Big Sky Economic Development uses a Qualified Environmental Professional consulting firm to complete environmental assessments at no cost to the landowner. Assessments vary by property, but may include:
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessment – review of current and historical uses of the property
- Phase II Environmental Site Assessment – sampling and collection of site-specific data
If applicable, assessment may also include:
- Risk evaluation related to site contamination
- Estimation of cleanup costs
- Planning for cleanup activities
- Development of site-specific cleanup or reuse plans
Eligibility Criteria
- The site is real property, and
- The property is abandoned and/or underutilized, and
- There are real or perceived concerns for environmental contamination associated with the property, and
- There is a potential for reuse or redevelopment at the site.
Benefits of Participating in the Brownfields Assessment Program
- Voluntary Participation: The Brownfields Program is entirely voluntary, designed to assist property owners and prospective buyers in their efforts to revitalize properties. Landowners can opt out of the program at any time.
- No Cost Assessments: Environmental assessments are conducted at no cost to the property owner by an environmental contractor hired by Big Sky Economic Development.
- Valuable Assessment Reports: Assessment reports can address the concerns of buyers or lenders and satisfy regulatory requirements.
- Identifying Contamination: Environmental assessments help determine the presence, extent, and severity of contamination, providing property owners and developers with a clearer understanding of risks and potential cleanup solutions.
- Prospective Purchaser Protection: Phase I Environmental Site Assessments comply with All Appropriate Inquiry standards, allowing prospective buyers to qualify as innocent landowners.
- Minimizing Environmental Risk: Some assessments reveal fewer environmental impacts than anticipated, facilitating quicker property redevelopment.
- Access to Cleanup Resources: Completing environmental assessments and cleanup planning may qualify a property for additional federal and state cleanup resources and funding, if needed.
Links
For more information or to get started with Brownfields Assessment, please contact Thom MacLean.