers and state and local governments located within or near brownfields are eligible to apply. OTHER ASSISTANCE FOR BROWNFIELDS Technical assistance and tools EPA provides expert advice on cost- effective solutions and innovative technology for environmental assessment and cleanup. Free Environmental Assessments EPA, at no charge to the community, will characterize a brownfield to determine the nature and extent of contamination. Results are provided to the community to assist them in redevelopment planning. Networking Along with EPA, a network of organizations and state and federal agencies are working to redevelop brownfields and revitalize communities. EPA can help you leverage public and private sources of capital and technical assistance to ensure successful redevelopment. Out Federal Partners Resource Guide identifies the community development resources of over a dozen federal agencies and how to access them. ------- |