How to Secure a Brownfields Assessment Grant
Brownfields are properties where the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants may complicate the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of the site. In Louisiana, the Brownfields Program is an essential initiative that helps communities address these environmental issues, transforming neglected properties into valuable assets. Leaaf Environmental is here to guide you through the process of securing a Brownfields grant in Louisiana, enabling you to revitalize and redevelop these sites effectively.
Understanding Brownfields Grants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers competitive Brownfields grants to assist with the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites. These grants provide crucial financial support for activities that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive, such as environmental assessments, cleanup planning, and remediation. Grants can be awarded to local governments, non-profit organizations, and other community development entities sanctified by local governments.
While the application period each year varies slightly, many of the main components are the same and should be thought of long before the application criteria is announced.
Steps to Secure a Brownfields Assessment Grant
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Identify Target Area
- Target Area Criteria: Identify a specific area/neighborhood in your community that has multiple potential sites. Identify one or two specific sites that can be highlighted.
- Community Impact: Consider how redeveloping the area/site will benefit the community, including economic development, job creation, and environmental improvement.
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Develop a Project Plan
- Vision and Goals: Outline your vision for the area and the specific goals. This should include potential uses for the redeveloped property and how it will serve the community.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with local stakeholders, including community members, businesses, and government officials, to gather support and input for the project.
- Identify Partners: Engage with and identify community partners to help support your plan.
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Apply for a Brownfields Assessment Grant
- Grant Proposal: Prepare a comprehensive grant proposal, detailing the site’s history, the environmental concerns identified in the Phase I ESA, and the planned redevelopment.
- Budget and Timeline: Include a detailed budget and timeline for the identifying assessment activities.
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Implement Assessment Grant
- Site Identification: Work within your program to identify eligible sites with perceived or known environmental concerns to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
- Further Investigation: If the Phase I ESA identifies potential contamination, a Phase II ESA will involve sampling and laboratory analysis to confirm the presence and extent of contamination. This could include soil/groundwater, or business risks (asbestos, lead-based paint, mold).
Sites with confirmed environmental contamination may be eligible for additional Brownfield Funding, through an individual Brownfields Cleanup Grant, or through one of the Brownfields Revolving Loan Funds, or through other local redevelopment funding.
What Comes Next?
If your site is confirmed to have environmental contamination, additional funding options are available through Brownfields Cleanup Grants, revolving loan funds, or local redevelopment funding.
In conclusion, securing a Brownfields Assessment Grant can be a transformative step for communities looking to redevelop contaminated properties into valuable assets. By identifying target areas, developing a clear project plan, and engaging with stakeholders, you can put yourself in a strong position for grant success. Leaaf Environmental is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your project not only benefits the environment but also enhances the local economy and quality of life.
Stay tuned for next week’s blog post, where we’ll dive into how to secure a Brownfields Cleanup Grant and share some essential tips for success!
