About Brownfields

What is a brownfield?


Brownfield sites are defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “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.”  Through grants from the EPA, the
Regional Planning Commission (RPC) provides assistance and technical guidance to facilitate
redevelopment of Brownfield sites in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and
Tangipahoa Parishes in southeast Louisiana.

Addressing potential environmental issues, especially financial and regulatory hurdles, is often
intimidating, creating a barrier to the redevelopment or expanded use of Brownfield sites. RPC’s
Brownfield Redevelopment Program helps convert these properties from community liabilities to
community assets by providing assistance and technical guidance to navigate the environmental
process from investigation to cleanup.

Characteristics of a site that is a good candidate for RPC Brownfield assistance include:
>
 The site was once developed but is now either underutilized or abandoned.
The site has either real or perceived environmental contamination preventing redevelopment.
> The site is not listed on the National Priorities List (i.e. Superfund sites are not eligible).
The planned redevelopment is income-producing property or for a community benefit.
Ideal candidates have a redevelopment plan and at least partial funding for the redevelopment in
place.

What does RPC’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program provide?

Through grants from EPA’s Brownfield and Land Revitalization Program, RPC’s Brownfield
Redevelopment Program provides
 Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments and
environmental cleanup plans as well as technical assistance to help facilitate the redevelopment of
Brownfield sites in our member parishes. RPC’s pre-selected consultants conduct the assessment
activities and RPC oversees each investigation to ensure it meets EPA’s standards. The applicant is
involved in every step of the investigation. Private owners and companies, non-profit organizations,
and public entities are all eligible applicants. Please contact the Brownfield Coordinator at (504) 483-
8533 to determine eligibility for a specific project.

Please note that RPC applies for funding through EPA’s annual competitive process so the amount of
funding available to RPC fluctuates depending on funding awarded. We do not receive automatic
funding for this program
.

For sites located in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parishes, please contact the South Central
Planning and Development Commission’s Brownfield Program.

About the Regional Planning Commission

The Regional Planning Commission for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St.
Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes
 (RPC) is a Commission of
local elected officials and citizen members, who represent the residents of southeast Louisiana on
regional issues and is supported by a staff of professionals with broad experience in a variety of areas
including urban and regional planning, community development, transportation planning,
and economic development. The Regional Planning Commission also serves as the
metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the southeast Louisiana region.

For more information about the RPC, please visit the Regional Planning Commission’s main website:
www.norpc.org.

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