Brownfields_Content Page_Federal brownfield grants

Federal brownfield grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Brownfield Funding supports assessment and cleanup of contaminated properties through assessment, multipurpose and revolving loan fund grants. Job training and technical assistance grants are also available.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) supports federal brownfield grant programs by providing state acknowledgment letters and petroleum eligibility determination letters.

State Letter of Acknowledgment

The EPA requires grant applicants other than tribal environmental authorities to obtain a letter from the DNR acknowledging that the state is aware the applicant is applying for a federal grant. In addition, cleanup grant applicants need to demonstrate that the proposed grant property was sufficiently characterized and is ready for cleanup to begin. Acknowledgment letters for cleanup grants may describe the eligibility of the property for enrollment in the voluntary party liability exemption program, the status of site characterization and remediation for the property (as listed in BRRTS), as well as the status of submittals and any requested DNR technical reviews.

Request your state letter of acknowledgment from the DNR by contacting Molly Schmidt. Please submit your request by email at least two weeks prior to the application deadline to allow adequate time for the DNR to draft and deliver the letter.

Include the following information in all requests for letters of acknowledgment:

  • Type of grant being applied for: multipurpose, assessment, cleanup or revolving loan fund
  • Name, title and mailing address of the person to whom the letter should be addressed (i.e., the representative of the entity applying for the grant)
  • General description of the community concerns about the property related to brownfields, socioeconomic challenges and redevelopment needs

For assessment grants, also include the following information:

  • Property address, a brief history of ownership and a brief history of site-specific land use
  • Reason for suspected contamination at the property
  • DNR Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) identification number(s), if applicable

For cleanup grants, also include the following information:

  • Property address, a brief history of ownership and a brief history of site-specific land uses
  • Reason for known contamination at the property
  • BRRTS identification number(s), if applicable
  • A statement of intention to enroll the property in the voluntary party liability exemption program, if applicable
  • The approximate timeframe to complete site investigation, begin cleanup at the property and submit reports required under Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700-799 and estimated time for DNR staff review

For petroleum contamination assessment or cleanup grants, also include the following information:

  • The current property owner, occupant and the immediate past owner of the property
  • The date and method by which the current owner acquired the property (e.g., purchase, tax foreclosure)
  • Whether the applicant, the current owner or the immediate past owner dispensed or disposed of petroleum on the property
  • Whether the applicant, the current owner or the immediate past owner took reasonable steps to contain any known contamination
  • Whether there are any state or federal environmental judgments or orders or third-party suits or claims against the current or immediate past owner, and if the current or immediate past owner has the financial means to comply
  • Reasons why any of the above information may not be available

Petroleum Grant Eligibility

If you are applying for a petroleum cleanup grant or have been awarded an area-wide petroleum assessment grant, you will need a petroleum eligibility determination to use those funds for each property.

The EPA delegated petroleum eligibility determinations to the states. To request a petroleum eligibility determination from the DNR, complete the Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Grants: Application for Petroleum Eligibility Determination (Form 4400-304) application for each property.

Send the application by email to Michael Prager.