Memorandum

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
between the
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

and the

and the Employment and Training Administration U.S. Department of Labor

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish policies and procedures for the general working agreement between the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the United States Department of Labor (DOL) in support of the EPA's Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative.

II. BACKGROUND

The EPA has announced 60 Brownfields pilot projects. EPA's intent, through those pilots, is to assist communities in promoting environmental clean-up, economic redevelopment and employment opportunities.

It has become increasingly clear that as the EPA Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative matures, it must provide a series of models for states and municipalities for environmental cleanup and sustainable redevelopment of brownfields properties. A coordinated effort between OSWER and ETA will provide an important link between environmental cleanup and economic redevelopment by providing job training expertise to brownfields communities. A coordinated effort by the two agencies on the EPA Brownfields Pilots will serve as a model for integration of the brownfields effort and workforce development.

III. AGREEMENT

EPA's Assistant Administrator for OSWER agrees to establish and maintain programs, incentives, networks and other institutional mechanisms to minimize the quantity and toxicity of waste created by commercial, domestic, and government activities; to ensure environmentally sound management of solid and hazardous wastes; and to prepare for and respond in a timely and effective manner to releases of hazardous materials into the environment; and ETA's Assistant Secretary agrees to, among other things, provide for the facilitation of cooperation and coordination of programs operated under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) at the state and community levels with Brownfields initiatives. To accomplish these objectives, ETA and EPA will therefore, develop and improve the cooperative working relationship through taking collaborative action in support of EPA Brownfields Pilots through their respective national and regional offices staffs. In addition, ETA will provide information, encouragement and technical assistance to each State JTPA

Liason; and will facilitate the flow of information to community-based JTPA grantees. This may include:

• information to state JTPA councils and local JTPA private industry councils to facilitate the collaboration between EPA's Brownfields initiative and job training activities;

• sharing knowledge in the collection and dissemination of information on Brownfields;

• mutual consultation on issues concerning training of youth and adults to fill job vacancies developed as a result of redevelopment and reuse of contaminated industrial sites.

IV. PROGRAMMING, BUDGETING, FUNDING, AND REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT

1. This MOU is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Generally, any endeavor involving contribution of funds will occur at the state or local level following normal JTPA procurement processes and shall be effected in writing by representatives of organizations involved.

2. This MOU in no way restricts EPA or ETA from participating in similar activities or arrangements with other entities or Federal agencies.

3. Nothing in this MOU shall obligate EPA or ETA to expend appropriations or to enter into any contract or other obligations.

V. AUTHORITIES

The authorities governing this MOU are as follows:

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA);

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to Know Act (EPCRA), also known as SARA Title III; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Admendments of 1984 (HSWA), including Subtitle C (hazardous waste), Subtitle D (solid waste), Subtitle I (underground storage tanks); and Subtitle J (otherwise known as the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988); and The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA).
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (NEPA) Pub. L. 91-190, 42USC4321-4347 and Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice.

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The Job Training Partnership Act, as amended, (JTPA) Pub. L. 102-367.

VI. EFFECTIVE DATE

This MOU will become effective upon signature by the Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, and the Assistant Secretary, ETA, and shall remain in effect until termination by either party. Either Party may terminate this MOU upon 90 days written notice to the other Party. Its provisions will be reviewed annually and amended or supplemented as may be agreed upon mutually.

VII. OTHER MOUs

There are no superseding MOUs on this topic between the Parties hereto.