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 Region 8 awarded the Montana Department of Environmental Quality a $2 million cooperative agreement under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818) from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2027.

Through this award, the Montana DEQ will conduct eligible assessment-related activities authorized under CERCLA 104(k)(2) to inventory, characterize, assess, and develop cleanup plans for brownfield sites located throughout Montana. Specific activities include Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, community meetings, analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, and planning documents to initiate revitalization at assessed sites. The recipient will competitively procure environmental professionals to perform this work and report interim progress and accomplishments using EPA's ACRES system. No subawards are included in this agreement. The funding will support assessment of multiple sites across Montana to benefit local residents and businesses.

This agreement will provide funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for the montana department of environmental quality to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in cities and counties throughout the state of montana.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, and 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 phase i and phase 2 environmental site assessments, holding community meetings, developing site-specific cleanup plans/analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, developing planning documents to initiate brownfields revitalization for sites where assessment activities take place. The number of assessment activities will be dependent on the size and complexity of the sites for which eligibility determinations are performed. In addition, the recipient will submit 20 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and brownfield in cities and counties throughout the state of montana.