Brownfields

The Brownfields Site Reuse and Revitalization Program (“Program)” provides funding and technical assistance to cities, rural communities, and eligible property owners to conduct environmental site assessments and define revitalization strategies for brownfields and other underutilized properties in Grays Harbor County. The Program aims to place vacant, abandoned, or underdeveloped properties back into productive use through environmental studies, potential cleanup actions, and redevelopment planning.

The Program is funded through multiple U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Assessment Grants. The Grays Harbor Council of Governments (GHCOG) manages the Program with support from their environmental and land planning consultant, Montrose Environmental Solutions, Inc. The Program will fund Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and other cleanup/reuse activities at publicly and privately-owned brownfield sites over a four-year period or until the grant funds are expended (approximately through September 2027). Notably, private property owners may be eligible to receive funding assistance to devise reuse strategies for their land holdings (subject to site eligibility requirements under the terms and conditions of the grant).

May 25, 2023 – GHCOG received announcement of a third EPA Grant award for $1,000,000 to conduct approximately 18 Phase I and 14 Phase II ESAs; prepare 10 cleanup plans, four reuse plans, one area-wide plan, and to conduct associated community engagement activities (as appropriate). The number and type of activities funded may change depending on community need and types of properties prioritized for grant funding. Grant activities will focus on properties within Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Westport, Elma, and Oakville. The grant funds will be available until the end of September 2027 or until all funds are expended (whichever comes first). Please check our website for more information or contact us directly for funding inquiries.

Brownfields Site Reuse & Revitalization Program Overview

Vision: Revitalize vacant and underutilized (“brownfield”) properties throughout Grays Harbor County to provide benefits to the community, including environmental restoration, job creation, increased property values, and reduced health risks.

Mission: Use EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant funding to inventory and prioritize brownfield sites for redevelopment, assess existing site conditions, and plan for cleanup and reuse of priority sites throughout our community.

Guiding Principles:

  • Support revitalization initiatives throughout the County (with a primary focus on legacy downtowns, waterfront areas, and employment centers).
  • Promote infill development projects within existing neighborhoods/districts to capitalize on infrastructure, utilities, and public services.
  • Prioritize use of grant funds for sites that will attract investment and catalyze new employment opportunities and a sustainable job base.
  • Remove redevelopment barriers by addressing problematic site conditions and creating shovel ready sites for new community-serving uses.
  • Invest in sites that will generate public and private revenue.
  • Transform blighted areas into thriving neighborhoods.
  • Protect public health and the environment.
  • Promote public participation and input on priority redevelopment areas and sites.

Program Background

The EPA defines brownfields as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential [i.e. perceived] presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”

Environmental impacts from historic industrial operations and commercial activities have resulted in vacant and underutilized brownfield properties across our communities. If left unaddressed, these properties remain inactive contributing to economic decline, blight, and public nuisance. Under the Brownfields Site Reuse and Revitalization Program, GHCOG will play an active role in helping private property owners, local governments, and neighborhoods to identify site conditions and define strategies to revive brownfields (and underutilized properties) as new community-serving uses (curing blight and creating economic opportunity in and around those properties). Under contract with GHCOG, Montrose Environmental Solutions, Inc. will provide consulting services to property owners and local governments in supporting brownfield evaluation/reuse. Those services may include environmental site assessments (i.e., environmental studies), site cleanup plans, and reuse planning.

► What is a brownfield?

Brownfields are vacant and underutilized properties previously used for industrial or commercial activities that may have resulted in contamination from petroleum or hazardous substances but can be cleaned up and reused.

Brownfields also include older structures that pre-date safe building standards (e.g., structures containing asbestos, lead-based paint). Brownfields include derelict industrial sites, properties along rail corridors, former dry cleaners and auto-related businesses, and other vacant and underutilized commercial and industrial properties that may possess contamination.

► What are the benefits of brownfield reuse/redevelopment?

Property owners, businesses, developers, and public entities who cleanup and reuse brownfields provide benefits to themselves and their communities, including:

  • Removing unknowns regarding site conditions that might hold up a sale or redevelopment.
  • Increasing return from the property by making it more valuable and marketable.
  • Contributing to economic prosperity and environmental restoration in the community.
  • Making neighborhoods safer and healthier.
  • Avoiding actions by regulatory agencies that may impose penalties and costly cleanups.
  • Reducing the potential that adjacent properties could be impacting their property (and vice versa).
► What will grant funds be used for?

Grant funding can be used to inventory, assess, and conduct cleanup/reuse planning for priority sites. Additional information is included on the Property Owner Fact Sheets and Process Guide provided in the Resources section at the bottom of the page.

► What sites are eligible for grant funds?

Sites eligible for grant funded activities include private- or public-owned properties with known or suspected contamination and properties where sale, reuse, or redevelopment is planned. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Eligible sites may include (but are not limited to):

  • Former manufacturing and industrial sites (e.g. shuttered mills and factories, old tank farms, former canneries, etc.)
  • Vacant or underutilized warehouses and commercial facilities (e.g. aging strip malls)
  • Vacant gas stations and auto repair shops
  • Former dry cleaners
  • Old rail yards and truck depots
  • Salvage yards, landfills and illegal dumping sites
  • Old buildings with suspected asbestos and/or lead-based paint

Ineligible sites include (but are not limited to) those on the EPA National Priority “Superfund” List or targeted for any federal or state enforcement action.

► What are the program requirements?

Participation is entirely voluntary and the property owner must provide site access for assessment activities. To qualify for grant funding, sites must meet certain eligibility requirements (described above). If you are interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to use grant funding on your site and are unsure whether or not it meets eligibility requirements (described in the materials provided in the Resources section), please contact Vicki Cummings (vcummings@ghcog.org or 360-537-4386) for additional information.

For additional information, please refer to the Fact Sheets and other materials provided in the Resources section.

► How do I nominate sites for use of grant funding?

Property owners and community members are encouraged to nominate sites for use of grant funds by completing a Site Nomination Form (provided in the Resources section).

After a Site Nomination Form has been submitted by the property owner/representative, GHCOG will review the nomination with the municipality in which the site is located to confirm the project has support from the City. Once approved by the City, GHCOG will submit an eligibility determination request to EPA on the owner’s behalf requesting approval for use of grant funding. If approved, the property owner will work with the environmental consultant (Montrose) to coordinate the environmental site assessment (ESA) and/or related activities requested. The owner will receive an electronic copy of the final report with findings and recommendations.

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2024 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for U.S. EPA Brownfield Grant Implementation Assistance

Resources

Disclaimer: Though this project has been funded wholly or in part by the EPA, the contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA