Brownfields National Partnership
Action Agenda May 1997

President Bill Clinton
State of the Union Address
February 5, 1997

The National Action Agenda is grouped into four phases of the Brownfields process for convenience of viewing the information.

These phases are:

Community Planning
Assessment and Cleanup
Redevelopment Support and
Sustainable Reuse

Community Planning

• USDA will distribute information and provide guidance to field offices and other partners on EPA Brownfields pilots.
• USDA will include Brownfields in planning for forest land management, rural community economic revitalization, and State Strategic Development Plans.

• DOC/Economic Development Administration (EDA) will coordinate with EPA in achieving an interagency agreement to establish a full time Brownfields coordinator.
• DOC/EDA will update policies to promote identification and redevelopment of Brownfields by state and local economic development planning agencies and organizations eligible for EDA assistance.

• DOD will coordinate economic adjustment initiatives in defense impacted communities with Brownfields redevelopment planning efforts.
• DOD/Corps of Engineers (COE) -- in cooperation with States -- will prepare comprehensive plans for environmental restoration of water resources at Brownfields pilots. *

• ED (Department of Education) will share information about Brownfields redevelopment goals with State and local education programs, educational organizations and institutions.
• ED will encourage local partnerships at the Brownfields pilot communities which help to focus on education needs in areas such as literacy, vocational and technical training, school-to-career experiences, out-of-school youth and civic participation.

• EPA will conduct a Brownfields inventory study in 3 states to quantify the number of Brownfields properties.
• EPA will train 3500 local emergency planning committees about the Brownfields initiative.
• EPA will provide strategic and project-level support to the Governor's Commission on Sustainable South Florida for recovering Brownfields for urban revitalization in southeast Florida.

• GSA will identify Federal Brownfields properties in 12 cities and match related community efforts for redevelopment.

• HHS agencies will issue a concept paper on public health issues as they relate to Brownfields sites and redevelopment.
• HHS/ATSDR and NACCHO (National Association of City/County Health officials) will convene a series of public dialogues with local health officials to educate and discuss Brownfields issues.
• HHS/ATSDR and NACCHO will initiate and develop relationships with local public health contacts in every pilot community.
• HHS/NIEHS will link its environmental justice grantees, EPA and NIEHS minority worker training grantees, and EPA, DOE and NIEHS hazardous waste worker grantees with Brownfields pilots to increase communication and collaboration.

• HUD will sponsor a policy roundtable to promote accessibility of public and private sources of capital for Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment.
• HUD will review and revise Community Development Block Grants regulations to facilitate use for Brownfields.

• DOT will clarify that Brownfields cleanups are an eligible activity for funding in transportation projects.
• DOT will ensure that Brownfields are addressed in transportation planning by developing or modifying existing guidance and by offering technical assistance and training to metropolitan planning organizations, States and local governments.

• Treasury will provide information to the financial community on Brownfields, related to lender liability and Community Reinvestment Act issues.

• ICMA (International City/County Managers Association) will distribute resource tool kit on Brownfields to local governments.

• AIO (Americans for Indian Opportunity) will disseminate information and provide technical assistance to federally recognized tribes on Brownfields and federal pilot application process.

• NGA (National Governors' Association) will continue research in Brownfields redevelopment, provide information to Governors' staffs, hold Brownfields workshops and publish an issue brief for their membership on Brownfields revitalization.

• ASTSWMO (Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Association) will continue to provide information to State waste managers and hold forums on voluntary cleanup and Brownfields issues.

• NACCHO will train local health agencies on Brownfields related health issues in pilot communities.

Assessment and Cleanup

• USDA will provide technical advice on urban and community forestry and water quality to pilot communities.
• USDA will conduct studies of bio-remediation technologies for use at Brownfields pilots.
• USDA will revise existing policies and regulations to ensure Brownfields cleanup and restoration can be part of development projects.

• DOC/EDA will provide technical assistance to EPA on the development of its Revolving Loan Funds at Brownfields pilots.
• DOC/NOAA will assist in the identification, evaluation and assessments of Brownfields in coastal areas.

• DOD will share its Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) partnering, assessment, and cleanup tools with Brownfields pilots.
• DOD will resolve problems associated with transfers of contaminated property between Federal agencies.
• DOD/COE will review and revise internal Civil Works policies and guidance so as to support Brownfields cleanup and restoration.
• DOD/COE will review inventory of Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) and make inventory information available to Brownfields pilots.
• DOD/COE will provide planning assistance to pilot communities. *
• DOD/COE laboratories will share their research and technology with Brownfields pilots to expedite and improve local assessment and cleanup efforts.
• DOD/COE will share its "area economic data" with Brownfields pilots.

• DOE will provide $240k in funding to assist in the transfer of DOE characterization, cleanup, and other relevant technologies to Brownfields.

• DOL will inform State and local Job Training Partnership Act stakeholders about the Brownfields Initiative and related job training activities to enhance local collaboration.

• DOT will encourage transportation providers to partner with EPA Brownfields pilots to leverage cleanup and development on transportation-related projects.

• EPA will set aside $100 million to fund additional Brownfields site assessment and cleanup at Brownfields pilots.
• EPA's current budget (FY97) will fund assessment pilots, revolving loan funds for cleanups in current pilots, and State infrastructure to support voluntary cleanup programs.
• EPA will encourage and support State Voluntary Cleanup Programs (VCP) by providing $25 million in financial assistance.
• EPA will hold focus group(s) with stakeholders to determine views on principles for what constitutes adequate State VCPs.
• EPA will provide information on presumptive cleanup remedies used by EPA to communities.
• EPA will clarify the applicability of RCRA underground storage tanks and facilities requirements to Brownfields assessment and cleanup activities.
• EPA will examine its site assessment program and explore alternative approaches to make the process more relevant to Brownfields.
• EPA will incorporate Brownfields information into national guidance on source drinking water protection to States, communities and other stakeholders.
• EPA's Dallas office will pilot a Brownfields Information Database to geographically depict Brownfields.
• EPA will conduct a pilot demonstration on portable site characterization and remedies.
• EPA will delete at least 3,000 additional sites from Superfund inventory of potential hazardous sites.
• EPA will issue tool kit on "Innovative Technologies at Brownfields" for Brownfields pilot project managers.
• EPA will publish final guidance on State voluntary cleanup programs.
• EPA will develop a technical guidance document to aid States, communities and private parties to select technologies to characterize and cleanup Brownfields.
• EPA will develop a generic sampling and quality assurance plan for Brownfields pilots.
• EPA will continue its efforts in negotiating agreements with prospective purchasers of contaminated property.
• EPA will explore and support the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and public participation techniques to expedite cleanup and reuse of Brownfields properties.

• GSA will provide $1 million to fund environmental assessments on Federal properties to expedite potential Brownfields redevelopment.

• HHS/ATSDR and NACCHO will train local health agencies on Brownfields related health issues in pilot communities.
• HHS/ATSDR will provide public health evaluations and consultations to address public health concerns in all EPA Brownfields pilot communities, through cooperative agreements w/ State health departments in some cases.
• HHS/NIEHS will increase communication and collaboration among Brownfields pilots, seven minority worker training program grantees, 20 EPA worker training grantees, and Environmental Justice Partnership to strengthen all four programs
• HHS/NIEHS will link its basic research programs on hazardous substances, exposure assessments and remediation technologies to all pilot projects.

• HUD will earmark $4 million from its lead-based paint hazard control grant program to respond to residential lead-based paint hazards on or near Brownfields pilots.

• Veterans Affairs (VA) will work to provide a significant number of job-ready homeless and disabled veterans from VA's Compensated Work Therapy and Vocational Rehabilitation programs for both cleanup and redevelopment opportunities at Brownfields pilots.

• ASTSWMO will conduct a comprehensive analysis of State programs designed to identify, assess, clean up and redevelop Brownfields, and define how to integrate State/Federal efforts.

• The Institute for Responsible Management (IRM) will develop a "progress" tracking matrix for Brownfields pilots.

• Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute (HMTRI) will work with community colleges to develop environmental job training programs and expand this effort to at least 100 pilot communities.

Redevelopment Support

• USDA will identify rural Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Communities (EZ/ECs) that contain Brownfields pilots and coordinate Federal/State/Local redevelopment efforts.
• USDA will award preference points to EZ/EC applications that include Brownfields pilot sites, and encourage EZ/EC's to attract businesses that do environmental cleanup.

• DOC/NOAA and EPA will implement the agency's MOU to increase coordination to assess, cleanup and redevelop Brownfields in coastal and waterfront areas.
• DOC/NOAA will provide funding to coastal States for Brownfields redevelopment as part of waterfront revitalization efforts.
• DOC/NOAA will explore policy on liability release by natural resource trustee agencies on potential Brownfields sites.
• DOC/EDA and EPA will update Memoranda of Understanding to coordinate Brownfields project selection.
• DOC/EDA field staff will work with Brownfields pilots to coordinate cleanup and redevelopment.
• DOC/EDA will identify Brownfields pilots as EDA strategic priorities.

• DOD will develop model guidelines to streamline the early transfer of Federal facilities.
• DOD will develop policy options to encourage reuse of Brownfields on DOD property rather than greenfields.
• DOD/COE will share GIS and other data on Brownfields pilots -- within its project study areas -- with pilots.*
• DOD/COE will provide market impact studies and cost benefit analysis to Brownfields pilots.*

• DOI will fund 2-3 community based non-profits to test long term sustainability of Brownfields pilots.

• DOT will examine existing policies and guidance, currently requiring avoidance of contaminated properties, and revise as appropriate.
• DOT and EPA will explore issues related to liability and transportation projects.
• DOT will provide major transportation industry associations with information on the Brownfields Initiative.
• DOT will distribute information to field offices, metropolitan planning organizations, and State transportation agencies on the Brownfields Initiative and EPA Brownfields pilots.

