Brownfields Federal Partnership
Action Agenda
November 2002
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Executive Summary
On January 11, 2002 President Bush signed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitaliza-
tion Act into law (Public Law 107-118). The President and the U.S. Congress recognized in this new law
the importance of federal partnerships in achieving the mutual goals of environmental protection and eco-
nomic revitalization. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its partnering agencies
under the Bush Administration confirm their commitment to work together by releasing the Brownfields
Federal Partnership Action Agenda. The Brownfields Federal Partnership Action Agenda represents
the focused efforts of over twenty federal agencies, making over one hundred commitments to work to-
gether in a timely manner to help communities more effectively prevent, assess, safely clean up, and
sustainably reuse brownfields.
The Action Agenda is a compilation of commitments that range anywhere from making funding and techni-
cal assistance to brownfields communities a budget priority, to changing policies to facilitate brownfields
redevelopment, to launching a concerted effort to share program information with respective stakeholders,
such as linking web sites. Highlights of these commitments include:
EPA's commitment to provide potentially $850 million over the next five years to states, tribes,
counties, municipalities, and non-profit organizations through brownfields assessment, cleanup,
revolving loan fund, job training, and state/tribal grants;
Commitments by the U. S. Economic Development Administration, U. S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S.
Department of Labor to offer funding priority to brownfields communities through their respective
grant mechanisms;
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's commitment to lead an interagency
"Portfields" project that will focus on the redevelopment and reuse of brownfields in and around
ports, harbors, and marine transportation hubs;
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' commitment to announce eight new pilots under its "Urban
Rivers Initiative" to address restoration in and around urban rivers.
The Action Agenda is based on the principle that the federal government can most effectively help commu-
nities assess, clean up, and redevelop brownfields by linking our diverse programs in close partnership. For
more information on this Brownfields Federal Partnership Action Agenda, please contact Tony Raia of
EPA's Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment at 202-566-2758 (raia.anthony@epa.gov)

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Table of Contents
1.	Introduction	3
2.	Background	3
3.	Federal Partner Commitments:
Appalachian Regional Commission	7
U.S. Department of Agriculture	9
U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration	10
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration	12
U.S. Department of Defense	14
U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	15
U.S. Department of Energy	16
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	18
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation	20
Federal Housing Finance Board	21
U.S. General Services Administration	22
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry	24
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences	25
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development	27
U.S. Department of the Interior	29
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management	30
U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining	31
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey	32
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service	33
U.S. Department of Justice	35
U.S. Department of Labor	36
U.S. Small Business Administration	37
U.S. Department of Transportation	38
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Brownfields Federal Partnership
"The Brownfields Revitalization Act is a sensible piece of legislation, one that emphasizes the need
for environmental stewardship all across the country....Environmental protection and economic
growth can go on together. "
- President George W. Bush, remarks before
signing the Small Business Liability Relief and
Brownfields Revitalization Act, January 11, 2002
Introduction
Communities today face multiple challenges, including environmental degradation, unemployment, deterio-
rating infrastructure and housing, and crime. Previous centers of economic growth have been lost to urban
sprawl and the lack of a skilled labor pool. At the center of these issues are brownfields, which are defined
in the newly enacted Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act 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 cleanup and reuse of these properties represents
one of the most complex issues facing urban and rural communities today. Many brownfields properties
were once thriving factories or industrial centers—sources of economic vitality, jobs, and community pride.
Now however, these neighborhood properties are sources of potential health hazards and indicators of
urban blight. With hundreds of thousands of brownfields in this country, nearly every community in the
nation is affected.
The Brownfields Federal Partnership Action Agenda is based on the principle that we can most effec-
tively help communities assess, clean up, and redevelop brownfields by linking diverse federal programs in
close partnership. Continuing to link federal environmental protection, economic development, infrastruc-
ture, and community revitalization programs makes sense; this is the way government should work at the
federal, state, and local levels. The Brownfields Federal Partnership seeks to protect public health and the
environment, strengthen the private marketplace, and support community revitalization.
Background		
Both state and local governments have had a longstanding role in dealing with the cleanup and reuse of
contaminated properties. The U.S. Conference of Mayors—an organization of mayors representing over
1,000 of our cities—identified brownfields as the number one environmental issue in the nation. Even before
the term "brownfields" became widespread, a few states had developed voluntary cleanup programs to
address cleanup and oversight of these properties. Now, all fifty states and several tribes have voluntary
cleanup or brownfields programs.
Awareness of brownfields and related issues has risen during the last decade. Public and private entities
have recognized that the cleanup and sustainable reuse of brownfields can produce environmental, public
health, and economic gains. Following the strong suggestions of a wide range of stakeholders, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established an Interagency Working Group on brownfields in July
1996, including more than twenty federal departments and agencies. The Working Group began drafting a
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Background (Contd.)
national plan that would guide future brownfields initiatives. The result of this effort was the first Brownfields
Action Agenda that was announced in 1997. The original Action Agenda incorporated participant commit-
ments to increase coordination among Brownfields stakeholders and to promote brownfields redevelop-
ment. The Action Agenda was updated in 1999 to reflect the growing list of commitments pledged by
federal partners and to highlight the successes that were achieved during the first two years of the partner-
ship. In 1999, the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) reported that, through the Federal Partnership,
more than $400 million was provided to communities to help clean up and reuse brownfields.
The New Action Agenda
On January 11, 2002, President Bush signed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitaliza-
tion Act (Public Law 107-118). This bill passed the Senate unanimously, representing broad bipartisan
support. Spurred on by the Bush Administration's commitment to brownfields and the new brownfields law,
EPA and its partnering agencies have renewed their commitment to work together in a timely manner to
prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. The result is the new Brownfields
Federal Partnership Action Agenda, which focuses the efforts of over twenty federal agencies in support
of brownfields redevelopment in communities throughout the United States.
Communities with brownfields often face economic and social concerns, such as unemployment, substan-
dard housing, outdated or faulty public infrastructure, crime, and a poorly skilled local workforce. Although
federal and state programs may be in place to address local issues, too often the programs operate in
isolation. The collaboration of the diverse expertise and experience of each agency will help make all
relevant federal programs work more productively for the people and communities effected by the presence
of brownfields.
This Action Agenda is a compilation of commitments, new initiatives, events, and activities that the partici-
pating federal agencies will undertake in partnership to help communities deal with brownfields and associ-
ated problems. Action Agenda commitments range from making funding and technical assistance to
brownfields communities a budget priority, to changing policies to facilitate brownfields redevelopment, to
launching a concerted effort to share program information with respective stakeholders, such as linking web
sites.
