




	September 2007 Cleaning Up Brownfields Nitrates in Wisconsin Drinking Water Nature-based Outdoor Recreation Grants Current Issue www.AyresAssociates.com Subscribe		Cleaning Up Brownfields (September 2007)
			Does your community have a neighborhood that needs sprucing up – anything from a fresh coat of paint to an extreme makeover? Through a natural cycle of growth and maturation, all communities eventually develop blighted and underused properties that need redevelopment. These properties are commonly referred to as brownfields. The State defines a brownfield as: "One or more contiguous industrial or commercial facilities or sites with common or multiple ownership that are abandoned, idle, or underused, the expansion or redevelopment of which is adversely affected by actual or perceived environmental contamination." Cleaning up and redeveloping a brownfield property requires a coordinated approach on the part of a community, government agencies, businesses, and consultants. It is not an easy task, but the end result of a successful brownfield redevelopment project is a clean, viable site that contributes to the community's tax rolls, image, and reputation. The first step is to identify potential properties that meet the brownfield definition. Once identified, a strategy needs to be developed to determine contamination status, cleanup requirements, and redevelopment objectives for a site. And, of course, financing a brownfield redevelopment effort is a major concern to a community. Numerous potential sources of funding can help jump start a brownfield redevelopment project. Three recently announced brownfield grants include the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Brownfield Site Assessment Grant (SAG), WDNR Brownfield Green Space and Public Facilities Grant, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants. Here are details for each of these grants: Eligible Applicants A city, village, town, county, redevelopment authority, community development authority, or housing authority is eligible to complete an application for a grant. The applicant does not need to own the property but cannot be the causer of contamination. Eligible Activities Phase I and II environmental site assessments (ESAs) Site investigations Demolition Asbestos removal associated with demolition Removal of abandoned containers Removal of underground storage tanks Funding Small grants ranging from $2,000 up to $30,000 and large grants ranging from $30,000 up to $100,000 are available. Grants require a minimum 20% match by the applicant. The WDNR expects $1.7 million to be available this year. Eligible Applicants Same as for a WDNR SAG grant. Completed Phase I and II ESAs are required before receiving a grant. Eligible Activities Preparing a remedial action (cleanup) plan Installing a cap over contaminated soil Treatment, storage, or disposal of contaminated materials Funding Three grant-size ranges are available, with matching funds required from the applicant: up to $50,000 (20% match), $50,000 to $100,000 (35% match), and $100,000 to $200,000 (50% match). The WDNR expects $1 million to be available for the coming biennium. Eligible Applicants Generally the same as for WDNR grants, but some variations apply. Eligible Activities Preparing an inventory of brownfield sites Phase I and II ESAs Conducting site investigations Preparing a remedial action (cleanup) plan Conducting cleanup actions Funding Awards are generally $200,000 for assessment and cleanup grants and up to $1 million for revolving loan funds. An assessment grant does not require cost sharing. The other grants require a 20% match. The EPA expects more than $72 million to be available and awarded on a competitive basis to more than 200 applicants nationwide. Detailed information on these grant programs is available on the WDNR (www.dnr.wi.gov) and U.S. EPA (www.epa.gov) websites.