EPA's cercla section 128(a) grant program funds activities that establish or enhance the capacity of state and tribal response programs

The goals of this funding are to provide financial support for the elements of an effective state or tribal response program, as specified in cercla section 128, and to ensure that states and tribes maintain a public record of sites included in their programs. The infrastructure investment and jobs act ('IIJA') provided additional funding to carry out the section 128(a) grant program. The purpose of this award is to enhance the capacity of cdphe's brownfields response program to meet the section 128(a) elements. Cdphe will oversee and perform planning, assessment, and cleanup of brownfields sites throughout the state. These activities will include enhancing the four brownfields program elements, enhancing the response program and cleanup capacity, and site specific activities. Activities:cdphe will perform the following activities: timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites, which are properties whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances. IT also includes oversight and enforcement authorities to ensure that response actions protect human health and the environment; resources to provide meaningful public involvement; mechanisms for approval of cleanup plans, and verification of complete responses. The objective of this project is to assist in remediating and reusing brownfields sites throughout the state. Specifically, the activities will enhance the four brownfields program elements, enhance the response program and cleanup capacity, and site specific activities. Subrecipient:subawards will be provided to 4 separate communities to assist in the identification of brownfield sites and including the sites on the state brownfield inventory. Outcomes: cdphe will expand public education and outreach of the cdphe voluntary cleanup program to underserved communities, assess sites through the state involuntary cleanup program. Cdphe's vcup typically has waiting lists of sites and this funding will allow them to process the backlog of sites anticipated over 15 properties. This BIL funding is being used to expand the capacity of the existing vcup program.