Pennsylvania Land Recycling Program Presented by: Tom Fidler Manager, Land Recycling Program Director, Brownfield Action Team Program Enhancements & Brownfield Action Team

Land Recycling Program Statistics To date, over 1,700 properties remediated Over 730 site recycling projects underway $63.5M dedicated to Land Recycling projects

Land Recycling Program Attributes Adopted by Many Reasonable standards, and use of engineering and institutional controls to control exposure Background demonstration concept Review timeframes for work completed Site inventory – PA SiteFinder Vapor Intrusion guidance

Economic Stimulus Package for Community Revitalization PA Business in Our Sites $300M grant/loan program Site preparation/infrastructure Real Estate Construction Fund aka Building PA $150M for gap financing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) $100M in loan guarantees Provides technical assistance to guide municipalities through process of creating TIF districts

Economic Stimulus Package for Community Revitalization Elm Street / Main Street Programs $5 million each in grants Revitalization of residential and mixed-use neighborhoods Helps to establish a local organization dedicated to downtown revitalization Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program $640M in grants for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects HUD 108 Loan Guarantees $288M federal financing for economic development loans

Program Enhancements Initiative Current Administration’s Commitment Revitalization of communities is a top priority Addressing concerns of the LRP which were identified in audits over the last 9 years. Develop enhancements to improve the LRP Worked with stakeholder focus groups and staff workgroups to develop changes

Objectives of the Initiative Implement a program to demonstrate that human health/environmental protection and economic revitalization are not mutually exclusive goals. Unlock the potential economic benefits of recycling brownfields and grayfields across the Commonwealth. Improve the voluntary program and define a role for the enforcement program via client and staff suggestions.

Objectives of the Initiative Create an enhanced management approach in DEP with a process that is more efficient, effective, responsive and involves all stakeholders of a brownfield going through remediation/development/ reuse. The Brownfield Action Team (BAT) Expedited remedial approvals Coordinated/integrated permitting

Brownfield Action Team (BAT) Basics Provide evidence of local support Be consistent with local zoning/planning Location of property: Be located in town, borough, or city, in/on Brownfield Enterprise Zone KOZ or Keystone Innovation Zone Select Grayfields (aka abandoned mine land)

BAT Basics Include a project plan that includes: Concept Plan for Reuse Identified Project Principals Time Schedule for Redevelopment Description of Community Benefits Level of Committed Private Investment Application available online

MOA with EPA EPA MOA One Cleanup Program Provision for addressing CERCLA, RCRA, and TSCA issues through the Act 2 process State relief from liability Federal declaration of no further action First MOA under the federal Brownfields Law

Legislative Action Items Legislative design of Act 2 sound Program Funding – Top Priority Proposed Act 2 amendments Fee increase Deed acknowledgement submitted with final report

Legislative Action Items PA ONECALL Developed to prevent damage to underground facilities/utilities Broaden coverage to include engineering controls in place on Act 2 sites. Environmental Covenants PA has introduced state legislation to be consistent with UECA

Legislative Action Items Grayfields Legislation would allow Land Recycling Program concepts applied to certain AMLs Incentive funding – OSM federal grant Environmental Insurance Legislation pending to create an insurance program Establish PA-specific policy (5-10% premium discount) Fund for premium subsidies established

Enhancing the Voluntary Process Streamlined NIR & NIR acknowledgement letter Project management steps, taken from past proven practices, institutionalized Checklists to assist remediators they have complete submissions Acknowledging role of client professionalism Deficiency letters

Low-Risk Sites Program Objective Expedite project development and the reuse of these sites. Criteria Small sites Groundwater exposure risk acceptable SHS or pathway elimination used Plan for redevelopment Licensed Professional and training 10-day turnaround Audits

Deference to Licensed Environmental Professionals Professionals’ Responsibility Qualified through licensing and training Assume responsibility for the accuracy of information and interpretations Accordance with the certifying agency’s rules of conduct Professionals’ accountability Audits Referrals

Define Role of an Enforcement Program Sites meeting criteria for action to protect human health and the environment – separate action Mothballed sites Policy on civil penalties Release disclosure clarification

Reporting Requirements Current requirements imply recent spills/releases related to water Immediate notification to DEP Notify downstream users Cleanup within 15 days Historic releases are reported with submissions under the Land Recycling Program process

Responsiveness to Clients Needs and Suggestions Q&A process Providing both clients and DEP staff with the same training = improved consistency Vapor Intrusion screening training Regular regulatory/guidance updates

Local Government Action Items ID mothballed properties Creation of task forces Participation in roundtables Redefining role of DEP Local Government Liaisons Outreach to explain program and process

Thank you PA Land Recycling Program and Brownfield Action Team DEP Keywords “land recycling” or “brownfields” (717)