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The Alaska Brownfield Initiative

The Alaska Brownfield Initiative. John B. Carnahan Alaska DEC – Brownfield Coordinator Alaska Forum on the Environment John_Carnahan@dec.state.ak.us. Community Concerns. Want responsible cleanup of sites & discourage polluting Stimulate redevelopment

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The Alaska Brownfield Initiative

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  1. The Alaska Brownfield Initiative John B. Carnahan Alaska DEC – Brownfield Coordinator Alaska Forum on the Environment John_Carnahan@dec.state.ak.us

  2. Community Concerns • Want responsible cleanup of sites & discourage polluting • Stimulate redevelopment • Create jobs and investment opportunities • Investment in economically disadvantaged areas • Avoid stigmatizing any community or neighborhood

  3. Working Brownfield Definition “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”

  4. Residential, Commercial & Industrial Properties Petroleum (e.g., Abandoned Gas Stations) “Mine-scarred” Land (e.g. abandoned waste rock/spent ore piles) Controlled Substances (e.g. Illegal Drug Labs) Brownfield’s Include …emphasis on sustainable reuse potential

  5. Benefits of Reusing Brownfields Benefits of redeveloping brownfields are both environmental and economic. • Protects human health and the environment • Prevents spread of the contaminants • Restores or replaces dilapidated buildings • Creates jobs • Utilizes existing infrastructure

  6. Brownfield RevitalizationGrants • Assessment • Cleanup • Revolving Loan Funds • Job Training

  7. Assessment Grants • Examples of Eligible Activities • Creation of Brownfields Inventories with GIS • Outreach and Community Activities • Closed and Illegal Landfill Assessments • Assess Deteriorating Buildings for Re-Use • Planning Activities • Site Assessments and Release Investigations Request up to $200K+

  8. Cleanup Grants • Cannot be responsible for contamination • Grant Recipients Must Own the Property before Award • Request up to $200k/site up to 5 sites • Requires a 20% Match, Unless Hardship Waiver Granted • Limitations on eligible activities

  9. Revolving Loan Fund Grants • Recipients Must Own the Property before Award • Request up to $1 million per Eligible Entity • Requires a 20% Match (Unless Hardship Waiver Granted) • Up to 40% of RLF Funds May Be Used for Cleanup Sub-grants Think about pooling resources – Form coalitions!

  10. Who Is Eligible in Alaska? • Alaska Native Village Corporations • Alaska Native Regional Corporations • Metlakatla Indian Community • State and Local Governments • Nonprofit Organizations (Cleanup Only) • Land Clearance/Quasi-Governmental Entities • State Legislated Government Entities • Regional Councils of Government • Redevelopment Agency –under Tribe/State

  11. Develop Partnerships! • Native Regional or Village Corporations • State Agencies • Local Recognized Governments • Cities • Non-profits DEC can assist you in establishing a focused assessment/redevelopment initiative

  12. Alaska Brownfield Initiative • Only in second year of development • Focus on learning what works/is needed • Disseminating information • Listening to communities & others • Make staff available – focus on planning Communication with DEC is key! Intro

  13. DEC Brownfield Goals • Understand Rural and Urban Community Needs • Community economic development plans • Seek Rural Community Grant Opportunities • i.e., Conduct ‘Survey and Inventory’ of rural brownfield sites • Evaluate Loan Fund Potential for Alaska • Requires development plans/interested parties • Evaluate State-Owned Brownfield Sites • assess and cleanup economically viable sites such as schools, airport properties, other?

  14. New DEC Priorities Focus on Sites With: • Varying degrees of risk • Potential sustainable economic opportunity and redevelopment plans • Willing parties seeking solutions Must establish a clear picture of Alaska brownfields – both urban and rural

  15. DEC Projects Former Mine Site Assess (Deering) – under develop. Pilot Rural Community Inventory and Survey – under develop. Mountain View Cultural Arts Development Assess (Anchorage) Universal Recycling Assess (Fairbanks) Former Service Station Assess (Moose Creek) EPA Awards St. Paul – Assessment Grant Selawik – Job Training Grant Fairbanks North Star Borough – Assessment Grant City of Nome – Cleanup Grant Ketchikan Gateway Borough – Assessment Pilot Metlakatla Indian Community – Showcase Community Alaska Brownfield Projects

  16. END • Contact Information • John_Carnahan@dec.state.ak.us • http://www.state.ak.us/dec/spar/csp/brownfields.htm • (907) 451-2166

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