Federal and State Brownfields Programs
Bunnell Lammons Engineering (BLE) provides comprehensive consulting services for both federal US EPA Brownfields Grant Programs and state-level Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Programs (VCPs), helping clients transform underutilized properties into sustainable community assets.
What is a Brownfield Site?
You may ask…What is a Brownfields Site? A brownfield site is a property where the potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or other contaminants complicates its redevelopment or reuse. These sites were often previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and may contain contamination from past activities. Common examples include:
- Former factories
- Gas stations
- Drycleaners
- Open dump sites
While brownfield sites can pose challenges, they also offer opportunities for redevelopment and revitalization. 
Type of Brownfield Programs
There are generally two types of Brownfields programs:
US EPA Brownfields Program:
This brownfield program is a federal initiative that provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes, and other entities to assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse these properties, encouraging economic growth and environmental protection.
BLE provides beginning-to-end support for clients navigating the US EPA Brownfields Program, assisting with grant acquisition, site assessment, remediation, and community-focused redevelopment of contaminated properties. We guide applicants through the competitive grant processes for EPA Assessment, Cleanup, and Multipurpose Grants, ensuring proposals align with federal priorities such as community engagement and revitalization of Opportunity Zones. Post-award, BLE’s team manages grant compliance, including financial oversight (budget tracking, etc.), technical coordination of Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and preparation of EPA-required progress reporting. Our Phase I ESAs identify potential environmental risks, while Phase II ESAs confirm risks via soil, groundwater, and vapor sampling, informing tailored engineering controls and/or remediation plans that balance EPA standards, cost-effectiveness, and future land use goals.
A hallmark of BLE’s approach is integrating community engagement—facilitating public meetings, visioning workshops, and redevelopment planning—to ensure projects reflect local goals, a key factor in EPA grant success. We also ensure adherence to federal requirements, including the All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) standard, while coordinating with state agencies for seamless environmental compliance. By combining technical rigor with a commitment to community-tailored outcomes, BLE transforms contaminated sites into sustainable assets that drive economic growth, protect environmental health, and empower communities.
State Environmental Voluntary Cleanup Contract (VCC) Program:
This type of brownfield program is a regulatory framework managed by state environmental agencies designed to encourage the redevelopment and reuse of contaminated properties, particularly “brownfields”. Slightly different than the US EPA Brownfields Program, the VCC Programs are most often utilized by private owners and developers to mitigate risks related to a specific project Site. This program is typically a much faster point of entry into the program, when compared to the US EPA Brownfields Program, often securing the necessary liability protections within 90 days of initiating due diligence.
BLE’s team delivers highly experienced support for clients pursuing state Brownfields and Voluntary Cleanup Programs (VCPs). We advise clients on state-specific requirements and outline the timelines, cost estimations, benefits, liability protections, or access to tax incentives. BLE then assists with application preparation, work plan development, site characterization (Phase I and II ESAs), and engineering control and mitigation plans that align with state environmental standards and future land use goals. BLE also serves as liaison with state agencies to streamline approvals to ultimately secure the Certificate of Completion.
Contact BLE for Brownfield Assessments
By combining our extensive knowledge and resources with community-focused strategies, BLE transforms environmentally challenged sites into viable assets, fostering economic growth while safeguarding public health and ecosystems. Contact BLE today about Brownfield assessment and work with a trusted environmental engineering firm.