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 blighted or other 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.
Brownfield success stories
Brownfields are located in cities and towns all across Minnesota. Check out these success stories of site redevelopment work around the state.
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. Include all known MPCA ID numbers associated with the site, and tell us if the request is grant related. Reference the cover letter as a "Phase I update."
Phase I environmental site assessment
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 this new guidance document for additional information about required report content and flexibility regarding age of the report.
Subsequent submittals at active brownfield or voluntary Superfund projects
If you are submitting reports, information, or requests for an active brownfield or voluntary Superfund project, do NOT submit via MPCA’s e-Services. Send the document(s) directly to the assigned MPCA project manager(s) via email. You must include the current MPCA billing ID and or BF/SF ID in the subject line of the email. Failure to submit documents to the correct staff or include a site ID in the subject line may result in delays.
Grants for brownfield investigation
MPCA has grant money available to fund investigation of previous uses of properties to support redevelopment and reuse.
EPA brownfields grant writing workshop
This in-person workshop on August 20 in St. Cloud will focus on effective application strategies for USEPA Brownfields Assessment Grants, which can help communities turn underutilized and contaminated properties into environmental and economic development success stories.
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. Any questions about information requests may be directed to the MPCA Records Management staff (651-757-2728, 844-828-0942).