Grantee Research Project Results
2004 Progress Report: Rocky Mountain Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (RM-TTAB) Program
EPA Grant Number: TR831579Title: Rocky Mountain Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (RM-TTAB) Program
Investigators: Mellott, Kevin , Burgher, Karl
Current Investigators: Shackelford, Charles D. , Burgher, Karl , Kevin, Mellott
Institution: Montana Tech of the University of Montana
Current Institution: Colorado State University , Montana Tech of the University of Montana
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: April 1, 2004 through March 30, 2007 (Extended to March 30, 2008)
Project Period Covered by this Report: April 1, 2004 through March 30, 2005
Project Amount: $180,000
RFA: HSRC - TTAB Brownfields (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management
Objective:
The brownfields issue is one of President Bush’s and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman’s priorities. In his 2002 budget, President Bush proposed increasing brownfields funding at $97.7 million for EPA. Brownfields are defined by EPA as “abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.” These brownfields sites are often targets for cleanup and redevelopment because they typically have low to medium levels of environmental contamination (as opposed to Superfund sites, which may have very high concentrations of a wide variety of contaminants). Redevelopment of brownfields properties has also emerged as a top priority for local governments, environmentalists, industry, and other stakeholders. The brownfields boom is fueled by prospects of urban renewal, job creation, profits, and environmental improvement. Indeed, the growing number of brownfields success stories testifies to the potential of putting America’s lands back to productive, sustainable use. However, to succeed in brownfields, a local community must juggle a complex set of factors, such as funding and financing schemes, clean-up tools and technologies, multiple levels of regulation, issues of legal liability, risk assessment, real estate, and public participation. Success in brownfields is no easy task, despite the abundance of information on the issue.
The Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC) Technical Assistance to Brownfields for Communities (TAB) Program is directed by Karl Burgher at Montana Tech and addresses brownfields sites throughout EPA Region 8. The objective of the Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC TAB Program is to provide technical assistance to meet the needs and desires of the community or group seeking assistance.
Progress Summary:
Activities to provide technical assistance can take many forms, including leadership training, risk assessment, training concerning brownfields processes and site assessment, and technical information concerning clean-up alternatives. Leadership training for community leaders focuses on the technical side of clean-up activities, interaction with government agencies, environmental regulations, clean-up technologies, and risk assessment. Risk assessment training is provided for local government planners, developers, and community members to help build knowledge of basic mechanisms and protocols of risk assessment. Topics include site inventory, characterization, end use, and environmental quality requirements as part of the measurement of risk. Training covering the technical aspects of the brownfields redevelopment process is provided to a variety of stakeholders. Specific subject matter is tailored to local requirements and interests. Training on the assessment of hazardous waste sites helps community leaders and local government environmental professionals develop a better understanding of site assessment principles. Sessions focus on integration of assessment with land use decisions and provide information about the acceptable tools for data collection. Local government officials, developers, and environmental/planning professionals are provided with the technical information needed and taught how to make decisions on the use of appropriate technology for sustainable land use.
The TAB Program differs from the Technical Outreach Services for Communities Program(TOSC), yet should incorporate similar principles of involving stakeholders, meeting stakeholder needs, building trust, creating teams of individuals with a wide range of expertise, and continuous improvement. Our approach, therefore, includes the following:
- Because TAB projects involve a wide range of contaminants and issues, the Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC will assemble an interdisciplinary group of faculty and staff to work with projects. The group of faculty and staff will vary with project needs.
- In addition to identifying appropriate faculty and TAB staff, stakeholders with a wide variety of opinions must be consulted.
- The TAB Program will work with the group requesting assistance to develop an initial agreement that establishes community needs and describes outcomes.
- Evaluation of TAB projects will be ongoing. The initial agreement will identify mechanisms for formal evaluations.
The Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC is assisting EPA Region 8 brownfields in many ways, such as through the development of print-based materials (creation of handbooks or compilation and review of literature); through face-to-face meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops; or through use of technologies (such as the Internet, including development of Web sites, Internet-based instruction, Internet conferencing, or electronic newsletters). Each of these methods will be used as appropriate to help communities better understand technical issues and support redevelopment of brownfields.
Benefits of this project are many. The project will provide assistance to a variety of stakeholders. The Rocky Mountain Regional HSRC will involve faculty and staff from the Center depending on community needs and faculty expertise. The effectiveness of outreach programs will be improved by incorporating a variety of face-to-face and technology-based methods to work with stakeholders. Our ultimate goal is to assist in the redevelopment of brownfields properties by providing information and support to communities.
