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NEW HAMPSHIRE'S BROWNFIELDS CLEANUP
REVOLVING LOAN FUND
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In 1996, New Hampshire established the Brownfields Program to encourage
voluntary cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated site properties, also called
"brownfields." Many brownfields sites in New Hampshire have remained
underutilized or abandoned due to a lack of financial resources for remediation.
To address this problem, the New Hampshire Legislature established the
Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (BCRLF). The BCRLF is intended to be a
flexible financing tool that provides "short to medium term," low interest loans
to property owners, developers and/or municipalities to fund the remediation of
contaminated properties.
DES's role as BCRLF fund manager is made possible with assistance from its
Fund
Accounting Section, the New Hampshire Department of Treasury and the New
Hampshire Business Finance Authority.
DES's responsibility as Brownfields Site Manager for sites cleaned up under
the BCRLF is delegated to project managers within DES's Hazardous Waste
Remediation Bureau.
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 Before: Former Concord Lumber Site
 After: Corporate Center at Horseshoe Pond
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BCLRF Loan Amounts
Loans typically range from $50,000 to $200,000, but there is no set
maximum.
BCRLF Interest Rates
The interest rate may be negotiated and will usually range between 3
percent to 7 percent.
BCRLF Terms
Loans for environmental remediation may have terms up to 10 years. The
actual term is negotiable, but the borrower must justify the maximum term. DES
will give preference to short term (6-18 months) "bridge" style loans.
Who May Apply for BCRLF Money?
Private entities, such as current or prospective property owners, banks,
developers, and holding companies.
Public entities such as municipalities, regional planning commissions,
community development corporations, and non-profit organizations.
What Types of Sites Qualify for Eligibility Under the BCRLF Program?
Sites with an actual release or substantial threat of release of a
hazardous substance.
Sites at which site assessments have been completed in accordance with DES
rules and policy.
Sites with a release or substantial threat of release of a pollutant or
contaminant that may present an imminent or substantial danger to public
health or welfare.
What Activities are Eligible for Funding Under the BCRLF Program?
Cleanup actions associated with removing, mitigating, or preventing the
release of and/or threat of a release of a hazardous substance, including:
Site monitoring activities, including sampling and analysis, necessary
during the cleanup process, including determination of the effectiveness
of a cleanup.
Costs associated with public participation, worker health and safety
procedures and methodology, and interagency coordination.
What Sites are not Eligible?
Sites listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List for
Superfund status.
Sites at which an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removal action
involving hazardous waste is planned in the next six months.
Sites where a federal or state agency is planning or conducting a response
or enforcement action.
Sites contaminated by petroleum products except to address a non-petroleum
hazardous substance that contains co-mingled waste.
What Activities are not Eligible for BCRLF Funding?
Initial or follow-up site identification, assessment, and
characterization.
Monitoring and data collection necessary to apply for, or comply with,
environmental permits under other federal and state laws, unless the permit is
part of the cleanup action. Please note - only sampling and analysis
activities that are necessary during the cleanup process are eligible.
Cleanup of a naturally occurring substance, indoor lead-based paint
contamination, indoor asbestos abatement, or drinking water supplies that have
deteriorated through ordinary use; or
Development activities that are not cleanup related (e.g. construction of a
new facility or marketing of the property) or job training.
What is BCRLF Direct Financial Assistance?
In addition to making a loan on a project, DES may use the BCRLF funds for
costs incurred for site-specific activities necessary to carry out its
responsibilities under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). These activities
include:
Determining whether BCRLF cleanup activities at a particular site are
authorized by CERCLA and the NCP based upon site evaluation (described in the
NCP at 40 C.F.R. 300.410) and current site conditions.
Ensuring that a BCRLF cleanup meets applicable or relevant and appropriate
requirements under Federal and State environmental laws as required by 40
C.F.R. 300.415 (j).
Ensuring that the NCP public participation requirements are met (see 40
C.F.R. 300.415 (n)). This includes ensuring the availability of documents,
providing adequate public comment periods and designating a spokesperson to
inform the community of actions taken. The spokesperson shall also respond to
inquiries and provide information.
Establishing an administrative record for each site, as required by 40
C.F.R. 300.800(a).
Ensuring that loan agreements are developed to meet all environmental
response requirements and that BCRLF funds are used only for authorized
activities.
Ensuring the adequacy of each BCRLF cleanup as it is implemented,
including confirmation sampling [development of the Quality Assurance Project
Plan (QAPP) and actual sampling].
Ensuring that a site is secure and that it poses no immediate threat to
human health or the environment, in the event that a borrower is unable or
unwilling to complete a BCRLF cleanup.
Preparing an Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA) Report or
its equivalent.
BCRLF Coalition Members
The successful development of New Hampshire's BCRLF program was made possible
by a partnership formed between state agencies and municipalities. The following
entities have pledged support and commitment for the cleanup of brownfields
sites in New Hampshire and within their respective communities. While DES is the
lead agency for the BCRLF, the coalition partners assist the Department with
brownfield site referral and with marketing of the BCRLF program.
New Hampshire Office of State Planning
New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development |
| City of Concord |
Town of Greenfield |
| City of Nashua |
Town of Newport |
| Town of Bradford |
Town of Londonderry |
| Town of Durham |
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Disclaimer: Information contained in this Fact Sheet is current as of
January 1, 2004. Statutory or regulatory changes that may occur after that date
may cause part or all of the information to become invalid. If there are any
questions concerning the current status of information, please contact DES at
(603) 271-3644.
This fact sheet is intended to highlight some of the key provisions of New
Hampshire's BCRLF program. For a loan application and more information, feel
free to contact the BCRLF Project Director, at (603) 271-2908.
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