EPA will continue to lead this effort by tracking the fulfillment of these commitments and by highlighting the
successes that are achieved. For more information on this Brownfields Federal Partnership Action
Agenda, please contact Tony Raia of EPA's Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment at 202-
566-2758 (raia.anthony@epa.gov).
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Federal Partner Commitments
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Appalachian Regional Commission
Background
The Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) mission is to be an advocate for and to partner with the
people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved
quality of life. ARC was established by Congress in 1965 to support economic and social development in
the Appalachian Region. The Commission is a unique partnership composed of the governors of the 13
Appalachian states and a presidential appointee representing the federal government. Grassroots participa-
tion is provided through local development districts, which are multi-county organizations with boards
made up of elected officials, businesspeople, and other local leaders. ARC undertakes projects that
address the five goals identified by ARC in its strategic plan, which entails funding projects in education
and workforce training programs, highway construction, water and sewer system construction, leadership
development programs, small business start-ups and expansions, and development of health-care re-
sources.
Additional information can be found at http://www.arc.gov
Partnership Role	=
A large portion of ARC's Area Development funds are used for water and sewer system extensions of
service to industrial parks for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs in rural Appalachia. In the past,
several of these funded projects have involved brownfields sites. ARC has partnered with the National
Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP) for the past two years to
conduct regional workshops in Appalachia that encourage brownfields redevelopment. In addition, ARC
entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) in FY 2000 that calls for the two agencies to coordinate their policies and activities in support of
brownfields assessments, cleanup, and redevelopment. In FY 2002, ARC approved five projects for
over $1,352,000 to be administered by EPA.
Commitments		=
ARC commits to:
1)	Explore potential contracts with NALGEP that would allow for:
Two additional regional brownfields workshops in FY2003;
Several community workshops in ARC economically distressed counties that would
specifically help a community take advantage of available resources in developing existing
brownfields and lead to the creation and retention of jobs; and
Providing technical assistance to ARC's Local Development Districts in a variety of ways
that empowers greater awareness of the potential brownfields resources available to rural
areas;
2)	Continue to encourage ARC's state partners to use their Area Development funds for proj ects that
create and retain jobs in brownfields redevelopment areas; and
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Appalachian Regional Commission
Commitments (Contd.)		
3) Reaffirm EPA/ARC MOU commitments that include providing:
Support, including technical assistance, information sharing, and workshops, to
increase the awareness of brownfields cleanup and redevelopment programs and benefits;
Financial and technical assistance for Appalachian communities, local development districts,
and grassroots organizations to develop proposals for integrating brownfields assessments
and cleanup with economic development planning;
Coordination of joint activities between Appalachian states, local development districts, and
EPA field staff in order to help implement brownfields redevelopment projects at the state
level;
Financial and technical assistance to Appalachian communities to help leverage funds for
assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment of brownfields; and
Collaboration in joint projects or proposal reviews for competitions sponsored by either
agency.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture
Background		
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was founded in 1862 as the "people's department." Today,
USDA's mission is to enhance the quality of life for the American people by supporting the production of
agriculture; ensuring a safe, affordable, nutritious, and accessible food supply; caring for agricultural, forest,
and range lands; supporting the sound development of rural communities; providing farm and rural residents
with economic opportunities; expanding global markets to include agricultural and forest products and
services; and working to reduce hunger in America and throughout the world.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.usda.gov
Partnership Role	=
To promote Brownfields Pilots, some USDA field offices are working with Pilots, Empowerment Zones
(EZs), and Enterprise Communities (ECs) to provide educational programs and training for brownfields
landscaping projects (such as Master Gardeners, pesticide applicators, and youth development work-
shops). USDA also has contacts in urban Showcase Communities to monitor the success of USDA
projects. USDA provides technical support to communities that include greenways and other land conser-
vation projects. Rural communities and mine-scarred lands near or adjacent to our National Forests can
also take advantage of existing USDA programs.
Commitments		=
USDA commits to:
1)	Working with EPA and other federal partners to assist with the redevelopment of brownfields sites
located in rural communities or near mine-scarred lands;
2)	Establishing a USDA-wide Brownfields Subcommittee;
3)	Developing a roadmap for EPA Brownfields Showcase Communities to be placed on USDA's website;
4)	Developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EPA to address issues of common
concern;
5)	Continuing support of communities that want to convert existing brownfields into natural open space
parks, tree-covered linear parks, and other land conservation projects; and
6)	Assisting rural and urban brownfields communities in applying for USDA grants and loans.
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U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration
Background		
While the Economic Development Administration (EDA) was established under the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121), EDA now operates pursuant to that Act, as
amended by the Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998. This Act is also referred to as
Public Law 105-393, which authorized EDA for five years. The purpose of EDA is to generate new jobs,
help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas of
the United States. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas experiencing high unemployment,
low income, or other severe economic distress.
EDA helps distressed communities address problems not only associated with long-term economic distress,
but also with sudden and severe economic dislocations, including recovering from the economic impacts of
natural disasters, the closure of military installations and other federal facilities, changing trade patterns, and
the depletion of natural resources. Most brownfields projects fall under two of EDA's five basic program
areas:
The Public Works Development Facilities Program (covers water and sewer facilities
primarily serving industry and commerce, access roads to industrial parks or sites, port
improvements, and business incubator facilities); and
The Economic Adjustment Program (covers the creation or expansion of strategically
targeted business development and financing programs, including grants for revolving loan
funds, infrastructure improvements, organizational development, and market or industry
research and analysis). Military base closures illustrate projects that fall under the Economic
Adjustment Program.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.osec.doc.gov/eda/
Partnership Role	=
EDA's role in the Federal Partnership is to empower distressed communities with brownfields to establish
and implement their own economic development and revitalization strategies. EDA will support multi-
agency, sector-based brownfields redevelopment efforts that are consistent with the bureau's mission, focus,
investment policy guidelines, and statutory authorities. For example, EDA is interested in supporting inter-
agency efforts to revitalize brownfields that enhance regional economic competitiveness and support
market-driven cluster development strategies.
