FREE Brownfield Webinar to Assist in Preparing Assessment and Cleanup Proposals

To assist applicants with their proposals, EPA will host the EPA National Assessment and Cleanup Guideline Webinar; tentatively scheduled for the first week of November 2016.  Join the webinar via AdobeConnect athttp://epawebconferencing.acms.com/fy17/ and/or phone (1-866-299-3188/ Conference Code: 202 566 1817).

Sign Up for #Brownfields Grant Writing Tip of the Day

Source: PPM Consultants, Inc.

Sign up to receive daily tips to help you make the most of your #brownfield grant application! PPM's tips will help you keep your timeline on track and make sure you don't forget any crucial details as you approach the December 20, 2016 proposal deadline.

Click <HERE> to sign up.

Announcing: Request for #Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Grant Proposals: Deadline Dec. 20, 2016

Assessment Grants (funded over three years)

Community-wide or Site-Specific Applicants: Applicants may apply for up to $200,000 in hazardous substances funding or up to $200,000 in petroleum funding.

Community-wide Applicants: Applicants applying for both hazardous substances funding and petroleum funding may request a combined total up to $300,000; however the request for hazardous substances funding or petroleum funding cannot exceed $200,000 for any one individual type of grant funding. For example, an applicant may apply for $200,000 in hazardous substances funding and $100,000 in petroleum funding.

Assessment Coalition Applicants: Applicants may apply for up to $600,000 in hazardous substances funding and/or petroleum funding.

Cleanup Grants (funded over three years)

Applicants can apply for up to $200,000 per brownfield site and can submit up to three separate, site-specific cleanup proposals.

Note that a summary of changes to last year’s guidelines has been posted as well on EPA's website. The link is below.

Guidelines and Resources:

o   FY2017 Brownfields Assessment Grant Guidelines

o   FY2017 Brownfields Cleanup Grant Guidelines

o   FY2017 Summary of Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Guideline Changes

o   FY2017 Assessment Guideline Checklist

o   FY2017 Cleanup Guideline Checklist

o   Frequently Asked Questions

o   Grants.gov Tip Sheet for Applicants

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities 2016-2017 Request for Letters of Interest - Due Oct. 12th

Communities across the United States are exploring smart growth and other environmentally sustainable approaches to revitalize their economies, create jobs, protect clean air and water, prepare for climate change-related impacts, and improve quality of life. However, when trying to implement these approaches, many communities run into barriers such as outdated zoning codes and other obstacles, lack of consensus around where and how to grow, and misconceptions about the cost and complexity of environmentally sustainable approaches. Moreover, many communities lack the technical expertise to implement smart growth strategies and the resources to educate local stakeholders about the environmental, economic, health, and quality of life benefits these approaches can bring.

The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program provides quick, targeted technical assistance to selected communities using a variety of tools that have demonstrated results and widespread application. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivers the assistance using teams of experts who conduct workshops in the selected communities. The program is geared toward communities that are relatively new to environmentally sustainable approaches but have a basic understanding of smart growth principles and how they apply locally. Communities most appropriate for Building Blocks assistance can articulate their unique challenges and are trying to kick-start efforts to address a specific local issue.

Key Information

 Eligibility: The applicant can be a local, county, or tribal government, or a nonprofit organization that has the support of the local government on whose behalf they are applying.
 Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 12, 2016
 How to apply: Submit the fillable PDF letter of interest, along with a short letter of support signed by a mayor, city manager, elected official, or other representative of the community, to BuildingBlocks@epa.gov.

 Tools offered:
o Tool 1: Creating Equitable Development
o Tool 2: Planning for Infill Development
o Tool 3: Sustainable Strategies for Small Cities and Rural Areas
o Tool 4: Flood Resilience for Riverine and Coastal Communities
o Tool 5: Green and Complete Streets

 Timeframe: EPA expects to select 25 recipients by November 2016 and provide all technical assistance by July 2017.

MORE INFORMATION

TEDx Talks: Hacking the brownfields: John Paul Farmer at TEDxMarketStreet

RECAP: Air & Waste Management Association - Southern Section Conference - Defining Brownfield Success

Source: LinkedIn

See how Mississippi has taken brownfield redevelopment to the next level.

[LinkedIn Article]

Company Not Liable for Pre-Ownership Cleanup Costs

From Environmental Due Diligence Guide™ and Environmental Due Diligence Guide Report™

Environmental due diligence is a critical component of any property transaction where potential environmental risks are a concern—minimize risks and protect yourself from...

