BrownfieldsBrownfieldsand and

Community GardensCommunity Gardens

Purpose Purpose

The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the Brownfields Program and how it can service the Community Garden Initiative.

The topics of discussion includes: Definition and Examples of Brownfields Program Resources Program Criteria

What are Brownfields

Small Business Liability Relief and Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization ActBrownfields Revitalization Act

Amends CERCLA by: Providing grants to assess

and cleanup sites Providing liability exemptions

Defines brownfields 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 Brownfields GamutThe Brownfields Gamut

There are an estimated 450,000 brownfields sites nationwide!

What Do Brownfields Look Like?What Do Brownfields Look Like?

The Brownfields ImpactThe Brownfields Impact

Potential threats to

human health and the

environment

Social

Increased urban sprawl

and inner city blight

Decreased property

values and city tax

revenues

Economic Environment

Brownfields Project CycleBrownfields Project Cycle

1 Identify Reuse Project

2 Assess3 Clean Up

4 Redevelop

Before

After

Brownfields Resources

Available

Brownfields Assistance & Funding OpportunitiesBrownfields Assistance & Funding Opportunities

EPA

Targeted Brownfields Assessments

Job Training Grants

Revolving Loan Fund GrantsCleanup Grants

Assessment Grants

State Response Programs

Brownfields Assistance Opportunities –Brownfields Assistance Opportunities –

Eligible ApplicantsEligible Applicants

CitiesCitiesNonprofitsNonprofitsStatesStates

PotentiallyPotentiallyLiableLiablePartiesParties

PrivatePrivateOwners/Owners/

DevelopersDevelopers

Local Local GovernmentsGovernments

RedevelopmentRedevelopmentAgenciesAgencies

Regional Regional Councils of Councils of Government Government TribesTribes

Asbestos

Brownfields Assistance Opportunities –Brownfields Assistance Opportunities – Eligible ContaminantsEligible Contaminants

Excluded Sites Facilities listed/proposed on the National Priorities List; Facilities subject CERCLA order or decree; and Facilities that are subject to the control of the federal

government

Hazardous Substances

Pollutants

Petroleum ProductsContaminants

Lead Based Paint

Mine-

Scarred

Lands

Illegal Drug Labs

Brownfields Assessment Grants

Community-Wide

Site-Specific Coalition

Up to $200,000 for hazardous substances and $200,000 for petroleum

Up to $200,000 for hazardous substances or petroleum

Up to $1,000,000 for hazardous substances and/or petroleum

No waiver of funding limit

May request a waiver for up to $350,000

No waiver of funding limit

Maximum combined amount $400,000

Maximum combined amount $350,000

Maximum combined amount $1,000,000

3 year performance period No cost share

Example eligible activities: Inventory Brownfields Phase I / II Environmental Assessments Cleanup / Reuse Plans Community and Stakeholder Outreach

Brownfields Cleanup Grants

3 year performance period 20% Cost Share

Example eligible activities: Cleanup Cleanup Planning Confirmatory sampling ONLY

Site-SpecificUp to $200,000 for hazardous substances and/or petroleum

Applicant must own site at time of proposal

Applicant can not be potentially liable for contamination under CERCLA

Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply

Applicants may apply for funding for up to 3 sites

Brownfields Brownfields CleanupCleanup Grants Grants

Prior to Clean up Grant proposal submittal:•Non profit must have EPA approved Phase l and Phase ll •ESA’s must conform to EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) or ASTM format•Cost for assessments can be up to $100K

ESA Funding Options:

Non profits can fund ESA themselves or Non profits may secure free ESA services from:

• Local Brownfields Assessment Grantee• State Brownfields Program• EPA R6 Brownfields Program

The Brownfields and Community Garden Connection

Contact your State Environmental Agency, agricultural extension office or EPA Regional Brownfield coordinator, Tribal, or State brownfield team to learn if they have assessed or cleaned prospective sites or have targeted brownfields assessment (TBA) funds to support your efforts.

Apply for Brownfield grant funds if you need help to assess and clean a site.

The Connection

Contact your city/town about gardens as an interim or permanent use for vacant land.

Assess sites before you buy, lease or borrow to ensure the site is safe for food.

The Connection

Learn how to use greener materials when establishingyour garden from the Sustainable Sites Initiative at:www.sustainablesites.org/.

Bring clean fill or mulch from certified sources forraised beds and cover.

Work with nature to save time and money. Learn moreat: www.epa.gov/greenscapes.

Community Garden Development

Contact your local Agricultural Extension Service aboutsoil testing and crop recommendations for your area.

Read the UC Davis ‘Community Garden Start-UpGuide’tolearnmore:celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/garden/aticles/startu_guide.html.

The Connection

Build for all ages and abilities. Where possible, createraised bed gardens near the entrance for those inwheelchairs and beds for children to plant safely.

Grow your garden community and link with groupsimproving the environment, food systems, publichealth, education, development and the neighborhood.Learn more about the benefits of gardens at:www.gardenworksmn.org/Resources/multiple_benefitspdf.

The ConnectionGo organic in your garden. Limit chemical fertilizers,pesticides, and herbicides.

Grow your garden community and link with groupsimproving the environment, food systems, publichealth, education, development and the neighborhood.Learn more about the benefits of gardens at:www.gardenworksmn.org/Resources/multiple_benefitspdf.

Go organic in your garden. Limit chemical fertilizers,pesticides, and herbicides.

Brownfields Grant CompetitionBrownfields Grant Competition

General Brownfields (ARC) Grant Schedule http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/applicat.htm Proposals Due October / November 2011 Selections Spring 2012 Award Summer 2012

Questions? Monica Smith, Brownfields Section Chief

214-665-6780 or via email smith.monica@epa.gov 1-800-533-3508 and ask for the Brownfields Team

EPA and/or States provides EnvironmentalSite Assessment to local governments and non profits

•Inventories – compiles a list of possible properties

•Phase I- a report prepared which identifies potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities

•Phase II – the purpose is to evaluate the recognized environmental conditions identified in the Phase I ESA through a sampling of the site

•Cleanup planning activities

• Provided on a year round basis

Targeted BrownfieldsAssessments (TBA)