EPA Brownfield Assessment Sequence of Events

When a community has concerns about possible environmental contamination on a property, a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Assessment provides a critical first step toward understanding and addressing those concerns. Through a structured, phased approach, the assessment helps determine if a site poses health or environmental risks and supports informed decisions about cleanup and future use.

1. Brownfield Site Nomination Form:
   Completed by property owner or representative.
   Est. Timeframe: Once submitted to Flint Hills Regional Council (FHRC): 1-2 weeks for approval.
2. Access Agreement:
   Signed by property owner or representative & the FHRC. Authorizes Stantec &/or other contractors needed for assessment work to access the site & perform approve activities.
   Est. Timeframe: Once submitted to the FHRC: 1-2 weeks to execute Access Agreement.
3. Eligibility Determination Form:
   Prepared on the owner’s behalf by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (Stantec) and submitted to
   – EPA / Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for approval.
   – EPA – Eligibility Determinations are sent to EPA for sites with potential hazardous
   contamination (anything other than petroleum).
   KDHE – Eligibility Determinations are sent to KDHE for sites with a potential of petroleum
   contamination.
   Est. Timeframe: EPA: 1-2 weeks for approval process; KDHE: 1-2 weeks for approval process
4. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA):
   Identification of potential environmental concerns. Includes a site visit by Stantec but no samples are collected.
   Est. Timeframe: Phase I ESA site visit & report completed within 1-2 months after Access Agreement signed.
5. Site Specific Sampling and Analysis Plan (SSSAP):
   If a Phase II ESA is needed, a SSSAP is intended to document the procedures & laboratory requirements for sampling events completed by Stantec (e.g. petroleum, hazardous substances).
   Est. Timeframe: A SSSAP report will be completed within 1-2 months after the Phase I ESA report is complete
6. Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA):
   Environmental sampling & testing completed by Stantec, if needed due to results from the Phase I ESA. Used to identify environmental impacts & develop cleanup alternatives.
   Est. Timeframe: Site visit with sampling and laboratory results & Phase II ESA report completed within 2-3 months after Phase I ESA completed.
7. Hazardous Building Materials Survey:
   Necessary for renovating/demolition of older structures including but not limited to survey of asbestos, lead paint, mold, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)/mercury light ballasts, switches, etc by Stantec.
   Est. Timeframe: Site visit by certified inspector, with report completed in 1-2 months.
8. Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA):
   Only necessary if the Phase II ESA indicates contamination detected above KDHE/EPA action levels and alternatives are needed. Stantec will provide an evaluation & selection of preferred cleanup alternatives, balancing alternatives with reuse plans & redevelopment strategies.
   Est. Timeframe: ABCA report completed in 1-2 months.
9. Remedial Action Plan (RAP):
   Only necessary if the Phase II ESA indicates contamination detected above KDHE/EPA action levels. Detailed plan developed by Stantec for implementation of preferred cleanup alternative developed in the ABCA. Includes detailed cost estimates and most be approved by the KDHE as part of the site cleanup and closure process.
   Est. Timeframe: RAP completed in 1-2 months
10. Site – Specific Reuse Plan:
    Other activities allowed as part of the assessment grant include site – specific reuse planning, which could include market studies, public meetings, building structural assessments, infrastructure inspections/evaluation, etc by Stantec. Approval of these activities would be verified with the property owner, as applicable.
    Est. Timeframe: Variable, 2-6 months (Can be conducted at any time).