A Pennsylvania company is liable only for response costs incurred after it took ownership of a contaminated site, not for those incurred beforehand, a federal trial court ruled Aug. 30 ( Pa. Dep’t of Envtl. Prot. v. Trainer Custom Chem. LLC , 2016 BL 282578, E.D. Pa., No. 15-1232, 8/30/16 ).
Judge Eduardo C. Robreno of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s motion for summary judgment on liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the state’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act regarding the liability of site owner Trainer Custom Chemical LLC (TCC).

The court, however, denied the DEP’s motion on damages in the form of response costs the company owes to the department, finding that it couldn't calculate the relevant personnel charges related to work at the site. It also declined to pierce the corporate veil and hold Jeremy Hunter and James Halkias, who had organized the company, personally liable for the response costs.
Hunter and Halkias formed TCC in October 2012 and a month later purchased the Stoney Creek site, located in Trainer, Pa., for $20,600.

Prior to the purchase, Stoney Creek Technologies LLC owned the site, which contained approximately 17 million pounds of raw materials, chemical products and wastes and other waste materials used to support on-site activities as of 2007. That year, the state agency identified a release or threatened release due to the improper storage or disposal of roughly 3 million pounds of flammable or combustible chemicals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated response actions under CERCLA. When Stoney Creek no longer could pay its electric bills, the state agency began paying the bills to ensure the utility didn’t cut power, which could have resulted in additional releases of chemicals. It claims to have spent about $820,000 on electricity.

The borough of Trainer issued a permit to Halkias to raze structures on the site, and the reclaimed metals were sold for more than $875,000 to JK Myers, a business entity formed by Halkias.
When inspectors from the department visited the site in 2013 and 2014, they found that the demolition of pipes, tanks and buildings had left storage tanks cut open, allowing unknown materials to spill out of the tanks. The department filed a cost recovery action under both state and federal laws against TCC and Hunter and Halkias as individuals.

Primarily at issue was whether liability extends to costs incurred by the department before TCC took ownership of the site.

[MORE]

Mississippi #Brownfield Program Overview

Here's an overview of the Mississippi Brownfield Program.

Link -> http://bit.ly/MS-Brownfield-Program-Overview

EPA Guidance - Cleaning Up #Brownfields under State Response Programs – Getting to ‘No Further Action’

This newly published report by #EPA provides information on certain aspects of state response programs available to owners and prospective purchasers of brownfield sites. It is a guide for owners of brownfield properties on the general requirements for entering a brownfield into a state cleanup program and the process for attaining a state decision or certification of the need for “no further action” under each state response program. This report is a central source of information regarding the process available in each state for attaining a state decision or certification of the need for “no further action” under each state response program. The report summarizes information gathered from state response program contacts and state response program websites.   A link to the report is found below:

Cleaning Up Brownfields under State Response Programs – Getting to ‘No Further Action’ (PDF)(132 pp, 13 MB)

Water study: Alabama has 4th highest level of PFAS contaminants

(Source: Montgomery Advertiser, A. Yawn)

"A few months after a water advisory was issued for north Alabama due to high levels of PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a Harvard University study has found that Alabama has the fourth-highest concentration of the chemicals in its water supply behind California, New Jersey and North Carolina.

PFASs are chemicals that repel water and are resistant to fire and oil. Because of these properties, PFASs have been used in household cleaners, fire fighting foams and Teflon cookware.

However, the scientific community is beginning to connect ingestion of PFASs to health issues which is why those shopping for a new non-stick frying pan will most likely see many touting the “PFOA-free” label in reference to perfluorooactanoic acid, a type of PFAS also found in some Alabama water supplies.

PFAS have now been linked to birth defects, cancer, obesity and immune system suppression, and the Harvard-led study found PFASs in the drinking water supplies of 16.5 million Americans...."

[MORE]

Brownfield Redevelopment Moves Forward at Ole Miss

(Source: LinkedIn)

In November of 2010, the 69-acre Whirlpool brownfield site in Oxford, MS was sold to the University of Mississippi for $3.4 million. To ensure the property is safe as well as marketable, Whirlpool entered into a Brownfield Agreement with the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality (MCEQ) during its October, 2010 meeting to clean up an area in the defunct plant that showed the presence of hydraulic fluid, which has contaminated a small, 500 square foot area. MCEQ, during the October 2010 Meeting, also approved the sale of the site to the University of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office approved the university’s purchase, provided Whirlpool agreed to pay for any problems caused by hydraulic fluid contamination. The state’s College Board has also approved the deal. Whirlpool first announced the Oxford plant’s closure in July 2008 and that production of its built-in cooking appliances would transition to the Cleveland, TN facility. The Mississippi site closed in March 2009. 

