BROWNFIELDS FUNDING

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