Resources and Tools
A collection of resources & tools useful to brownfield practitioners, novices and experts alike.
TOOLS
Creating a brownfield inventory may seem like a daunting task. This easy to use graphic GUIDE will show you step-by-step how to tackle this challenge.
Land Banks can play a vital role in brownfield redevelopment. This TOOL not only explains what a land bank is and how it relates to brownfields, it also provides guidance on how to create one.
EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to states, tribes and others to assess,
safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. The following Brownfield roadmap
illustrates the general steps involved in the Brownfield's Regulatory Process in Puerto Rico.
Community Lattice has developed a portal available to the public that allows access to publicly available environmental records to inform brownfields redevelopment and planning decisions. PEER can be used as an initial screening tool to identify known contaminated sites for those users seeking environmental data on a specific site or as a tool to beginning the process of developing a brownfields inventory, however, it should be noted that it does not serve as a replacement for standard due diligence. You can access PEER HERE.
In collaboration with the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Department of Environmental Protection has enhanced its Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping application, creating a Brownfields Inventory mapping layer that makes valuable information about brownfields sites easily accessible, helping investors, developers, community leaders, Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs), and the public identify brownfields with redevelopment potential. To access the GIS system click HERE.
Tools and Guidance for Implementing Infill Development on Brownfields in Rural Areas and Small Towns
This tool was developed by NJIT TAB with the intent of assisting rural and small communities considering the implementation of infill development on brownfield sites. It defines what infill development is, the advantages and benefits of pursuing this type of reuse, steps on how to implement it, and examples of where it has been successfully achieved.
Both practices have numerous applications in community development/redevelopment under a number of categories including energy, natural disasters, economic, health, and social. The application of these practices can encompass a wide range of development/redevelopment undertakings but one commonly overlooked is how they can be applied to brownfield redevelopment. For more details follow this LINK.
A tool developed by Groundwork USA designed to help stakeholders in brownfield-affected communities become more familiar with the nature of the real estate development process, its stages and details, all of which can inform advocacy efforts and help realize equity-oriented outcomes.
EPA’s Land Revitalization Program offers technical assistance to communities facing the challenge of identifying and implementing reuse alternatives for formerly contaminated properties. Highlighted below are available tools and guidance to assist communities in finding and evaluating reuse alternatives for brownfields and other contaminated properties. These tools cover a number of topics including:
- Prioritizing Sites for Reuse
- Getting Ready to Leverage
- Preparing Stakeholder Workshops
- Urban Agriculture & Aquaponics
- Site Deconstruction & Materials Reuse
- Residential Site Demolition
- Coordinating Infrastructure Improvements
- Manufacturing Reuse
- Considering Changing Climate Conditions at Contaminated Sites
An overview of some of the Land Revitalization Tools is provided in the Land Revitalization Program Tools for Communities Factsheet.
Planning tool developed for organizations (i.e., communities, utility organizations, transit agencies) seeking to implement a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program on contaminated or potentially contaminated sites (brownfields). It is a tool for assessing risk and managing the unknowns associated with brownfield sites and is designed to be applied by entities that are implementing or intend to implement a larger scale program consisting of numerous sites. To view the How-To Video that explains how to use the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Decision Tree, please go to the following LINK.
Developed by the Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the American Planning Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Association of Counties, and the Association of State Floodplain Managers, this tool prompts users to select a hazard that their city faces, with options ranging from coastal erosion to stormwater flooding. Once a "hazard" is selected, a menu pops up listing relevant mitigation efforts around natural infrastructures, such as green streets that reduce the flow of stormwater and wetland habitats that combat flooding as applied in various case studies. To read more about this tool please go to the following LINK.
RESOURCE & GUIDANCE MATERIALS
A guide designed to assist community organizations, local governments, universities, and other partners in navigating technical assistance and funding opportunities across Region 2.
These infographics illustrate which EPA brownfield grant application elements could and should be started early to assure a competitive brownfield grant application.
Equitable Development Discussion Guides
List of successful MARC, AWP, and Job Training grants.
This brochure provides an overview of the components of a strong brownfields resource roadmap including Identifying:
- Brownfield site and related revitalization priorities
- Key components and phases of priority projects, and
- Estimated cost and potential funding and financing sources for each key component and phase
NJIT TAB seminars and workshops increase community knowledge of specific issues, challenges, and opportunities relating to the reclamation and reuse of brownfield sites. NJIT TAB Brownfields 101 Workshops empower communities with the tools required to assess, cleanup, and redevelop brownfield sites. To access the download please follow this LINK.
Qualified Opportunity Zones were created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These zones are designed to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities throughout the country and U.S. possessions by providing tax benefits to investors who invest eligible capital into these communities. Taxpayers may defer tax on eligible capital gains by making an appropriate investment in a Qualified Opportunity Fund and meeting other requirements.
Navigating the TSCA process is complex and represents a challenge for many Brownfield remediation and redevelopment projects which can stretch limited funds. This brochure series focuses on the topics most relevant to the states and their Brownfield stakeholders.
List of websites with regulations and guidance to implement and improve environmental programs, policies, and procedures.
Brownfield Bootcamps consist of intensive one-day learning labs for specific groups (e.g., Mayors) on specific brownfield issues such as resiliency, sustainability, funding, and place-making. Access the list HERE.
Many communities struggle to find and attract sufficient funding for brownfields redevelopment projects. It can be difficult for communities to identify how best to invest limited local resources. Sound initial investments of local funds can open opportunities for additional public funds and attract the interest and support of outside investors and lead to additional funding. This guide was developed by EPA to assist communities in overcoming the challenges of making sound investment decisions to attract additional resources for community revitalization.
The 2019 Brownfields Federal Programs Guide provides information on 21 federal programs and five federal tax incentives that could support browfnields cleanup and revitalization.
The entry for each federal agency or organization includes:
- Description of its mission, connection to brownfields, and the specific programs that provide technical or financial assistance relevant to brownfields.
- Eligibility requirements, availability, and uses/applications.
- The appropriate phase(s) within the brownfields redevelopment process for using the resource, such as in the planning, assessment, cleanup, and/or redevelopment phase.
- A “snapshot” that illustrates brownfields redevelopment projects that successfully leveraged funding
Most federal programs receive appropriated funds for these programs on an annual basis, but the amount available each year can vary significantly.
EPA's Handbook summarizes the federal statutory provisions and EPA cleanup enforcement documents that may be able to address the liability concerns of parties involved in the cleanup and revitalization of contaminated sites. This document summarizes key legal and policy changes since the 2014 version.
A study prepared by Groundwork USA that outlines best practices designed to help brownfield redevelopment practitioners learn and implement the area-wide planning approach in their own brownfield affected communities. To read more about this study please go to the following LINK.
This brochure explores a powerful tool, innovative materials management, available to communities, local governments and their development partners. Recovering and recycling construction and demolition (C&D) materials at brownfields supports the sustainable reuse of these areas by maximizing the economic and environmental value of the materials.