Eaton Peabody

Maine Department of Environmental Protection has created two programs for municipalities to investigate and cleanup contaminated sites.

The Municipal Brownfields Site Assessment Program provides technical assistance to municipalities to determine the type and amount of contamination at a site. Using this information, the municipality can decide whether to buy or sell a property for redevelopment. MDEP assigns projects to consultants that they have under contract. Eligibility requirements for this program include:

The applicant must be either a municipality or a not-for-profit entity The applicant should have an interest in owning or the ability to obtain the property, or investigation of the property must provide a public benefit. If the applicant is responsible for contamination at the site, it is not eligible for assistance through the program The applicant should participate in the state Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP) if it intends to acquire the property

The Municipal Brownfields Remedial Program provides assistance to municipalities in efforts to clean up petroleum and hazardous substances at properties that have been identified as Brownfields sites. Generally, these sites will have previously participated in investigation activities through state or federal Brownfields programs. The goal of this program is to conduct remedial activities so that the site is ready for redevelopment. DEP staff assigns projects to contractors that they have under contract. Eligibility requirements include:

Appropriate environmental site assessments must have been completed for the property, including a Phase II ESA and a Feasibility Study if necessary. The Municipal Brownfields Site Assessment Program (described above) may be used for purpose. The applicant must be either a municipality or a not-for-profit entity. The applicant must own the property, or be in the process of obtaining ownership. If the applicant is responsible for contamination at the site, it is not eligible for assistance through the program The applicant must participate in the state Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP) Funding is limited to $50,000 per site and the action must result in a completion of all remedial activities at the property. If the cost of remedial activities is greater than $50,000, the applicant must provide the funding or other services to complete the project.

Eaton Peabody can provide assistance with the applications for these programs. For more information, please contact P. Andrew Hamilton or Heather L. Parent at 207-947-0111.

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