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U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration
Commitments	=
EDA commits to:
1)	Specifically identifying brownfields redevelopment in its annual Notice of Funding Availability;
2)	Supporting community and faith-based brownfields redevelopment strategies;
3)	Maintaining a National Brownfields Coordinator position in its headquarters office;
4)	Continuing to support both community efforts to use eco-industrial development models to facilitate
local brownfields redevelopment and multi-agency efforts to support eco-industrial development;
5)	Focusing on sector-specific development as it relates to brownfields; and
6)	Supporting implementation of the objectives in the newly signed MOU that links brownfields
assessment and cleanup activities with economic development.
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U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Background		
Founded on October 3, 1970, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is tasked
with describing and predicting changes in the earth's environment and with facilitating the conservation and
management of the nation's coastal and marine resources. As part of this effort, NOAA participates in the
Brownfields Program, focusing on the redevelopment of coastal brownfields properties and the protection
and restoration of coastal resources.
NOAA's brownfields efforts incorporate work carried out in several offices: the Office of Response and
Restoration's Coastal Protection and Restoration Division, the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management (OCRM), and the Office of Sustainable Development and Intergovernmental Affairs. The
Office of Sustainable Development and Intergovernmental Affairs acts as the coordinating body within
NOAA, and as the primary liaison with EPA. NOAA participates on both the Steering Committee and
Interagency Working Group.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.noaa.gov
Partnership Role	=
NOAA plays a role in three phases of the Federal Partnership Action Agenda. NOAA assists in 1) identify-
ing, evaluating, and assessing brownfields in coastal areas; 2) providing funding to coastal states for
brownfields redevelopment as part of waterfront revitalization efforts; and 3) providing technical assistance
to state and local governments to give coastal decisionmakers resources to facilitate the redevelopment of
brownfields and the documentation of successful brownfields waterfront revitalization approaches.
Commitments
NOAA commits to:
1)	Leading an interagency "Portfields" project that will focus on the redevelopment and reuse of idled or
abandoned lands in and around ports, harbors, and marine transportation hubs;
2)	Signing and implementing a new MOU with EPA that will increase coordination to assess, clean up,
and redevelop brownfields in coastal and waterfront areas;
3)	Providing funding to coastal states for brownfields redevelopment as part of waterfront revitalization
efforts;
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U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Commitments (Contd.)
4)	Providing technical assistance to state and local governments to give coastal decisionmakers resources
to facilitate the redevelopment of brownfields. For example, NOAA will continue to work with the
Metlakatla, Alaska, community and other Federal partners to evaluate the risk of fish consumption;
5)	Documenting successful brownfields waterfront revitalization approaches; and
6)	Continuing to provide a Brownfields Showcase Community Coordinator to work in New Bedford,
Massachusetts, to help implement their brownfields initiative.
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U.S. Department of Defense
Background		
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), through its work in communities adversely affected by military
base realignments and closures (BRAC), is experienced in economic readjustment activities. DoD's primary
tools for its economic readjustment projects are the Defense Economic Adjustment program and the BRAC
program. These programs govern DoD's efforts to close surplus military facilities, return them to local
communities, and assist these communities with site remediation and redevelopment. The Office of the
Secretary of Defense coordinates DoD's brownfi elds efforts, operating through the Deputy Under Secretary
of Defense (Installations)/Ofifice of Economic Adjustment and the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense (Cleanup).
Additional information can be found at: http://www.dod.gov
Partnership Role	=
DoD is included in the Brownfields Federal Partnership primarily in an advisory capacity, lending its eco-
nomic readjustment experience to the development and evolution of EPA's Brownfields Economic Readjust-
ment Initiative.
Commitments
DOD commits to:
1)	Working with EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up and redevelop closed and
realigned DoD bases and return them to productive reuse;
2)	Renewing the Department's commitment to long-term stewardship and developing tools for enforcing
use restrictions on brownfields; and
3)	Linking pertinent DoD websites to EPA's Brownfields website.
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U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Background		
Founded in 1779, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE or Corps) is an Army Major Command
with a headquarters and eight regional divisions that exercise direction over 37 districts located within the
continental United States. The Corps provides comprehensive planning, design, construction, engineering
management, and technical support to the Army and to the nation. Unlike most other agencies that comprise
the federal brownfields partnership, the Corps is not a grant-making organization, as defined by The Federal
Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977. In the absence of discretionary grant authority and a
specific brownfields authority, the Corps supports communities by way of specific, Congressionally autho-
rized water resource-related projects or through reimbursable (Support for Others) engineering activities.
The Congressionally authorized projects are related to water resources and include navigation, ecosystem
restoration and protection, shore protection, water supply storage, recreation, and flood control. In addi-
tion, USACE has developed a versatile brownfields team that will field engineering related brownfields
questions and project inquiries from any community within the United States and its territories.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.usace.army.mil or http://hq.environmental.usace.army.mil/
programs/brownfields/brownfields.html
Partnership Role	=
At the request of brownfields communities, USACE provides planning and technical assistance. For major
water resource-related endeavors, USACE will guide communities to the appropriate Congressional
contacts for authorization and appropriation support.
Commitments		=
USACE commits to:
1)	Partnering with EPA to establish eight pilots under the Memorandum of Understanding addressing
restoration of degraded urban rivers and fostering interagency and stakeholder partnerships that
promote a shared understanding of integrated solutions to water resources management within
watersheds and river basins;
2)	Increasing the use of collaborative approaches to water resources problems, seeking, whenever
feasible, to leverage Civil Works projects with the economic, environmental, and social goals of
brownfields pilot communities;
3)	Using existing authorities to promote comprehensive and integrated regional water resource plans that
balance economic, environmental, and social goals for water resource solutions; and
4)	Sharing analytical tools and methods that facilitate achieving sustainable development at brownfields
and other sites.
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U.S. Department of Energy
Background	=
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), officially established in 1977, continues to be a leader in meeting
this country's needs in the areas of energy, national security, science, and environmental quality. The DOE
complex includes unique capabilities in science and engineering that are applied to meet the Department's
goals. The Department has the lead for developing and implementing the Federal Government's national
energy strategy and is charged with accelerating cleanup efforts and providing long-term stewardship at over
100 DOE sites across the country. The Department brings its strengths in energy research and application
and its environmental cleanup and long-term stewardship experience to the Brownfields Federal Partner-
ship.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.energy.gov
Partnership Role	=
DOE supports the Brownfields Federal Partnership by providing technical assistance in the field of energy
use and environmental remediation, sharing lessons learned about cleanup and long-term stewardship
efforts, and funding for relevant research and development.
