Commissioner's Column: NHDES awards 2022 Brownfields Cleanup Grants and other brownfields opportunities

New Hampshire is entering a period of great opportunity for communities across the state to identify and revitalize brownfields. By definition, a brownfield is a property with the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant that can complicate the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of that property. In practice, these are scattered across New Hampshire and may be in the form of old industrial sites or run-down mill buildings and warehouses, as well as defunct service stations, automotive repair shops or vacant lots. These diverse sites may be located “off the beaten path” or right in town centers. In either case, they are often not prioritized for attention until they pose a public health risk, especially in communities lacking the resources to address them. In many cases, when there is no viable or willing responsible party identified, they become abandoned. These sites remain a blight on the community until at least two things happen. First, funding for site investigation and cleanup must be identified. Second, the community or a private developer must have a vision for reuse of the property and must take an active role in achieving that vision. NHDES is now positioned better than ever to help with the first, and we need your help with the second.

We are excited to report that over the next five years, NHDES’ brownfields assistance to communities will be significantly augmented by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for both assessment and cleanup to revitalize brownfields sites and move them toward beneficial reuse opportunities. Beneficial reuse can be much-needed housing, commercial or industrial use, solar fields, greenspace or even parking to support a town center. Reuse options are evaluated and ultimately determined by community input and local needs.

To identify the requirements for a brownfield to be redeveloped, an environmental assessment is necessary. This will determine if contaminants are present at the site, or, if known contamination exists, the extent of the contamination and the appropriate remedy for the site. NHDES was recently awarded a $2 million assessment grant from USEPA pursuant to the BIL. This funding will focus on assisting underserved communities throughout the state. Many small towns have sites that have been idle for years or even decades. During the economic boom of the 1990s, people in these towns held out hope that commercial and industrial development would find its way to them, revitalizing brownfield sites, and bringing jobs and improved economic vitality. While that happened in some areas, there are many small towns that are still waiting. The intent of this grant is to focus on communities that do not have the capacity to administer their own grant (typically due to municipal staffing limitations), rural communities, and disadvantaged communities, as determined primarily by, but not limited to, low income, high unemployment, high housing cost burden, and high energy cost burden. 

NHDES staff will work with local officials and other stakeholders to provide meaningful assessment activities in their town to lift some of the burden placed on local resources (staff time and finances) for tackling these projects. Once sites are assessed, cleanup and reuse options will be considered for each site. Public input will eb incorporated to address the unique needs of each community. In evaluating redevelopment scenarios, sustainability, resiliency and adaptation planning will also be considered and factored into decision making. Reuse for greenspace and recreation areas will also be considered as valid redevelopment. These are important community amenities, particularly in rural communities whose economies may rely on outdoor tourism, or in urban neighborhoods that have limited opportunities to incorporate greenspace. Sites may also be considered for flood mitigation.

Cleanup funding is being enhanced by additional BIL funding. NHDES is currently working on a five-year workplan proposal to be submitted to USEPA, that if fully funded, would provide approximately $500,000 per year to pursue cleanup of brownfield sites in underserved areas. This additional funding will complement the biennial allotment of $400,000 NHDES has been providing with program income derived from its Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). To that end, NHDES recently announced the recipients of our 2022 RLF cleanup grant round. BRI Development, LLC (BRI) and the City of Franklin were each awarded grants to facilitate cleanup at two underutilized properties. These cleanup projects provide an environmental benefit while positioning the sites for planned redevelopment expected to lead to economic and socioeconomic benefits within these communities.

BRI, a New Hampshire nonprofit corporation established to help revitalize and strengthen the business community in Bethlehem, was awarded a grant for the Former Sinclair Hotel Property. This project focuses on addressing ash and charred debris and associated contaminated soil that remain after destruction of the hotel by fire in 1978. BRI’s proposal includes excavation and offsite disposal of debris and grossly contaminated soils, and long-term onsite management of other soils. These cleanup activities will make the property, located in Bethlehem’s downtown, ready for redevelopment and productive reuse. NHDES’ award of $192,000 will balance the overall estimated cleanup cost, currently projected to be about $700,000, with a recently awarded $500,000 USEPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant.

The City of Franklin was awarded a cleanup grant for the former Stanley Mill site. The former mill is currently vacant and dilapidated, and requires demolition for both public safety and environmental reasons. The initial phase of this project will focus on activities to demolish the building, after which remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater associated with historical industrial activities at the site will occur. NHDES awarded a grant of $200,000 specific to the demolition activities, paving the way for the complete cleanup and future redevelopment of the site. The project will complement other redevelopment efforts in this area of the city along the Winnipesaukee River.

Now is the time to look around your communities and identify sites that could benefit from this unprecedented opportunity for brownfields assistance! 

For help in evaluating eligibility and vetting prospective projects, please check out NHDES’ Brownfields website for updated information and contacts.