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 9 awarded a $1.2 million Cooperative Agreement to the County of Contra Costa, Department of Conservation and Development, effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029, under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818). This award funds comprehensive brownfields assessment and remediation activities across Contra Costa County, California, targeting real properties whose development or redevelopment may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. The recipient will conduct environmental site characterization, Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, cleanup planning, and community engagement activities, with anticipated deliverables including 14 Phase I assessments, 9 Phase II assessments, 12 community meetings, and 5 site-specific cleanup plans and alternatives analyses.

The County will competitively procure qualified environmental professionals to execute on-site assessment activities and track progress through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). A subaward of unspecified amount will be issued to Sustainable Contra Costa, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to support community involvement, site identification, and cleanup and reuse planning for priority sites along the Northern Contra Costa waterfront. This cooperative agreement aims to prepare brownfield sites for redevelopment and facilitate community-driven environmental remediation and economic revitalization in the region.

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to provide funding to contra costa county to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in contra costa county, california. This cooperative agreement provides full federal funding in the amount $1,200,000.00. Pre-award costs are approved back to july 1, 2025. 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:a subaward will be issued to sustainable contra costa, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to assist contra costa county with community involvement, site identification, and cleanup and reuse planning for priority sites identified under this assistance agreement. A detailed cost breakdown of the subaward is provided in the attached budget detail.outcomes:the contra costa county brownfields assessment coalition grant will prepare brownfield sites along the northern contra costa contra county waterfront for redevelopment through various site assessment, community involvement, cleanup and reuse planning activities. Further, the recipient anticipates conducting 14 phase i and 9 phase II environmental site assessments, holding 12 community meetings, developing 5 site-specific cleanup plans/analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, developing five (5) planning documents to initiate brownfields revitalization, and submitting 17 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near contra costa county, california.