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Brownfields
In January 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was signed into federal law. By definition, Brownfields are "Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant." Essentially, a Brownfield site is a property where re-development is impeded because of contamination, real or perceived. The key benefits of Brownfields redevelopment include:
- The protection of public health and the environment through cleanup of commercial/industrial properties;
- Slowing of "urban sprawl" by encouraging reuse of properties;
- Increased tax revenues;
- Use of existing infrastructure (e.g. roads, rail, water, sewer);
- The creation of new jobs; and
- The revitalization of declining commercial/industrial based communities.
Contacts
For more information about the State of Maine 's Brownfields Program, contact Chris Redmond at 207-215-8597.
Brownfields Laws
Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (federal law)
Voluntary Response Action Program Law (Maine law) - Most Brownfields sites also participate in the VRAP program.
Forms
Municipal Brownfields Site Assessment Program Application (PDF) - Municipalities that have vacant industrial properties where redevelopment is impeded by contamination (real or perceived) may qualify for this program.
Municipal Brownfields Remedial Program Request for Assistance (PDF) - Municipalities that own properties they would like redeveloped where there is known contamination and remediation is necessary to make the property marketable may qualify for this program.
Additional Information
- Brownfields Issue Profile - A general overview of the Brownfields Program
- Known Sites in Maine. Maps and Lists of sites in Maine, including Federal Facilities & Superfund Program sites, that are potentially contaminated and have been reported to Maine DEP
- List of known remediation sites, including Brownfield Sites.
- Locations of known remediation sites, including Brownfields, can be found on DEP's GIS Page under: "Remediation Sites (Institutional Controls) Database"
- Remediation Program Guidance: Guidance for the Investigation and Clean-up of Contaminated Sites in Maine
- Brownfields Generic QAPP Template (MS Word) (pdf format)
- Division of Remediation Quality Assurance Plan (pdf format)
- Remediation and Waste Management's SOPs, Guidance and Guidelines
- Remediation Site Documents: Remediation Site Documents: Until February of 2021, the Administrative Record for Remediation Sites was in paper format. DEP is in the process of transitioning to an electronic Administrative Record for Remediation Sites. During the transition, schedule a review of paper files by contacting the file room. Paper Remediation Site files that have been converted to electronic format are available in the Online Remediation Sites Documents Portal.
Staff from the Brownfields Program are available to speak to interested groups or individuals about the program. If you would like to arrange a meeting or seminar contact Chris Redmond at 207-215-8597.
Related Programs
The Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP)
The Uncontrolled Sites Program
Other Related Off-site Links
EPA Brownfields (Headquarters) Homepage
Interstate Technical & Regulatory Council (ITRC) Guidance documents and education materials on site characterization and remedial technologies.