The Montana Department of Environmental Protection has the Montana Brownfields Assessment program where contractors conduct environmental site assessments and cleanup planning for public agencies and nonprofits, and at privately owned sites with public benefit projects. Contact Jason Seyler at 406- 841-5071 or jsaeyler@mt.gov or Amy Steinmetz at 406-841-5053 or asteinmetz@mt.gov.

Under the Targeted Brownfields Assessment program, EPA Region 8 contractors conduct environmental site assessments and cleanup planning for public agencies and nonprofits, and at privately owned sites with public benefit projects. Contact William Rothenmeyer at 303-312-6045 or rothenmeyer.william@epa.gov.

Under the EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities program, the Community Brownfields Foundation (CBF) and CCLR provide in-kind technical assistance and training to communities and other stakeholders on brownfields issues with the goal of increasing the community's understanding and involvement in brownfield cleanup and revitalization. The TAB grants serve as an independent source of information assisting communities with community involvement, better understanding the health impacts of brownfield sites, science and technology relating to brownfield site assessment, remediation, and site preparation activities, brownfield finance questions, and information on integrated approaches to brownfield cleanup and redevelopment.  Contact Jesse Silverstein at 303-962-0942 or jesse@communitybrownfieldsfoundation.org.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to award $600 million in TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants. Funds for the TIGER II program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

Eligible applicants include State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi-State or multi-jurisdictional groups applying through a single lead, eligible applicant.

Pre-applications must be submitted by July 16, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 23, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The DOT pre-application system will open no later than June 15, 2010 to allow prospective applicants to submit pre-applications. DOT will evaluate all applications and announce the projects that have been selected to receive TIGER II Discretionary Grants no sooner than September 15, 2010.

Public comment on the NOFA will be accepted until May 28, 2010. For more information, see Question 3 of the FAQ (link below).

- Fact Sheet

- Full announcement and FAQ

- Interim Notice of Fund Availability

EDA announces general policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs that will promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress.

Current Closing Date for Applications: September 30, 2010 - Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received.

For more information, visit http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09-EDAP-FFO-FINAL.pdf

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) advances economic growth by assisting communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. EDA requests proposals for the following programs: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, EDA has allocated $14.7 million to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. Proposals are being accepted and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Eligible Entities: State and local governments, nonprofit organizations

Application Due: September 30, 2010

For more info, including contact info, go to the following link:

Site Response Section

DEQ’s Site Response Section (SRS) administers the Montana State Superfund and Voluntary Cleanup Programs. The SRS is part of the Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Bureau in DEQ’s Remediation Division. SRS personnel work on both State Superfund and Voluntary Cleanup sites. SRS uses brownfields funding to enhance its State Superfund and Voluntary Cleanup Programs by conducting activities such as updating site inventory, enhancing public record systems, and conducting outreach to assist local communities.

Hazardous Waste Section

DEQ’s Hazardous Waste Section (HWS) administers the State’s Hazardous Waste Program. HWS is part of the Waste and Underground Tank Management Bureau in DEQ’s Permitting and Compliance Division. The Hazardous Waste Act requires compliance with hazardous waste regulations for generators of hazardous waste and permitted treatment, storage and disposal facilities. The HWS also oversees remediation when releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents occur at hazardous waste generator sites, as well as permitted facilities.

LUST/Brownfields

DEQ’s LUST/Brownfields Section (LBS) administers a portion of the State's petroleum cleanup program through the authority of the Montana Underground Storage Tank Act. LBS is part of the Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Bureau in DEQ's Remediation Division. Montana's Underground Storage Tank Act requires compliance with the Montana Underground Storage Tank Rules that include the requirements for release reporting, investigation, confirmation, abatement measures, and corrective action. LBS uses brownfields funding to enhance the petroleum cleanup program by conducting activities such as identifying potential petroleum brownfields sites, responding to information requests, and providing outreach.

