FY22 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT GRANTS | EPA OLEM OBLR 21 04

FAQs: FY22 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants (EPA Brownfields Program)

What is the FY22 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants opportunity?

It is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the EPA Brownfields Program. The guidance explains how to apply for EPA Assessment Grants that support the early work needed to move brownfield properties toward cleanup and reuse.

Which federal agency is offering this grant?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the issuing agency.

What EPA program is this funding associated with?

This opportunity is offered through EPA's Brownfields Program and focuses on brownfield assessment activities.

What is the legal authority for this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as updated by the Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD) Act.

What is a brownfield property in the context of this program?

Brownfield properties are generally sites where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of contamination.

What is the purpose of EPA Brownfields Assessment Grants?

The purpose is to help communities and other eligible entities take practical steps to address brownfield properties by supporting activities needed to identify, evaluate, and plan for cleanup and future reuse.

What types of activities does the Assessment Grant support?

Based on the description provided, Assessment Grants support early-stage work such as building inventories of potential brownfield sites, conducting environmental assessments, and doing related planning that helps reduce uncertainty and prepares sites for eventual cleanup and redevelopment.

Is this funding meant for cleanup or for assessment and planning?

The information provided describes this opportunity as supporting assessment and preparatory steps (identifying, evaluating, and planning) that make eventual cleanup and redevelopment possible.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does "cooperative agreement" mean for award recipients?

A cooperative agreement means recipients should expect an active partnership role from EPA during the project, rather than a hands-off pass-through of funds.

What funding category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls under the environmental funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 66.818.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number referenced is EPA OLEM OBLR 21 04.

Which EPA office is associated with administering the opportunity?

The opportunity number indicates administration through EPA's land and emergency management functions (as reflected by the OLEM reference in the opportunity number).

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility category is listed as "Others," with specific eligible applicant types clarified in the announcement's additional eligibility information section. The program is described as empowering a wide range of public and community-based entities, including states, local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations.

Does the opportunity focus on community-wide strategies or individual sites?

The maximum award amount described suggests the program can support sizable assessment portfolios when applicants propose broad community-wide strategies or multiple-site approaches.

How many awards does EPA anticipate making for FY22?

The opportunity anticipates making about 78 awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount listed is up to $2,000,000.

When was the opportunity originally posted?

The original posting shows a creation date of September 21, 2021.

What was the original closing date listed?

The original closing date shown is December 1, 2021.

Which deadline information should applicants rely on?

Applicants are instructed to rely on the close date and details provided in Section IV of the official funding opportunity announcement for definitive deadline instructions.

What is the main goal of the program from a policy perspective?

The larger goal is to reduce the barriers that contamination concerns create for communities, enabling safer reuse of land, encouraging reinvestment in previously used properties, and supporting local revitalization while protecting public health and the environment.

How does this program help communities and future investors?

By supporting inventories, environmental assessments, and planning, the program helps reduce uncertainty around site conditions, which can make it easier for communities and future investors to consider cleanup and redevelopment.

Is this document a grant award, or guidance on how to apply?

The information provided describes it as grant guidance and an application roadmap explaining how to apply for Assessment Grants.

What kinds of organizations is the program intended to empower?

It is described as empowering public and community-based entities, including states, local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations, to carry out early-stage work needed to move brownfield sites toward cleanup and productive reuse.

What kinds of site issues is the program designed to address?

It is designed to help address sites where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by the presence or potential presence of contamination.