Brownfields 101

Land Recycling Program

Pennsylvania DEP


What is a brownfield?


Definition of Brownfield
"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

Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act,
42 USC 9601 (39), enacted January 11, 2002
Definition

Is this a Brownfield?
Is this a Brownfield?

Is this a Brownfield?

Is this a Brownfield?

Is this a Brownfield?

Is this a Brownfield?
Is this a Brownfield?
Do I have one brownfield in my community?
Is this a Brownfield? My Community
What is brownfield redevelopment?
Brownfields redevelopment seeks to
environmentally assess existing
brownfield properties, prevent further
contamination, safely cleanup polluted
properties, and design plans for reuse
What is brownfield development?
Where did the term brownfield
originate?
Traced to Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (CERCLA, or Superfund)
Greenfields Brownfields
Definition amended in 2002

Origin of Brownfield
Why do we have brownfields?
Energy Exploration (1800s to present)
Steel production (1870s to 1980s)
Manufacturing (1800s to present)
History
Steel is King
The coming of mass-produced steel
in the 1870s created a modern
industrial society in Pennsylvania.
This mighty industry simply
collapsed in the 1980s. The
economic impact was
catastrophic in Pennsylvanias
steel towns. In the years that
followed many steel workers
struggled to find new job and
their communities struggled to
reinvent themselves.
Credit: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
The Steel Industry
And were living here in Allentown
Other types of brownfields
Former gas stations
Old dry cleaners
Car repair facility
Former military bases
Power plants
Manufacturing plants
Aviation facilities
Abandoned railroads or switching yards
Foundries

Types of Brownfields
How many brownfields does PA have?
Number of Brownfields
Why do we care about brownfields?
Perceived or real contamination
Land has economic value
Access to existing infrastructure (roads, sewer)
Additional tax revenue
Availability of existing buildings
Removes stigma of blight
Reduces sprawl

Why Brownfields?
Why are brownfields challenging?
Cleanup costs can be uncertain
Long term liability is a concern
Perception of property can be a hurdle
The Challenge
Act 3 of 1995 - Economic Development
Agency, Fiduciary and Lender Environmental
Liability Protection Act
preempts laws imposing environmental liability on
[lenders, fiduciaries and economic development agencies]
in order to promote economic development
Why Risk It?

Thank you!!
PA Land Recycling Program

landrecycling@pa.gov