(Source: news.olemiss.edu, AUGUST 8, 2016 BY CHRISTINA STEUBE) – "The University of Mississippi Department of Campus Recreation is expanding – in a huge way. As the university’s enrollment continues to increase, so does the use of its recreation facilities. To accommodate growth, construction will begin soon on a recreation center and transportation hub at the former Whirlpool factory south of Highway 6 on Chucky Mullins Drive.

Demolition on part of the facility began earlier this month, and construction bids are slated to go out this fall, said Peter Tulchinsky, director of campus recreation. Construction on the $32 million project is expected to begin in early 2017....

[MORE]

ATSDR Action Model

The ATSDR Brownfields/Land Revitalization Action Model (ATSDR Action Model) is a grassroots, community-level model designed to foster dialogue, communication, and vision among the diverse members of the “Development
Community."

The ATSDR Action Model creates a framework to assess the impacts of redevelopment on public health, with a goal of achieving positive, sustainable improvements in overall community health.

The Action Model framework encourages the Development Community to focus on broad public health topics connected to community health, such as physical and mental health; environment; education and economy; planning; safety and security; and communication and risk communication.

For more information, go to this <LINK>.

Inheriting Brownfield Sites & Environmental Risk - Article

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/buffalo-law-journal/2016/08/the-risks-of-inheriting-contaminated-real-property.html

"Most people understand the importance of estate planning to protect significant family assets for the benefit of their descendants and loved ones.

After all, the desire to provide for our families is often a key factor motivating us to pursue financial success during our working lives. A sound, well-considered estate plan can be an important tool to make sure that the long-term financial goals we desire are achieved when we are gone.

All too often, however, the environmental risks associated with the inheritance of commercial property or businesses are not adequately considered during the estate planning process. Dad passes, leaving his gas station property to his son or daughter. Mom passes, and leaves the family metal-plating business to her children...." 

[MORE]

EPA Region 6 Brownfields Conference: August 31 - Sept. 1st: Addison, TX

EPA Region 6 is hosting a region-wide Brownfields Conference that will focus on the tools and resources communities need to build their community...from federal partners to tips and successful programs of your peers.

They will have state breakout meetings, panel discussions and expert speakers on topics ranging from “outside the box thinking” to financing options. Of course, there will be a focus on Brownfields, including the upcoming 2017 Assessment and Cleanup National Competition. For more information, contact Karen Sterrett at 214.665.2275 or email at sterrett.karen@epa.gov .

‘THE MILL AT MSU’ BROWNFIELD PROJECT WINS EXCELLENCE AWARD

Source: ppmco.com

"Over 100 years of history went into the making of the Mill at Mississippi State University, and this year the Mississippi Municipal League (MLL) honored the $40 million restoration project with its “Best Overall” Excellence Award.

These awards, given annually since 1993, recognize cities that demonstrate innovation, excellent management, citizen participation and community partnerships to enhance the community and quality of life for residents...."

[MORE]

Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD) Act passes Senate

At the end of June, the Senate unanimously approved the bipartisan Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD) Act of 2015 (S. 1479). The bill reauthorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfield program through FY2018 at a funding level of up to $250 million per year. The bill includes provisions for waterfront brownfield sites and clean energy projects, prioritizes technical assistance grants for Brownfields projects in small communities, Indian tribes, rural areas, and disadvantaged areas, and expands funding eligibility for governmental entities that did not cause or contribute to the contamination.  The bill is now headed to the House, where its companion, HR 4463, is waiting for committee action.

Webinar Archive: Tips for Selecting a Brownfield Consultant - September 2015

Source: (LinkedIn)

At the 2013 National Brownfields Conference in Atlanta, Trey Hess of the Mississippi DEQ hosted a roundtable discussion entitled "Selecting an Environmental Consultant Without Losing Your Watch."  (http://www.brownfieldsconference.org/en/Session/1956).  Here's the overview:

• Former Avis CEO Robert Townsend once said that "Consultants borrow your watch to tell you the time then they walk off with your watch". While this tongue-in-cheek statement may not be the case with the environmental consultants who are courting your community, having a set of guidelines for selecting a consultant would be helpful. Whether its "let me take you to lunch" or "I've got a fantastic new cleanup technology", regulators have heard it all. Since they aren't vying for your affections (i.e., your watch), they are the perfect moderators for this session. Geared towards the new EPA Grantee, this roundtable discussion will focus on topics like: What does a good RFP or RFQ look like? What criteria really matter? And are there any State requirements that should be considered?

In the fall of 2015, EPA asked me to repackage the roundtable into a webinar entitled "Tips For Selecting a Brownfield Consultant."

