ohio epa targeted brownfield assessment and technical assistance programs

Ohio EPATargeted Brownfield Assessment and Technical Assistance Programs

TBA Program• Mission– Promote

brownfield redevelopment by providing free environmental assessment services to local communities and governments. • Purpose – To assist

community leaders and property owners with their goal of transforming blighted properties into economic and community assets.

TBA Program

• Combination of annual federal grant and state funding contribution.

• FFY2015 – Currently about $60,000 available for TBA’s.

• Estimate for FFY2016 - $500,000 (Nov 2015)• Environmental assessment activities provided to local

governments at no cost to them.• In-house staff (SIFU) and/or external contractors and

labs perform the work.

Vital Statistics• 53 Counties

• 142 Sites

• 175 Projects

• Type of Projects

– 71 Phase 1’s

– 18 Asbestos surveys

– 86 Phase 2’s

TBA Eligibility

• Applicant must be a governmental or quasi-governmental entity.

• Applicant cannot be a “cause or contributor” to the suspected contamination.

• Property must be a brownfield.– Residential is eligible if more than 4 units

• Property cannot be under federal CERCLA orders or on the NPL.

TBA Eligibility – Ownership

• Applicant does NOT need to own the property. A private entity may own the property, but must partner with the governmental entity and grant legal access to Ohio EPA and our contractors.

• Foreclosed/forfeited properties are eligible. County Auditor acts as an “agent of the state” and grants access (see ORC 5721.09). Ohio EPA will request local contact and/or police escort when on-site.

TBA Scope/Products• Phase I assessments (ASTM/AAI or

VAP)• Targeted sampling or screening (soil,

ground water, sediment, vapor intrusion sampling, geophysical survey or other screening sampling)

• Asbestos and lead based paint surveys

• Ecological stream surveys• Possible full Phase II assessment –

depends on project scope, available funds, and end-use potential

Things TBA Can’t Do!• NO demolition• NO tank pulls• NO asbestos abatement• NO lead-based paint abatement• NO soil or ground water

remediation• NO vapor barriers, radon

systems, or other engineering controls

• NO geotechnical assessments

Phase I Assessments

• Non-intrusive investigation of historic records, interviews of former employees, site walk-over, and review of surrounding properties.

• Identify areas of known or suspected contamination

ASTM/AAI compliant – for property transfers (faster)VAP compliant – for properties that may go to cleanup (slower)

Targeted Sampling

• Direct sampling and analysis of environmental media (soil, ground water, sediment, and vapor intrusion)

• Limited annual budget = limited scope of sampling

• Sample media to answer specific questions or address specific concerns raised by the applicant, property owner, finance authority, or an end-user

Asbestos Surveys

• Licensed asbestos inspector identifies and samples suspected asbestos containing materials (ACM).

• Final report documents the amount or ACM material present, its condition, and any recommendations.

• Includes cost-estimates for abatement.• This information is usually required if

demolition is planned.

Ecological Surveys

• Stream surveys are typically conducted either on a specific brownfield property or adjacent to one.

• Determines the biological (fish and bugs) condition of the stream.

• Determines the impact of the property to that stream, if any.

• Most beneficial if the brownfield property is participating in the Voluntary Action Program.

Full Property-Wide Phase II’s

• Full assessment of a property• Must have a Phase I complete• Must have strong development potential or a

committed end-user• Must have a plan (i.e. agreements and

financing) to move the project beyond the Phase II through cleanup

• Current maximum = $100,000

New Concepts• Area-wide assessment services• Work with several departments

of larger communities (economic development, planning, engineering, etc.) to provide assessment services to larger targeted areas/corridors– May include assistance on

technical issues• Help facilitate other funding

discussions beyond assessment

Application Process

• Application form online: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/derr/SABR/Grant_Assistance.aspx

• Basic property information, eligibility section, requested services, signed access agreements

• SABR usually follows-up with applicant to discuss scope/timing

• Non-competitive funding and rolling applications

Typical Timeframes

• ASTM/AAI Phase I reports – 3-4 months• VAP Phase I reports – an additional 1-2

months• Asbestos surveys – 3 months• Ecological stream surveys – depends on the

time of year• Targeted sampling – site specific• Full Phase II reports – site specific

Collaboration

• Partner with ODSA and BUSTR to provide TBA/low-interest loan “packages” for projects where it makes sense.

• Partner with local communities and/or U.S. EPA to share costs for larger projects.

• Help facilitate discussions with JobsOhio on projects that have high job potential.

• Always open to new ideas & approaches!

Technical Assistance

• Grant funded assistance to local communities to help offset review costs associated with specific technical reviews conducted by Ohio EPA for the Voluntary Action Program.

• May include: Reviewing Urban Setting Designation requests, providing guidance on technical/legal issues, eligibility questions, or pre-NFA document review (including VAP-MOA track).

Contacts

Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization (DERR)Site Assistance and Brownfield Revitalization (SABR) Section

Amy.Yersavich@epa.ohio.govMegan.Oravec@epa.ohio.govKatie.Courtright@epa.ohio.govDaniel.Tjoelker@epa.ohio.gov