96240623

Description:
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. The objective of this project is to assist in remediating and redeveloping brownfields sites through the expansion of the state's current response program. Specifically, the state will perform 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 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (NYSDEC's) Division of Environmental Remediation (DER) utilizes a database to maintain program and site-specific information and statistics for the state's remedial programs. The remedial progress of site-specific remedial activities (e.g., Remedial Investigation (RI), Remedial Design (RD), Remedial Action (RA), Site Management (SM)) are tracked in that database. The database system is referred to as the Unified Information System (UIS) which serves as an inventory of sites in the state's various remedial programs.

Activities:
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will perform an inventory of brownfields sites, conduct targeted brownfields site assessments, and enhance the public record system. A goal of the brownfield programs, including the Brownfields Cleanup Program (BCP) and the Environmental Remediation Program (ERP), is the redevelopment or reuse of real properties that have the presence of contaminants. The DER provides some level of oversight for all remedial sites implemented under the brownfield programs to ensure the remedies will be protective of public health and the environment and conducted in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, and guidance. Project activities include: addressing the environmental, legal, and financial barriers that often hinder the redevelopment and reuse of contaminated brownfield sites, maintaining a site and program database that contains information for sites being addressed under one of the following state remedial programs: Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Remedial Program, also known as State Superfund Program (SSF); Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP); and Environmental Restoration Program (ERP), and providing some level of oversight for all remedial sites implemented under the brownfield programs to ensure the remedies will be protective of public health and the environment and conducted in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, and guidance. NYSDEC will continue to conduct brownfield outreach efforts in conjunction with other state agencies and entities. NYSDEC implements the Site Management Plan (SMP) and issues a Certificate of Completion (COC) that addresses any required institutional and engineering controls and environmental easements. That information is also maintained in the electronic database.

Subrecipient:
No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

Outcomes:
The NYSDEC plans to increase capacity of the 128(a) assessment program. This includes maintaining an effective workforce to meet work plan commitments and improve staff technical knowledge and provide for greater understanding of brownfields redevelopment. The program will ensure remedial decisions are protective of public health and the environment. The NYSDEC will improve community engagement and knowledge of brownfield program and increase public awareness of program activities. This includes conducting community outreach and education efforts to inform and involve the public in brownfield redevelopment projects.

Department Of Environmental Conservation New York

6 - SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES 6.1 - CLEAN UP AND RESTORE LAND FOR PRODUCTIVE USES AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

66.817 - State and Tribal Response Program Grants

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

New York United States

State-Wide

EPA-CEP-02

Infrastructure $2,090,270 (62%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 12/31/23 to 09/30/25 and the total obligations have increased 314% from $813,804 to $3,367,259.