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 a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818) on October 1, 2025. The agreement, which extends through September 30, 2029, authorizes GPCOG to conduct eligible brownfields assessment and remediation activities in Cumberland County, Maine, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 104(k)(2).

Under this agreement, GPCOG will deliver environmental site assessment services, cleanup planning, and community engagement activities. Specific deliverables include conducting up to 10 Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, developing 5 site-specific cleanup plans with alternatives analysis, creating 5 planning documents to support brownfields revitalization, organizing 5 community meetings, and submitting 16 quarterly progress reports through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). GPCOG will competitively procure and direct qualified environmental professionals to perform site assessments and related work. No sub-awards are included in this agreement. The funded activities are designed to benefit residents, business owners, and stakeholders throughout Cumberland County by addressing blighted and contaminated properties that impede economic development and reuse.

This agreement will provide funding for the greater portland council of governments to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in cumberland 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. 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 5 phase i and phase II 5 environmental site assessments, holding 5 community meetings, developing 5 site-specific cleanup plans/analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, developing 5 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 and near cumberland county, maine.