Brownfield Sites in Connecticut
The Connecticut Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) is the official State of Connecticut Brownfield Office and a resource for the Brownfield programs and services the State can offer. Such programs include gap financing, seed capital programs, corporate tax credits and an environmental liability insurance program. OBRD works with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the Connecticut Brownfields Redevelopment Authority (CBRA), and other organizations.
What are Brownfields?
A brownfield site is generally defined as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant…"
In the early 1990’s, the federal government and the States began to focus attention on the problems associated with brownfield sites. These sites, once used for industrial, manufacturing or commercial uses, were lying abandoned or unused due to known or suspected contamination with hazardous substances. Unknown environmental liabilities were preventing communities, developers and investors from restoring these properties to productive use and revitalizing impacted neighborhoods.
In Connecticut, state remediation programs and standards are in place to help promote the cleanup and redevelopment of Brownfields and other contaminated sites. The CT Remediation Standard Regulations (RSRs) establish clear cleanup standards which must be met to ensure the safe reuse of contaminated sites. The Voluntary Remediation Programs and Property Transfer Program provide a mechanism by which property owners can work with the State to assess environmental conditions at their properties and ensure that cleanups will meet state standards. In some cases, state funding may be available to assist with assessment and/or remediation of Brownfield sites. For example, the Urban Sites Remedial Action Program can provide state funding for cleanup of sites deemed to be significant to the economy of the State. The State also works to limit the liability of prospective purchasers through the use of Covenants Not to Sue.
The Federal Brownfields Law
On January 11, 2002, the President signed into law The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (P.L. 107-118), the federal "Brownfields Law". The Brownfields Law expands potential federal assistance for brownfield revitalization, including grants for assessment, cleanup and job training.
The Brownfields Law also amended another federal law, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) by adding Section 128(a) to that act. Section 128(a) of CERCLA (42 USC 9628) authorized a grant program to establish and enhance state and tribal response programs. Generally, these response programs address the assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites as well as other sites with actual or perceived contamination. In Connecticut, the Remediation Division within the Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Department of Environmental Protection has the primary responsibility for assessment and cleanup of all contaminated sites, including Brownfield sites. In September 2003, the Connecticut DEP received funding from the US EPA under Section 128(a) of CERCLA to support the environmental response programs implemented by the Remediation Division.
State Brownfields and Voluntary Response Programs
The "State Brownfields and Voluntary Response Programs: An Update from the States" explores the evolving landscape of state environmental, financial, and technical programs, including the incentives designed to promote brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. This user-friendly tool looks at multiple components of state brownfields and voluntary response program(s), and provides a synopsis of each state's response program(s) and contact information.
State Brownfields and Voluntary Response Programs: An Update from the States September 2008 Publication Number: EPA-560-R-08-004
Connecticut Brownfields Inventory
State response programs which receive funding under Section 128(a) of CERCLA must demonstrate that they have a process, or are taking reasonable steps to include a process, to identify the universe of brownfield sites in their state. The goal is for each state to provide a reasonable estimate of the number, likely location and general characteristics of brownfield sites within their state.
In Connecticut, because of our long industrial history, there are probably tens of thousands of sites which are or may be polluted. Towns and municipalities, rather than DEP, are best positioned to determine which sites in their communities are underutilized due to known or perceived pollution and associated liability. Consequently, DEP has established an inventory of Brownfield sites in Connecticut by compiling information from the following sources:
- Brownfield sites identified by towns and listed on the website maintained by CBRA;
- Brownfields inventories previously developed by towns and regional development agencies using federal Brownfields pilot grants, and Brownfield sites which have been assessed directly by towns or regional development agencies using federal Brownfields pilot grants (CITY); and
- Brownfield sites at which the EPA or DEP has conducted environmental assessments (Targeted Brownfields Assessments) for towns or regional development agencies using federal Brownfields funding.
Based on these sources, a total of 281 known Brownfield sites have been identified in Connecticut as of September 30, 2004. However, many more sites may exist within the state that meet the definition of a Brownfield site as described above. DEP will update this inventory quarterly as additional Brownfield sites are identified. In addition, the state also maintains a List of Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated Sites in Connecticut which is described below under "Public Record Requirement". This list does not necessarily include all sites in the Brownfields Inventory nor does it include all sites in Connecticut which are or may be polluted.
The Brownfields Inventory identifies sites sorted by Town. The inventory lists the site name and, where provided, street address, approximate acreage and past use of the property. The source used for each listing is identified in the inventory under the heading "Contact Party". For those sites where the Contact Party is listed as "CITY", town planning departments or economic development coordinators are generally the best contacts for additional information. Additional information can also be obtained from CBRA or EPA . For those sites where the Contact Party is listed as "CT DEP," please contact the Remediation District Supervisor for additional information.
CT DEP Brownfields Inventory (PDF)
2009 Public Acts Affecting Programs of the Remediation Division
Public Act 09-235 and Public Act 09-3
Summary of Legislative Changes (PDF) / Affected Statutes (PDF)
Letter from DECD and DEP to Brownfield Redevelopment Partners, October 21, 2009 (PDF)
Public Record Requirement
States receiving funding under Section 128(a) of CERCLA are required to establish and maintain a public record system. Specifically, States must maintain and update, at least annually, a record of sites that includes the name and location of sites at which response actions:
- have been completed during the previous year,
- are planned to be addressed in the upcoming year, and
- identify whether or not the site, upon completion of the response action will be suitable for unrestricted use. If not, the public record must identify the institutional controls relied on in the remedy.
In January 2004, DEP published a List of Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated Sites in Connecticut. This list represents the "Hazardous Waste Facilities" as defined in Section 22a-134f of the Connecticut General Statutes. This list includes sites required to be identified to comply with the public record requirement under Section 128(a) of CERCLA.
In September 2004, DEP enhanced the information included on the list to comply with the additional requirements of the public record. This list currently includes the following public record information:
- Sites at which response actions (defined here as remediation) were completed since 10/1/03 through 9/30/04 are identified by including the date of completion in the column "Remediation Completed".
- For these sites, DEP indicates whether or not an Environmental Land Use Restriction (ELUR) was recorded on the deed restricting future use of the site. If future use was restricted, a "YES" is marked in the column "ELUR". In addition, a brief description of the type of restriction placed on the deed is indicated in the column "ELUR Type".
- Lastly, DEP identified those sites at which response actions are planned to be conducted during the next year by identifying those sites at which either investigation, remediation, or post-remediation groundwater monitoring was initiated since 10/1/03. For those sites at which investigation was scheduled to start since 10/1/03, the start date is indicated in the column "Investigation Started". For those sites at which remediation was scheduled to start since 10/1/03, the start date is indicated in the column "Remediation Started". For those sites at which post-remediation groundwater monitoring was scheduled to start since 10/1/03, the start date is indicated in the column "Post Remedial Monitoring Started".
DEP will continue to update and enhance the List of Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated Sites in Connecticut to comply with the public record requirements and to provide more meaningful information to the public as to the status of investigation and remediation of these sites.
Urban Site Remedial Action Program
The Urban Sites Remedial Action Program was created to address a key constraint to the conveyance and reuse of contaminated properties – the fear purchasers and investors have of assuming environmental liability for pollution created by others. The Urban Sites Remedial Action Program facilitates the transfer, reuse and redevelopment of potentially polluted commercial and industrial real property which otherwise would remain vacant and unproductive for the economy of the municipality, region and state. When necessary, the State can commit public funds to prepare the planning and implementation of the site remediation. These funds are intended as "seed capital" to expedite the project. Recovery of state funds committed to a project will be sought.
Program Highlights:
Dedicated staff resources and $30.5 million in bond fund to address the environmental issues at underutilized or abandoned urban industrial facilities.
Expedited review of site remediation plans prepared by responsible parties willing and able to work with DEP.
$30.5 million in bond funds to hire private consultants to undertake site assessments and remedial measure when the responsible party(ies) are unwilling or unable to undertake the work in a timely manner. Eligible site must be located in either a distressed community, as defined in CGS Section 32-9p, or a target investment community, and the site must have a high economic development potential as determined by DECD. The Departments may seek cost recovery for expended funds.
How to Request a State Letter from DEP for Inclusion in a Brownfields Grant Application - August 2009
Program Benefits – Human Health and the Environment:
- Reduction or elimination of public exposure to pollutants
- Clean-up of sites that otherwise would not be cleaned up for decades
- Reduction of environmental impacts associated with industrial sprawl into clean suburban areas
Program Benefits – Social and Economic:
- Return abandoned and underutilized sites to productive use
- Create the potential for new tax revenue for the municipality and State
- Utilize existing infrastructure, thereby minimizing the expansion of new infrastructure into undeveloped areas
- Reverse urban decay and revitalize our cities
- Create short-term construction and longer-term manufacturing jobs.
Contact Information / Other Sources of Brownfields Information
The Connecticut Brownfields Redevelopment Authority (CBRA) maintains an Inventory of Brownfields Sites. CBRA also has a program of grants to stimulate the redevelopment of brownfield sites.
Connecticut Brownfields Redevelopment Authority
999 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone: (860) 258-7800
Fax: (860) 257-7582
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
New England (Region 1) Brownfields Program
Brownfield Sites in Connecticut
Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment
Brownfields Program
U.S. EPA - New England (Mail Code: HIO)
One Congress Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02114-2023
Phone : Brownfields Program (617) 918-1221
EPA New England Customer Call Center (888) 372-7341
Fax: (617) 918-1291
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) works closely with CT DEP in the redevelopment of brownfields and urban sites in Connecticut.
CT Department of Economic & Community Development
505 Hudson Street
Hartford CT 06106
Phone: (860) 270-8141
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers a Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) which is a competitive grant program for municipalities, to stimulate and promote economic and community development. Information on BEDI and other HUD programs is available from the HUD web site.
U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
Connecticut Office
One Corporate Center
20 Church Street, 19th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103-3220
Phone: (860) 240-4800
Fax: (860) 240-4850
Remediation Division of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Remediation Division
Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse
CT Department of Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street, (2nd floor)
Hartford, CT 06084
Phone: (860) 424-3705
Fax: (860) 424-4057
Content Last Updated October 28, 2009
