Tuesday, March 19, 2013

EPA Brownfields 2013 Latest Information News and Program Updates

March 19 2013 - there are some new press releases and information posted on the USEPA Brownfields Program site.  A summary follows:

Fiscal Year 2013

  • Evaluation of the National Brownfields Program
    • EPA recently conducted the first national program evaluation of the outcomes, efficiencies, and economic benefits produced by Brownfields grants. Over 8,000 Brownfield sites were evaluated to determine property milestones achieved and how funding was used at those properties. As a result of this evaluation, EPA's Brownfields Program has been able to make important programmatic changes to their grant and Revolving Loan Fund activities to improve future outcomes.
      Evaluation of the Brownfields Program, Part I and Part II
    • The final section of the evaluation was a rigorous analysis, using fixed-effect and quasi-experimental methods, estimating the causal effect of Brownfields cleanups on personal property values. Through this analysis it was determined that personal property values increased 5.1% - 12.8% near Brownfield sites when cleanup is completed. Part III of this evaluation can be found here:
      Estimating the Impacts of Brownfield Remediation on Housing Property Values
  • FY 2013 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grant Application Guidelines - Request for Proposals
    EPA provides funds to nonprofit organizations and eligible entities to deliver environmental workforce development and job training programs focused on hazardous and solid waste management, assessment, and cleanup associated activities, chemical safety, and wastewater management. Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) grants are provided to recruit, train, and place, unemployed and under-employed, including low-income and minority, residents historically affected by hazardous and solid waste sites and facilities with the skills needed to secure full-time, sustainable employment in the environmental field and in the assessment and cleanup work taking place in their communities. Proposals are due April 9,2013.
  • Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities - New TAB Grants Announced
    The EPA recently selected a new round of TAB grantees. Building on their previous experience working with communities, and their extensive team of subgrantees, contractors, partners and other network contacts, three new TAB grantees, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Kansas State University (KSU), and the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), will help communities tackle the challenge of assessing, cleaning up and preparing brownfields sites for redevelopment, especially underserved, rural, small, and otherwise distressed communities. Technical assistance being provided through these grants will help communities across the country move brownfields sites forward in the process toward cleanup and reuse. More information about the TAB grantee providing technical assistance in your area can be found at the following link - http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/tools/index.htm

  • FY2013 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant Guidelines – Request for Proposals
    These grants may be used by communities to facilitate community involvement in developing an area-wide plan for brownfields assessment, cleanup and subsequent reuse on a catalyst site and other high-priority brownfield sites. Each grant is funded up to $200,000 for two years. The proposal submission deadline is November 30, 2012.
Please contact Three D Enterprises, LLC should you need any assistance in devloping a cost estimate to demolish a building or facility as part of a Brownfields Redevelopment Program

Damon Kozul, PE, CHMM  dkozul@scrapmetalprices.biz

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Asbestos Abatement Sampling and Analysis Before Demolition

March 9 2013

Prior to doing any demolition, an asbestos survey must be conducted and sampling and analysis conducted.

Where asbestos may be found?  According to the USEPA:

  • Attic and wall insulation produced containing vermiculite
  • Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives
  • Roofing and siding shingles
  • Textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceilings
  • Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets
  • Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape
  • Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets with asbestos insulation
  • Heat-resistant fabrics
  • Automobile clutches and brakes
Here is a video of about asbestos testing. Two types of air sampling are conducted on an asbestos abatement project: - Personnel Sampling required by OSHA - Area sampling required by EPA (AHERA), NYSDOL and NYCDEP