DEC Guidance Documents

Brownfield Implementation Efforts

Staff Contact: Ken Pokalsky

The Department of Environmental Conservation has issued two major documents for public comment related to implementation of the state's new brownfield program. These include:

Brownfield Cleanup Program Guidance
This document provides technical guidance to implementation of all major aspects of the brownfield program, including: application and administrative processes; citizen participation requirements; site investigation requirements; remedy and remedy selection criteria. This document is available on online at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/bcp/DraftBCPguide.pdf

You can also contact Robert W. Schick at DEC at: (518)402-9662. The last day for receipt of comments will be July 12, 2004.

The Environmental Notice Bulletin announcing the availability of this document for public review is available on line at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/enb2004/20040512/not0.html

Development of Soil Cleanup Objectives
The Brownfield Act directs the DEC to adopt use-based soil cleanup standards for residential, commercial and industrial projects, and sets forth criteria for use in developing such standards. By statute, the DEC is to propose these standards by October 2004. In order to obtain public input on this standards development process, the DEC has issued briefs or "information sheets" on eleven separate issues that will be considered, ranging from establishing definitions for different categories of land use, to technical exposure and epidemiological issues. These information sheets are available online at:
www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/superfund/soil_info.pdf

The DEC has not yet established any timetable for receipt of comments on these issue sheets. However, it will be discussed at public meetings scheduled for May 19 in Albany and June 8 in New York City. Information on these public meetings are available at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/bfield/bcpmeet.html

The Business Council's Environment Committee will be submitting comments on this document. If you are interested in participating in these review and comment efforts, please contact us at your earliest convenience.

Note: Additional information about NYS DEC's new Brownfields Cleanup Program and related brownfields programs can be found on the Department's website: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/index.html