Ohio EPATargeted Brownfield Assessment and Technical Assistance Programs

TBA Program• Mission– Promote

brownfield redevelopment by providing free environmental assessment services to local communities and governments. • Purpose – To assist

community leaders and property owners with their goal of transforming blighted properties into economic and community assets.

TBA Program

• Combination of annual federal grant and state funding contribution.

• FFY2015 – Currently about $60,000 available for TBA’s.

• Estimate for FFY2016 - $500,000 (Nov 2015)• Environmental assessment activities provided to local

governments at no cost to them.• In-house staff (SIFU) and/or external contractors and

labs perform the work.

Vital Statistics• 53 Counties

• 142 Sites

• 175 Projects

• Type of Projects

– 71 Phase 1’s

– 18 Asbestos surveys

– 86 Phase 2’s

TBA Eligibility

• Applicant must be a governmental or quasi-governmental entity.

• Applicant cannot be a “cause or contributor” to the suspected contamination.

• Property must be a brownfield.– Residential is eligible if more than 4 units

• Property cannot be under federal CERCLA orders or on the NPL.

TBA Eligibility – Ownership

• Applicant does NOT need to own the property. A private entity may own the property, but must partner with the governmental entity and grant legal access to Ohio EPA and our contractors.

• Foreclosed/forfeited properties are eligible. County Auditor acts as an “agent of the state” and grants access (see ORC 5721.09). Ohio EPA will request local contact and/or police escort when on-site.

TBA Scope/Products• Phase I assessments (ASTM/AAI or

VAP)• Targeted sampling or screening (soil,

ground water, sediment, vapor intrusion sampling, geophysical survey or other screening sampling)

• Asbestos and lead based paint surveys

• Ecological stream surveys• Possible full Phase II assessment –

depends on project scope, available funds, and end-use potential

Things TBA Can’t Do!• NO demolition• NO tank pulls• NO asbestos abatement• NO lead-based paint abatement• NO soil or ground water

remediation• NO vapor barriers, radon

systems, or other engineering controls

• NO geotechnical assessments

Phase I Assessments

• Non-intrusive investigation of historic records, interviews of former employees, site walk-over, and review of surrounding properties.

• Identify areas of known or suspected contamination

ASTM/AAI compliant – for property transfers (faster)VAP compliant – for properties that may go to cleanup (slower)

Targeted Sampling

• Direct sampling and analysis of environmental media (soil, ground water, sediment, and vapor intrusion)

• Limited annual budget = limited scope of sampling

• Sample media to answer specific questions or address specific concerns raised by the applicant, property owner, finance authority, or an end-user

Asbestos Surveys

• Licensed asbestos inspector identifies and samples suspected asbestos containing materials (ACM).

• Final report documents the amount or ACM material present, its condition, and any recommendations.

• Includes cost-estimates for abatement.• This information is usually required if

demolition is planned.

Ecological Surveys

• Stream surveys are typically conducted either on a specific brownfield property or adjacent to one.

• Determines the biological (fish and bugs) condition of the stream.

• Determines the impact of the property to that stream, if any.

• Most beneficial if the brownfield property is participating in the Voluntary Action Program.

Full Property-Wide Phase II’s

• Full assessment of a property• Must have a Phase I complete• Must have strong development potential or a

committed end-user• Must have a plan (i.e. agreements and

financing) to move the project beyond the Phase II through cleanup

• Current maximum = $100,000

New Concepts• Area-wide assessment services• Work with several departments

of larger communities (economic development, planning, engineering, etc.) to provide assessment services to larger targeted areas/corridors– May include assistance on

technical issues• Help facilitate other funding

discussions beyond assessment

Application Process

• Application form online: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/derr/SABR/Grant_Assistance.aspx

• Basic property information, eligibility section, requested services, signed access agreements

• SABR usually follows-up with applicant to discuss scope/timing

• Non-competitive funding and rolling applications

Typical Timeframes

• ASTM/AAI Phase I reports – 3-4 months• VAP Phase I reports – an additional 1-2

months• Asbestos surveys – 3 months• Ecological stream surveys – depends on the

time of year• Targeted sampling – site specific• Full Phase II reports – site specific

Collaboration

• Partner with ODSA and BUSTR to provide TBA/low-interest loan “packages” for projects where it makes sense.

• Partner with local communities and/or U.S. EPA to share costs for larger projects.

• Help facilitate discussions with JobsOhio on projects that have high job potential.

• Always open to new ideas & approaches!

Technical Assistance

• Grant funded assistance to local communities to help offset review costs associated with specific technical reviews conducted by Ohio EPA for the Voluntary Action Program.

• May include: Reviewing Urban Setting Designation requests, providing guidance on technical/legal issues, eligibility questions, or pre-NFA document review (including VAP-MOA track).

Contacts

Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization (DERR)Site Assistance and Brownfield Revitalization (SABR) Section

Amy.Yersavich@epa.ohio.govMegan.Oravec@epa.ohio.govKatie.Courtright@epa.ohio.govDaniel.Tjoelker@epa.ohio.gov