Feature
The Greening of Our Region's Brownfields
Brownfields are more than an opportunity to reclaim land once thought lost to pollution and blight; they're also an opportunity to approach environmental cleanup in a new way. The differences from traditional "Superfund"-style projects are dramatic: Brownfield projects typically:
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Focus on smaller sites in the context of existing communities
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Eschew an "all or nothing" cleanup approach in favor of a "managed risk" approach tailored to the site's expected use
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Seek to direct economic momentum—not fight it—by working cooperatively with owners, developers and communities in the interest of reclaiming these once-lost lands
This new approach, once the domain of limited pilot projects from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is now gaining momentum across the country. And within EPA's Region 10, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska are making significant progress in successful brownfields redevelopment.
In Washington state, interest in redeveloping brownfields "has really taken off in the last two years," according to Sharon Kophs, program manager for the state's brownfields revolving loan and redevelopment program. Where once interest in such programs was low, now "people are coming to us," she says. The result is ambitious projects such as Seattle's Rainier Court, a 7-acre brownfield that, once fully redeveloped, will provide the community with jobs and low-income housing. Such projects prove that "brownfields are doable," says Kophs, who manages four to five such projects a year.
In Oregon, the state's environmental cleanup program coordinator, Ann Levine, works with a team of regional coordinators to connect brownfield sites with over $400,000 in funds annually for assessment and cleanup. Oregon's program benefits from a close working relationship with the governor's office, has won numerous Phoenix Awards for exceptional reclamation projects, and hosts an annual brownfields conference. The state's proactive approach leads to results. "When you see the buildings go up," says Levine, "it's pretty rewarding."
Idaho's brownfields program is newer. As a result, Keith Donahue, the state's brownfields response program manager, has found his first job to be "building a trust" with businesses and communities. Though Idaho's program is only in its second year, projects are moving smartly through the pipeline: 75 sites have been identified as potential brownfields, 25 are in the assessment phase, and four have received EPA grants. "It's starting to flow now," says Donahue.
Of the four states, Alaska has the newest program. Initially, John Carnahan, brownfields coordinator for the state, has been working to counter the perception that "there aren't any brownfields in Alaska." Though the state doesn't have a significant chemical industry, the definition of brownfields was broadened in 2002 to include petroleum sites, and fast-growing cities such as Anchorage and Fairbanks are looking at reclaiming in-city brownfields as an alternative to sprawl. "People are realizing that it's in the interest of the state to reclaim these lands," says Carnahan. "It's started to click here."
Binding the states of Region 10 together is both a set of common drivers and common resources, according to Susan Morales, brownfields project manager with EPA. She's quick to highlight that the states have played a crucial role in connecting worthy projects with such EPA resources as the Brownfield Assessment, Cleanup and Revolving Loan Fund, and the State and Tribal Response Programs. "Add them all together," says Morales, "and it's a huge impact."
Groundwork
A Guide to Selling and Buying Brownfields
Whether it's their sometimes literal murkiness or simply the presence of their oh-so-descriptive name, undertaking business dealings related to brownfields can often feel like wading into a quagmire. Yet with the launch of the 1995 EPA Brownfields Program which promotes brownfields development and decreases the liability risks associated with them, brownfields are increasingly becoming attractive sites to buy. The key to doing so successfully lies in understanding the issues involved in their exchange.
Selling a Brownfield
Those who own a brownfield who are not planning to develop the property themselves should seriously consider selling it. Under the right circumstances, the sale of a brownfield can be profitable for the property owner, and positive for the surrounding community. If you're thinking about selling a brownfield, here are three important issues to take into account:
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Understand the nature and extent of your contamination.Some contaminants are easier to clean up than others and make your property more or less viable as real estate. Knowing the nature and extent of contamination will help you structure your deal.
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Consider your location. Is the surrounding area close to a labor force, an urban hub, a good view or a mass transit system? As with most real estate, these factors play into the economic viability—and appeal—of your property.
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Determine whether you should clean it up or leave that to the buyer. Obviously the cost and effort to clean up your land can be significant, but it can also increase the resale value of your property. However, keep in mind that with brownfields the ultimate use for the property often determines the type of cleanup required. So doing a formal assessment of the land and cleaning it up without knowing who the buyer is, or what they'll do with it, might not make sense. You need to balance the cost of cleanup with the increase value and improved marketability. The states offer voluntary cleanup programs to help you through this process.
Buying a Brownfield
So you're shopping around for some land to develop and the prices are high. Have you considered a brownfield? A brownfield can be more affordable than raw land, and less expensive to develop. These properties are usually part of an existing infrastructure with access to desirable locations such as cities centers. A brownfield might be eligible for financial incentives such as tax programs or financial assistance too. If you're thinking about buying a brownfield, here are five important issues to take into account:
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Know how you intend to use the land. The ultimate use for the land determines what type of brownfield will work and what type of cleanup is required.
