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) Region 1 awarded Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission a $1.0 million Cooperative Agreement under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818), effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. The agreement funds comprehensive brownfield assessment and redevelopment activities across central and southern Worcester County, Massachusetts, with no subawards included in this assistance agreement. Under the agreement, CMRPC will conduct environmental site assessments, cleanup planning, and community engagement activities authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 104(k)(2).

Specifically, the recipient will deliver up to 20 Phase I and 15 Phase II environmental site assessments; conduct up to 6 community meetings; develop up to 4 site-specific cleanup plans and alternatives analyses; and prepare up to 4 planning documents to support brownfield revitalization initiatives. CMRPC will competitively procure and direct qualified environmental professionals to conduct environmental site activities, inventory and characterize contaminated properties, and plan cleanup activities. The organization will report interim progress and final accomplishments through 16 quarterly reports submitted to the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). These activities are designed to benefit residents, business owners, and stakeholders throughout the region by addressing blighted and underutilized properties complicated by potential environmental contamination.

This agreement will provide funding to central massachusetts regional planning commission to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in central and southern worcester county, massachusetts. 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 20 phase i and 15 phase II environmental site assessments, up to 6 community meetings, up to 4 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 central and southern worcester county, massachusetts.