Commitments		g
DOE commits to:
1)	Linking the President's Energy Policy with opportunities relative to brownfields initiatives and activities;
2)	Promoting the construction of buildings that incorporate energy efficient, renewable energy and
distributed energy technologies at brownfields;
3)	Bringing technical assistance through the Rebuild America Program;
4)	Preparing a list of brownfields successes at sites incorporating energy efficiency, renewable energy, and
distributed energy technologies;
5)	Developing regional relationships with federal and state partners to address site or brownfields issues;
6)	Providing technical assistance in the field of environmental cleanup and stabilization to brownfields/
revitalization efforts;
7)	Developing tools and providing lessons learned from cleanup and long-term stewardship efforts at over
100 sites across the county;
8)	Funding related environmental remediation science and technology development;
9)	Assessing and exploring options for improved use of DOE owned land, including industrial use, where
appropriate;
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U.S. Department of Energy
Commitments (Contd.)-	=
10)	Expanding communication and educational activities to include brownfields;
11)	Establishing additional pilots around the country as EPA funding permits; and
12)	Linking Brownfields Pilot activities with DOE's cleanup and remediation activities to create more
attractive and sustainable communities.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Background	=
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established as an independent agency on December
2, 1970. EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment—air, water, and
land—upon which life depends. EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other
stakeholders to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse
brownfields.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields
Partnership Role	=
EPA is the informal leader of the Brownfields Federal Partnership. EPA is also the lead federal agency
implementing the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, which authorizes
significant funding for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loan fund, job training, and brownfields
state/tribal grants. EPA's Brownfields Program is built on four pillars: 1) protecting the environment; 2)
promoting partnerships; 3) strengthening the marketplace; and 4) sustaining reuse. EPA also funds research
efforts and administers the 28 Brownfields Showcase Communities that are models of federal, state, and
local collaboration.
Commitments
EPA commits to:
1)	Continuing to lead the Brownfields Federal Partnership collaboration and encouraging the
implementation of the Brownfields Federal Partnership Action Agenda commitments.
2)	Providing as much as $850 million (projected) over the next five years to states, counties, tribes,
municipalities, and non-profit organizations through brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loan
fund, job training, and brownfields state/tribal grants;
3)	Successfully implementing the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act with
Brownfields Federal Partnership stakeholders in mind. This includes:
Expanding the number and types of brownfields grants (e.g., making grants available to
address petroleum contamination, mine-scarred lands, and some categories of Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites);
Making grants available specifically for brownfields cleanup;
Integrating and streamlining the brownfields grants application process for the ease of all
eligible applicants;
Clarifying applicability of liability provisions in the new law; and
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Commitments (Contd.)~
Developing a regulation that establishes a standard for conducting "all appropriate inquiry"
under Superfund.
4)	Ensuring that its brownfields redevelopment efforts remain an important component of its Environmental
Justice efforts. This includes:
Conducting Environmental Justice regional listening sessions focused on brownfields and
revitalization of communities;
Providing brownfields and community revitalization tools, resources, and information to
communities and tribes facing brownfields redevelopment challenges; and
Ensuring that brownfields and community revitalization become an important component of
the Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects sponsored by the Interagency Working
Group on Environmental Justice (IWG).
5)	Developing a technology tools resource document for brownfields properties. This document would
include remediation, monitoring, and development techniques specific to brownfields-related issues;
6)	Developing a guide for site specific management approaches to redevelopment. This tool will integrate
business and science and serve as a decision framework for implementing and encouraging
redevelopment;
7)	Holding technical workshops on topics related to innovative approaches to tax and finance incentives,
risk assessment\management and sustainability;
8)	Continuing to support development and verification of innovative, cost-effective remediation,
characterization, and monitoring tools through the SITE Program;
9)	Continuing to provide a Center of Technology Support to help localities, states, and federal site
managers understand the technologies available to assess and clean up their properties;
10)	Updating its directory of Federal Technical Assistance on assessment and cleanup. This directory
focuses specifically on those resources relevant to cleaning up properties. It will identify Federal
programs available to assist communities and provide localities with detailed descriptions of the types of
assistance available, who is eligible to receive this assistance, how to obtain this assistance, and contacts
for additional information; and
11)	Pursuing the development of a partnership between EPA Region 8, the Indian Health Service, and the
Bureau of Indian Affairs that will explore ways to cooperatively provide assistance in the areas of
assessment and remediation on brownfields properties for Region 8 Indian Tribes.
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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Background		
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) mission is to maintain the stability of and public
confidence in the nation's financial system. To achieve this goal, the FDIC was created in 1933 to insure
deposits and promote safe and sound banking practices. The FDIC, in conjunction with other federal and
state regulatory agencies, examines financial institutions to ensure they are conducting business in compliance
with consumer protection rules and in a way that minimizes risk to their customers and to the deposit
insurance funds. The FDIC promotes compliance with fair lending, Community Reinvestment Act, and other
consumer protection laws and regulations. It also works with lenders, organizations, and the general public
to revitalize and educate communities.
Additional information can be found at http://www.fdic.gov
Partnership Role	=
FDIC encourages EPA to share its Money Smart financial education curriculum with community members
impacted by the revitalization efforts at brownfields sites across the county. The Money Smart curriculum
helps individuals build financial knowledge and develop financial confidence, and is therefore well-suited to
the needs of many of the brownfields communities. Low and moderate income community members will be
better prepared to fully participate in the job training and job creation efforts made possible by the
Brownfields Initiatives. There is a natural synergy to the two programs working together to help communities
and community members thrive.
Commitments
FDIC commits to:
1)	Partnering with EPA on financial education. Specifically, FDIC will make its Money Smart curriculum
widely available to community members served by the Brownfields Program. Money Smart is a
training program designed to help adults outside the financial mainstream enhance their money skills and
create positive banking relationships. Financial education fosters financial stability for individuals and for
entire communities. The more people know about credit and banking services, the more likely they are
to increase savings, buy homes, and improve their financial health and well being.
2)	Sharing information about EPA programs (e.g., Brownfields, USTfields, etc.) with its state non-member
financial institution population. Insured financial institutions that make loans to borrowers to finance
environmental cleanups or redevelopment on properties located in low- or moderate-income
communities receive positive consideration for those loans in their Community Reinvestment Act
performance evaluations.
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Federal Housing Finance Board
Background		
The Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB), an independent agency in the Executive Branch established in
1932, is responsible for regulating the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) System to ensure the safety
and soundness of the 12 FHLBanks and the achievement of the FHLBanks' housing finance and community
lending mission. The FHLBanks lend at competitive rates to private financial institutions, such as thrifts,
commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and non-member housing associates to support the
nation's housing and community development needs. At year-end 2001, the FHLBank System had over
7,800 member institutions and more than $700 billion in assets.
