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 (EPA) awarded the Northwest Regional Planning Commission in Vermont a $1,000,000 Cooperative Agreement under the EPA's Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818). The purpose of this 5-year agreement is to re-capitalize the commission's Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to support the cleanup of up to 3 Brownfield sites within the Northwest Vermont region. The funding will allow the commission to issue loans and subgrants for Brownfield remediation, conduct community outreach, and oversee environmental site activities. The commission will report on program progress and outcomes, including the number of sites remediated and public meetings held. This award will benefit residents, business owners, and stakeholders in Vermont, with priority given to the Northwest region counties of Franklin and Grand Isle.

This agreement will provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act for northwest regional planning commission to RE-capitalize a revolving loan fund as authorized by cercla 104(k)(5)(a)(II) in the state of vermont with priority given first to sites in the northwest region counties of franklin and grand isle and second to sites located with the northern vermont economic development district. Activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding for the recipient to RE-capitalize a revolving loan fund from which to make loans and subgrants to clean up brownfield site(s) and conduct other necessary activities to prudently manage the RLF. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to oversee the environmental site activities, will create a community involvement plan and administrative record for each site that is remediated, and will report on program income, interim progress, and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form and brownfields RLF form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres).subrecipient:site-specific and non-site-specific activities included: non-site-specific tasks include, marketing the program to cities, towns, developers, and non-profits, conducting public outreach, and preparing outreach materials relevant to the northwest regional planning commission's RLF program. Site-specific tasks include verifying site and borrower/subgrant eligibility, sub-grant agreements, conducting site-specific public relations activities, and consulting with and enrolling sites in the vermont voluntary cleanup program. The northwest regional planning commission will oversee completion of site remediation and preparation of cleanup completion documentation, including implementation of institutional controls.outcomes:further, the recipient will issue loans and subgrants to remediate up to three brownfield site(s); anticipates holding approximately three community meetings, finalizing an analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, and submitting 20 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in the state of vermont with priority given first to sites in the northwest region counties of franklin and grand isle and second to sites located with the northern vermont economic development district.