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Brownfields Programs

BROWNFIELDS FUNDING

epa

KVCOG regularly applies for and receives U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Funding to assist communities in assessing potentially contaminated sites and cleaning up sites where redevelopment, expansion or reuse is complicated by the presence (or perceived presence) of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. Funds are available as grants to municipalities (when available) and low-interest loans to private developers. KVCOG works closely with the EPA, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, municipalities, developers and environmental consultants to produce successful redevelopment projects.

What is a Brownfield?

A brownfield is defined 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 further defines the term to include a site that is: “contaminated by a controlled substance; contaminated by petroleum or a petroleum product excluded from the definition of ‘hazardous substance’; or mine-scarred land.”

The Brownfields Process:
Brownfields is sometimes considered a three-step process. These steps precede redevelopment and identify potential funding sources. Although redevelopment of a Brownfield occurs after site cleanup, plans for reuse are generally produced earlier during the process.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
An environmental due diligence report that documents the history and current status of a property and identifies potential environmental concerns. The Phase I ESA also helps determine the parties that are potentially liable for the contamination present at site. This report must be prepared in accordance with the appropriate standards and regulations to be considered valid under the Brownfields Program. The Phase I ESA must be conducted within 180 days prior to acquisition of a property.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
If the Phase I ESA determines that contamination is known or suspected to be present at the property, a Phase II ESA will be completed. A scope of work for the Phase II ESA investigation is developed prior to execution. Typically, soil, groundwater, and/or air samples are collected at the site and analyzed for suspected contaminants. A Hazardous Building Material Survey may also be conducted at this step, which includes the collection and analysis of paint samples, suspect asbestos materials, and other building materials. The data is reviewed to determine the nature and extent of contamination, if present. The Phase II ESA is instrumental in developing cleanup plans for the property.
Cleanup/Remediation
If contamination is found in the samples collected during Phase II ESA, cleanup/remediation may be required to remove the contaminants prior to redevelopment. A cleanup plan must be developed, which includes a presentation of various cleanup options and selection of the most feasible and cost-effective option. In the Brownfields Program, this plan is called an Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA). Following regulatory review and approval of the ABCA, the cleanup activities may begin.

Brownfields Funding
There are two program areas of funding- Assessment Activities and Cleanup Activities. KVCOG currently has EPA Funding to assist with both Assessment Activities and Cleanup Activities.

Assessment Activities Funding:

Provides funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments and community outreach.
Inventory Sites: Compile a listing
Characterize Sites: Identify past uses
Assess Sites: Determine existing contamination of hazardous substances and/or petroleum contamination
Conduct Planning Around One or More Brownfield: Initiate site revitalization and prepare for site redevelopment
Conduct Site-specific Cleanup and Redevelopment Planning: Scope and plan process
Conduct Community Involvement: Inform and engage community
Phase I ESAs
Phase II ESAs
Hazardous Building Material Surveys
ABCAs (Cleanup Plans)
Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP) Applications

KVCOG's Brownfields Assessment Application

Cleanup Activities- Revolving Loan Funding (RLF):
Brownfields Cleanup Grants provide funding for a recipient to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites owned by the applicant. Brownfields Cleanup Grants provide funding for a recipient to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites owned by the applicant. Funds may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and/or hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances comingled with petroleum).

Remediation of soil, groundwater, and other environmental media
Abatement of hazardous building materials (asbestos, lead paint, PCBs)
Capping and cover systems
Vapor barriers and sub-slab depressurization systems
Closure documentation, including preparation of environmental deed restrictions

KVCOG's Brownfield RLF Application

Past Assessment projects include:

Lockwood Mill, Waterville
Quimby Mill, Bingham
Front/Temple Street, Waterville
Skidgels Warehouse, Freedom

Past Cleanup projects include:

The Town of Hartland Tannery Annex
Unity Food Hub
Gardiner TW Dick Building
Waterville’s Seton Hospital Redevelopment

Additional Resources and Information:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Website

Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) Brownfields Website

For more information on KVCOG’s Brownfields Program
or to return a completed application form, contact
Jessie Cyr, Economic & Community Development Director
207-453-4258, Ext 220

Title VI Non-Discrimination Plan and Process

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

In accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, KVCOG is committed to ensuring that the fundamental principles of equal opportunity are upheld in all decisions involving our employees and contractors/consultants, and to ensuring that the public-at-large is afforded access to our programs and services.