This program established by the Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act (VCRA) encourages voluntary cleanup of facilities where releases or threatened releases of hazardous or deleterious substances exist, by providing interested persons with a method of determining what the cleanup responsibilities will be for reuse or redevelopment of existing facilities.

The Controlled Allocation of Liability Act (CALA) is a streamlined, voluntary process that allows potentially liable persons (PLPs) to petition for an allocation of liability as an alternative to the strict, joint and several liability provisions included in the Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility Act (CECRA).

Missoula Parks & Recreation and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Missoula, September 16-17, 2010. This training is applicable to grant seekers across all disciplines. Attend this class and you'll learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals.

Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend. Multi-enrollment discounts and discounts for Grant Writing USA returning alumni are available. Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment. Tuition is $425 and includes all materials: workbook and accompanying 420MB resource CD that's packed full of tools and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Seating is limited, online reservations are necessary.

More information including learning objectives, class location, graduate testimonials and online registration are available through the link below. Or contact Cathy Rittenhouse at 800.814.8191 or  cathy@grantwritingusa.com.

Registration Open!

The 2010 Western Brownfields Workshop
Missoula, Montana - September 14 - 16

EPA is now accepting registrations for the 2010 Western Brownfields Workshop in Missoula, Montana, September 14-16. This collaborative interactive workshop offers EPA Brownfields grantees in Regions 8, 9, and 10 an opportunity to network with other grantees, EPA representatives, and other public, private, and nonprofit Brownfields experts. It is is open to veteran and new EPA Brownfields grantees, those parties interested in applying for EPA Brownfields grants, federal and state partners, and consultants invited by grantees.

The workshop is free, but registration is required. Download the registration form. Any questions or completed registration forms should be directed to wbwregistration@sra.com.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to award $600 million in TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants. Funds for the TIGER II program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region.

Eligible applicants include State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), other political subdivisions of State or local governments, and multi-State or multi-jurisdictional groups applying through a single lead, eligible applicant.

Pre-applications must be submitted by July 16, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 23, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The DOT pre-application system will open no later than June 15, 2010 to allow prospective applicants to submit pre-applications. DOT will evaluate all applications and announce the projects that have been selected to receive TIGER II Discretionary Grants no sooner than September 15, 2010.

Public comment on the NOFA will be accepted until May 28, 2010. For more information, see Question 3 of the FAQ (link below).

- Fact Sheet

- Full announcement and FAQ

- Interim Notice of Fund Availability

EDA announces general policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs that will promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress.

Current Closing Date for Applications: September 30, 2010 - Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received.

For more information, visit http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY09-EDAP-FFO-FINAL.pdf

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) advances economic growth by assisting communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. EDA requests proposals for the following programs: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, EDA has allocated $14.7 million to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. Proposals are being accepted and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Eligible Entities: State and local governments, nonprofit organizations

Application Due: September 30, 2010

For more info, including contact info, go to the following link:

February 3-5, 2011
Charlotte, NC

Today, more than ever, we are faced with environmental and economic challenges that will define our generation, shape our future, and test our resilience as cities, regions, states and a nation. Join leaders from across the U.S. as we tackle these challenges head-on and demonstrate smart growth solutions that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create a green economy, assure a healthy population, and expand transportation and housing options for all Americans.

The program will kick off on Thursday morning and continue through Saturday afternoon and includes a dynamic mix of plenaries, breakouts, implementation workshops, specialized trainings, and coordinated networking activities. Exciting tours of local model projects from Charlotte, NC and surrounding cities will be featured. There will be something for everybody, from veteran experts to smart-growth novices, with nearly 90 sessions and workshops. Learn from hundreds of speakers who cross disciplines to share insights, and valuable tools and strategies for making smart growth a success in your community.

Plan to join us, and others, from across the U.S. next February for the smart growth event of the year! Visit www.NewPartners.org to get more details.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the 14th National Brownfields Conference will be held on April 3-5, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!