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Research your options. Information about brownfields for sale is becoming increasingly available through specialized real estate companies and regional or local databases. Check with your state or local brownfields coordinator for resources. (See the list below.)
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Determine your ROI. A thorough site investigation will assess the costs and risks involved in purchasing a brownfield. Check with your state to see if they offer release of liability to prospective purchasers. Weigh these along with the often huge potential benefits from the redevelopment to determine if you have a workable business plan…and if the project is bankable.
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Seek funding. Grants, tax credits, and other incentives are available on a federal level through the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act as well as on state and local levels. Check with your state or the EPA for more information.
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Cleanup, redevelop and showcase your project. Bear in mind that cleanup and redevelopment might require time and patience. But when you're done, don't forget to showcase your success within the community!
The purchase and sale of brownfields can definitely be a win-win situation for those willing to undertake such a project, not to mention being a win for the environment. The key is not to be overwhelmed by the prospect. Follow the steps above, do your research, and seek help from the resources in your region that have devoted themselves to making these exchanges possible.
Your EPA Region 10 Brownfields Resources:
Alaska: www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/brownfields.htm
Idaho: www.deq.idaho.gov/Applications/Brownfields
Oregon: www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/cleanup/brn0.htm
Washington: www.cted.wa.gov/brownfields
EPA: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
Profile
Meet Your EPA Region 10 Brownfields Team
Maybe you want to turn an industrial eyesore into a thriving commercial hub or convert a polluted piece of land into a recreational trail. Or perhaps you've got an abandoned gas station or an old landfill on your hands and you don't know what to do.
No matter how big or small your brownfields project, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 10 brownfields team is here to help. They provide technical assistance and help find funding for projects throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. "We are really interested in helping in any way we can," said Susan Morales, a brownfields team member working out of EPA's Seattle office.
Over the years, the team has worked with dozens of local governments and nonprofits—as well as developers and private investors—turning ugly, seemingly unusable land into gleaming showcases of inspired economic development.
Morales says because EPA is known for enforcing environmental regulations, some may be hesitant to seek out the federal agency for help with a brownfield for fear of being held liable for contamination. But she points out that the brownfields team doesn't seek out contaminated sites. They provide the expert advice—and millions of dollars in loans and grants—only to those who ask for assistance.
"It's an opportunity program," says Morales.
And that program has handed out upwards of $40 million in loans and grants in the four-state region since 1995. In the past, that money was earmarked for assessing the land to determine the level of contamination. In 2002, Congress passed an amendment making it easier to clean up brownfields with assessment and cleanup grants.
It's not just about the money, though. Taking on a brownfield can be a challenge, and that's where the expertise is priceless. "The team really works one on one with the grantees to walk them through the process," Morales says. "It's putting together the work plan, incorporating the requirements and getting technical assistance as well as rounding up the right resources."
The core Region 10 brownfields team includes Morales, who specializes in working with Indian tribes. She's at 206-553-7299 or morales.susan@epamail.epa.gov. Other key players on the Region 10 team:
Tim Brincefield, based in Seattle, coordinates regional efforts with EPA's Washington, D.C. office. He's at 206-553-2100 or brincefield.timothy@epamail.epa.gov.
Anne McCauley, who previously worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is especially knowledgeable about cleanup grants. She's at 206-553-4689 or mccauley.anne@epamail.epa.gov.
Laura Caparroso focuses on job-training grants. The grants assist local governments and nonprofits in training local workers to help with cleanup work, boosting community involvement-and the economy-at the same time. She's at 206-553-6378 or caparroso.laura@epamail.epa.gov.
Brooks Stanfield specializes in community involvement. He's at 206-553-4423 or Brooks Stanfield specializes in community involvement. He’s at 206-553-4423 or stanfield.brooks@epamail.epa.gov.
Deborah Burgess works out of the Washington state Department of Ecology building in Olympia and serves as a liaison between EPA and the state. She's at 360-753-9079 or burgess.deborah@epamail.epa.gov.
Mike Slater works out of EPA's Portland office. He serves as a liaison with the state of Oregon. He also is an authority on statutes that apply to brownfield sites where waste is still being created, transported or stored. He's at 503-326-5872 or slater.mike@epamail.epa.gov.
Joanne LaBaw is a lead for Targeted Brownfield Assessments, a technical service that EPA staffers offer eligible applicants. She's at 206-553-2594 or labaw.joanne@epamail.epa.gov.