Each FHLBank, as required by law, annually sets aside 10 percent of net earnings for its Affordable Hous-
ing Program (AHP), under which it makes grants and below-market-rate advances to support affordable
housing. In 2001, the FHLBanks committed over $246 million to this program. In addition, each
FHLBank makes Community Investment Cash Advances (CICA) to members, including Community
Investment Program (CIP) advances at cost, to foster housing and targeted community development.
Projects located in an area that involves a property eligible for a Brownfield Tax Incentive are specifically
designated as being eligible for CICA financing and the FHLBanks' Standby Letters of Credit.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.fhfb.gov
Partnership Role	=
The FHFB regulates the FHLBank System. The FHLBank System represents the private-sector banking
portion of the Brownfields Initiative. The FHLBanks provide financing at favorable terms to their financial
institution members for use in housing and community development projects on brownfields. Also, in 1999,
the FHFB granted authority to the FHLBank of Des Moines to make an equity investment of up to $2
million in the River Point West Brownfields project in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The project subse-
quently earned Showcase status.
Commitments		=
FHFB commits to:
1) Acting as a liaison between and fostering communication among EPA brownfields staff in Washington
and the 12 FHLBanks.
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U.S. General Services Administration
Background		
The General Services Administration (GSA) is one of the three central management agencies in the Federal
government, along with the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget.
The Agency provides managed space, supplies, services, and solutions to enable federal employees to
accomplish their missions. GSA consists of three services: Information Technology (IT); Federal Supply
Service (FSS); and Public Buildings Service (PBS). IT oversees telecommuting centers and federal child
care centers, and FSS manages the federal motor vehicle fleet and oversees personal property issues. PBS
serves as a builder, developer, lessor, and manager of federally owned and leased properties. As such, PBS
provides a full range of real estate services, including real estate brokerage, property management, con-
struction and repairs, security services, property disposal, and overall portfolio management. PBS also
handles all of the Agency's brownfields projects. GSA maintains 31 landholding agencies, 1,800 federally
owned buildings, and 4,000 federally leased buildings. As landlord and holder of real estate for the Federal
government, GSA recognizes the importance of cleanup and reuse of brownfields properties as a catalyst
for positive change in urban areas.
Property use shapes how people live and work, and can serve to provide jobs and an income base. Be-
cause federal property is woven into the fabric of the nation's centers, GSA believes that its potential should
be maximized to provide the best service to the community. To do so, GSA has committed to review and
identify underutilized federal properties and to return those properties to productive reuse.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.gsa.gov
Partnership Role	=
GSA reviews and identifies underused federal properties that are potentially available for brownfields
redevelopment. Brownfields transactions are primarily real estate deals—GSA has the knowledge and
experience to serve as the "honest broker" in these transactions, bringing the right resources and people to
the table to get the deal done.
Commitments	=
GSA commits to:
1)	Developing a tool kit to help foster the partnerships necessary to successfully "seal the deal" in a
brownfields transaction;
2)	Facilitating a brownfields workshop for potential federal property developers to educate them on the
federal real property disposal process and to assist in their efforts to reuse federal brownfields;
3)	Developing a socioeconomic model to measure both the economic and social impacts of federal
brownfields redevelopment, as well as the reuse of federal real property in general;
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U.S. General Services Administration
Commitments (Contd.)~
4)	Signing an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding with EPA to strengthen the existing relationship
by focusing on the real property aspects of brownfields redevelopment; and
5)	Coordinating a campaign to educate states and communities engaged in brownfields revitalization about
innovative disposal methods, such as Early Transfer Authority (ETA) and the privatization of
remediation.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry
Background		
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is an agency of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS). ATSDR's mission is to reduce exposure and prevent adverse human
health effects and the diminished quality of life that is associated with exposure to hazardous substances
from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the environment. Some
ATSDR activities include public health assessments, applied research, emergency response, and education
and training. ATSDR's Brownfields work is coordinated through the Office of Regional Operations (ORO),
which are co-located with EPA in the 10 regions and at EPA HQ. ORO serves as the liaison to federal,
state and local agencies, and the community, on environmental health issues, including Brownfields.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Partnership Role	=
ATSDR contributes research and experience in public health and environmental exposure issues to
brownfields stakeholders.
Commitments		g
ATSDR commits to:
1)	Working closely with EPA to increase the capacity of local health entities that serve brownfields
communities;
2)	Continuing to support local health departments in Brownfields Showcase Communities;
3)	Completing a lessons learned report on the first six ATSDR grants to local health departments;
4)	Providing technical assistance to brownfields communities on the health monitoring provision of the new
Brownfields legislation; and
5)	Working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to encourage the development
of housing on brownfields sites.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences
Background	=
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) was given major responsibility for initiat-
ing a training grants program under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. The
MEHS Worker Education and Training Program (WETP) funds non-profit organizations with a demon-
strated track record of providing occupational safety and health education in developing and delivering high
quality training to workers who are involved in handling hazardous waste or in responding to emergency
releases of hazardous materials. The major objective of the program is to prevent work-related harm by
assisting in the training of workers in how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to
hazardous materials encountered during hazardous waste operations, hazardous materials transportation,
brownfields and minority worker training workforce development, environmental restoration of nuclear
weapons facilities, or chemical emergency response.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp
Partnership Role	=
MEHS contributes biomedical, public health, environmental research, and training programs for those
engaged in environmental efforts such as cleanup and remediation and provides outreach and education to
the public and other organizations across the country regarding these issues.
Commitments
NIEHS commits to:
1)	Continuing to administer and fund the Brownfields Minority Worker Training (MWT) Program in
collaboration with EPA's Brownfields Office to increase workforce development opportunities for
residents surrounding brownfields communities;
2)	Developing a lessons learned or best practices report on current NIEHS Brownfields MWT Programs;
3)	Continuing to work with EPA's Brownfields Office to promote job training programs, share and
exchange information, and develop other workforce development opportunities;
4)	Continuing to work with the federal partners to promote brownfields redevelopment regarding job
training, with a specific focus on working with EPA and the Department of Labor;
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U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences
Commitments (Contd.)"	^
5)	Sharing the WETP Strategic Plan with other federal agencies and organizations to promote additional
partnership opportunities; and
6)	Linking other WETP grantees with brownfields communities to address other worker-training needs
and issues.
