Advisory Board: Economic Development Committee
Subject: Update on Contra Costa EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant
Presenter: George E. Carter III, Economic Development Project Manager
Contact: (925) 655-2782
Information:
Staff report is below, and verbal update will be provided.
Referral History and Update:
In September 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a solicitation for applications from jurisdictions seeking brownfields grant opportunities for Fiscal Year 2025. The brownfields coalition assessment grants were made available only to counties or councils of governments as lead members and consisted of one lead entity and 2 to 4 non-lead entities as coalition members. Brownfields coalition assessment grants provide up to $1.2 M for projects focused on identifying sites, reuse planning, community involvement, site assessments, and cleanup planning, with no match required. These funds are available over 4 years and can address properties in unincorporated Contra Costa County.
Given the multi-jurisdictional nature of the Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative, staff investigated opportunities with neighboring agencies for a collaborative approach to increase our chances of success. Brownfields coalition assessment grants provide for identifying sites, reuse planning, community involvement, and cleanup planning across multiple jurisdictions in the Northern Waterfront, namely those in the County and in the Cities of Pinole, Martinez, and Antioch. The three cities were supportive of the County’s proposal, along with a community partner, Sustainable Contra Costa.
In November 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved and authorized the Department of Conservation & Development to apply for-- and in May 2025, the EPA awarded-a grant of $1.2 million to the Department of Conservation & Development to fund the Contra Costa Brownfields Assessment as described in this update. There was no required match.
The application from the County required that the Coalition focus on Target Areas, which were strategically selected to maximize the grant's impact by redeveloping industrial land, fostering job creation, and promoting a just transition for the energy workforce. The County’s Target Area includes the unincorporated community of Rodeo. Each of the cities and Sustainable Contra Costa also have a target area in the application.
At it meeting on April 6, 2026, the Economic Development Committee received an update on the Contra Costa EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant, which included bringing on board a contractor through 2029 with expertise in the following fields: identification, community engagement, Environmental Site Assessments, Site-Specific Clean-Up Plans, and Progress Reports. The County anticipates that the contractor will have lead responsibility, in collaboration with the County, the Cities of Antioch, Martinez, and Pinole and Study partners and stakeholders on a scope of work that includes the following deliverables/outputs: Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCAs), Cleanup Plans, Reuse Planning/Redevelopment Reports and Studies, Progress Reports, and Other Duties.
On July 28, 2026, the County executed a contract with SCS Engineers to conduct Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental assessments, and on August 5, 2026, the County conducted a Brownfields Kickoff meeting with cities, landowners, and consultant to discuss program overview, framework, planning, implementation, and community engagement strategy.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE Update on Contra Costa EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant