Policy Glossary
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Background

Brownfields are abandoned properties that are difficult to redevelop due to contamination by hazardous materials and pollution, or threat of contamination. Generally, brownfields are located in urban or industrial areas; although, brownfields can be found any place where dumping or industrialization could have contaminated the land. Sites of former factories, steel mills, chemical storage and oil refining are all examples of brownfield properties. Smaller brownfields, such as former gas stations or dry cleaning establishments, may be found in residential areas. Typical contaminants include oil or gas leakages, solvents, pesticides, lead, tributyltins (used in wood preservation and paints) and asbestos.

Brownfields are often located next to railways or highways, or in other prime real estate locations that are devalued because of contamination. When these sites are redeveloped, public health risks are mitigated, jobs are created and the economic vitality of the entire region is improved.  Redeveloping brownfields alleviates pressure to develop greenfields, or previously undeveloped land, preserving habitats and natural ecosystems. 

United States

It is unclear how many brownfields exist in the United States as estimates range from 400,000 to more than a million.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the redevelopment of brownfields into usable properties. Through its brownfields programs, the EPA provides considerable resources regarding the cleanup and redevelopment of these properties. The EPA also maintains a list of sites nationwide that qualify as brownfields and provides technical and legal assistance to entities involved in redevelopment. Grants and loans for site assessments, cleanup, job training and technical assistance are also available through the EPA.

As of March 2010, the EPA's brownfields assistance has generated more than $14 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding and 61,277 jobs in cleanup, construction, and redevelopment. Additionally, 15,135 properties have been assessed and 458 properties have been cleaned up. 

New York State

New York State has been at the forefront of providing programs to encourage brownfield redevelopment. The state offers technical and financial assistance, as well as liability relief, with redevelopment incentive programs for both the public and private sector. Such programs include the Brownfield Cleanup Program, the Brownfield Opportunity Areas program, and the Environmental Restoration Program.

• Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP): Created in 2003, this program was established to encourage and support private sector cleanups and reduce development pressure on greenfields. Among other things, BCP provides tax credits in exchange for the cleanup and redevelopment of BCP sites. In July 2008, Governor David A. Paterson reformed certain aspects of the state's brownfield programs, including the creation of a Brownfield's Advisory Board to monitor the implementation of BCP.
• Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) Program: BOA grants authority to the New York Department of State to provide financial and technical assistance to municipalities and community-based organizations in the completion of revitalization plans and implementation of strategies for areas affected by brownfield sites, as well as site assessments for strategic sites.
• Environmental Restoration Program: This program reimburses municipalities for investigation and remediation of brownfield sites. Once completed, the sites can be used for commercial, industrial, residential or public use.

NYLCVEF

The NYLCV Education Fund believes remediation and redevelopment of brownfields is a key aspect of any successful smart growth policy to help spur economic activity.  The NYLCVEF's 2010 New York State Policy Agenda advocates concrete, achievable steps the state can take to build on the achievements it has already made, including:

• Delegate authority to New York City to manage its own streamlined brownfield remediation program.
• Add specific language that would make sites contaminated by historic fill eligible for brownfield tax credits.
• Add bonuses for developments that conform to smart-growth principles.
• Establish a voluntary program by decoupling eligibility for brownfield tax credits from eligibility for DEC oversight and liability release.
• Pass legislation to enhance the Brownfield Opportunity Area program, including increasing the BOA Tax Credit program to a meaningful level.

References/Resources:

> 2008 Brownfield Legislation Summary

> Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program Fact Sheet

> Environmental Protection Agency

> Environmental Restoration Program

> EPA Brownfield Assistance

> National Brownfield Association

> New Community Partners

> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

> NYLCVEF 2010 New York State Policy Agenda