02D41423

Description:
This action approves an award in the amount of $1,192,434 to support the enhancement of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's (NCDEQ) Brownfields Response Program to meet the Section 128(a) elements. NCDEQ will support the operation of the Property Management Unit (PMU) in its work associated with the evaluation, planning, maintenance, and long-term monitoring of site-specific institutional controls. EPA's CERCLA Section 128(a) grant program funds activities that establish or enhance the capacity of state and tribal response programs. The goals of this funding are to provide financial support for the elements of an effective state or tribal response program, as specified in CERCLA Section 128, and to ensure that states and tribes maintain a public record of sites included in their programs. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ('IIJA') provided additional funding to carry out the Section 128(a) grant program.

Activities:
NCDEQ will perform the following activities:
- Implement and monitor institutional controls that were put in place by activities under the traditional 128(a) grant through operating the Property Management Unit (PMU).
- The PMU's activities include evaluating compliance with recorded Brownfields Agreement land use restrictions, inspections on Brownfields properties with recorded Brownfields Agreements, and updating the digital public record.

Subrecipient:
No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

Outcomes:
The deliverables include that NCDEQ will expand the operations of the PMU by having a comprehensive program for institution control monitoring, compliance, and stewardship; protect public health for Brownfields site occupants/users; provide compliance assistance and enforcement regarding land use restrictions; and the continued facilitation of the safe redevelopment of Brownfields sites. The expected outcomes include that the PMU will also conduct inspections on Brownfields properties to evaluate compliance with recorded land use restrictions, including the real-time evaluation of site volatile constituents of concern in indoor air. The direct beneficiaries include residents in the state of North Carolina.

North Carolina Department Of Environmental Quality

66.817 - State and Tribal Response Program Grants

EPA Region 4: Atlanta [EPA - RO]

North Carolina United States

State-Wide

EPA-CEP-02

Infrastructure $2,140,810 (71%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 153% from $1,192,434 to $3,021,482.