In New York City terms, a "brownfield" site is one that is vacant, has been for years, and is also contaminated by industrial pollutants.
Brownfields are scattered throughout New York City neighborhoods, driving down property values and creating potential health and safety hazards.
Last August, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a Brownfield Cleanup Program aimed at addressing the problem.
According to Daniel C.
Walsh, director of the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), up to 95 percent of brownfields in the city are only "lightly to moderately" contaminated, and would not be difficult to clean up.
Their contamination comes primarily from trash that has accumulated over the years, some of which is hazardous.
Or the sites were previously occupied by businesses that used either mild chemicals or harsher chemicals but in small quantities, so that the site still requires a professional clean-up but is not overly dangerous or damaged.
Under Mayor Bloomberg's new program, owners of brownfield sites are eligible to receive grants to help cover the costs of cleaning them up.
Once a site has been properly cleaned and inspected, the owner receives a New York City Green Property Certification, and notification from the state that he is no longer at risk of being subject to legal action regarding the site.
In addition, projects built on brownfield sites that have been cleaned are also eligible for funding of up to $60,000.
"Preferred" projects, such as affordable housing, can receive up to $100,000 in grants.
A $25,000 permanent cleanup incentive is also available per site.
The Brownfiled Cleanup Program can only be used for sites that fall within the low to moderately contaminated spectrum.
This means that sites are ineligible if they are: listed under Class 1 or Class 2 of the Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites, or are listed on the U.
S.
EPA National Priorities List.
In addition, hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities are ineligible, as are sites that are subject to current US EPA enforcement action due to hazardous or solid waste, or petroleum.
New York State will continue to handle most hazardous and heavily polluted sites.
When it was first passed, the New York State governor called the brownfield cleanup plan "the greatest piece of economic and environmental legislation in decades.
" Innovative solutions like this one are being implemented across the country as government officials and affordable housing advocates look for creative solutions to ongoing housing needs.
Brownfields are scattered throughout New York City neighborhoods, driving down property values and creating potential health and safety hazards.
Last August, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a Brownfield Cleanup Program aimed at addressing the problem.
According to Daniel C.
Walsh, director of the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), up to 95 percent of brownfields in the city are only "lightly to moderately" contaminated, and would not be difficult to clean up.
Their contamination comes primarily from trash that has accumulated over the years, some of which is hazardous.
Or the sites were previously occupied by businesses that used either mild chemicals or harsher chemicals but in small quantities, so that the site still requires a professional clean-up but is not overly dangerous or damaged.
Under Mayor Bloomberg's new program, owners of brownfield sites are eligible to receive grants to help cover the costs of cleaning them up.
Once a site has been properly cleaned and inspected, the owner receives a New York City Green Property Certification, and notification from the state that he is no longer at risk of being subject to legal action regarding the site.
In addition, projects built on brownfield sites that have been cleaned are also eligible for funding of up to $60,000.
"Preferred" projects, such as affordable housing, can receive up to $100,000 in grants.
A $25,000 permanent cleanup incentive is also available per site.
The Brownfiled Cleanup Program can only be used for sites that fall within the low to moderately contaminated spectrum.
This means that sites are ineligible if they are: listed under Class 1 or Class 2 of the Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites, or are listed on the U.
S.
EPA National Priorities List.
In addition, hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities are ineligible, as are sites that are subject to current US EPA enforcement action due to hazardous or solid waste, or petroleum.
New York State will continue to handle most hazardous and heavily polluted sites.
When it was first passed, the New York State governor called the brownfield cleanup plan "the greatest piece of economic and environmental legislation in decades.
" Innovative solutions like this one are being implemented across the country as government officials and affordable housing advocates look for creative solutions to ongoing housing needs.