Minnesota Brownfields News 
    
UPCOMING EVENTS   
 
Use & Measurement of Mass Flux & Discharge
January 9 online class by ITRC
More info and registration here   
 
 
Environmental Initiative Legislative Preview
January 13, St. Paul 
More info here   


Project Risk Management for Site Remediation
January 14 online class by ITRC
More info here
 

EDAM Winter Conference
January 23-24, Brooklyn Park 
More info here 
IN THIS ISSUE
Minnesota News
National News
Thank You Members & Sponsors

Soil Reuse in Minnesota

Interested in how soil reuse works in MN? Minnesota Brownfields has evaluated the potential economic and environmental cost savings associated with soil reuse in Minnesota by analyzing a set of case studies.  
 
A February forum on this topic is in the works. Event details and a summary report will be available soon. 


MINNESOTA NEWS    

 

State Cleanup Grant Awards Announced

The Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) announced grants through its Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Program. This popular and often over-subscribed program revitalizes communities, provides job creation, and increases tax base to help communities throughout the state thrive. Project selected for funding include:  
 
GRANTEEPROJECT GRANTAWARD
Blue Earth CountyBrad's Auto Salvage$30,583
Duluth DEDAJay Street Gas Holder Site$31,436
Fridley HRANIROP Site Phase I$835,000
MankatoSibley Parkway$30,000
MinneapolisDowntown East Phase I$787,107
MinneapolisFactory Lumber$19,237
MinneapolisSeward Commons Phase III$388,400
MinneapolisShapco Printing$520,320
MinneapolisWAHU Housing$222,280
Minneapolis301 Washington$472,845
 
   

 Brownfield Gap Financing at Work in Hennepin County   

Minnesota Brownfienulllds partners with Hennepin County to co-administer the Environmental Response Fund (ERF) Brownfield Gap Financing Program (BGF), which makes grants to non-profit developers for Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), asbestos and lead-based paint assessments, hazardous materials surveys, and vapor studies. CommonBond Communities received BGFP assessment funds for the West Broadway Crescent apartment complex in North Minneapolis. The project (ground-breaking pictured above) creates 54 units of affordable housing at 50% and 60% metropolitan medium income. See full news release here. 

 

 

Ambitious Plans Revealed for Former TCAAP Site
With environmental cleanup already underway, a new proposal by the Cunningham Group for the 427-acre former Twin Cities Army Ammunitions Plant parcel -- the state's largest Superfund site -- are in discussion. The preliminary plans include 1,700 housing units, 2 million sq. ft. of office space, and 300,000 sq. ft. of retail space. A public open house will be held on January 22.  


Bassett Creek Areawide Groundwater Mapping Tool Released  
The Bassett Creek Areawide Groundwater Study has created an online mapping tool, the Environmental Data Access Tool, making access available to groundwater contamination and environmental history information for parcels in the Bassett Creek Valley. 

 

 

Brownfields Redevelopment in Finance & Commerce 
A recent edition of Finance & Commerce magazine discussed the challenges -- and payoffs -- of cleaning up and redevelopment contaminated sites.  

Minnesota Brownfields was noted for assisting communities and developers who are reclaiming underutilized and often blighted properties. Recent ReScape Award winners, including Duluth's Canal Park Brewing, are also discussed in the article. See F&C's full story here.

 

 

New Statewide Property Database Tool Needs Input as Completion Nears

MNProspector, Minnesota's current online property database, will soon be replaced with an improved system in just a few weeks. The new tool, developed by MN DEED,  will provide communities with a more flexible promotion of properties. City, county, and regional economic development group representatives are invited to participate by filling out this 3 minute form. 

 

 

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Preparing Successful Brownfields Grant Applications
Proposals for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) FY14 Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup (ARC) Grant Program are due by January 22, 2014. A December webinar offered tips for successful proposals. The presentation is available here.

The EPA is allowing the TAB (Technical Assistance to Brownfields) Program to offer free reviews of ARC-grant proposal drafts. One week advance notice before sending the draft is required. For more information, contact Martha Faust Minnesota's TAB representative, at 651-307-4371.

EPA Job Training Grants Available
The EPA is requesting proposals for grants in environmental workforce development and job training. The application deadline is February 9, 2013. See guidelines here.
 
 
New Phase I Standards Released
The EPA released revised standards and practices for conducting all appropriate inquiries under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to reference a standard practice recently made available by ASTM International, a widely recognized standards development organization. Specifically, this final rule amends the ``All Appropriate Inquiries Rule'' at 40 CFR Part 312 to reference ASTM International's E1527-13 ``Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process'' and make clear that persons conducting all appropriate inquiries may use the procedures included in this standard to comply with the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule. The new rule is effective December 30, 2013.  
 
 
Uncertainty in Vapor Intrusion Regulation
The EPA also has released two external review drafts on vapor intrusion for public comment with the aim to update the approach to VI pathway assessment, though it seems direction may be lacking. See full story here.
 
 
South Dakota: Increased Focus on Brownfields
In 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted over $47 million in funding programs to South Dakota's Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The DENR has increased its accessibility through the creation of cleanup programs, including Petroleum Tank Removal projects and South Dakota's Brownfields Programs. This increased focus has reduced the financial burden and stigmatized perception of contaminated sites, proving South Dakota's "new way of doing business." See full story here.


Wisconsin State Brownfields Task Force Celebrates 15 Years
The group, facilitated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and consisting of local government officials, academia, and private sector representatives, was created by Gov. Thompson and the state legislature in 1998. The EPA estimates Wisconsin to contain over 5,000 brownfield sites. The group has successfully implemented many changes statewide including the Brownfield Site Assessment Grant Program, Ready for Reuse Grants and Loans, One Cleanup Program Agreement, and the Wisconsin Plant Recovery Initiative.   
 

  

THANK YOU TO MEMBERS AND SPONSORS

Minnesota Brownfields work is largely made possible through the generous contributions of our members. Individual memberships are available starting at $25/year, but a contribution at any level helps pay for this monthly e-newsletter and other publications. Donate now.

Thank you to our newest member organization: Capitol Region Watershed District!  Thanks also to those named below for becoming Redevelopment, Remediation or RAP Development level members, renewing membership at those levels, or for sponsoring our events in the past 12 months:

  • American Engineering Testing
  • American National Bank 
  • Barr Engineering Company
  • Bay West 
  • Braun Intertec Corporation
  • Carlson McCain
  • Central Iron Range Initiative  
  • City of Duluth/DEDA 
  • Jon Carlson
  • Dominium 
  • Economic Development Association of Minnesota 
  • Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
  • Gray Plant Mooty
  • Halleland Habicht 
  • Hillcrest Development, LLLP  
  • Historical Information Gatherers
  • Hyde Development, LLC
  • Impact 7G
  • Javelin Group
  • Landmark Environmental, LLC
  • Leonard, Street, and Deinard
  • LHB 
  • Liesch  
  • Loucks Associates
  • Metropolitan Council
  • Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • The Opus Group   
  • Parkway Law
  • Peer Engineering
  • Saint Paul Port Authority
  • Sherman Associates
  • Stoel Rives
  • TKDA 
  • Western Bank
  • Xcel Energy      
Through education, research and partnerships, Minnesota Brownfields promotes the efficient cleanup and reuse of contaminated land as a means of generating economic growth,
strengthening communities and enabling sustainable land use and development.