You can download the PPT Show with the audio from <here>.  If you download vs. just reviewing the slides within DropBox, you will get the audio.

NOAA Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants Program – $8.5 million

NOAA Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants Program – $8.5 million

• Applications Due: August 16, 2016
• Eligible Entities: State, local, and tribal governments

NOAA announced funding for projects that improve or restore coastal habitat by strengthening the resilience of U.S. marine and coastal ecosystems, decreasing the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather, and support sustainable fisheries. Projects should identify an issue limiting the resiliency of U.S. marine and coastal ecosystems to extreme weather events or changing environmental conditions, identify the proposed project’s outcome, describe the actions and on-the-ground restoration to be undertaken to enhance resiliency and reduce risk, and describe the measurable impact on the ecosystem and communities.

For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

EPA Building the Capacity of States, Local and Tribal Governments to Address the Health Impacts of Climate Change Program – $600,000

EPA Building the Capacity of States, Local and Tribal Governments to Address the Health Impacts of Climate Change Program – $600,000

• Applications Due: July 15, 2016
• Eligible Entities: State, local, and tribal governments

EPA is making available funding to increase tribal capacity to understand the health effects of climate change and plan for new and changing tribal community health needs as the climate changes. Proposals must address each of the following four areas: tribal climate and health curriculum development, refining the curriculum by conducting pilot trainings with select tribes, make curriculum available online, and conduct climate change and tribal health outreach.

For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

EPA 2016 Targeted Air Shed Grant Program – $20 million

EPA 2016 Targeted Air Shed Grant Program – $20 million

• Applications Due: July 11, 2016
• Eligible Entities: State, local, and tribal air pollution control agencies

EPA announced funding to reduce air pollution in the country’s most polluted areas. Consideration will be given to proposals that include emissions-reducing activities such as renewable energy projects, combined heat and power, clean residential heating, and other clean energy supply options.

For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

FWS National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program – $17 million

FWS National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program – $17 million

• Applications Due: June 29, 2016
• Eligible Entities: State governments

FWS has announced funding to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal states through competitive matching grants to state agencies. Ranking criteria for proposals include describing how the proposed project addresses climate change concerns, how it will be affected by climate change impacts, and references to any relevant plans and models.

For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program – $120 million

HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program – $120 million

• Applications Due: June 28, 2016
• Eligible Entities: Local and tribal governments, public housing authorities

HUD is making available funding to help severely distressed communities improve their housing, personal, and neighborhood outcomes. To achieve these goals, successful applications should include a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy, or “Transformation Plan.” Plans should include measures to improve energy efficiency in low-income housing and increase resilience to local disasters.

For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

CDC Grant Opportunity - Enhancing Community Resilience by Implementing Health Adaptations Program

CDC Building Resilience Against Climate Effects: Enhancing Community Resilience by Implementing Health Adaptations Program – $4.5 million

• Applications Due: June 20, 2016
• Eligible Entities: State and local governments

CDC is making available funding to implement the Climate and Health Adaptation and Monitoring Program (CHAMP), which involves developing an Implementation and Monitoring Strategy (IMS) for interventions stated in climate adaptation plans. The IMS should utilize evidence-based public health interventions and incorporate monitoring and evaluation strategies and activities to achieve measurable health impacts and reduce the health burden of climate change. Expected program outcomes include increased community-level engagement in climate and health adaptation, as well as increasing resilience of public health systems and health infrastructure.

For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.

Equitable Development Webinar

GROUNDWORK USA PRESENTS ITS NEXT EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR
Investing in People and Place: Building Wealth and Equity to Advance the Equitable Development Agenda

Wednesday, July 20, 2016
1:30 - 3:00pm Eastern
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Tune in for a rich discussion among three leading-edge practitioners about how their programs promote wealth building, job placement and training, job creation, and increase access to financing and supports for small businesses and social enterprises. These programs respond to the needs of low-income people and people of color, and are making tangible impacts in everyday lives, helping long-marginalized families keep pace with place-based investments in their neighborhoods, and advancing equitable development more broadly in long-marginalized American communities. 

Learn about the inspiring work in three different capacities? nonprofit coalition, community development corporation, and national/local intermediary? working in both urban and rural places, all leading their community development efforts with a commitment to hiring locally, developing and coaching a local workforce, creating jobs, and supporting the incubation and financing of small businesses and social enterprises, all of which are leveling the playing field by helping residents and their families work, play, live, learn, thrive and age in place.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Amy Shapiro, Director of Business Development, Franklin County CDC (Greenfield, MA)
Tony DeFalco, Living Cully Coordinator, Verde/Living Cully (East Portland, OR)

Kevin Jordan, Vice President for National Programs, LISC (Washington, DC)

Save the Date - 2017 National Brownfield Conference

2017 National #Brownfield Training Conference

David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA

December 5-7, 2017

EPA Region 4 Brownfield Grant Breakdown

The announcement was made earlier this month by our Administrator, Gina McCarthy, regarding the FY16 Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup and Revolving Loan Fund Grants.  Congratulations to the following applicants which were selected in EPA Region 4 (listed below).  

