Brownfields are real property, the expansion, development or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 awarded a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements (CFDA 66.818) program.

The funding will support the recipient in conducting eligible assessment-related activities authorized under CERCLA 104(k)(2) in Piscataquis County, Maine. Specifically, the recipient will inventory, characterize, assess, and develop cleanup plans for brownfield sites. It will competitively procure environmental professional services to conduct environmental site work. The recipient will also perform community involvement activities and report progress using EPA's ACRES system.

Key anticipated outcomes include completing eight Phase I and II environmental site assessments, holding four community meetings, developing eight site-specific cleanup plans and analyses, and producing two planning documents to initiate brownfields revitalization. The work will benefit residents, businesses and stakeholders in Piscataquis County and is aimed at sites in Greenville, Milo and Dover-Foxcroft. The recipient will provide 16 quarterly reports on progress through the September 30, 2026 completion date.

This agreement will provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for piscataquis economic development council to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in piscataquis county, maine.activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding to the recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct cleanup planning and community involvement related activities. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to conduct environmental site activities, and will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres).subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:within rural piscataquis county, our targeted communities are the towns of greenville, milo, and dover-foxcroft, which largely coincides with the focus areas of the county's economic development strategy plan along with the comprehensive plans, land use plans, and downtown master plans of the targeted communities. Brownfields have been identified throughout the county, but we believe directing our attention to the downtowns, waterfronts, and economic centers of these communities will have the strongest positive effect on these areas with the greatest need for continued sustainable development. Our project goals are to assess properties that pose a potential hazard to sensitive receptors and to target developers who can provide redevelopment focused on technology, affordable housing, and year-round employment, which coincides with our strategic plans.**customize based on information in the application/workplan. Further, the recipient anticipates conducting eight phase i and phase II environmental site assessments, holding four community meetings, developing eight site-specific cleanup plans/analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, developing two planning documents to initiate brownfields revitalization, and submitting 16 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in piscataquis county, maine.