This action encourages the municipality to assess and investigate properties with suspected or actual contamination to position them for remedial action and redevelopment. To accomplish this goal the municipality must contract with Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRP) and submit proof of completion of Preliminary Assessments (PA): Site Investigations (SI): and/or Remedial Investigation (RI) reports. 

Why is it important? 

Have you ever noticed the old, dilapidated and abandoned properties strewn throughout your municipality? Do you wonder why nothing has ever been done to rid your town of these eyesores? These old properties you drive by every day may be considered brownfields. A brownfield is an underutilized or vacant commercial or industrial property that is potentially contaminated. 

Because brownfield sites have had prior development – focusing redevelopment efforts on these sites takes advantage of existing infrastructure and reduces development pressure on a previously undeveloped, pristine property. The first step to revitalizing a brownfield property is to conduct sufficient due diligence and to investigate any identified potential environmental hazards. Conducting a preliminary assessment is the first step in determining if a site is contaminated. While not every site requires all steps of investigation, if a brownfield property is found to be contaminated, remediation and/or redevelopment cannot occur until the extent of the contamination is determined. Once the property is adequately investigated and remediated, the property can be repurposed for community benefits. Eliminating this eyesore benefits the community and brings the property back into productive use.