The Ouachita Coalition Brownfield Program is designed to help minimize the uncertainties of contamination often associated with brownfield sites. The Program is not a sub-grant program for individuals or businesses, but a service provided through the Coalition's Brownfield Consulting Firm in which the Coalition directs the Consultant to conduct environmental assessment activities to address the requester’s (That's You!!) needs. Unlike grants, the Coalition does not provide funding directly to the individual or entity requesting the services.

 

Assistance may encompass one or more of the following activities:

 

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) or "All Appropriate Inquiry": Like title searches, surveys, and appraisals, such assessments are now routine on commercial real estate transactions. Phase I ESAs include a site inspection, interviews with persons knowledgeable about the history of the property, and a review of environmental records to determine if potential environmental conditions exist.

• Phase II ESAs: If the Phase I ESA identifies potential environmental conditions, additional investigation may be needed to determine if adverse environmental conditions actually exist. Phase II ESAs may include soil, surface water, and groundwater testing; asbestos surveys; lead-based paint surveys; mold surveys; tank removal; and/or threatened and endangered species studies.;

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• Asbestos Inspection Survey, including sampling activities to identify the areas and materials that are considered regulated Asbestos Containing Material (ACM), requiring proper regulatory notification, handling, and disposal when disturbed during renovation or demolition;

 

• Underground Storage Tank (UST) Removal: When necessary for assessment of the soil and groundwater conditions and when approved by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality through a petroleum determination, tanks can be removed; and

• Cleanup Planning: If a site is found to be impacted, the grant will pay for certain engineering and consulting fees to plan for redevelopment. This can include remedial alternatives analysis and meeting with regulatory agencies.