Assessment Program - Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Grants

Program Description: Funding is available to conduct Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) at sites throughout Niagara County to help communities understand environmental conditions on properties and whether those conditions could be harmful to residents and workers.

Administering Organization: Niagara County Brownfields Program

Funding Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Geographic Scope: Niagara County, New York

Cost to Property Owner: Assessments are completed using grant funds at no charge to the property owner

Program Features

• Professional Management: Niagara County handles hiring and managing the environmental consultants
• No Cost: Property owners pay nothing for assessment services
• Comprehensive: Both Phase I and Phase II assessments available

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Uses existing information to help a community understand the property conditions by examining current and historical uses of the site and potential threats to human health or the environment.

Four Major Steps:

1. Review current and previous land uses
2. Examine ownership and environmental records related to hazardous substances
3. Visually inspect the site
4. Interview neighbors, owners, and past workers

Requirements: Must be completed by an environmental professional

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Recommended if the Phase I ESA reveals known or potential contamination found on the property, called recognized environmental conditions (RECs).

Activities Include:

• Environmental professional develops a sampling plan
• Evaluate the potential presence of contamination from hazardous substances and petroleum
• Determine the sources and exposures
• Identify chemicals of concern
• Sample and test soil, groundwater, and other media
• Further investigate areas of concern
• Develop plans for cleanup, if needed

Eligibility Requirements

• Site Ownership: Sites can be publicly or privately owned
• Site Access: Written site access is required prior to initiating a site assessment
• EPA Eligibility: Sites must meet EPA's eligibility requirements
• Contamination Responsibility: The property owner cannot be considered responsible for site contamination

Available Resources

• EPA Assessment Program Fact Sheet
• 2024 Hazardous Waste EPA Grant Agreement

Application Process

While specific step-by-step application details are not provided on the website, the general process includes:

1. Contact the Program: Reach out to Niagara County Brownfields Program to express interest in assessment funding
2. Site Access: Provide written site access agreement/letter from property owner
3. Site Screening: Program staff screen site against EPA eligibility requirements
4. Determine Assessment Type: Program determines whether Phase I, Phase II, or both assessments are needed
5. Consultant Hiring: Niagara County hires and manages environmental consultants
6. Assessment Completion: Environmental professionals conduct the assessment(s)

Required Materials

• Written site access agreement from property owner
• Property information (ownership, location, historical uses)
• Documentation that property owner is not responsible for site contamination

Key Requirement

Written site access is required prior to initiating a site assessment

Contact for Application Information

Niagara County Brownfields Program
Samuel M. Ferraro Center for Economic Development
6311 Inducon Corporate Drive, Suite 1
Sanborn, New York 14132-9099
Phone: (716) 278-8754