WHAT IS A BROWNFIELD?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines a Brownfields 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.
Application is no longer available.
THE PROCESS EXPLAINED
APPLY
If you locate a blighted commercial property that you would like to purchase but suspect it may potentially be contaminated from past practices or construction material, before you commit by signing the buy-sell agreement, reach us to discuss your options for getting an Environmental Site Assessment completed at no cost to you.
PHASE I Environmental Site Assessment
A comprehensive review that evaluates the environmental risk while addressing the historical and current land use. Concluding the probability of contamination or release and any environmental liabilities.
PHASE II Environmental Site Assessment
Direct test of shallow subsurface and construction materials, screening for the possibility of contamination. Requiring field sampling and analysis. Following up with the risk assessment and
reporting.
CLEANUP
Abating the confirmed contaminants within the property, for the purpose of redevelopment. Lastly receiving a no further action letter from the Montana Department of Environmental
Quality. Low interest loans may be available to help with the cleanup.
PARTNERS
PROCESS
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The U.S. EPA's Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. The EPA Brownfields Program is designed to empower states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. Beginning in the mid-1990s, EPA provided small amounts of seed money to local governments that launched hundreds of two-year Brownfields pilot projects and developed guidance and tools to help states, communities and other stakeholders in the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields sites. The 2002 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act codified many of EPA's practices, policies and guidance. This expanded EPA's assistance by providing new tools for the public and private sectors to promote sustainable brownfields cleanup and reuse. The 2018 Brownfields Utilization, Investment and Local Development (BUILD) Act reauthorized EPA’s Brownfields Program, and authorized changes that affect brownfield grants, ownership and liability provisions, and State & Tribal Response Programs.
Brownfield grants continue to serve as the foundation of EPA's Brownfields Program. These grants support revitalization efforts by funding environmental assessment, cleanup, and job training activities.
PROCESS
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The Montana DEQ’s Brownfields Program works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to address blighted or underutilized Brownfields properties across Montana. The program provides both technical and financial expertise on the assessment and cleanup of Brownfields properties. DEQ’s Brownfields Program also provides grant writing assistance, outreach, and workshops for communities interested in Brownfields.
DEQ addresses blighted or underutilized Brownfields properties throughout Montana by:
• Promoting the redevelopment of Brownfields sites throughout Montana
• Serving as a resource for local communities, non-profits, and economic development authorities
• Making petroleum Brownfields eligibility determinations, as delegated by the EPA. DEQ has developed their guidance document and eligibility form to maximize the number of Brownfields eligible sites in Montana, while ensuring that the federal Brownfields requirements are met.
• Ensuring that state cleanup standards are achieved to protect human health and the environment when federal Brownfields funds are spent on cleanup.
PROCESS
MONTANA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CONNECTION
The Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC) was created with the expressed purpose of improving the economy and livability of Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher counties. They help businesses start up, improve, expand, relocate or transition to new ownership.
MBAC professionals and our key partners mentor businesses. This is done by getting to know the business model, the people involved and specific needs. We help you identify potential opportunities but at the same time minimize risks. These services prepare your team to obtain financial resources and secure capital. Our strategic partnerships with traditional lending institutions, as well as access to more than a dozen different types of loan funds, make it possible for businesses to gain financing for which they may not normally qualify.
Our ultimate goal is to improve the standard of living for all citizens by enhancing the area business climate, diversifying the local economy, expanding the tax base, and enhancing local employment opportunities. Since our inception in 1999, we have leveraged private and public capital resources and professional business development assistance to directly create and retain hundreds of area jobs and injected millions of dollars of capital into the regional economy.