Brownfield redevelopment gets $30m state boost.

Gov. George E. Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that makes available $30 million for local communities to develop strategies to cleanup and reuse brownfields, as well as for grants to assist communities in participating in the redevelopment of brownfields.

The Agreement authorizes the allocation of funds for the Brownfields Opportunity Area Program (BOA) and Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) created as part of the historic Superfund and Brownfields Law enacted in 2003. The MOU also provides funding for the development of a state-wide groundwater database to assist communities in evaluating groundwater issues related to the cleanup of contaminated properties.

"This agreement paves the way for communities across the State to turn dormant properties into engines for economic growth and development," Governor Pataki said. "The successful redevelopment of brownfields in cities, towns and villages across the state will help to revitalize neighborhoods while providing a cleaner, healthier environment for all New Yorkers. I'm proud that this cooperative agreement provides resources and assistance to help revitalize our urban areas and improve the quality of life in our communities for generations to come."

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "With this MOU in place, we can now move forward with the real work of cleaning up brownfields throughout the State and turning blighted areas into productive land that can be used for economic development and job creation. This is a big step forward for a stronger economy and a cleaner environment.,

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "Brownfields often pose environmental and public health threats, as well as legal and financial burdens on communities. Left unchecked, these contaminated sites often threaten the economic viability of adjoining properties. For years, the Assembly has led the fight to clean up the state's brownfields and get these unused industrial sites back on the tax rolls to help revitalize local economies and bring much-needed jobs to communities from Lackawanna to Long Island. This agreement provides grassroots financial support toward the goal of a brownfield remediation program that is protective of the public health and the environment. This is a victory for all New Yorkers."

Senator Marcellino, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said, "With this agreement, we will finally see the historic brownsfield legislation in full action. New York State will be able to take those properties which served no one and were a drain on localities across the State, and turn them into an economic gain for all our taxpayers."

Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, said, "This agreement will be the catalyst for the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties throughout New York State. By cleaning unused industrial sites, we are not only removing environmental threats from communities throughout the state, we are also revitalizing local economies. This is a momentous agreement that will provide tremendous benefits for this state for generations to come."