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Rocky Mountain Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (RM-TTAB) Program
EPA Grant Number: TR831579Title: Rocky Mountain Training and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (RM-TTAB) Program
Investigators: Shackelford, Charles D. , Burgher, Karl
Current Investigators: Mellott, Kevin
Institution: Colorado State University , Montana Tech of the University of Montana
Current Institution: Montana Tech of the University of Montana
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: April 1, 2004 through March 30, 2007 (Extended to March 30, 2008)
Project Amount: $180,000
RFA: HSRC - TTAB Brownfields (2003)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Description:
Objective:The project will provide training and technical assistance to brownfields communities in EPA Region 8 with a promise of strengthening the capability of the Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center to assist communities facing Brownfields challenges and engage them in the national movement to revitalize Brownfields properties. Often, various underserved populations have received relatively little, if any, assistance or funds to address environmental issues in their neighborhoods. In EPA Region 8, most counties with underserved populations have median incomes that are less than median incomes for their respective states and less than the national average income. Likewise, unemployment rates in those same counties are higher than the state and national rates. This program will help and assist various Brownfields communities, tribes, and other organizations throughout Region 8.
Approach:The RM-TTAB Program will serve as a new foundation for empowering Brownfields communities in Region 8. The following principles/approaches will be utilized.
Principle 1. A "three-way" partnership will develop between the community, local government, and the Brownfields RM-TTAB Program. The RM-TTAB Program will contribute training and technical assistance to educate the community and local government about Brownfields and the environment. The community and local government will contribute culturally, with local history, expertise, and time.
Principle 2. The partnership will reflect a commitment to fostering and sustaining the relationship based on the community needs. While the goal is to leave communities with the ability to organize and to work together on their own, Montana Tech will maintain subsequent contact to document accomplishments and to provide additional assistance, as necessary.
Principle 3. The partnership will serve as an opportunity to improve our own skills. A detailed outcomes assessment plan will allow real-time measures of the quality of organization, delivery, and responsiveness of our training and assistance efforts on a quarterly and annual basis.
Principle 4. A partnership is characterized by elements of trust, impartiality, and respect. Each participant in the program must agree that everyone is contribute equally for the project's success.
Principle 5. While the program will attempt to serve all communities that request assistance, specific criteria will be developed to select site locations. For example, those communities with Environmental Justice issues are more likely to given preference.
Expected Results:The RM-TTAB Program has all the components necessary for a successful outcome. These are: 1) to equip communities with new knowledge about Brownfields, their environment, and other funding opportunities; and 2) to leave communities with a new ability to organize on their own and to work together on identifying local environmental problems, investigating corresponding human health issues, and solving the problems to increase economic vitality.
Supplemental Keywords:brownfields, technical outreach, community involvement, hazardous waste, technology transfer, economic redevelopment, environmental remediation. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Brownfields, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecology, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecological Effects - Human Health, EPA Region, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecology and Ecosystems, environmental justice, risk assessment, brownfield sites, environmental hazards, environmental education, environmental consequences, outreach and education, environmental assessment, Region 8, environmental risks, hazardous waste
Progress and Final Reports:
2004 Progress Report
2005 Progress Report