Status of Current TAB Sites
Crow Nation, Montana
Background. A former carpet mill (Bighorn Carpet Mill) located on the Crow Tribal Reservation has been designated a Brownfield site by the EPA. The Crow Nation has received a brownfields pilot grant to perform an environmental site assessment and plan for cleanup. This work will allow the Crow Nation to develop plans for converting the property into a productive community-based facility.
Concerns. The primary concerns at this site include issues related to water quality, coal bed methane, coal mining, public health, underground storage tanks (USTs), ground water, nonpoint pollution, and environmental justice.
Activities/Status. The TAB Program has provided education to the Crow community on the possible health hazards associated with the chemicals that may have been used at the Big Horn Carpet Mill. The TAB Program has facilitated communication between Willis Weight, Ph.D., and the Crow Tribe concerning ground and surface water mapping for the entire Reservation. The TAB program will continue to assist the Crow Tribal Government by reviewing the document and assisting with public outreach.
Accomplishments. The TAB Program has provided a constant link between EPA and the Crow Tribal Government during the political changes. During this time the TAB Program has assisted the Crow Tribal Government in maintaining a Brownfields presence while working with several new Brownfields Coordinators. The TAB Program has also provided outreach on the status of the Big Horn Carpet Mill to the Crow community. In March of 2004 the TAB Program participated with the Crow Brownfields Program in providing the Crow Community with an update of the various Brownfields projects. Information concerning the Big Horn Carpet Mills Phase I and II Assessment, the Crow Brownfields Job Training Program, as well as the Crow Brownfields Programs award of State and Tribal Response Program was announced. This was the second meeting to help inform the community of the progress of the Brownfields Programs. The TAB Program, in conjunction with the Crow Brownfields Job Training Program, has provided the Crow Community with extensive outreach associated with the environmental issues that plague the Crow Reservation.
Future. The TAB Program has scheduled a one day Hydrogeology presentation for the Crow community in October. This will be presented by Willis Weight, Ph.D., P.E. The TAB Program is also currently building lines of communication between the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Air Permitting Department, the Rocky Mountain Power Plant, and the Crow Nation prior to the construction, operation of the construction, and operation of (Editor’s note: is this correct?) a Coal Burning Power plant in Hardin, Montana. This plant will border the Crow Reservation and has raised questions within the community on potential health risk. This work will result in creating a baseline to environmental and industrial assessment and in developing a more effective working relationship with federal agencies for the Crow Government.
Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana
Background. The Gross Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes, referred to as the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC), reside on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. In 1888, an Act of Congress established the Reservation. The site for the Fort Belknap Agency as the government headquarters was informally established in 1889. The reservation is located in remote north-central Montana, and is included in portions of Blaine and Phillips Counties and about 40 miles from the Canadian border. The boundaries of the reservation are the Milk River to the north, the Little Rocky Mountains to the south, and survey lines to the east and west.
On July 19, 2001, EPA awarded the FBIC a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot Grant. There are currently two sites that have been designated by EPA and the Fort Belknap Community Council as Brownfields Assessment Pilot Sites: the Old Agency Landfill and the Snake Butte rock quarry, both of which are located wholly on tribally owned lands. The Old Agency Landfill, located 1 mile east of the Agency, was in operation for approximately 60 years. During this time, the landfill reportedly accepted residential, industrial, and agricultural wastes and allegedly received unspecified amounts of pesticides and PCBs. Residents, federal agencies, and health facilities utilized the landfill for years since the agency was formed in the early 1900s. The landfill was closed in 1970. The Snake Butte rock quarry, located approximately 10 miles south of the Agency, was utilized by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in the 1930s for obtaining rip-rap during the construction of the Fort Peck Dam. Upon completion of the dam, the butte was left without any form of cleanup. There remains evidence of blasting, railroad construction, and other debris that have damaged the area.
Concerns. The primary concerns related to this site include mining issues, landfills, ground water, environmental justice, chemical contamination, pollution prevention, and cultural sites.
Activities/Status. The TAB Program has provided Brownfields Workshops to the Fort Belknap community and has worked with the Fort Belknap Environmental Protection Program in evaluating Requests for Proposals (RFPs) associated with the Brownfields Assessment Grant. The TAB program has also been assisting FBIC with completing the reporting requirements associated with Brownfields Job Training Program. The TAB Program will continue to assist in public outreach and education to the Fort Belknap Community.
