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 10 awarded a $1.2 million Cooperative Agreement to Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. The agreement funds comprehensive brownfields assessment and cleanup planning activities across Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington State to address real properties whose development or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. BFCOG will serve as the direct recipient with no subawards included in this assistance agreement.

Under this four-year cooperative agreement, BFCOG will conduct environmental site inventory, characterization, and assessment activities, including 24 Phase I and 14 Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). The recipient will develop four site-specific cleanup plans with alternatives analysis, create four planning documents to initiate brownfields revitalization, conduct 14 community meetings for stakeholder engagement, and competitively procure qualified environmental professionals to direct environmental site activities. Additionally, BFCOG will submit 16 quarterly progress reports to EPA through the Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). These products and services are designed to benefit residents, business owners, and stakeholders throughout the two-county region by facilitating the identification and remediation of brownfield properties and supporting their eventual redevelopment.

This agreement will provide funding to benton-franklin council of governments (bfcog) to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in benton and franklin counties in washington state. 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 24 phase i and 14 phase II environmental site assessments, holding 14 community meetings, developing 4 site-specific cleanup plans/analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, developing 4 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 benton and franklin counties in washington state.