Northern Maine Brownfields Initiative - (petroleum-based)

NMDC has received funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a community-wide brownfields assessment for sites potentially contaminated with petroleum products.  The Northern Maine Brownfields (petroleum based) Initiative will identify and review known contaminated sites located within the Northern Maine Economic Development District (NMEDD); designate sites for assessment using pre-determined selection criteria; designate sites for Phase I and Phase II assessments; and make recommendations for mitigation, remediation, and effective re-use of the properties.  With this information, NMDC will also assist municipalities in eventual clean-up and redevelopment of these sites for creative new and varied uses, and/or to increase greenspace.

To ensure that local interests and concerns are made part of the site selection and evaluation process, NMDC has partnered with local elected officials, representatives from businesses, economic development professionals, environmental protection agencies, and public health concerns with a broad range of interests affected by the existence of brownfields.  This partnership ensures that all regions of the NMEDD are well represented

Using the Brownfields Assessment grant, NMDC will assist municipalities with Phase I and II assessment of identified Brownfield sites.  Since brownfields oftentimes are in high traffic high visibility parts of the community and are often gateways to communities, it is the goal to apply for future cleanup activities designed to create space for new mixed-use development, to redevelop old structures for new and varied uses, and/or to increase greenspace within the municipality.  Future clean-up of these sites will 1) provide the framework for clean-up, if needed; 2) provide the framework for economic development; and 3) provide a psychological boost when residents can see a formally viable business site come back to life and provide jobs and greenspace. Grant funds will leverage private investment in blighted downtown areas and stimulate redevelopment efforts not otherwise possible using local funds alone.  Development activities will include removal of blight, environmental cleanup, the creation of parks and open space, cultural and historic projects, new and redeveloped commercial space and affordable housing opportunities.

For more information on the Northern Maine Brownfields Initiative, please contact the following Project Managers at (800)427-8736 or email:
Connie Bondeson - Environmental Planner
Jay Kamm - Senior Planner

Click Here for information on the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund available at NMDC.