HCPC works with municipalities, property owners, nonprofit organizations, developers, and other partners to identify potential brownfields and move properties toward productive reuse. Through funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HCPC can support environmental assessments and related planning for eligible properties in Hancock County. Please contact Andi Porter, aporter@hcpcme.org for questions.
Brownfields are properties where redevelopment, expansion, or reuse may be complicated by known or potential environmental contamination. These properties may be vacant, underused, or simply difficult to sell or redevelop because of potential contamination.
What is a Brownfield?
A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. A property does not need to have confirmed contamination to be considered a brownfield. Concern about possible contamination can be enough to prevent investment or redevelopment. Brownfields may include:
- Former mills, factories, and industrial properties
- Gas stations and automotive businesses
- Dry cleaners
- Vacant or underused commercial buildings
- Warehouses
- Former municipal facilities
- Landfills and disposal sites
- Former seafood processing facilities
- Other properties with a history of uses that raise environmental questions
Why Redevelop Brownfields?
Brownfield redevelopment can help communities:
- Return vacant and underused properties to productive use
- Support housing, businesses, public facilities, and other community needs
- Remove uncertainty that discourages private investment
- Protect public health and the environment
- Reuse existing roads, utilities, buildings, and other infrastructure
- Increase local property values and tax revenue
- Improve downtowns, village centers, and waterfront areas
- Reduce development pressure on undeveloped land
Have a Property in Mind?
HCPC is identifying potential brownfield properties throughout Hancock County. There are two ways to share a property with us.
Suggest a Potential Brownfield Property
Know of a vacant, underused, or difficult-to-redevelop property that may have environmental concerns?
Anyone can use HCPC’s Brownfields Survey to identify a property they believe may be a brownfield. You do not need to own the property or know whether contamination is present. Survey responses will help HCPC identify potential sites and understand brownfield needs across Hancock County.
Request an Assessment of Your Property
Property owners interested in having their own property considered for environmental assessment through HCPC’s Brownfields Program can submit an Assessment Nomination Form.
Submitting the form does not guarantee that a property will receive an assessment. The HCPC Brownfields Committee will review the property for eligibility and, redevelopment potential.
How the Assessment and Cleanup Process Works
Identify a Property
The first step is identifying properties where known or potential environmental concerns may be creating a barrier to reuse or redevelopment. Anyone can add a potential property to HCPC's Brownfields Survey. Property owners who are interested in having their own property considered for an environmental assessment can submit an Assessment Nomination Form.
Determine Eligibility
The HCPC Brownfields Committee and its environmental consultant review nominated properties to determine if they are a good fit for the Brownfields Program.
Before EPA grant funds can be used on a property, the site must meet federal brownfields eligibility requirements. HCPC coordinates the required site eligibility determination with EPA and, where applicable, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Property owner cooperation and permission to access the property are also required before assessment work can begin.
Complete a Phase I Environmental Assessment
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) evaluates the property's current and historical uses to identify potential environmental concerns.
This typically includes a review of property records and historical information, a site visit, and interviews or other research. A Phase I does not generally involve collecting soil, groundwater, or building material samples.
The assessment identifies any Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) that may require further investigation.
Complete Additional Environmental Investigation, if Needed
If the Phase I identifies environmental concerns that need further investigation, the property may move to a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.
A Phase II ESA uses environmental sampling and laboratory testing to determine whether contamination is present and, when necessary, better understand its nature and extent.
Not every property that receives a Phase I assessment will need a Phase II assessment.
Plan for Cleanup and Reuse
If contamination is identified, the next step is determining what needs to be done to safely reuse the property.
HCPC's EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant may support eligible cleanup and reuse planning activities, such as evaluating cleanup alternatives, estimating costs, and identifying redevelopment options.
Depending on the property and proposed reuse, a property owner may also work with Maine DEP's Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP). VRAP provides a process for voluntarily investigating and cleaning up contaminated properties under Maine DEP oversight.
Assessment and planning help establish a path forward, but they do not complete the physical cleanup of a contaminated site.
Secure Cleanup Funding and Complete Remediation
Properties that require environmental cleanup generally need a separate source of funding for remediation.
One potential resource is Maine's Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF), administered by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development in partnership with Maine DEP. The program can provide loans and, for eligible projects, grants to support cleanup of brownfield properties.
Other resources may include EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grants, other state or federal programs, local funds, private financing, or a combination of funding sources.
HCPC can help communities and property owners understand potential funding options and connect with the appropriate agencies and programs.
Redevelopment and Reuse
Once required environmental work is completed, the property can move toward redevelopment or reuse.
Depending on community and property owner goals, brownfields can be returned to use for housing, businesses, public facilities, community spaces, working waterfront activities, or other productive uses.
The goal of the Brownfields Program is not simply to assess contamination. It is to reduce environmental uncertainty and help properties move toward safe, productive reuse.