• EPA will implement Comfort Letter guidance designed to encourage developers and lenders to invest in Brownfields properties.
• EPA will conduct outreach to the insurance industry to promote access to Brownfields insurance.
• EPA will implement new lender liability statute.
• EPA's Environmental Finance Advisory Board will continue research on financing of Brownfields cleanup & redevelopment.
• EPA will facilitate the creation of Baltimore's Fairfield ecological/industrial Park through an XL Communities Pilot Project.
• EPA will explore mechanisms to specifically address underground storage tank liability issues (e.g., comfort letters & prospective purchaser agreements).

• GSA and EPA will sign MOU fostering cooperation between Brownfields and idle Federal properties.

• HHS/OCS will provide $500,000 to community development corporations and community action agencies for restoration of the physical environment, economic revitalization and job training activities at Brownfields pilots.

• HUD will revise Community Development Block Grant regulations to encourage use of funds for Brownfields.
• HUD will fund a Brownfields job training demonstration project in a HUD priority economic redevelopment area.
• HUD will request $25 million of Economic Development Initiative funds annually for Brownfields redevelopment.
• HUD will provide $155M in support of local Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment activities through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Economic Development Initiative (EDI), Housing and EZ/EC programs (supporting $165M in section 108 loan guarantees).

• Department of Treasury will work to ensure passage of the Administration's proposed Brownfields tax incentive.
• Department of Treasury will help educate the financial community on lender liability and the Community Reinvestment Act.
• Treasury/Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will issue an Advisory Letter to review the liability limits for banks as non-managing financiers of the Brownfields sites and the applicability of the Community Reinvestment Act to activities relating to Brownfields sites.
• Treasury/Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will develop a fact sheet for national banks and examiners on Brownfields redevelopment initiatives.

• SBA will distribute Brownfields information to Small Business Development Corporation networks.

• U.S. Conference of Mayors will conduct roundtables on Brownfields redevelopment issues.

• NALGEP (National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals) will convene work groups, composed of local officials, that will research and advance solutions to regulatory, environmental and financial barriers to Brownfields redevelopment.

Sustainable Reuse

• USDA will help develop, or strengthen, Urban Resources Partnership efforts in three Brownfields' communities, forging stronger linkages among economic development, blighted property, community initiatives and natural resources.
• USDA will conduct studies on the economic impacts of revitalizing Brownfields.

• DOC/NOAA will provide technical assistance to state and local governments to give coastal decision-makers resources to facilitate the redevelopment of Brownfields.
• DOC/NOAA will document successful Brownfields waterfront revitalization approaches.

• DOD/COE will provide appraisal, title and deed restriction services to Brownfields pilots. *
• DOD/COE will carry out projects for the protection, restoration and creation of aquatic and ecologically related habitats in connection with the disposal of dredged materials at Brownfields pilots.

• DOE will provide initial funding of $75k to local government organizations to sponsor a minimum of five peer exchange meetings on issues surrounding reuse of properties.
• DOE will publish one or more additional papers on property reuse, and conduct 3 or more workshops and video conferences to share lessons learned.
• DOE will investigate beneficial reuse potential at one or more Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) sites.

• DOI/Park Service and EPA Memorandum of Understanding will link Brownfields pilots activities with Park Service
• activities to create more attractive and sustainable communities.
• DOI/Park Service Federal Lands-to-Parks program will coordinate its development efforts with Brownfields pilot sites.
• DOI/Park Service National Heritage Corridors will coordinate its efforts with Brownfields pilot sites to identify Brownfields property suitable for cleanup and reuse.

• DOT will include Brownfields as one focus area in its $4.2 million in FY98 ($25 million over five years) pilot research program on transportation, land use, and sustainability issues.

• EPA will work with two States to conduct Permits Improvement Team Pilots at two Brownfields pilots.
• EPA will maintain the Smart Growth Network, to promote mechanisms and strategies for urban infill and revitalization developed by multi-stakeholders.
• EPA/Office of International Activities will work with multilateral organizations (e.g., Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and ICMA) to share unique international approaches and experiences with Brownfields pilots.

• HHS agencies will assess and respond to child care needs.

• HUD and EPA will issue Joint Study on Redevelopment of Brownfields.
• HUD will fund a job training demonstration project in a HUD priority economic redevelopment area.

• The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and EPA will, in accordance with their MOU, bring TPL's expertise in securing public greenspaces to Brownfield pilot communities. They will select three cities for initial collaboration.

For additional Brownfields information, call:

Linda Garczynski, Director
Outreach and Special Projects Staff at (202) 260-4039

or write to:
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Mail Stop 5101
Washington, DC 20460

or visit the Brownfields Home Page on the Internet at:

www.epa.gov/brownfields
* On a reimbursable basis.