Connecticut Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development

1. OBRD Connecticut Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development Department of Economic and Community Development Department of Environmental Protection Connecticut Brownfields Redevelopment Authority

2. Agenda/Presenters • Responsible Growth and the State’s Brownfield Programs • Peter Simmons and Brian Dillon, ORD-DECD/OBRD • CBRA’s Role in State Brownfield Programs • Cynthia Petruzello, CBRA • Changes in Brownfield Remediation and Redevelopment Programs in the State • Graham J. Stevens and Robert E. Bell, DEP • Connecticut’s Brownfield Success Stories • DECD, DEP & CBRA

3. In the Business of Building Your Community DECD Department of Economic and Community Development Peter Simmons and Brian Dillon Office of Responsible Development - Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development www.ctbrownfields.gov

4. Brownfield Challenges Brownfields are real estate projects with a “clean-up” component • More complex • Need Predictability • Smart growth in a small state ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

5. Who Do You Call? DECD DEP CDA EPA DPH ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

6. DECD Mission To develop and implement strategies that: Attract and retain business Revitalize neighborhoods Ensure quality housing Foster responsible growth ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

7. DECD Organization ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

8. DECD Mission • Discretionary Financial Assistance and Technical Support to support municipalities, businesses and organizations, such as… • Economic Development • Municipal Development Program, formerly known as “Industrial Parks” • Infrastructure Development • Manufacturer’s Assistance Act (MAA)/CDA Collaboration • Community Development • HUD Small Cities Program • Urban Act/Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) • Housing Development • HOME • FLEX • CHFA Collaboration • Brownfields Redevelopment ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

9. Definitions Responsible Growth (RG) is economic, social and environmentaldevelopmentthatincorporates land use and resources in ways that enhance the long-term quality of life for current and future generations of Connecticut residents. Responsible growthsupports a vibrant and resilient economy, preserves natural resources, and maximizes previous investments in existing infrastructurewhile preserving distinctive landscapes, historic structures, landmarks, and villages. Brownfields are a big part of responsible growth strategies. ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

10. Responsible Growth • BLUF: the balance between our growth and conservation needs • The “nutshell” • Focus efforts where previous investment has occurred • Brownfield reuse • In-fill development (allow higher densities land use) • Integrated Transportation: improve public transit • Mixed use development • Regional Collaboration ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

11. Regional Collaboration Policies and Programs ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

12. Advancing Regional Cooperation • Insufficient discretionary state resources to assist every community with every project • Priority to projects with regional significance and inter-municipal collaboration. • Encourage participation in EDA’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) program. • State C& D Plan compatibility • Encourage municipalities to plan and develop multi-town Municipal Development Plans (MDP). ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

13. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Planning Process Adopted by Connecticut to aid communities Regional Tools ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

14. CEDS Strategy mechanism for coordinating the combined resources of individuals, organizations, local governments and private industry CEDS • Guides economic growth of the region. • Helps create jobs. • Supports a more stable and diversified economies. • A plan to improve living conditions of all participating towns. ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

15. Eight EDA approved CT CEDS 134 municipalities covered by one or more CEDS 33 municipalities not covered by a CEDS Goal for all municipalities to be covered by a CEDS CEDS provides a degree of regional autonomy and prioritization of projects Communications between CEDS and state is crucial Economic Development Districts Connecticut CEDS ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

16. Chapter 132 and 588l of the Connecticut General Statutes Previously called the Industrial Parks Program. Good existing tool for planning and implementing project specific regional economic development Greater financial incentives for inter-municipal collaboration. Greater financial assistance for targeted investment community (TIC). Updated guidelines and policies to be consistent with responsible growth strategies. Municipal Development Projects (MDP)

17. BF Taskforce Reports • OBRD established at DECD • Resulted in Public Act 07-233 • Responsible Growth • Private Sector plays a key role • 08-174 Face of CT Steering Committee & Preservation of Farmland • Streamline brownfield redevelopment in floodplains • Job training ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

18. OBRD Coordination

19. OBRD • July 2009 DECD Reorganization consolidated OBRD with ORD • OBRD is lead agency (one stop) for assistance - financial & technical • Return brownfield properties to productive use • Promote responsible growth principles • Strengthen public-private partnerships by providing solutions, timely resources, and expertise ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

