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Brownfields 101. Land Recycling Program Pennsylvania DEP. What is a brownfield?. Definition of 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“
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Brownfields 101 Land Recycling Program Pennsylvania DEP
Definition of 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“ Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, 42 USC 9601 (39), enacted January 11, 2002
My Community Is this a Brownfield? • Do I have one brownfield in my community?
What is brownfield development? What is brownfield redevelopment? Brownfields redevelopment seeks to environmentally assess existing brownfield properties, prevent further contamination, safely cleanup polluted properties, and design plans for reuse
Origin of Brownfield Where did the term “brownfield” originate? Traced to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA, or Superfund) Greenfields ≠ Brownfields Definition amended in 2002
History Why do we have brownfields? Energy Exploration (1800’s to present) Steel production (1870’s to 1980’s) Manufacturing (1800’s to present)
The Steel Industry Steel is King The coming of mass-produced steel in the 1870s created a modern industrial society in Pennsylvania. Credit: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania This mighty industry simply collapsed in the 1980s. The economic impact was catastrophic in Pennsylvania’s steel towns. In the years that followed many steel workers struggled to find new job and their communities struggled to reinvent themselves.
Types of Brownfields Other types of brownfields Former gas stations Old dry cleaners Car repair facility Former military bases Power plants Manufacturing plants Aviation facilities Abandoned railroads or switching yards Foundries
Number of Brownfields How many brownfields does PA have?
Why Brownfields? Why do we care about brownfields? Perceived or real contamination Land has economic value Access to existing infrastructure (roads, sewer) Additional tax revenue Availability of existing buildings Removes stigma of blight Reduces sprawl
The Challenge Why are brownfields challenging? Cleanup costs can be uncertain Long term liability is a concern Perception of property can be a hurdle
Why Risk It? • Act 3 of 1995 - Economic Development Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental Liability Protection Act • …preempts laws imposing environmental liability on [lenders, fiduciaries and economic development agencies] in order to promote economic development
Thank you!! PA Land Recycling Program landrecycling@pa.gov