96236423

Description:
EPA's CERCLA 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. The purpose of this award is to enhance the capacity of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Brownfields Response Program to meet the Section 128(a) elements. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will oversee and perform planning, assessment, and cleanup of brownfields sites throughout the state. Specifically, the state will update an inventory of brownfields sites, conduct targeted brownfields site assessments, and enhance the public record system. The activities to be performed will result in increased environmental benefits, specifically cleaning up and putting back into use contaminated sites. The beneficiaries of the project are the residents of New Jersey. They include a broad range of stakeholders (e.g., tribal, state, local, and other non-governmental entities).

Activities:
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will perform the following activities: timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites, which are properties whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances. It also includes oversight and enforcement authorities to ensure that response actions protect human health and the environment; resources to provide meaningful public involvement; mechanisms for approval of cleanup plans, and verification of complete responses. The objective of this project is to assist in remediating and reusing brownfields sites throughout the state. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will utilize the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 128(a) funds to augment the state's current response program that incorporates the four elements prioritized by EPA: 1) timely survey and inventory of brownfield sites, 2) oversight and enforcement authorities, 3) mechanisms and resources to provide meaningful opportunities for public participation, and 4) mechanisms for approval of cleanup plans and certification that cleanup is complete.

Subrecipient:
No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

Outcomes:
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will expand public education and outreach of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Voluntary Cleanup Program to small and disadvantaged communities. The funding will be used to maintain the existing response program, to establish and maintain the public record system, to use linked data programs for the creation of a comprehensive inventory of the state's brownfield sites, to create a comprehensive list of the state's brownfield sites that are in designated Community Collaborative Initiative communities and other communities, to conduct an economic impact analysis on completed brownfield projects, to heavily assist with the implementation of New Jersey's Environmental Justice Law, and to continue with the development of a database that captures success stories and information from completed remediation and redevelopment projects so that tangible outcomes of cleanups can be demonstrated to the department and the public. The funds will also be used for outreach and education so the public can learn more about the programs within the Office of Brownfields and Community Revitalization. The intended beneficiaries are the communities in the state of New Jersey impacted by brownfields.

New Jersey Department Of Environmental Protection

1 - PILLAR 1: CLEAN AIR, LAND, AND WATER FOR EVERY AMERICAN 1.1 - TBD

66.817 - State and Tribal Response Program Grants

EPA Region 2: New York City [EPA - RO]

New Jersey United States

State-Wide

EPA-CEP-02

Infrastructure $2,352,456 (49%) percent this Formula Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 12/31/23 to 09/30/26 and the total obligations have increased 431% from $900,000 to $4,778,429.