Brownfields: Real Property, the expansion or redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of contamination.

Brownfields:

• Real Property, the expansion or redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of contamination.

Coastal Brownfields

• Brownfields concentrated in Coastal Communities;

• Industrial History: Industry located on water for access, power, cooling;

• Regional economies have changed leaving behind coastal brownfields-especially in the “rustbelt” (Northeast and Great Lakes).

Challenges:

• Presence of contaminates in close proximity to sensitive aquatic ecosystems;

• Impact on water quality and coastal resources;

• Complicated and costly remediation.

Opportunities:

• Revitalize urban waterfronts; • Restore & protect coastal

resources; • Improve marine

transportation; • Enhance public access to

coast.

Urban Waterfront Revitalization

• Catalyst for Economic & community development (expanded tax base; jobs)

• Promote smart growth in coastal communities;

• Glen Cove, NY model

Marine Transportation• Enhance Water Dependent

Uses;• Maritime trade expected to

double by 2020; • Open space limited in port

areas;• Intermodal connections; • New Bedford, MA, model

Recreation & Environment

• Restore & Protect coastal resources;

• Enhance recreational opportunities, including public access to the coast

NOAA’s Role in Coastal Brownfields

-Manages Trust Coastal & Marine Resources;

-Provides technical assistance on site assessment & remediation; and

-Partners with state coastal zone management (CZM) programs.

-Relates to role providing safe navigation and coastal stewardship

State CZM Program Role

• State CZM programs can provide community funding for planning, feasibility studies, engineering and site designs, land acquisition, and construction.

Federal Coordination• National Brownfields Initiative, includes

EPA, NOAA and twenty federal partners;

• “Brownfields Showcase Communities designated to focus federal coordination efforts.

Portfields Initiative

• NOAA and EPA led interagency initiative;

• Address brownfields in port and harbor areas;

• Will be formally announced at Brownfields 2003 in October.

Portfield Initiative Goals

• Develop a process for redeveloping brownfields properties to productive use as port facilities in an environmentally sound way

• Expedite port brownfields redevelopment by working with numerous stakeholders, while balancing environmental, economic, and social concerns, such as job creation

• Improve coordination among federal, state, and local partners

• Improve delivery of federal agency products and services to port communities with brownfields

• Identify tools, techniques, and information needs to improve decision-making

• Transfer lessons learned to other port communities

Initiative Framework — Phased Approach

• Interview/survey representatives from port authorities and communities that have accomplishments in incorporating brownfields into port development activities.

• Implement pilots in several port communities. Work with port authorities and other key stakeholders to identify goals, obstacles, and resources and conduct and expedite planning and implementation of port brownfields cleanup and reuse.

Looking Ahead

• Planning to implement Portfields pilots in FY2004;

• Commitments of financial and technical resources will determine how Portfields pilots will be implemented.