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U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development
Background		
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was created as a Cabinet-level agency
by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965. HUD's mission is to provide a decent,
safe, and sanitary home and suitable living environment for every American by fighting for fair housing,
increasing affordable housing and home ownership, reducing homelessness, promoting jobs and economic
opportunity, empowering people and communities, and restoring public trust.
HUD provides grant funds and economic development loan guarantees to help communities clean up and
redevelop brownfields. HUD has three principal economic programs that communities can use to clean up
and revitalize contaminated sites: annual formula grants allocated to states and entitlement communities
through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); low interest economic development loan guaran-
tees available through the Section 108 Loan Guarantee program; and competitive grants through the
Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI). Additionally, there are other economic development,
housing, and technical assistance programs available to assist communities with brownfields revitalization,
including the Renewal Community/Empowerment Zone/ Enterprise Community Initiative (RC/EZ/EC), the
Rural Housing and Economic Development program (RHED), the Home Investment Partnership program
(HOME), the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, and HUD's University and College
programs.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.hud.gov
Partnership Role	=
As the nation's housing and community development agency, HUD supports brownfields development and
neighborhood revitalization through a multitude of programs, such as CDBG, Section 108 loan guarantees,
BEDI grants, RHED, and the RC/EZ/EC Initiative.
Commitments
HUD commits to:
1)	Emphasizing brownfields redevelopment activities through the utilization of tax incentives within
Renewal Communities, Urban Empowerment Zones, and Enterprise Communities, and through funding
provided to Brownfields Economic Development Initiative and Rural Housing and Economic
Development grantees. This effort includes enhancing the participation of HUD field staff in the
development and implementation of brownfields redevelopment projects and identifying available
sources of funds that can be used for brownfields activities;
2)	Enhancing access by smaller communities to brownfields redevelopment funds by working to secure
legislation that will allow for the award of Brownfields Economic Development Initiative funds as direct
grants, with no requirement for the concurrent use of Section 108 loan guarantees and no required
pledge of a community's CDBG funds to ensure repayment of the guaranteed loans; and
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U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development
Commitments (Contd.)	=
3) Providing timely and useful information about successful brownfields redevelopment efforts through
the development of new data and information systems to gather and disseminate information on
brownfields project outcomes, and through the inclusion of brownfields redevelopment information in
communication and educational materials and activities.
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U.S. Department of the Interior
Background		
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) protects, manages and provides access to our nation's natural
and cultural heritage on over 507 million acres of lands, or about one-sixth of the land in the U.S., and about
2 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf. Composed of multiple bureaus and offices, DOI manages
natural resources for a healthy environment and a strong economy, supports science for a changing world,
and provides recreation for America. In addition, DOI honors the U.S. trust responsibilities to federally
recognized Indian Tribes and our commitments to U.S. territories and freely associated states.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.doi.gov
Partnership Role	=
The Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (OEPC) within the Office of the Secretary provides for
a coordinated and unified approach and response to environmental issues that affect multiple bureaus. The
OEPC also acts as an advocate, both inside and outside of DOI, for programs that enable bureaus to
accomplish their missions in an efficient and effective manner. The OEPC is currently coordinating with the
National Park Service and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on their respective
ongoing brownfields activities; and is supporting the establishment of brownfields partnerships by the Bureau
of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs and other bureaus.
Commitments
DOI commits to:
1)	Establishing a Brownfields Redevelopment Working Group among DOI bureaus and offices to improve
internal Departmental coordination and to enhance the DOI's capacity to partner with EPA's
Brownfields Program. The OEPC expects to develop a coordination process, identify and develop
ways to address policy issues, assist in specific cases on request, and facilitate direct communication
between EPA and DOI. The Brownfields Redevelopment Working Group may also assist EPA in
making eligible entities aware of other federal funding resources within DOI; and
2)	Exploring the possibility of assisting EPA with inventorying, characterizing, assessing, and planning
related to brownfield sites; facilitating DOI participation in performing targeted site assessments; and
establishing a DOI brownfields web site.
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U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Background	=
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has a complex and far-reaching mission in the Department of the
Interior (DOI). The vast acreage and myriad natural and cultural resources that the BLM manages as the
Federal Government's largest landowner, combined with the complexities of its multiple-use mission, present
unique challenges and opportunities. The BLM administers approximately 260 million acres for recreation,
commercial activities, cultural resources, biological habitat, and wilderness.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/nhp
Partnership Role	=
Because of past commercial activities such as mining and landfills, BLM has many contaminated sites. With
the rapid population growth of many western states, some of these sites are now located within or on the
edge of towns and cities. These contaminated sites often are the only undeveloped land in the surrounding
area and are attractive as greenspace or for recreational purposes. Most of these sites pose little risk to
human health and the environment and therefore are not a priority for BLM's cleanup program; however,
local communities and municipalities have expressed interest in acquiring these lands for redevelopment and
recreational purposes.
Commitments
BLM commits to:
1)	Examining ways to overcome the barriers posed by Section 120(h) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which requires federal agencies
to clean up all land prior to transfer of the property, and the new Brownfields law prohibiting
brownfields grants from being used on Federal property in order to help facilitate the reuse of
brownfields; and
2)	Working closely with DOI to examine strategies that would allow BLM to participate more fully in the
Brownfields Program.
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U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Surface Mining
Background	=
Protecting the environment during coal mining and making sure the land is reclaimed afterward have been
national requirements since 1977, when America's Surface Mining Reclamation Law was signed by Presi-
dent Carter. Making sure that those requirements are met is the responsibility of the Interior Department's
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement (OSM).
The OSM is a small bureau with responsibility, in cooperation with the states and Indian Tribes, to protect
citizens and the environment during coal mining and reclamation, and to reclaim mines abandoned before
1977. The OSM is organized around two principal requirements: regulating active coal mining and reclaim-
ing abandoned mines. In addition, OSM operates programs to eliminate environmental and economic
impacts of acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines, encourage reforestation of reclaimed mined land,
develop techniques that can ensure reclamation of prime farmland soils, and publicly recognize outstanding
reclamation by communicating the experience to others.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.osmre.gov
Partnership Role	=
OSM signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
(OSWER). OSM has participated in the Brownfields Program by providing training and support to OSM/
VISTA volunteers and assisting with grant applications for brownfields pilots in coal-impacted watersheds.