Accomplishments. The TAB program began working with the FBIC in the Fall of 2002, although Montana Tech and the Mine Waste Technology Program have had a long working relationship with the FBIC. In 2002, FBIC had requested assistance with their Brownfields Assessment Grant, concerning the Snake Butte Rock Quarry and a former landfill located near the Milk River. This program has provided environmental education to the Fort Belknap Reservation as well as working closely with Sherry Bishop, Fort Belknap’s Brownfields Coordinator assisting with reports and questions concerning Brownfields Programs. The TAB program has assisted FBIC with public outreach planning as well as review of the RFP process and technical review of the Phase I and Phase II assessment reports. The FBIC was awarded a Brownfields Job Training Grant in June of 2003 and has requested assistance in providing education associated with the Grant. The TAB Program has worked closely with Sherry Bishop, Fort Belknap’s Brownfields Coordinator assisting with reports and questions concerning the Brownfields Program.
Future. The award of a Brownfields Job Training Grant will provide the FBIC with a viable work force to continue to clean up both Brownfields sites, as well as any other environmental issues located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. The TAB program will continue to assist the FBIC in providing education to the community, as well as provide assistance with the Brownfields Job Training Grant.
Bear Paw Development, Hill County, Montana
Background. Hill County is located in north-central Montana covering an area of approximately 2,896 square miles with a total population of 16,673 (or a population density of approximately 5.8 persons per square mile). The largest community within Hill County is Havre with a population of 9,621 (based on the 2000 census), and the primary industry in the county is agriculture. Hill County also includes a portion of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and is the regional trade center for the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. According to the 2000 census, 2,884 American Indians live in Hill County.
The Burlington Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway maintenance shop is located in Havre, along with a diesel-refueling stop for all trains traveling Montana’s northern line. A total of approximately 35 trains per day travel through Havre and utilize the diesel refueling station. A variety of light manufacturing plants are also located in the community, as well as former gas stations, paint shops, dry cleaners, and various agriculture-related businesses.
Concerns. The concerns related to this site include railroad refueling and maintenance areas (BNSF), abandoned USTs, former industrial properties, former autobody repair and paint shops, nonpoint source pollution, and groundwater contamination.
Activities/Status. Since this project is in the early stages, the TAB Program’s primary goal will be to help identify potential development opportunities and to provide information and support to Hill County and the Havre community. The TAB Program will offer various meetings and workshops to help the community better understand the technical issues surrounding the Brownfields Program.
Hill County’s Brownfields Grant Proposal was denied by EPA for funding this last year, and Hill County chose not to submit a grant proposal this year so they can clearly define their future goals and objectives concerning Brownfields properties. In doing so, they have requested from the TAB program training sessions for Brownfields and groundwater to help them better understand the Brownfields Program as well as help them address and educate the community on some of the local environmental issues that currently impact them. In addition, the TAB Program, working with Kansas State University, has developed an “Institutional Control” map of contaminated areas for city planning. This map was the center of attention during our TAB Brownfields 101 course provided in March of 2004. The community stakeholders that attended this workshop where provided an opportunity to view the maps as well as make comments. The TAB Program will continue to provide education to the community of Havre.
Accomplishments. At the request of Hill County, TAB personnel completed a site visit and presentation of the TAB capabilities in March 2003 and Hill County submitted the application for funding to EPA in March 2003. Hill County was not awarded funding; however, Hill County was intending to resubmit the application this year but they chose not to, so they could clearly define their future goals and objectives concerning Brownfields properties and increase their chance of future funding. In doing so, they have requested from the TAB Program training sessions for a variety of topics such as brownfields development, introductory hydrogeology, and groundwater contamination. In cooperation with Kansas State University, TAB personnel developed an “Institutional Control” map of contaminated areas for potential future city planning and brownfields development. A draft map was completed and reviewed with final editing being performed at Kansas State University. This map will serve as a tool for Havre and provides an example case study for Kansas State University to develop an institutional control project. The TAB Program provided an Introduction to Brownfields to the community stakeholders during a March 2004 visit.
Future. TAB will meet the needs of the community by creating and providing educational materials, workshops, and/or presentations, as necessary. Overall, the public will develop an enhanced understanding of a variety of issues, such as groundwater contamination from petroleum contaminated sites and brownfields development, so that private investors will more likely consider developing local real estate. The “Institutional Control” map of contaminated areas may be used as a planning tool for Havre. The TAB Program is currently working with Bear Paw Development in scheduling a hydrogeology course for the fall of 2004.
Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana
Background. The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is in northwestern Montana along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Canada borders its 1.5 million acres to the north, and to the west is Glacier National Park. The largest community on the reservation is Browning, it is home to Blackfeet Community College. There are eight major lakes and 175 miles of fishing streams on the reservation. Tribal permits are required to fish on the reservation. The tribe operates four campgrounds. There are 14,700 enrolled tribal members; about 7,000 live on or near the reservation.
A manufacturing plant on the reservation produces pencils, pens, and markers. This factory is the center of concern with the community. This site was a former Superfund site, and the community is concerned with the cleanup that took place. One of the Brownfields Program’s goals is to sample the groundwater near the pencil factory for TCE. Other major uses of the land are ranching and farming. The principle crops are wheat, barley, and hay.
Concerns. The Blackfeet Reservation is an Environmental Justice Community. With issues of groundwater contamination, Superfund Cleanup, and illegal and abandoned waste dumps, these activities have taken a toll on the quality of life both physically and spiritually.
Activities/Status. The TAB Program conducted a half day Brownfields 101 course at the Blackfeet Community College in April of 2004. The TAB Program has provided the Blackfeet Environmental Department samples of successful Brownfields Job Training Programs Proposal.
Accomplishments. We conducted a Brownfields 101 Course in April of 2004. This course was broadcast on the local channels to the Blackfeet Community. The TAB Program has also been contacted by the Blackfoot Environmental Program to provide technical review of their Brownfields Job Training Grant.
Future. The TAB Program will assist the Blackfoot Environmental Program in applying for a Brownfields Job Training Grant, as well as continue to provide technical assistance and education to the community.
Status of Inactive TAB Sites
Spirit Lake Reservation, Fort Totten, North Dakota
Background. The Spirit Lake Sioux belong to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Band. The Tribe’s ancestral grounds lie in what is now Minnesota. An 1862 gold discovery in Minnesota enticed gold seekers and settlers through Minnesota Sioux Country, resulting in the Minnesota Uprising that same year. Following this conflict, many of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Band migrated southwest to what is now known as the Fort Totten, North Dakota, area. The reservation was established in 1867 by a treaty between the United States Government and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Bands. The Candeska Cikana Community College just recently received a Brownfields Training Grant and has requested TAB assistance.
Concerns. The concerns at this site include contamination to groundwater and surface water, brownfields issues, hazardous waste, and cultural issues.
Activities/Status. Fort Totten and the Candeska Cikana Community College located on the Spirit Lake Reservation have contacted the TAB program requesting assistance with their Brownfields Job Training Grant. In particular, they needed help locating educational contractors. The TAB program has provided assistance in locating and contacting contractors to provide their job training. This was completed and assistance was terminated. This site will be closed.
Accomplishments. The TAB program has provided Fort Totten and the Candeska Cikana Community College with the contact information of local educational contractors as requested.
Future. Future involvement with the TAB Program will be evaluated upon need for assistance as well as budgetary issues.
Gold Hill Mesa Tailings Site–Colorado Springs, Colorado
Background. This 200-acre site formerly contained a gold ore processing plant. The ore was shipped to the site from mines located in the Cripple Creek mining area. The site, located within the city limits of Colorado Springs, has been abandoned for several years.
Recently, the site has been proposed for high-density residential use. An environmental assessment was performed under the State of Colorado’s Voluntary Cleanup Program. The results of that assessment identified the presence of several heavy metals in the soils and concluded that the site was appropriate for residential use if soil was stabilized and a cap placed over the site. Site grading is under way.
Concerns. Community members living nearby have been concerned about three principal issues:
- Does the proposed capping provide sufficient protection for the prospective residents?
- Are adequate measures being taken to suppress dust during the site grading?
- Will there be contaminated runoff from the site into the nearby stream system?
Activities/Status. TAB met with community members to ascertain concerns and to develop an understanding of the site. Community members took TAB representatives on a tour of the site and provided preliminary documentation regarding site activities. This site is temporarily closed.
Accomplishments. TAB has created an awareness of the regulatory process used in assessing this site and has facilitated access to current environmental records, thus permitting community members to decide on an appropriate course of action. TAB has directed the community to the appropriate history and environmental documentation.
Future. This site will be closed by the TAB Program, but EPA and the State of Colorado will continue working with this community. TAB will remain accessible to community requests.
Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Waste, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Brownfields, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecology and Ecosystems, EPA Region, brownfield sites, environmental hazards, risk assessment, risk assessment , environmental justice, environmental risks, environmental assessment, environmental consequences, hazardous waste, Region 8, environmental educationProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.