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Federal and State Agencies Participate in Brownfields Grantees Workshop
By Phyllis Lewis, The Center for Brownfields Initiatives
plewis@uno.edu
This year's exciting 2-day workshop provided Louisiana Brownfields Coordinators with the rare opportunity to interact with representatives from nine federal and state agencies to learn about agency programs that work hand-in-glove with brownfields redevelopment. Coordinators were introduced to new funding sources, special initiatives, and innovative programs available to rural and urban brownfields projects. Through the presentation of several brownfields case studies, coordinators learned techniques for applying the valuable information learned to brownfields redevelopment in their own communities. In addition, a brief legislative update on the status of the impending Louisiana Brownfields Tax Credit was delivered.
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and The Center for Brownfields Initiatives at the University of New Orleans (CBI) hosted the 3rd Annual Louisiana Brownfields Grantees Workshop June 2-3, 2005 in Kenner, Louisiana. This annual event focuses on topics and issues of importance to Louisiana pilots participating in the LDEQ and EPA Brownfields Initiatives. The workshop was enthusiastically received, offering valuable and timely information to all who attended.
Louisiana pilots attending the workshop were Baton Rouge, Gretna, Jefferson Parish, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport, South Central Planning and Development Commission, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission, West Monroe, and Westwego.
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$75.9 Million in Brownfields Grants Awarded
Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to distribute $75.9 million in brownfields grants to communities in 44 states. A total of 302 grants are being awarded to 218 applicants, including: 172 assessment grants ($33.6 million) to assess sites and plan for cleanup; 106 cleanup grants ($19.3 million) to perform cleanup; 13 revolving loan fund grants ($20.8 million) to provide financial assistance for cleanup activities; and 11 job-training grants ($2.2 million) to train local residents for jobs related to brownfields redevelopment.
Formed in 1995 and expanded by the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002, EPA's Brownfields Program has turned abandoned and contaminated sites into beneficial community spaces, including parks, recreational trails, and golf courses. The program aims not only to revitalize brownfields sites and make them available for community use, but also to increase local tax bases, foster job opportunities, and promote redevelopment as an alternative to using undeveloped land. Information on the grant recipients is available at http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/archive/pilot_arch.htm
For additional information, contact Dale Kemery, Press Officer, OSWER/Homeland Security, (202) 564-4355.
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Toolbox Guides Rejuvenation of Ontario, Canada's Brownfield Sites
aboutREMEDIATION, Canada's leading information resource on site remediation and brownfields redevelopment, announces the Brownfields Redevelopment Toolbox for Ontario Municipalities. aboutREMEDIATION partnered with the Canadian Brownfields Network, government agencies and private industry to develop the Ontario Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment Toolbox as a pilot project for Canadian communities. Prepared to assist municipalities in understanding the process of redevelopment and creating an awareness of the significant role they play in motivating and championing brownfields redevelopment in their communities, municipalities can adapt components of the Toolbox to address their specific needs.
In Ontario, municipalities are starting to "re-think" community growth and planning by incorporating concepts of "re-use", and "re-vitalization" into Community Improvement Plans. But, many of these municipalities are in the early stages of brownfield redevelopment and require assistance, resources and tools to guide them through the process.
The Ontario Brownfields Toolbox is comprised of three components. The 10 Key Elements of a Redevelopment Strategy describes the basic elements municipalities should consider when creating a vision for community improvement and brownfields redevelopment. The Brownfields Decision Tree outlines the steps to redevelopment in a flow chart format, in accordance with the legislative and policy framework that municipalities must operate within. The 5 Steps to Redevelopment is the foundation of the Brownfields Toolbox and focuses on Community Readiness, Evaluation, Transaction, Implementation and Site Management. Common challenges and issues are identified in each step, along with practical tips and solutions to help municipalities address them.
Plans are underway to expand and customize the Toolbox to meet the needs of other stakeholders and provinces and to accelerate brownfields redevelopment across Canada. Opportunities are available for companies to participate in the Toolbox by showcasing and promoting their products and services, and assisting in the development of expanded versions.
The toolbox was developed with funding support from FedNor (Industry Canada), Environment Canada - Ontario Region, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Development partners included Gowling Lafleur Henderson, LLP, Aon Reed Stenhouse, Inc., Jacques Whitford Environmental, Ltd., City of Toronto, City of Kitchener, City of Brantford, and the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The Toolbox is a free and easy to use resource available online at http://www.aboutREMEDIATION.com
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Great Falls, MT Brownfield Riverfront Redevelopment
Reprinted from Brownfields Beat, Spring 2005 Edition
Recent accomplishments in the Great Falls, Montana Brownfield program are helping to unravel environmental uncertainties and pave the way for site cleanup and redevelopment on portions of the Riverfront Redevelopment area. Progress thus far includes completion of environmental assessments, developer education and recruitment, exploration of additional funding opportunities, and public outreach, including the creation of a grassroots Brownfield Advisory Group.
Over the past year, considerable advances have been made with respect to evaluating the environmental uncertainties associated with properties in the redevelopment area, particularly those located south of 4th Avenue NW. Soil and groundwater sampling has shown that much of the land south of 4th Avenue is free of contamination and ready for redevelopment. Assessment of properties north of 4th Avenue is scheduled to begin this spring, focusing primarily on gaining sufficient data to estimate the cost of cleanup of known contamination on the County and Montana Specialty Mills properties.
As part of continuing efforts to secure additional funding for redevelopment, the Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) submitted a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant application of $1 million to the EPA in November 2004. If successful, the RLF grant could provide loans to new developers or grants to public owners for the purpose of site cleanup. In November, GFDA also learned that their application for HUD BEDI funding was unsuccessful. GFDA is currently looking for ways to improve chances of a HUD grant in the future.
Environmental site assessments (ESAs) continue to be conducted using a $400,000 brownfield grant from EPA. Phase I ESAs, conducted to identify areas of environmental concern, have been completed throughout the redevelopment area, and a comprehensive Phase II has been completed for the area south of 4th Avenue NW (Sub Area 1). Site assessments are now focused on the area north of 4th Avenue NW (Sub Area 2). Contamination of soil and groundwater associated with historical use of the land as a refinery and other industrial tenants has been identified. A comprehensive Phase II site investigation for this area and a small supplemental investigation for Sub Area 1 are scheduled this spring.
A public meeting was held in November 2004 as part of the community outreach and education plan for the project. While there is general support for improving the area, citizens are concerned about development encroaching on the West Bank Park and the need to protect the land along the river. Specifically, neighbors are concerned that the city will trade riverfront property for inferior property located closer to 3rd Street NW. They also noted that West Bank Park contains natural habitat along the Missouri River and its environmental integrity should not be compromised by the proposed development, even if no land is lost.
Due to these concerns, those attending the meeting decided to create a Brownfield Advisory Group that will advise GFDA of their issues and concerns. GFDA hired Maxim Technologies to assist with their public outreach efforts. Members have a keen sense of how the area is currently used, and what opportunities there are for land improvement. It is hoped members will share their insights and make recommendations to GFDA. Public education on this project is being fostered through the creation of a brownfield web site, preparation of informational fact sheets, and during public meetings to be held throughout the assessment and redevelopment process. To obtain progress updates and information on the latest challenges and successes on the project, check the GFDA web site at http://www.gfdevelopment.org .
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Missouri Department Issues Two Certificates of Completion for Brownfield Cleanups
Reprinted from Protecting Missouri's Natural Resources Monthly Newsletter
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) has issued Certificates of Completion for two Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (B/VCP) sites. Through the B/VCP, private parties agree to clean up a contaminated site and are offered some protection from future state and federal enforcement action at the site in the form of a “No Further Action” letter or “Certificate of Completion” from the state.
The two sites recently cleaned up include are the Printpack, Inc. facility in Hazelwood, MO and the Paragon Building Site in Creve Coeur, MO.
A final Certificate of Completion has been issued to Printpack, Inc. of Hazelwood. In 1983 an underground storage tank containing solvents collapsed at the site, releasing about 5,000 gallons of solvents (xylene, ethylbenzene, and toluene) to soil and groundwater. The previous owner, Crown Zellerbach, initiated action through the department.
Crown Zellerbach's consultant excavated the ruptured tank and surrounding soil, and initiated a recovery and remediation operation that consisted of monitoring and recovery wells, a groundwater pump and treatment system and a groundwater re-injection trench. By 1998, the facility, now owned by Printpack, Inc., expanded the remediation system to incorporate a vapor extraction system and an air sparging system to inject air into groundwater and release vapors. From 2001 through 2003, Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) was employed to assess remaining solvent concentrations. Printpack enrolled the site in MDNR's B/VCP in January 2004. Soil sampling conducted by Printpack's consultant in March 2004 confirmed that solvents are not present in soil at detectable concentrations. MNA and groundwater modeling results indicated the remaining solvents in shallow groundwater were above standards, but were reducing naturally and would not migrate to any off-site receptors. The B/VCP determined that the residual solvents in shallow groundwater did not pose a health threat if managed through restrictions on property use and use of groundwater.
The 10.24-acre Paragon Building Site in Creve Couer was developed in 1980 for use as a commercial office building. Prior to that time the property was vacant land. In July and August 2004, LM Consultants Inc., conducted a limited Phase II environmental site assessment that identified the presence of perchloroethylene (PCE) in the soil and groundwater. PCE is a compound used in the dry cleaning process. The levels of PCE in the soil were below those appropriate for unrestricted use of the property. However, the PCE levels detected in the groundwater were above the levels deemed appropriate for unrestricted use of the property.
There was no historical use of PCE at the property and it was determined that the PCE migrated to the site from an adjacent dry cleaning facility. The dry cleaning facility is located at an adjoining shopping center on the north side of the property and is approximately 30-40 feet from of the Paragon Building site. The adjacent property owner and the owner of the dry cleaning facility have been notified that the PCE contamination is migrating to the Paragon Building site.
Since the PCE-contaminated groundwater is from an off-site source, the participant was not responsible for the remediation. However, since PCE will remain at levels above those appropriate for unrestricted use of the property, a Restrictive Covenant was recorded with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds for the purposes of protecting public health and safety and the environment. The department issues Certificates of Completion when restrictions for future use of properties are included as part of the cleanup.
For more information on these sites, contact Scott Huckstep at 1-800-361-4827 or (573) 526-2740.
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