Briefing Paper on California EPA's CalEnviroScreen

August 2012
3 pages

The CalEnviroScreen is a draft tool released by the California EPA to identify environmental justice communites facing disproportionate cumulative impacts. Our briefing paper discusses the tool's methods and explains why it may have unintentional effects on struggling communities.

Redeveloping Brownfield Sites: A Regional Approach

June 2012
6 pages 

This short document provides an overview of the main issues to consider when beginning a brownfield redevelopment plan, with discussions of planning, stakeholder engagement, and technical assistance adn funding available.

Federal Financial Resources for Brownfields

May 2012
2 pages
[Publication #3990-06] 

This matrix identifies sources of federal funding and technical assistance available for brownfields redevelopment, including the type of assistance, eligibility requirements, funding amounts, deadlines and contacts. 

Financial Resources for Alaska Brownfields

June 2010
8 pages
[Publication #3990-05]

Center for Creative Land Recycling's Special Report

February 2009
2 pages
[Publication #3990-04]

Financial Resources for California Brownfields

July 2008
12 pages
[Publication #3990-03]

This packet provides an overview of the available financial mechanisms for funding brownfield redevelopment in California and describes several new and innovative programs. Many of the existing programs are in the form of loans, but there are also a number of grant programs. The packet describes some of the basic terms for accessing funds, relevant contacts, and available resources. This packet now includes a helpful summary chart of brownfield funding resources.

Center for Creative Land Recycling's Special Report

May 2008
2 pages
[publication #3990-02]

Financial Resources for Arizona Brownfields

December 2007
11 pages
[Publication #3990-01]

This packet provides an overview of the available financial mechanisms for funding brownfield redevelopment in Arizona and describes several new and innovative programs. Many of the existing programs are in the form of loans, but there are also a number of grant programs. The packet describes some of the basic terms for accessing funds, relevant contacts, and available resources. This packet includes a helpful summary chart of brownfield funding resources.

How Many Brownfields Does California Have?

August 2007
3 pages
[Publication #3990-05]

“Where are all the brownfields?” This question is posed frequently by environmental
regulators, city planners, and academics alike, as they attempt to address the challenges that brownfields pose to the revitalization of our communities.

Center for Creative Land Recycling's Special Report

March 2007
2 pages
[Publication #3990-00]

The New Standard of Development

California Real Estate Journal
January 2007
7 pages
[Publication #3989-09]

As California runs out of green fields to build on in primary markets, developers are increasingly targeting less desirable, more complex sites either in dense urban locations or in outlying suburban markets.

California's Brownfield Regulatory Agencies: Are All Cleanups Created Equal? A Comparative Study

January 2006
68 pages
[Publication #3989-08]

CCLR compared cleanups overseen by the two state governmental entities responsible for overseeing brownfield remediation in California: the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Water Boards). The study’s findings show that voluntary, residentially driven brownfield cleanups overseen by either DTSC or by a Water Board are equally protective of human health and the environment. Both agencies derive their cleanup goals either from conservative standards or through Cal/EPA-accepted risk assessment processes and each agency’s cleanups achieved those goals with similarly high frequency.

Brownfield Redevelopment Case Studies

March 2000
38 pages
[Publication #3989-06]

This packet of case studies documents five projects that have received assistance through the Project Learning Program. In each of these stories, concerned citizens encountered obstacles and fought for redevelopment of brownfields. Several key themes emerge from all of the stories: the need for financial assistance for site investigation and remediation; the need for technical assistance to navigate the complex regulatory and remediation process; and the need for policy reform to protect community-based developers from liability for contamination caused by previous owners.

CCLR Policy Paper No. 2: Strategies for Promoting Brownfield Reuse in California: A Blueprint for Policy Reform

October 1998
82 pages
[Publication #3989-05]

This is the second publication in the CCLR Policy Paper Series. This report analyzes California's existing brownfield initiatives in the light of brownfield programs in other states, and makes recommendations for state-level reforms to encourage and facilitate widespread reuse of contaminated sites. Access the text online or order the hard copy for your library.

CCLR Policy Paper No. 1: Land Recycling and the Creation of Sustainable Communities

March 1998
28 pages
[Publication #3989-02]

This is the first publication in the CCLR Policy Paper Series. It outlines a strategy for ensuring prosperity and quality of life for Californians in the 21st Century. Access the text online or order the hard copy for your library.