Brownfield

A property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant from prior industrial or commercial activities.

What is a Brownfield?

A brownfield is a property where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by the known or suspected presence of environmental contamination from previous industrial, commercial, or other activities. The term was formally defined by the EPA's Brownfields Program and encompasses a wide range of properties — from former gas stations and dry cleaners to abandoned factories and industrial complexes.

Brownfields vs. Superfund Sites

Brownfields are distinguished from Superfund sites (which are the most severely contaminated properties subject to federal cleanup orders) by their generally lower contamination levels and the availability of voluntary cleanup programs. While Superfund sites are driven by enforcement, brownfield programs are incentive-based — designed to encourage private-sector cleanup and redevelopment of underutilized properties.

Brownfield Incentives

Federal, state, and local programs provide various incentives for brownfield redevelopment: EPA brownfield grants for assessment and cleanup, state voluntary cleanup programs (VCPs) that provide liability protection upon completion, tax incentives such as the federal Brownfield Tax Incentive (allowing cleanup costs to be deducted rather than capitalized), and local incentives such as tax increment financing, reduced permitting fees, and density bonuses.

Brownfield Development Strategy

Successful brownfield development requires coordinating environmental remediation with the development process. The cleanup strategy must be designed to support the intended land use — for example, residential uses require more stringent cleanup standards than commercial or industrial uses. Environmental insurance products are available to manage residual risk, and institutional controls (such as deed restrictions) may be used to maintain protectiveness of the remedy.