NOAA Brownfields: NOAA's Role

Why NOAA and Brownfields
Who is Involved
What NOAA Brings to the Table
NOAA/EPA Brownfields Memorandum of Understanding

Why NOAA and Brownfields

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NOAA’s mission is to conserve and wisely manage natural coastal and marine resources. NOAA's experience in solving critical environmental challenges, combined with its role as the nation’s primary coastal stewardship agency, make it uniquely qualified to address brownfield issues in the nation's coastal communities. The Department of Commerce (DOC) and NOAA work to balance environmental and economic needs and benefits. Cleaning up and redeveloping coastal brownfields expands local economies, improves public access to the coast, restores natural coastal resources, and revitalizes waterfronts.

While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has primary authority and responsibility for identifying and cleaning up contaminated sites, opportunities to provide local communities assistance in revitalizing brownfield communities extend to the entire federal family. NOAA has developed a strong partnership with EPA through participation in the Brownfields Federal Partnership. Since 1997, DOC and NOAA have contributed funding, facilitation, and/or technical expertise at coastal brownfields across the country.

Who is Involved

NOAA does not offer resources through a consolidated brownfields program, nor are brownfields managed by one particular office. Rather, existing agency programs provide resources and technical assistance to coastal communities for brownfields cleanup and reuse.

Office of Response and Restoration (NOAA/NOS) - protects and restores contaminated coastal resources and habitats (including brownfields) by first assessing and evaluating risks and then implementing cost-effective environmental cleanup and restoration solutions. ORR is currently providing this support is 28 coastal communities.
Coastal Zone Management Program (NOAA/NOS) - through its strong partnerships with coastal states, helps revitalize community waterfronts and redevelop brownfields sites.
NOAA Office of Education and Sustainable Development - has provided funding to and sponsored workshops for coastal cities to assist them in more thoroughly planning their brownfields redevelopment activities.
NOAA Coastal Services Center - helps develop the expertise of coastal resource professional by giving them the tools to engage communities in land and water issues, including the redevelopment of brownfields. Through Center-led workshops, planners and managers build valuable skills to help local governments collaborate with the public and manage conflict.

What NOAA Brings to the Table for Coastal Revitalization
With its coastal focus and experience in solving critical environmental challenges, combined with its position within the Department of Commerce, NOAA balances environmental and economic needs in many ways:

NOAA expertise improves cleanup and redevelopment and expedites decision-making;
NOAA benefits local economies and improves quality of life in coastal communities by applying sustainable and economic development programs;
NOAA sponsors local workshops focusing on brownfields revitalization. These workshops help communities gather input from all parties involved in the revitalization process, creating strong partnerships for more efficient action;
NOAA rebuilds community waterfronts and redevelops brownfields sites through its strong partnerships with coastal states’ coastal zone management programs;
NOAA revitalizes port areas through the use of advanced marine transportation tools and services; and,
NOAA helps to improve quality of life, the environment, and the regional economy by working with local communities and other agencies on coastal brownfield sites.

NOAA/EPA Brownfields Memorandum of Understanding

NOAA has developed a strong partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through participation in the Federal Brownfields Partnership Forum. In January 2003, NOAA and EPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that establishes a general working agreement between EPA and NOAA to coordinate their plicies and activities in support of brownfields assessment and clean up, community revitalization, and environmental protection efforts. Building on the current working relationship between EPA and NOAA, this MOU updates and renews the partnership established between the two agencies in 1997, with the objective to further enhance interagency cooperation and collaboration.
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