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New Brownfields Center Formed at University of New OrleansNew Orleans - The redevelopment of brownfields sites has become a major urban strategy for numerous federal, state, and local organizations, since brownfields redevelopment, alleviates conditions of severe poverty, reduces environmental pollution, fosters economic development, eliminates urban sprawl, revitalizes cities, and promotes sustainable communities. The Center for Brownfields Initiatives (CBI), taking its lead from EPA’s multifaceted Brownfields Initiative, is developing a results-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to its Center by collaborating with researchers in the various colleges and departments at the University of New Orleans to arrive at a more comprehensive problem-solving approach to brownfields redevelopment. The Center’s areas of interest lie in the resolution of liability and engineering issues, assistance in site assessments, community outreach and job training activities, and environmental justice questions. The Center’s goal is to address diverse and interrelated environmental, economic, and social issues regarding brownfields redevelopment. To achieve this goal, the Center is:
To contact The Center for Brownfields Initiatives at the University of New Orleans, telephone or e-mail: Phyllis R. Lewis,
M.A.
EPA is accepting proposals for national brownfields assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup grants. These grants are part of the new Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act signed by President Bush in January 2002 to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize Brownfield sites. As part of his FY 2003 budget request, the President has called for a doubling of money for the Brownfields program to $200 million. (Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.) EPA estimates that funds will be available to make up to 200 grant awards, almost double last year’s awards, contingent upon availability of funds in the agency’s 2003 budget. These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances (including substances mixed with petroleum). HUD Announces BEDI Grant Recipients November 1, 2002 WASHINGTON - They were once vital centers of industry and commerce in their communities but over the years, many so-called "brownfields" were abandoned or are underutilized. Twenty-three communities will now begin the process of breathing new life into their local economies because of $25.3 million in grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez. In addition, HUD will also guarantee $98.8 million in loans committed by the communities to further help restore these areas. Today's announcement is anticipated to generate 5,000 jobs in 23 communities. "These grants and loan guarantees will help change the economic landscape, restoring hope to once thriving communities," said Martinez. "HUD's experience is that with some environmental cleanup, abandoned factories or other industrial sites can be converted into new centers of community renewal." Brownfields Federal Partnership Action Agenda Released On January 11, 2002 President Bush signed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act into law (Public Law 107-118). The President and the U.S. Congress recognized in this new law the important of federal partnerships in achieving the mutual goals of environmental protection and economic 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 together in a timely manner to help communities more effectively prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. First
Federal Facility “Ready for Reuse” Certificate Announced Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a “ready for reuse” certificate to the U.S. Air Force for Brooks City-Base (formerly Brooks Air Force Base) in San Antonio, Texas. The certificate is the first of its kind to be issued in Texas, and the first for a federal facility nationally. The state of Texas and EPA agree that the Air Force has successfully completed its cleanup of the base. The “ready for reuse” certificate verifies that environmental conditions on this property are protective of its current use and anticipated future use as a technology and business park. EPA Division Director Carl Edlund said, “Today’s announcement highlights our newest initiative to promote the reuse of formerly used industrial properties. We are building on our experience using the enormously successful Brownfields program. Our ‘ready for reuse’ certificates clear the way by providing necessary assurances to help encourage developers to reuse these valuable natural resources.” The certificate provides specific information about contamination, work performed at the site, and the status of each real estate parcel that has been cleaned up to meet state and federal requirements. Dr. Ata-Ur-Rhaman, TCEQ Corrective Action Section Manager, said, “The successful cleanup of this site means it can now be a valuable asset to the community. We are pleased to certify this property as safe for human health and the environment.” Brooks City-Base is located 6 miles southeast of downtown San Antonio, Texas, and encompasses more than 1.300 acres. Brooks Air Force Base was initially established in 1917 as a flight instructor training facility. By the late 1950s, the facility had transitioned to function as a medical research, development, and educational facility. On July 22, 2002, Brooks Air Force Base was officially transferred to the Brooks Development Authority as part of the Brooks City-Base Project and formally renamed. Prior to the transfer, the U.S. Air Force completed a comprehensive environmental assessment of the property and performed restoration work to certify that the conditions on the property do not pose a risk to public health or the environment based on the current or anticipated future uses for the property. More information about the Brooks ready for reuse determination is available at http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/ready4reuse. Visit Brownfields Spotlight Archives |
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