Brownfields are properties that are not being redeveloped due to existing or potentially perceived contamination. They are 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.” The U.S. EPA provides technical and financial assistance for brownfields activities—focused on protecting human health and the environment, sustaining reuse, promoting partnerships, and strengthening the marketplace so that land can be reintegrated into the community for beneficial use, such as providing land for housing.

Brownfields Redevelopment Funds available to the City of Santa Rosa

The City has $900,000 in funds that have been repaid to the city’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The majority of these funds (approximately $750,000) were used by the City for the cleanup of Airfield Park. The loans were repaid to the City’s Revolving Loan Fund and may now be used for additional Brownfield related projects, as specified in the Closeout Agreement the City entered into with the U.S. EPA (December, 2022).

Closeout Agreement

Use of Brownfields Redevelopment Funds

Part One: Use funds to prioritize cleanup of City-owned Brownfield sites (estimate: $123,000).

1. Prepare Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for City-owned properties to identify sites with potential contaminants.

Part Two: Identify and allocate funds for follow-up work to clean up the Brownfield sites (estimate: $550,000).

1. Prepare Phase II Environmental Site Assessments at City-owned sites, including site preparation and sampling, to prepare the site(s) for cleanup; and,
2. Allocate funds for cleanup of the highest priority sites, based on the results of the Phase II Environmental Site Assessments.

Part Three: Develop plans for Site Reuse ($50,000)

1. Prepare site-specific market studies of potential uses/reuses of City-owned sites; and,
2. Prepare site-specific infrastructure studies to identify the infrastructure components required to support development or redevelopment of City-owned sites.

The Brownfields Program will be managed by City staff, working with EPA Brownfields staff ($177,000).

• Under the Closeout Agreement, the City submits an Annual Post-Closeout Report by October 31^st of each year, describing its use of the funds during the year. The Closeout Agreement ends when all funds have been utilized, or when they are no longer needed and are returned to the EPA.

Project Contact

Nancy Woltering, AICP CEP

Senior Planner

Planning and Economic Development Department

[email protected]

(707) 543-4688