The new Brownfields law recognizes mine-scarred lands as brownfields, further linking and strengthening the
environmental management activities and goals of OSM, EPA, and the other federal partners.
Commitments
OSM commits to:
1)	Working with EPA and other federal partners to address acid mine drainage (AMD) environmental
concerns at mining sites, coalfields, and within contaminated watersheds;
2)	Continuing to provide technical support to the new brownfields initiatives in Coal Creek, TN, and
Kelley's Creek, WV;
3)	Continuing to work with OSM/VISTA Watershed Development Coordinators to provide direct training
on brownfields in coalfields grant writing and project development;
4)	Continuing to provide administrative support through cooperative agreements to first-year OSM/
VISTA positions. OSM and VISTA are committed to expansion of the OSM/VISTA Watershed
Development Coordinator positions to new states in 2003; and
5)	Participating in regional training with the National Association of Local Government Environmental
Professionals (NALGEP) and other agencies in coal country, and bringing interested watershed VISTA
coordinators and other staff to the conferences, whenever feasible.
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U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Background		
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) serves the nation as an independent fact-finding agency that collects,
monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and
problems. The value of the USGS to the nation rests on its ability to carry out studies on a national scale
and to sustain long-term monitoring and assessment of natural resources. Because it has no regulatory or
management mandate, the USGS provides impartial science that serves the needs of our changing world.
The diversity of scientific expertise enables the USGS to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investiga-
tions that build the base of knowledge about the earth. In turn, decisionmakers at all levels of government-
and citizens in all walks of life-have the information tools they need to address pressing societal issues.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.usgs.gov
Partnership Role	=
Geographic technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and other
technologies that USGS has expertise in, have the potential to play a significant role in the overall
brownfields redevelopment process.
Commitments
USGS commits to:
1) Continuing to work with EPA and DOI's Office of Surface Mining (OSM) to:
Determine the role that geographic technologies, such as GIS and remote sensing, can play
in the overall brownfields redevelopment process and to demonstrate how these
technologies can assist local stakeholders to effectively manage and make decisions based
on effective information management;
Determine whether spatial data management is a possible tool for use in the overall
brownfields process. This has included data development, imagery analysis and on-the-job
and formal GIS training; and
Conduct outreach and training activities in Appalachia with two new brownfields
watersheds, the North Fork of the Blackwater River, West Virginia, and Coal Creek,
Tennessee. Research activities will include the analysis of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging
Spectrometer (AVIRIS) hyper spectral imagery recently collected by NASA over four
Appalachian watersheds.
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U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Background	=
The National Park Service (NPS) regulates, promotes, and conserves America's national parks in such a
manner as to "leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since NPS's inception in
1916, the United States has changed dramatically and the NPS has expanded its mission to support state
and local conservation and recreation efforts in partnership with communities across the country. NPS
supports these initiatives through a range of recognition programs, technical assistance, and grant-making
programs geared to communities that seek its help.
Among these programs is the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (RTCA, or Rivers &
Trails). RTCA helps local and state agencies and community organizations in their conservation efforts by
providing river, trail, and greenway planning, regional assessment, and conservation workshops and consul-
tations. A significant amount of RTCA's assistance is targeted to urban areas for projects that include or
affect underutilized contaminated properties.
Another program through which NPS helps support state and local initiatives is the Federal Lands to Parks
program (FLP). Through FLP, NPS helps state and local governments acquire, at no cost, surplus federal
lands (such as lands and facilities from decommissioned military bases, former federal buildings, or Army
Reserve sites) for public parks and recreation areas.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Grant Program provides matching assistance to
states and, through states, to local units of government for the acquisition and development of public out-
door recreation areas and facilities. Program objectives include stimulating states and local jurisdictions to
meet new demands for outdoor recreation and to build a permanent legacy in both urban and rural environ-
ments.
The Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program provides grants to economically distressed
local governments for the rehabilitation of existing recreation facilities in urban areas, and for innovative
recreation programs and services. This program targets underserved populations, such as minority,
low-income, at-risk youth, elderly, and disabled person, that have limited opportunities to obtain quality
recreation programs and services in their neighborhoods.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.ncrc.nps.gov
Partnership Role	=
In July 1996, NPS, through its RTCA program, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EPA to work
cooperatively on initiatives promoting sustainable community-based conservation and brownfields redevel-
opment. As a result of the agreement, NPS and EPA launched the Groundwork USA Initiative, a network
of locally controlled community corporations working to increase the capacity of communities to improve
long-term support for abandoned inner-city industrial sites and other derelict lands.
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U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Commitments	=
NPS commits to:
1)	Continuing to support the Groundwork USA network, including assisting each of the existing
pilots as well as the Groundwork USA national office;
2)	Establishing additional pilots around the country as EPA funding permits; and
3)	Linking brownfields pilot activities with NPS activities (assistance through RTCA and FLP) to
create more attractive and sustainable communities.
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U.S. Department of Justice
Background		
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) was established in 1870. Today, its diverse responsibilities include a
focus on legal issues, drug enforcement, prison operations, and justice programs. DOJ's Office of Justice
Programs (OJP) assists state and local governments with law enforcement and community policing. Within
OJP, the Executive Office for Weed and Seed (EOWS) oversees the DOJ Weed and Seed program.
Operation Weed and Seed is a strategy that "weeds out" violent crime, gang activity, drug use, and drug
trafficking in targeted neighborhoods and then "seeds" the target area by restoring these neighborhoods
through social and economic revitalization. The Weed and Seed strategy recognizes the importance of
linking federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts with social services, the private sector, and commu-
nity efforts to maximize the impact of existing programs and resources. The Weed and Seed program has
four elements: law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention, and treatment; and neighbor-
hood restoration. Law enforcement activities constitute the "weed" portion of the program. Revitalization,
which includes prevention, intervention, and treatment services and neighborhood restoration, constitutes the
"seed" element. Community policing is the bridge that links the Weed and Seed elements.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.usdoj.gov, or at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/eows
Partnership Role	=
DOJ incorporates its Weed and Seed program into Brownfields Pilots by offering up to $50,000 in flexible
funding for use in brownfields activities at the discretion of sites. This funding falls within the normal site
funding amount described above.
