Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial properties where financing or redevelopment is complicated by actual or suspected environmental contamination. Investigating and cleaning up brownfield properties allows for redevelopment without risking human health or potential environmental liabilities. Redeveloping brownfield properties reduces urban sprawl, enhances the livability of neighborhoods, creates new businesses and jobs, and adds to the tax base.
The MPCA Brownfield Program is a fee-for-service program that provides technical assistance and issues liability-assurance letters to promote the investigation, cleanup, and redevelopment of property that is contaminated with petroleum and hazardous substances. Program customers include property owners, prospective purchasers, developers, development agencies, lending institutions, nonprofit organizations, and local units of government.
Apply to the program
To enroll in the Brownfield Program, use MPCA's e-Services.
Include a one-page cover letter with your application, summarizing your request, including any critical deadlines. Include all known MPCA remediation program ID numbers associated with the site, and tell us if the request is grant related. Reference the cover letter as a "Phase I update."
For most Brownfield Program services, a Phase I environmental site assessment report (Phase I ESA), completed within the last year, must be submitted with the application. In addition to content required by the ASTM International Standard E1527-21, the Brownfield Program requires additional content to support our site review, which may be included in the Phase I ESA report or in a site update letter. Refer to the guidance document Phase I ESA report for Brownfield Program enrollment for additional information about required report content and flexibility regarding age of the report.
Electronic data submittals
Electronic data submittal is required for all sites in the Brownfield Program. Assurance and technical assistance letters will NOT be issued unless electronic data is submitted within the 45-business day review period. Sites requesting only a Petroleum Tank Removal Verification Letter, Petroleum General Liability Letter, or Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) Lender Letter are exempt from this requirement. Visit the Remediation data submittals web page for detailed requirements.
Grants for brownfield investigation
This MPCA grant program funds Phase I and Phase II investigations of brownfield properties to support safe redevelopment and reuse.
Find brownfield sites
Search for contaminated properties by location, type of contamination, or project/business name:
To request information about a specific brownfield project, complete an information request form. Direct questions about information requests to the MPCA Records Management staff (651-757-2728, 844-828-0942).
Additional resources
- Benefits of clean up and redevelopment (Minnesota Brownfields)
- Brownfields (U.S. EPA)
- Cleanup guidance and assistance
- Financial assistance for assessment and clean up of brownfield sites
- Brownfields in your community