Brownfields Overview

Introduction

Brownfields are abandoned or under-utilized industrial and commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived contamination.

In Montgomery County, only a small percentage of sites contaminated by hazardous substances have contamination levels which may make them part of the National Priorities List ("NPL") under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"). These sites, presenting the most serious potential threats to health and the environment, are eligible for cleanup using the federal Superfund.

To address those sites that do not meet the NPL criteria, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has entered into an agreement delegating cleanup of lesser contaminated sites (i.e."Brownfields" sites) within the state to the State of Maryland. As a result, the State of Maryland established in 1997 two programs: the State

Cleaning up and redeveloping Brownfields provides numerous environmental, economic, and community benefits including:

• protecting public health and improving the environment by expediting the cleanup of contaminated sites
• renewing local urban economies by stimulating redevelopment, creating new businesses, creating new jobs, and enhancing the vitality of communities
• maximizing the use of existing infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer, and utilities
• limiting urban sprawl and its associated environmental problems such as air pollution, traffic
• providing an alternative to developing farmland and open space