Brownfields and Community Gardens

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 Brownfields 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 Gamut There are an estimated 450,000 brownfields sites nationwide!

What Do Brownfields Look Like?

The 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 EconomicEnvironment

Brownfields Project Cycle 1 Identify Reuse Project 2 Assess 3 Clean Up 4 Redevelop Before After

Brownfields Resources Available

Brownfields Assistance & Funding Opportunities EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessments Job Training Grants Revolving Loan Fund Grants Cleanup Grants Assessment Grants State Response Programs

Brownfields Assistance Opportunities – Eligible Applicants Cities Nonprofits States PotentiallyLiableParties PrivateOwners/Developers Local Governments RedevelopmentAgencies Regional Councils of Government Tribes

Asbestos Brownfields Assistance Opportunities – Eligible 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 Products Contaminants Lead Based Paint Mine- Scarred Lands Illegal Drug Labs

Brownfields Assessment Grants Community- Wide Site-SpecificCoalition 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-Specific Up 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 Cleanup 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 establishing your garden from the Sustainable Sites Initiative at: Bring clean fill or mulch from certified sources for raised beds and cover. Work with nature to save time and money. Learn more at:

Community Garden Development Contact your local Agricultural Extension Service about soil testing and crop recommendations for your area. Read the UC Davis ‘Community Garden Start-Up Guide’tolearnmore:celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/garden/ aticles/startu_guide.html.

The Connection Build for all ages and abilities. Where possible, create raised bed gardens near the entrance for those in wheelchairs and beds for children to plant safely. Grow your garden community and link with groups improving the environment, food systems, public health, education, development and the neighborhood. Learn more about the benefits of gardens at: pdf.

The Connection Go organic in your garden. Limit chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Grow your garden community and link with groups improving the environment, food systems, public health, education, development and the neighborhood. Learn more about the benefits of gardens at: pdf. Go organic in your garden. Limit chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Brownfields Grant Competition Brownfields Grant Competition  General Brownfields (ARC) Grant Schedule   Proposals Due October / November 2011  Selections Spring 2012  Award Summer 2012  Questions?  Monica Smith, Brownfields Section Chief or via  and ask for the Brownfields Team

FREE SERVICES  EPA and/or States provides Environmental Site 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 liabilitiesliabilities Phase II – the purpose is t o 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 Brownfields Assessments (TBA)