EPA Brownfields Grants & RCRA Sites How Communities Are Using EPA Brownfields Grants to Address Some Sites Subject to RCRA September 21, 2004

The Brownfields Law  Signed into law January 11, 2002  Provides legislative authority for brownfields program including grants for assessment and cleanup  Details sites eligible for brownfields funding, including many that were ineligible under the previous Brownfields program, e.g. petroleum contaminated sites, some sites subject to RCRA

The Brownfields Law & RCRA Sites  Eligible sites subject to RCRA… RCRA interim status facilities that are not subject to any administrative or judicial order or consent decree RCRA interim status facilities that are subject to administrative or judicial orders or consent decrees that do not include corrective action requirements or any other cleanup provisions Parcels of RCRA facilities that are not under the scope of a RCRA permit or administrative or judicial order to conduct corrective action

The Brownfields Law & RCRA Sites  Sites that may be eligible if they receive a property specific determination: Permitted RCRA facilities Facilities subject to RCRA orders requiring corrective action (§3004(u) or §3004(h)) Land disposal units that have submitted a RCRA closure notification or that are subject to closure requirements specified in a closure plan or permit

The Brownfields Law & RCRA Sites  When considering a property specific determination EPA assesses whether the grant would: Protect human health and the environment Either promote economic development or enable the creation, preservation or addition to parks, green ways, undeveloped property, other recreational property, or property used for a nonprofit purpose

Examples: Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission  In FY2003, EPA awarded Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, Northern Panhandle, WV an assessment grant.  In their application, they requested Property Specific Determinations for 4 Weirton Steel Properties (all properties were under RCRA corrective action)

Example: Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission  EPA reviewed the request and granted property specific determinations for all 4 properties: City and Weirton both economically depressed – shows financial need. Large properties/tracts show potential for economic development. Weirton may donate certain parcels of the land to the City for public use, park land.

More Communities Considering Addressing RCRA Sites with Brownfields grants (2004)  Torrington, CT  Lumber City, GA  Dayton, OH  Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission  Coralville, IA  Louisville, CO  Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK  Port of Seattle, WA  Adrian, MI

For more information  EPA Brownfields Grants guidelines and other brownfields resources:  Alison Evans: (202)