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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 awarded a $1.2 million Cooperative Agreement under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818) to Northeastern Vermont Development Association, Inc., effective July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2029. This agreement funds comprehensive brownfields assessment and remediation activities across Essex, Caledonia, and Orleans Counties in Vermont. The recipient will conduct eligible assessment-related activities authorized under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 104(k)(2), including property inventory and characterization, Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, cleanup planning, and community involvement activities.

Under this agreement, Northeastern Vermont Development Association will deliver up to 15 Phase I assessments and 10 Phase II environmental site assessments, develop up to 6 site-specific cleanup plans and alternatives analyses, facilitate up to 6 community meetings, prepare up to 4 brownfields revitalization planning documents, and submit 16 quarterly progress reports through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). The recipient will competitively procure qualified environmental professionals to conduct environmental site activities as needed. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement. The deliverables will benefit residents, business owners, and stakeholders throughout the three-county region by identifying environmental hazards and supporting the successful redevelopment and reuse of brownfield properties.

This agreement will provide funding to northeastern vermont development association, INC. To conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in essex, caledonia, and orleans counties, vermont.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. Also, the recipient 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:further, the recipient anticipates conducting up to 15 phase i and 10 phase II environmental site assessments, up to 6 community meetings, up to 6 site-specific cleanup plans/analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, and up to 4 planning documents to initiate brownfields revitalization, as well as submitting 16 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near essex, caledonia, and orleans counties, vermont.