98T51201

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 purpose of this award is to enhance the capacity of CA Department of Toxic Substances Control (CADTSC) Brownfields Response Program to meet the Section 128(a) elements. CADTSC will oversee and perform planning, assessment, and cleanup of brownfields sites throughout the state. Additionally, there are multiple levels of goals ranging from short-long, such as creating cross-program synergies such that the communities and organizations using these funding and resources are able to take advantage of a steppingstone approach and use multiple sources of funding to alleviate pollution burdens and revitalize community spaces for maximum benefit of those who live, work, learn, and play in the areas.

This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $1,000,000. Pre-award costs are approved back to 10/01/2022.

Activities:
CADTSC 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. Additionally, this funding will allow CADTSC to establish an inter-agency working with state agencies and environmental justice, social justice, and housing justice advocacy groups.

Subrecipient:
No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

Outcomes:
CADTSC's Site Mitigation and Restoration Program Office of Brownfields, to which these Section 128(a) funds are applied, focuses on the maintenance and enhancement of CADTSC's brownfield infrastructure such as the development of tools and implementation of activities to support and facilitate the safe use and reuse of underutilized properties throughout California. Although the Section 128(a) funds are focused on increasing productivity of the voluntary agreements (DTSC's primary tool to support parties voluntarily addressing contamination to address use or reuse), the tools and enhancements developed with Section 128(a) funds are used to enhance other DTSC site mitigation and restoration program activities. Additionally, resources from various support programs such as the Geological Services Branch, the Human and Ecological Risk Office, Public Participation Program, the Office of Environmental Equity, and the Grants and Program Support Branch are used to enhance the core activities conducted by the DTSC Site Mitigation and Restoration Program.

California Department Of Toxic Substances Control

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

66.817 - State and Tribal Response Program Grants

EPA Region 9: San Francisco [EPA - RO]

California United States

State-Wide

EPA-CEP-02

Infrastructure $2,300,000 (51%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 10/31/23 to 09/30/26 and the total obligations have increased 348% from $1,000,000 to $4,475,374.