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TALLAHASSEE- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement recognizing
Florida’s Brownfields Redevelopment Program as a means
to expedite the cleanup of polluted properties and
return them to productive use.
“This recognizes the two agencies’ commitment to the
Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program,” said Jimmy
Palmer, EPA Region 4 Administrator in Atlanta. “I look
forward to continuing to work with Florida to promote
environmental protection, economic development, and
community revitalization through this program.”
This new agreement incorporates the requirements of
the 2002 federal Brownfields Law and recognizes that
cleanups conducted under Florida’s program may also
satisfy the requirements of the federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act.
“The Brownfields program allows for the restoration
of the environment and revitalization of our
communities." said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille.
"Through this agreement we are streamlining the process
and paving the way for the redevelopment of Florida's
urban communities.”
The agreement represents a commitment by both
agencies to work cooperatively to achieve protective
cleanups at Brownfield properties in Florida, while
preserving federal enforcement authority. The agreement,
in part, promotes the Federal “One Cleanup Program”,
facilitating assessment and cleanup of polluted
properties under the most efficient state or federal
cleanup authority, and assisting redevelopment and
reuse.
It provides a clear statement of state and federal
roles at polluted properties and provides for
coordinated and consistent technical and regulatory
guidance to property owners, prospective purchasers,
public and private developers, citizens, local
governments, and elected officials. The commitments
expressed in the agreement by EPA will increase the
number and rate of cleanups at sites and facilities
throughout the state.
Brownfields are real properties where expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the
presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance,
pollutant, or contaminant. The federal Brownfields
program empowers states, communities and other
stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together
to assess, safely clean up, and reuse brownfields.
Since 1999, Florida has created 4,407 new direct jobs
and 2,947 new indirect jobs, and realized $396,967,858
of capital investment in designated brownfield areas
since the inception of the program.
More information about brownfields is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields or
www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/brownfields/default.htm. | 
