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NOAA's Role in Coastal Brownfields
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Why NOAA and Brownfields
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.
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 working agreement to coordinate their policies and activities in brownfields assessment and clean up, community revitalization, and environmental protection efforts. This MOU updates and renews the partnership established in 1997, with the objective to further enhance interagency cooperation and collaboration. |
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