DESCRIPTION

(1) Implement “three-pronged strategy” for ranking sites with significant redevelopment/revitalization potential. Explanation: Top 20 sites will be separately ranked (as High or Medium priority) based upon each of the following considerations: (a) Land Use Planning & Development factors; (b) Legal & Financial factors; and (c) Environmental & Public Health factors. This was the approach agreed-upon at the BFSC meeting of 7/18/01.

(2) Prepare comments [for BFSC and EMC in response to requests for public comment from DEC and/or the Legislature] on proposed changes to the rules and procedures governing brownfields and the voluntary cleanup program. Explanation: We have been advised that DEC will be proposing during this fiscal year new regulations or procedures governing the voluntary cleanup program. It is also possible the State Legislature may take action this year on Superfund Reform legislation that encompasses brownfields and the voluntary cleanup program. State law and regulations will have a major impact on whether and to what extent Broome County brownfields are redeveloped.

(3) Assist Broome County Planning and Economic Development in implementing the U.S. EPA Brownfields Assessment Pilot Demonstration cooperative agreement (applied for late last year), if awarded, and in pursuing other brownfields funding opportunities.

(4) Prepare (or obtain from DEC) and maintain a Brownfields funding source matrix showing types of funding sources available, along with eligibility factors, funding levels, and types of projects funded.

(5) Prepare case studies documenting how other New York counties and localities are employing condemnation and police power authorities to assess, clean up, and acquire brownfield properties with significant redevelopment potential.

(6) Prepare a table comparing the key elements of New York State’s voluntary cleanup program with those of other states with whom New York competes for major employers.

(7) Assist Broome County Planning in promoting the incorporation of City of Binghamton real estate data relevant to brownfields into a consolidated County GIS system.

(8) Identify and retain a paid BFSC intern (to assist in the completion of items ##1,4,5 and 6).

(9) Implement a public outreach program to disseminate the Subcommittee’s principal work-products and to solicit public inputs in order to promote public support for and ownership of the Subcommittee’s conclusions and recommendations.