Commitments
DOJ commits to:
1)	Continuing to represent the interests of all federal partners in litigation;
2)	Advising federal partners on legislative implementation;
3)	Considering revision of the Executive Office for Weed & Seed's Official Recognition and/or grant
applications to more strongly encourage brownfields redevelopment;
4)	Using settlements and assets to assist with brownfields redevelopment;
5)	Continuing to work with the federal partners on the Weed & Seed program and assisting with the use
of brownfields funds to clean up methamphetamine labs; and
6)	Distributing information and providing guidance to U.S. Attorney's offices and to other partners on the
EPA's Brownfields Program through website linkages, a Federal Resource Guide, and other appropriate
venues.
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U.S. Department of Labor
Background	=
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) was created by Congress in 1913 to foster, promote, and develop
the welfare of working people; to improve their working conditions; and to enhance their opportunities for
profitable employment. Initially, DOL consisted of four bureaus transferred from the old Department of
Commerce and Labor: the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Naturalization, and
Children's Bureau. A conciliation service was added to mediate labor disputes. Over time, DOL's role and
size changed according to the needs of workers in the ever changing economy. DOL is actively promoting
the Brownfields Program through its employment programs. As a part of this effort, DOL is working
through stakeholders of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The Workforce Investment Act created a
national network of One-Stop Career Centers that offer a host of federally funded employment and training
services. There are over 1,800 access points nationwide where individuals and businesses can access
services. At One-Stop Career Centers, individuals can access high-quality local information on available
jobs, skill requirements, and training provider performance. The WIA provides for a continuum of three
levels of services that individuals may progress through: core services, intensive services, and training, with
the more extensive levels of services being provided only after an individual is unable to obtain employment
with basic services.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.doleta.gov
Partnership Role	=
DOL's role in the Brownfields Federal Partnership falls within the Department's existing mission to provide
job training and permanent job placement. DOL's basic job and life skills training serves as a necessary
complement to other, more environmentally focused training programs designed to help assess and cleanup
brownfields. Together, these programs ensure that community residents most impacted by brownfields will
directly benefit from their redevelopment. Services at the national, state, and local level all cooperate to
promote the complementary missions of DOL and EPA.
Commitments
DOL commits to:
1)	Encouraging state and local Workforce Investment Boards to consider using WIA training funds for
local brownfields projects (awarding $11 billion in grants to be used for workforce development);
2)	Establishing links to EPA Brownfields websites on DOL websites;
3)	Leveraging funds for training grants that may be used in brownfields communities;
4)	Distributing training guidance to Workforce Investment Boards;
5)	Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with EPA to continue and foster interagency cooperation;
and
6)	Working with the Office of Apprenticeship to develop competency standards and skill set credential
certifications that will ensure training that is institutionalized to meet industry specifications.
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U.S. Small Business Administration
Background	—
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent federal agency, created by Congress in
1953 to assist, counsel and champion the efforts of America's small businesses. SBA's mission is to provide
prospective, new, or established persons in the small business community with financial, procurement,
management, and technical assistance. In addition, special emphasis is made to assist women, minorities,
the handicapped, and veterans get into and stay in business. SBA's programs are available to any business
that meets SBA size standards; is a for-profit organization; and is located in the United States or makes a
significant contribution to the U.S. economy.
Partnership Role	=
SBA programs are available and relevant to small businesses in brownfields communities. Making SBA's
District Offices and other resource partners aware of this brownfields partnership is an important SBA role.
Commitments
SBA commits to:
1) Disseminating brownfields related information to SBA's District Offices and to all SBA technical
assistance providers, such as the Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers,
and SCORE. This will include information on:
SBA Loan Policy: In December 1997, SBA revised its SOP to give district offices greater
latitude in evaluating the risk to collateral property from environmental contamination. This
revision provided guidance for field offices to determine whether the risk was manageable
so that financial assistance could be provided. Previous SBA policy was more restrictive
and precluded most financial assistance if there was contamination at a collateral site;
Tax Incentives: Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, certain environmental clean-up
costs at targeted brownfields sites may be fully deducted by the current owners of the
property in the year in which they are incurred. This is not a tax credit, but it indirectly
reduces the tax burden by lowering taxable income;
New Superfund liability exemptions, based on the new Small Business Liability Relief and
Brownfields Revitalization Act (PL 107-118); and
The benefits of brownfields reuse and EPA Brownfields Program grant availability. A
recent study by George Washington University shows that encouraging brownfields cleanup
and redevelopment removes pressures to develop greenspace. Every acre of brownfields
that is redeveloped saves 4.5 acres of greenfields. This is because greenfield land use
requirements include land-consuming provisions such as setback requirements, parking
requirements, lot coverage or density limitations, and minimum lot size.
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U.S. Department of Transportation
Background		
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), created in 1967, has a multifaceted mission. The Depart-
ment provides policy leadership and financial assistance to improve transportation and foster economic
growth while ensuring safety and security and protecting the environment. Virtually all DOT funds for
highways and most transit funds are distributed on a formula basis to state and local transportation agencies.
State and regional planning processes set the priorities for highway and transit projects.
Several DOT Administrations facilitate the Department's Brownfields Agenda. The Office of the Secretary
of Transportation (OST) Policy Office leads DOT's intermodal brownfields working group. The Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) administers the Federal-Aid Highway Program, through which authorized
funds are available to states for eligible transportation projects. States are responsible for the planning,
programming, and selection of projects that receive federal funds. The Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) provides financial assistance to local and state government entities for the improvement of public
transit systems. FTA funds are allocated by statutory formulas to the public agencies responsible for running
transit buses and urban rail systems. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is a safety regulatory
agency within DOT that oversees the nation's freight and passenger railroads (motive power, track, signals,
equipment and operating practices). The Maritime Administration (MARAD) promotes the development
and maintenance of an adequate and well-balanced United States marine transportation system. Neither
FRA nor MARAD provide funding.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.dot.gov
Partnership Role	
DOT has actively participated in the interagency effort to promote the Brownfields Program, and is explor-
ing ways to address brownfields within the context of its transportation mission.
Commitments
DOT commits to:
1)	Encouraging communication and partnership links among transportation agencies, environmental, state,
local, and private sector partners involved in brownfields redevelopment;
2)	Working with the federal partners to foster communication on a regional level among field staff;
3)	Sharing best practices and offering technical assistance and training to Metropolitan Planning
Organizations (MPOs), states, and local governments;
4)	Expanding existing guidance on state and local transportation agency and MPO consideration of
community brownfields redevelopment in transportation planning;
5)	Conducting research on relationships between brownfields and transportation; and
6)	Identifying brownfields opportunities in and around ports, as well as opportunities to incorporate
intermodal transportation projects, such as ferry terminals and inland facilities.
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