Brownfields Update for the Pacific Northwest

The Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) is the state’s largest environmental conference, bringing together participants from a broad range of disciplines and organizations. In this month’s issue, we review the Brownfield topics that are the focus of AFE sessions. Among them are the ever-present  issue of funding, program building for the Tribal Response Programs (TRPs), and the opportunity to share successes and new ideas among  the EPA, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and many tribal communities that face Brownfield challenges.

The 2010 AFE, taking place February 8 through 12, is the 12^th annual conference that brings together state, local, federal, military, private, and native leaders to discuss the latest matters dealing with the unique physical and policy environment of Alaska. Included in the 80 breakout sessions, the AFE film series, keynote events, and workshops are those of interest to Brownfield professionals and stakeholders.

First, on Tuesday, February 9, the EPA and DEC will lead a session on their respective assessment programs in the state: EPA’s Targeted Brownfield Assessments (TBAs) and DEC’s Brownfield Assessment (DBA) program. The DEC’s DBA program is especially active conducting assessments for Alaska communities. Of the 230 tribal communities in the state, only one Alaska tribe is eligible to apply for federal EPA assessment grants. This differs from tribes in the lower 48 due to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and how the ownership of native lands was resolved. The exemption from the EPA competitive grant program creates greater economic hurdles to redeveloping Brownfields in Alaska’s tribal communities.

[Note: The DEC Brownfield Assessment (DBA) request period is now open. The deadline for receipt of DBA requests is February 19, 2010. For more information, visit: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/csp/brownfields.htm#assess.]

On Wednesday, February 10, DEC and EPA will be joined by three Alaska Tribal Response Program coordinators in a joint presentation on Brownfields in Alaska. The EPA and DEC representatives will talk about how they are supporting Brownfield projects across the state, including their work helping TRPs set up and build capacity in their Brownfield programs. TRP coordinators will make presentations about their activities with Brownfields in their communities, including using TRP resources to develop their Brownfield inventories and identify sources of assistance for Brownfield redevelopment projects. TRPs participating in the presentation include the Kuskokwim River Watershed Council, the Organized Village of Kasaan, and the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe.

Brownfield activity funding, always a major topic when talking about Brownfields, resurfaces Thursday the 11 when DEC will host an all-day workshop, co-sponsored by the Alaska Forum, for state and tribal Brownfield program leaders. Representatives from all 13 TRPs are expected to attend.

Though not completely focused on funding, the workshop will have many funding resource experts in attendance besides those from EPA and DEC. The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), through its Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) program, is sending well-known Brownfield redevelopment expert, Ignacio Dayrit, to make a short presentation on Brownfield funding.  Dayrit also will be on hand all day to provide specific one-on-one Brownfield funding advice. Cathy Villa from EPA’s Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (IGAP) will speak about collaboration between EPA’s IGAP and Brownfields programs. Additionally, Janet Davis from the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development will provide information about how to use Community Development Block Grants for the redevelopment of Brownfield projects. Another presenter, Stan Tomaszewski, Brownfield coordinator for the Maniilaq Association, based in Kotzebue, will talk about how Maniilaq is coordinating its Brownfield inventory with a recycling and backhaul program.

For additional more information about the Forum, the workshop or other aspects of EPA’s and DEC’s Alaska Brownfield programs, contact:

John Carnahan
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
907-451-2166
john.carnahan@alaska.gov

Sonja Benson
DEC Reuse & Redevelopment Program
907-451-2156
sonja.benson@alaska.gov

Deborah Williams, Brownfield Program Specialist
907-451-5174
deborah.williams@alaska.gov

Susan Morales, EPA Brownfields Region 10 Coordinator and Alaska Lead
Seattle, WA
206-553-7299
morales.susan@epa.gov

Mary Goolie, EPA Brownfields Project Manager
Anchorage, AK
907-271-3414
goolie.mary@epa.gov