20. EPA Definition of Brownfields Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous waste substance, pollutant, or contaminant • US: 600,000 6,000 (1%) Superfund NPL • CT: ≈ 13,000 18 Superfund NPL, 3 done ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

21. DEP Brownfield Inventory Sites which may pose a threat to the environment or public health, hazardous waste disposal sites. • Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) • Hazardous Waste Disposal • Known contamination • Business generates hazardous waste ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

22. OBRD Funding Programs • Urban Sites Remedial Action Program • Special Contaminated Property Remediation & Insurance Fund • Dry Cleaning Establishment Remediation Fund • EPA RLFs - Hartford & Statewide • EPA Site Assessment Program • Urban & Industrial Site Reinvest. Tax Credit • Municipal Brownfield Pilots • Regional Brownfield Redevelopment Loan Fund • Abandoned Brownfield Program ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

23. OBRD Funding Programs Urban Site Remedial Action Program (USRAP) • Seed Capital: DEP may pursue PRP • Available for projects in Distressed Municipalities • DECD/DEP Program • Investigation, remediation • Available funds: $2,000,000 (bond capacity) ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

24. OBRD Funding Programs Special Contaminated Properties Remediation and Insurance Fund (SCPRIF) • Short-term Loans • Municipalities, Businesses, Individuals • Investigation, remediation, demolition • Available funds: $486,000 ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

25. OBRD Funding Programs DryCleaning Establishment RemediationFund • Administered by DECD under CGS. 12-263m • Provides up to $300,000 for the remediation of active sites • All funding is provided by the State Dry Cleaning Surcharge • Operators must be current on all state filings DRS, DOL etc. • Program is currently over-subscribed with a backlog of over 30 applications pending review by DECD • DECD is working with DEP to prioritize sites for funding. • DECD expects to have another application round in late 2010 ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

26. OBRD Funding Programs EPA Revolving Loan Fund • Loans/Grants to municipalities and businesses • Remediation • Available funds • Hazardous - $833,000 • Petroleum - $35,000 ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

27. OBRD Funding Programs EPA Site Assessment Grants • Sites recommended by Municipalities • Investigation prior to cleanup and reuse • Available funds • Hazardous - $200,000 • Petroleum - $200,000 ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

28. OBRD Funding Programs Municipal Pilot Program – $2.25M • 5 Awards in October 2008 (2) Cities with population > 100,000 • Stamford – Harbor Point Project, 80 acre mixed use • Waterbury – Cherry St. Industrial Park, Bender Plumbing expansion (1) Small City with population 50,000 – 100,000 • Norwalk – Norwalk Train Station, mixed use TOD (1) Town with population under 50,000 • Redding – Georgetown Development, 51 acre, mixed use (1)Selected by the Commissioner any size • Shelton – former Axton Cross site – to be privately developed • October 2009: $2.25M approved for new funding round • Fifteen applications received – 5 will be chosen • Currently being processed ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

29. New for 2009/2010 Regional Brownfield Loan Program Abandoned Brownfield Clean Up Program Changes to Floodplain Management Requirements OBRD Funding Programs ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

30. OBRD Funding Programs Regional Brownfield Loan Program – $2.5M • Approved by Bond Commission October 30th, 2009 • New targeted statewide brownfield redevelopment loan program • Loans to assist returning brownfield sites to productive use • Loan proceeds will revolve to provide assistance to additional sites • Applications accepted on an ongoing basis ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

31. Floodplain Management Public Act 07-233 • Reuse of mill properties is not a “more intensive use” of the floodplain • No longer apply for DEP floodplain management exemption • Brings a degree of predictability in revitalizing mill properties. DECD’s Flood Management Certification for Minor Activities- New Activities • Environmental Remediation • Housing Rehabilitation Projects • Historic Structure Rehabilitation Projects ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

32. Pending $1 million EPA grant application Partnership between DECD, WINCOG and NECOG Plans to assess up to six brownfield sites within the twenty-one town region Anticipated stepping stone for additional collaboration Northeast Regional Coalition Assessment Program ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

33. www.ctbrownfields.gov Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development www.ctbrownfields.gov ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

34. OBRD -DECD Contact • Peter Simmons • Executive Director, Office of Responsible Development • (860) 270-8149 • Brian Dillon • Program Manager, OBRD, Office of Responsible Development • (860) 270-8156 www.ctbrownfields.gov ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov

35. 15-Minute Break