10 Veterans Boulevard · New Orleans, LA · 70124 · 504.483.8500 |
What are "Brownfields"?
Brownfield sites are defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”
The Brownfield Redevelopment Program works to help convert these properties into community assets by
providing funding and guidance for the environmental investigations necessary for redevelopment. EPA provides
funding through the Brownfields Redevelopment Program to help eligible applicants assess and cleanup
Brownfield sites in preparation for redevelopment.
Good Brownfield candidate sites have some real or perceived contamination, but are not listed on the National
Priorities List (Superfund sites), and have an intended redevelopment plan to be implemented once cleanup is
complete. Eligible applicants include non-responsible parties (did not cause or allow a tenant to cause the
contamination), innocent landowners, and prospective purchasers. Prospective purchasers should conduct a
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) on the property prior to acquisition in order to maintain their
eligibility. For more information, please contact the Brownfield Coordinator at (504) 568-6611.
How does Brownfield Redevelopment benefit the community?
Redevelopment of Brownfield sites helps the community in several ways. First, it removes blighted properties,
enhancing the overall appearance of the community. Second, it increases the value of the site and surrounding
properties by removing the stigma of contamination. Additional tax revenue and increased job opportunities are
also generated by the redevelopment of Brownfields. Sites redeveloped as greenspace increase the economic
value and attraction of the surrounding area. Brownfield redevelopment helps the land owner, the local
government, and the local community.
Overview of the Environmental Investigation and Cleanup Process
Brownfield sites are defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”
The Brownfield Redevelopment Program works to help convert these properties into community assets by
providing funding and guidance for the environmental investigations necessary for redevelopment. EPA provides
funding through the Brownfields Redevelopment Program to help eligible applicants assess and cleanup
Brownfield sites in preparation for redevelopment.
Good Brownfield candidate sites have some real or perceived contamination, but are not listed on the National
Priorities List (Superfund sites), and have an intended redevelopment plan to be implemented once cleanup is
complete. Eligible applicants include non-responsible parties (did not cause or allow a tenant to cause the
contamination), innocent landowners, and prospective purchasers. Prospective purchasers should conduct a
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) on the property prior to acquisition in order to maintain their
eligibility. For more information, please contact the Brownfield Coordinator at (504) 568-6611.
How does Brownfield Redevelopment benefit the community?
Redevelopment of Brownfield sites helps the community in several ways. First, it removes blighted properties,
enhancing the overall appearance of the community. Second, it increases the value of the site and surrounding
properties by removing the stigma of contamination. Additional tax revenue and increased job opportunities are
also generated by the redevelopment of Brownfields. Sites redeveloped as greenspace increase the economic
value and attraction of the surrounding area. Brownfield redevelopment helps the land owner, the local
government, and the local community.
Overview of the Environmental Investigation and Cleanup Process
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Phase I ESA A research report that documents the history and current status of a property and identifies potential environmental concerns. Grants are available through the RPC’s Brownfield Program for Phase I investigations. |
Phase II ESA Based on the findings of the Phase I report, a Phase II investigation confirms whether or not contamination is actually present at the site. Typically, soil, soil gas, and/or groundwater samples are collected at the site and analyzed for suspected contaminants. Grants are available through the RPC’s Brownfield Program for Phase II investigations. |
Cleanup/Remediation If contamination is found in the samples collected during Phase II investigation, cleanup/remediation may be required to remove the contaminants prior to development. Funding is available through the RPC’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund and USEPA's Brownfield Cleanup Grants to help finance cleanup/remediation activities. |
Regional Planning Commission 10 Veterans Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124 (504) 483-8500 www.norpc.org brownfields@norpc.org |