What is the new
Brownfields Low?
On January 11, 2002, President Bush signed
into law the Small Business Liability Relief and
Brownfields Revitalization Act (Public Law
107-118; H.R. 2869). It expands EPA's
Brownfields Program, boosts funding for
assessment and cleanup, enhances roles for
State and Tribal response programs, and
clarifies Superfund liability.
A brownfield property is "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."
Brownfields revitalization provides
communities with the tools to reduce
environmental and health risks, reuse
abandoned properties, take advantage of
existing infrastructure, create a robust tax
base, attract new businesses and jobs, create
new recreational areas, and reduce the
pressure to develop open spaces.
l/VA)Crf ;s ERA'S
Brownflelds Program?
EPA's Brownfields Program is built on four
pillars:
n Protecting the environment;
n Promoting partnerships;
n Strengthening the marketplace; and
n Sustaining reuse.
The new law provides the needed funds and
tools to help communities reach these goals.
For more information on the Brownfields
Program, visit EPA's Web site at
www. epa.gov/brownfields/
or contact:
EPA Brownfields Contacts
Headquarters
Region 1
Region 2
Regions
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
Region 7
Region 8
Region 9
Region 10
(202) 566-2777
(617) 918-1210
(212) 637-4314
(215) 814-3129
(404) 562-8661
(312) 886-7576
(214) 665-6736
(913) 551-7786
(303) 312-6803
(415) 972-3188
(206) 553-2100
The New
Brownfields Law
US Environmental Solid Waste October2002
Protection Agency and Emergency EPA500-F-02-134
Washington, D.C. 20460 Response (5105-T) www.epa.gov/brownfields/
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BENEFITS OF THE
L A W
ERA'S Brownfields Grants
The law modifies EPA's existing brownfields
grants and technical assistance program in
several ways:
n Increases funding authority up to $200
million per year.
n Provides grants for assessments,
revolving loan funds, and direct clean-
ups.
n Expands the entities, properties, and
activities eligible for the brownfields
grants.
n Expands brownfields program applicabil-
ity to sites with petroleum contamination
such as abandoned gas stations.
n Provides authority for brownfields train-
ing, research, and technical assistance.
EPA will publish brownfields grant application
guidelines for the new funds annually, starting
in October 2002.
Superfund Liability Relief
The law changes and clarifies Superfund
liability in several ways:
n Clarifies Superfund liability for prospec-
tive purchasers, innocent landowners,
and contiguous property owners.
n Provides liability protection for certain
small volume contributors and contribu-
tors of municipal solid waste.
While many of the provisions are self-
implementing, EPA plans to develop policy
guidance where needed.
Sfofe onof Tribal Programs
The law creates a strong, balanced relation-
ship between the Federal government and
State and Tribal programs in several ways:
n Authorizes up to $50 million per year for
building and enhancing State and Tribal
response programs and expands activi-
ties eligible for funding.
n Provides protection from Superfund
liability at sites cleaned up under a State
program.
n Preserves the Federal safety net by
detailing the circumstances where EPA
can revisit a cleanup.
n Clarifies State role in adding sites to the
Superfund National Priorities List.
EPA works with States and Tribes as partners
and co-implementors of the law and plans to
develop policy guidance as needed.
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