Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
If you or a developer in your municipality are considering the development, expansion, or re-use of a site that may be complicated by the release of a hazardous material, please get in touch with ACRPC (Andrew L’Roe at 802-388-3141×3, [email protected])
To help bring abandoned and underutilized sites back into reuse, ACRPC has funding for site assessment and associated fees from an EPA Community Wide Assessment grant through 2026.
The steps for a potential brownfield assessment cleanup include:
- enrollment of site in the state Brownfields Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Act (BRELLA) program (not required, but helps with potential liability and acquiring cleanup funding)
- Phase 1 ESA (Identify recognized environmental conditions)
- Phase 2 ESA (Site investigation to identify any contamination and assess the degree and extent of any release)
- Prepare an Evaluation of Corrective Action Alternatives report
- Prepare a Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
- Implement CAP, submit a Corrective Action Construction Completion report
- Receive a Certificate of Completion
In addition, the Agency of Commerce and Community development (ACCD) will award $10 million in grants statewide to advance the cleanup of Brownfields Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Act (BRELLA) enrolled sites. The funding must be used to implement approved Corrective Action Plans, following Phase I and Phase II ESA development, so it is important to get this process started.
For more information on project eligibility, see https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/brownfieldrevitalizationfundstateprogram
The ACRPC Brownfields Program will be administered by the ACRPC Economic Development Committee to conduct site assessments and related activities at brownfields sites to determine whether sites are, in fact, contaminated and provide landowners with a better understanding of the funding sources, benefits, tax incentives, liabilities, insurance protection, and other tools available to redevelop sites. The ACRPC Economic Development committee consists of Commissioners representing municipalities with backgrounds in operating small businesses, real estate development, banking and natural resource management. For more information about the Brownfields Program or to inquire about funding for a specific site, please contact ACRPC planner, Andrew L’Roe at 802-388-3141×3, [email protected]