Title VI Notification

KVCOG’s Title VI Notification is as follows: Your Rights Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

"No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

KVCOG’s Title VI Notice to the Public is posted at it’s main office located at 17 Main Street, Fairfield, 04937.

To find out more about KVCOG’s non-discrimination procedures or to file a complaint, please contact (207) 453-4258. Instructions to file a discrimination complaint are as follows:

Filing a Complaint

Introduction

The Title VI/Environmental Justice and Related Statutes complaint procedures are intended to provide aggrieved persons an avenue to raise complaints of discrimination regarding KVCOG’s programs, activities and services as required by statute.

Purpose

The purpose of the discrimination complaint procedures is to describe the process used by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for processing complaints of discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes.

Roles and Responsibilities

The KVCOG Executive Director has overall responsibility for the discrimination complaint process and procedures. The Director may, at her/his discretion, assign a capable person within KVCOG to investigate the complaint. The designated investigator will conduct an impartial and objective investigation, collect factual information and prepare a fact-finding report based upon the information obtained from the investigation. In cases where the complainant is unable or incapable of providing a written statement, the complainant will be assisted in converting the verbal complaint into a written complaint. All complaints, however, must be signed by the complainant and/or by the complainant’s representative. The complainant shall make themselves reasonably available to the designated investigator, to ensure completion of the investigation within the timeframes set forth.

Filing Complaints

Applicability

The complaint procedures apply to the beneficiaries of the KVCOG programs, activities and services including, but not limited to, the public, contractors, subcontractors, consultants and other sub-recipients of federal and state funds.

Eligibility

Any person who believes that she/he has been excluded from participation in, denied benefits or services of any program or activity administered by KVCOG or its subrecipients, consultants, and contractors on the basis of race, color, and national origin may bring forth a complaint of discrimination under Title VI/EJ and Related Statutes.

Time Limitation and Filing Options

Title VI/EJ complaints of discrimination may be filed with:

KVCOG
Maine Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Transit Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation

In all situations, the KVCOG employees must contact the KVCOG Executive Director immediately upon receipt of a Title VI/EJ complaint.

Complaints must be filed no later than 180 days after:

The date of the alleged act of discrimination; or
The date the person became aware of the alleged discrimination; or
Where there has been a continuing course of discriminatory conduct, the date on which the conduct was discontinued.

Complaints must be in writing and must be signed by the complainant and/or the complainant’s representative. The complaint must set forth as fully as possible the facts and circumstances surrounding the claimed discrimination. In the event a person makes a verbal complaint of discrimination to an KVCOG employee, or other person authorized to receive complaints on behalf of KVCOG, shall interview the person. If necessary, the authorized person will assist the person in writing the complaint for the person or the person’s representative to sign.

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Any individual, group of individuals or entity that believes it has been subjected to discrimination prohibited under Title VI may file a complaint by completing KVCOG’s complaint form below.

Your complaint must be signed and dated.

Please submit your complaint to the address stipulated below:

Civil Rights Officer (Executive Director)
17 Main Street
Fairfield, ME 04937
(207) 453-4258

Forms

Members of the public can also access complaint forms and instructions at KVCOG’s main office located at 17 Main Street, Fairfield, Maine 04937, and by clicking the link above. Hard copy forms and instructions can also be mailed upon request.

In the case where a complainant is unable or incapable of providing a written statement, a verbal complaint of discrimination may be made to the KVCOG Executive Director. Under these circumstances, the complainant will be interviewed, and the Director will assist the complainant in converting the verbal allegations into writing.

Public Notification Procedures

KVCOG posts its Title VI notification on its website (above) and at its main office located at 17 Main Street, Fairfield, ME 04937.

Click HERE to view the full plan.