Brownfields Assessment Program

Welcome to the UVLSRPC Brownfields Assessment Program!

The UVLSRPC was most recently awarded $500,000 in 2023 for a Brownfields Assessment Program from the US EPA.   This continues our work which began at the end of 2016.  Brownfields assessment activities include evaluation of sites with potential  hazardous substance or petroleum contamination.  Over each grant period,  program funds are spent on brownfields activities within our 27-town region for the remediation and redevelopment of Brownfields sites. Working with the UVLSRPC staff and our contracted environmental specialists, a municipality or private landowner can access funding to complete Phase I and Phase II site assessments followed by clean-up planning if needed.  

What is a Brownfields Site? “Brownfields are properties that may have hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants present.” The EPA defines brownfields 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.” Our Assessment program includes Hazardous Substances and Petroleum.

Cleaning up a contaminated site has many obvious benefits and redeveloping a site or revitalizing it can contribute to the local economy by creating and retaining local jobs, restoring and enhancing local tax revenue, improving community character and possibly supporting historic preservation. The redevelopment of a site may also take development pressure off of greenspaces and working lands.