Technical Support

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Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act

To provide certain relief for small businesses from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, and to amend such Act to promote the cleanup and reuse of brownfields, to provide financial assistance for brownfields revitalization, to enhance State response programs, and for other purposes. Read more at: http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/gdc.htm#bfleg

Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA)

Subtitle A of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act authorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to establish a program to perform targeted brownfield site assessments at properties in Region 5 at no cost to the local governments and tribes. The U.S. EPA, Region 5 has limited resources to complete TBA's. This resource will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis on sites selected in accordance with the criteria identified in EPA fact sheet. ⁽¹⁾

A request for the U.S. EPA to perform a TBA may be made in a letter sent to the U.S. EPA. ⁽²⁾ After review, the U.S. EPA and/or the State will refine the work expectations, sampling needs and timelines. To prepare for the TBA, a community or tribe can complete a Property Profile Form for the site. ⁽³⁾ U.S. EPA will complete the TBA Questionnaire to document its decision on the TBA request. ⁽⁴⁾

⁽¹⁾ Targeted Brownfields Assessments Fact Sheet
⁽²⁾ See sample letter (PDF) (1 pg, 772 K, About PDF)
⁽³⁾ OMB No. 2050-0192 Property Profile Form B Brownfields (PDF), (16 pp, 72 K, About PDF)
⁽⁴⁾ TBA Questionnaire (DOC, 4 pages, 43KB); TBA Questionnaire (WPD, 4 pages, 23KB)

Brownfields Technology Support Center (BTSC)

The U.S. EPA created the Brownfields Technology Support Center (BTSC) as a resource available to local and state Brownfields staff to explore and understand the range of technology options for both investigation and clean-up of their specific sites. The Center taps the expertise of EPA personnel in laboratories in Cincinnati, Ada, OK, and Las Vegas to ensure that decision makers in the cities and states have the resources available to understand and review the applicability of the most efficient characterization and clean-up strategies available.

Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center – (GLEFC)

Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center - (GLEFC) is based within Cleveland State University 's Levin College of Urban Affairs. The GLEFC is one of nine university centers established by the U.S. EPA to help create sustainable environmental systems in the public and private sectors. Details at: http://www.glefc.org/ or contact Kevin O'Brien, Executive Director, Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center, Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, 1717 Euclid Ave, Ste 120, Cleveland, OH 44115, 216-687-2188, e-mail kobrien6@adelphia.net

Midwest Hazardous Substance Research Center, Purdue University - (MHSRC)

The MHSRC provides research, technology transfer and outreach services to Region 5 and is one of five national centers established as a model of University/EPA/Industry Partnering. The model serves to bring university educational resources and cutting-edge hazardous substance research to Region 5 communities impacted by hazardous substances issues.

Purdue University is the lead institution in the Midwest and research efforts are focused on integrated remediation technologies that remove contaminants from the environment, restore ecosystem quality, and enhance site redevelopment options. These technologies include bioremediation, phytoremediation and natural attenuation. The outreach components of the center are TAB and TOSC (see detailed entries below). These programs provide technical assistance to communities with brownfields or hazardous substance issues.

Research, technology transfer projects and outreach are funded primarily through an EPA grant. Projects are also backed by industrial partners or other stakeholders that provide access to test sites and provide logistical or financial support. Details at http://www.mhsrc.org/

Services provided by MHSRC

Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) -- Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) is part of EPA's Brownfields Initiative to help communities clean and redevelop properties that have been damaged or undervalued by environmental contamination. These efforts help create better jobs, increase local tax bases, improve neighborhood environments, and enhance overall quality of life. Contact TAB at http://www.mhsrc.org/

Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) -- Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) has the primary function of bringing university educational and technical resources to communities affected by hazardous substance contamination. TOSC seeks to build an understanding of the underlying technical issues in site cleanups and empower meaningful citizen participation in addressing such problems. For EPA Region 5 communities, contact TOSC through the Midwest HSRC at http://msu.mhsrc.org/

Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities (TOSNAC) -- Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities (TOSNAC) works to bring credible science and engineering assistance to individuals, community groups, and environmental offices located in tribal communities affected by hazardous substance contamination issues. TOSNAC offers workshops, video seminars and expert and hands-on assistance. Contact TOSNAC at: bbrandon@ross1.cc.haskell.edu

EPA Technology Innovation Office (TIO)

EPA Technology Innovation Office (TIO) is working with the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council to achieve regulatory acceptance of new environmental technologies, including its new triad approach. Visit their web page at http://www.brownfieldstsc.org/

This web page also gives opportunities to review case studies or request assistance.

Field Services Section

The Field Services Section provides varied assistance such as geophysical support, assistance with complying with Quality Assurance Standards, and health and safety training for Federal, State and Local Government personnel.

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