Brownfields
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines brownfields as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant". A "Brownfield" as stated in the Florida Statutes 376.79 also means a contiguous area of one or more brownfield sites, some of which may not be contaminated, and which has been designated by a local government by resolution. Such areas may include all or portions of community redevelopment areas, enterprise zones, empowerment zones, other such designated economically deprived communities and areas, and Environmental Protection Agency - designated brownfield pilot projects.
Program Objective
To encourage the clean-up and redevelopment of environmentally contaminated or potentially contaminated industrial or commercial properties that are abandoned, idle, or underused.
Creation of the Task Force
The Broward County Brownfields Task Force was created after the Broward County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 1998-16 January 13, 1998. The purpose of the Task Force is to identify all potential brownfield sites and areas of environmental contamination or the perception of contamination known as "brownfields."
Brownfields Pilot Projects
The Task Force recommended designation of four brownfields sites and two brownfield areas as pilot projects for redevelopment.
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City of Miramar - Decommissioned Wastewater Treatment Plant (site) |
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City of Pompano Beach - Northwest Community Redevelopment Area (area) |
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City of Lauderdale Lakes - Lauderdale Lakes Studio (site) |
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City of Hollywood - Liberia/Oakwood Hills (area) |
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City of Dania Beach - Uniweld Products (site) |
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City of Lauderhill - U.S. 441/State Road 7 Corridor (area) |
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City of Dania Beach - Dania Motorcross (site) |
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City of Dania Beach - MABB, LLC |
How does Brownfields Redevelopment benefit communities?
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Encourages further redevelopment and reinvestment in inner city areas |
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Increases local employment opportunities |
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Increases overall neighborhood quality of life by replacing brownfields with sustainable development |
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Increases city tax base |
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Reduces suburban sprawl |
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Protects human health and the environment |
How does Brownfields Redevelopment benefit business?
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Provides degree of certainty and finality to the environmental cleanup process |
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Provides access to liability protection provisions and creative insurance programs |
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Establishes cleanup standards and criteria for Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) |
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Provides access to economic incentives |
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Provides assistance in obtaining public/private loan and fund programs |
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Provides assistance and guidance in workforce training programs |
The primary goals of the Brownfield Redevelopment Act, as stated in Florida Statutes, Section 376.77 - 376.875, Florida Statutes are to reduce public health and environmental hazards on existing commercial and industrial sites that are abandoned or underused due to these hazards; create financial and regulatory incentives to encourage voluntary cleanup and redevelopment of sites; derive cleanup target levels and a process for obtaining a "No Further Action" letter using Risk-Based Corrective Action principles; and provide the opportunity for Environmental Equity and Justice.
Financial and regulatory incentives will be utilized to include Brownfields redevelopment.
For more information visit these web sites:
Contact Planning Services at: 954-357-6634
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