Please see the announcement, the press release and the link to the grant fact sheet for these grants here: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-current-news-and-events

State	Assessment Grant Recipient
AL	Birmingham, City of
FL	St. Petersburg, City of
FL	Ormond Beach, City of
FL	Century, Town of
KY	City of Shelbyville
KY	Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
KY	Kentucky River Area Development District
MS	Vicksburg, City of
MS	Greenwood, City of
MS	Yazoo City, City of
MS	Hernando, City of
NC	East Spencer, Town of
NC	Richmond County
SC	Allendale County
SC	Lake City, City of
SC	Central, Town of

State	Revolving Loan Fund Grant Recipient
GA	Doraville, City of
SC	South Carolina DHEC

State	Cleanup Grant Recipient	Site Name
AL	Tarrant, City of	Tarrant Industrial Complex
FL	Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency	Edenfield Property
FL	West Palm Beach, City of	Henrietta Bridge Farm Project Site
NC	Robbins, Town of	Northern Parcel of the former Robbins Mill
NC	Robbins, Town of	Southern Parcel of the former Robbins Mill
SC	Pickens, City of	Former Rail Depot Property
TN	Knoxville, City of	Former Sanitary Laundry and Dry Cleaning Property
TN	Knoxville, City of	Former McClung Warehouses Property
TN	Chattanooga, City of	Former Glover Tract

FREE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT — LEARN HOW

Source: PPMCo.com 

Communities across the country leave federal dollars on the table each year by failing to leverage funding resources for redevelopment. Don’t let your community make the same mistake!

The fourth annual Northwest Florida Brownfield Redevelopment Forum will be held on June 16, 2016 at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium. Here, you’ll learn about the federal programs in place to help your community transform blight into beautiful assets that can increase tax revenue and stimulate local economy.

PPM Project Manager Ben Clabaugh will participate as a panel speaker for the forum, covering brownfields contamination resolution. Clabaugh emphasized, “This conference is a solid introduction to the program that can get funds for redevelopment in any community.”

“For example,” Clabaugh referenced, “in 2013 the City of Pensacola was awarded a $400,000 community-wide grant from the EPA for the redevelopment of brownfields. PPM is honored to have been selected to aid the City in facilitating this program. There are many other communities who could benefit from the same grant funding, but just don’t realize it.”...

MORE

NEW RFP: FY 2017 #EPA #Brownfield Area-Wide Planning Grant Guidelines

EPA announced today the availability of funding to eligible entities who wish to develop an area-wide plan for brownfield assessment, cleanup, and subsequent reuse. This funding is for research and/or technical assistance activities directed to one or more brownfield site(s) located in a specific area (such as a neighborhood, downtown or business district, local commercial corridor, community waterfront or city blocks). Each project funded under this grant must result in an area-wide plan which includes specific plan implementation strategies for assessing, cleaning up, and reusing the brownfield site(s) as well as related brownfield and project area revitalization strategies. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20 projects in total, funded at up to $200,000 each.

The proposal submission deadline is August 10, 2016.

Best news of all is that there will be an Outreach Webinar.  EPA will walk through the guidelines for competitive proposals with prospective applicants. There will be an opportunity for questions.

The Webinar will be held June 16, 2016 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm EDT. Registration is not necessary; access the webinar here: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/fy17bf_awp/ and call in 1-866-299-3188; code 202 566 0633#.

Please note that applicants who received an AWP grant in Fiscal Year 2010, 2013 or 2015 (FY10 or FY13 or FY 15) are generally not eligible to apply under this competition. EPA is making an exception for POWER+ (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) applicants. The POWER+ Initiative is an Administration priority that started in FY16 and continues through FY17. A POWER+ applicant must propose one or more eligible catalyst, high priority brownfield site(s) within the same brownfields project area as a coal-fired power plant that has recently closed (2008 or later) or is scheduled to close.

Follow these links for all the AWP details.

o   FY2017 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant Guidelines

o   Frequently Asked Questions

o   Tips for submitting FY17 BF AWP Proposals through www.grants.gov (PDF) (2 pp, 121 K, About PDF)

o   Getting Started Early - Preparing your FY17 BF AWP Grant Proposal in advance of the RFP