What is a Brownfield?

The EPA defines a “Brownfield" 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.

U.S. EPA Assessment Grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfields. An eligible entity may apply for up to $200,000 to assess a site contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances commingled with petroleum) and up to $200,000 to address sites contaminated by petroleum. The County was previously awarded a hazardous substances grant in 2006 and successfully applied for a petroleum grant in 2007.

Hazardous Assessment Grant

In 2006, the U.S. EPA awarded the County a $200,000 Environmental Assessment Grant for hazardous substances. The $200,000 grant monies are used to assess a site contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances commingled with petroleum) which may have resulted in an environmental impact to the site.

Petroleum Grant

In 2008, the U.S.EPA awarded the County a $200,000 Environmental Assessment Grant for petroleum. The $200,000 grant monies are used to assess a site contaminated by petroleum. Potential brownfield sites that may fall under the petroleum grant are sites that have existed in the county at one time such as a gasoline fueling station, oil terminal or refinery or any other use that involved the storage and use of petroleum products, which may have resulted in an environmental impact to the site.

Other Information

These grants are provided to help identify, characterize and prepare brownfields in the county for redevelopment. The County plans to use these grants to complete an inventory of brownfields within the county, and then perform environmental assessments on priority sites to identify issues of concern and help prepare them for sale and/or redevelopment. Grant money will be available to assist with site assessments for environmental due diligence and reuse planning at properties where a committed developer and redevelopment plan have been identified.

If you have information about the history, use, contamination, or other pertinent issues regarding potential brownfield sites or have questions regarding the brownfield grant program, please contact Tiffany Eichorst at teichorst@calhouncrc.net or 269-781-9841/1-800-781-5512.

Click to view the Petroleum Grant Work Plan