Brownfields Toolbox

The first and most comprehensive source of reliable information regarding brownfields is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Technical assistance is available at three different levels: the EPA Web site, EPA national headquarters, and EPA regional offices.
The first and most comprehensive source of reliable information regarding brownfields is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Technical assistance is available at three different levels: the EPA Web site, EPA national headquarters, and EPA regional offices.

Surfing the EPA Web site, (

Access to information on the EPA Web site is intuitive and clearly displayed. Links to other organizations and federal agencies provide pathways to topics not specifically addressed by the EPA.

The EPA is organized with headquarters in Washington D.C. and ten regional offices across the country. The focus of EPA headquarters is on national issues such as legislation, appropriations, and national program oversight and guidance. While selected programs are directly administered from headquarters, the regional offices perform most day-to-day operations.

Regional offices are largely responsible for the implementation and project management of brownfields activities in their region. Each region is organized to advocate national programs. For example, regional offices have brownfields remediation site coordinators as well as Brownfields Job Development and Training program coordinators to provide guidance, oversight, and assistance to grantees.

If your organization is seriously interested in developing a Brownfields Job Development and Training program, you should communicate first with the EPA regional coordinator. It is important to begin establishing contact in the early stages of program development as assistance provided at that time could be of immeasurable value. Coordinators are familiar with programs in the region, track those programs, and provide guidance. In addition, most regional coordinators have developed an inventory of useful contacts and resources.

See the EPA Web site (http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/regcntct.htm) for the names and contact information of brownfields regional coordinators.

Web sites for each of the ten regional offices can be accessed from the EPA home page as follows:  

	EPA regional map - Source: U.S. EPA             (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/regions.htm)

(http://www.epa.gov/region1/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region2/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region3/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region4/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region5/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region6/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region7/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region8/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region9/)

(http://www.epa.gov/region10/)

Regional Web sites provide an overall review of activities in the region. The Web sites also are useful resources for brownfields activities in communities located in regions adjacent to yours.