Brownfields Program
Overview
Brownfields are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. SRPMIC’s Brownfields Program focuses on evaluating potential Brownfield sites, cleaning up and reinvesting in these type of properties to protect the environment and health of the Community. Through these efforts, the Brownfields Program reduces blight, and promotes new development for the economic benefit of the Community; thus allowing new businesses and jobs to come in.
Do you or any elders in your Community know about contaminated sites? Some examples of contaminated sites (potential brownfield sites) could be; abandoned gas stations, abandoned dump sites with hazardous chemicals or petroleum products, old facilities with abandoned drums or known to have had spills of chemicals, buildings built prior to the 80’s which may have building material such as asbestos or lead-based paint, PCB bearing ballasts, fluorescent light bulbs, areas treated with pesticides that are now banned, etc.
For more information or to request an assessment, submit the Brownfields Information & Assessment Request Form.
Are you living or working near a Brownfields site?
Of course, in order to answer that you first need to know what a Brownfields site is; and most importantly how you can help the Community through the Brownfields Program. A Brownfields property is described under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”
Now this is still a bit technical so if we wanted to bring it home, a Brownfields site would be any property that could possibly be improperly storing, or has in the past stored any type of hazardous material or soil contaminants; such as used oil, other petroleum products, pesticides or chemicals. If you know of a place like that and it is located within our Community then now you know that it could potentially be a Brownfields site. These sites are a problem but fortunately we have the (federally funded) Brownfields Program; which was created to provide assistance in assessing potential sites and reducing their possible environmental risks to the Community they are located in. Through the Brownfields Program any person in the Community may be able to request the assessment of a property if they believe that it might contain hazardous substances or pollutants. As part of the Community Development Department, the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Division (EPNR) has been taking full advantage of the Brownfields Program, by evaluating several areas for potential environmental and health concerns. Once a site is identified, the Brownfields Program assists in the clean up and remediation of the site; these projects are often funded through grants awarded by the EPA so we can have safe redevelopment and reuse.
In 2008, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) was awarded the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 128(a) Tribal Response Program Grant. This grant has been the source of funding to address the assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment of actual Brownfields sites and other sites with potential contamination through the year 2010. An example of the work we have been doing is the completion of the assessment and on-going cleanup of the Feedlot located on McDonald and Mesa Dr. But we have been concerned about Brownfields sites long before 2010, in the past SRPMIC was also awarded funding to assess, cleanup and restore the Cypress Landfill through EPA Brownfields Funding. The most recent sites funded or partially funded by the Brownfields Program have been; the investigations and assessments of the Roadrunner Lake Resort Trailer Park and the Scottsdale Six Drive in Theater; the asbestos abatement of JR’s Convenience Store (now the Beeline Highway Pit Stop); the investigations and tearing down of the Beeline Dragway and its surrounding structures, and the investigation and clean up of waste at the Beeline Gravel Pit.
The EPNR Brownfields Program, in conjunction with EPA, will continue to work towards finding new sites in need of clean up and redevelopment for the benefit of the Community. We will continue to request funding for future projects in the upcoming years as well.
Please browse through the Brownfields Program tabs for more information. Take a look at our environmental Newsletters and Resources.
For more information please contact:
Lily Bermejo – Brownfields Program Manager
480-362-2631 or lily.bermejo@srpmic-nsn.gov.
Public Record Information
The following table displays public information regarding ongoing Brownfield assessments, clean ups and/or planned assessments, cleanups, remediation and information inviting community involvement in identifying potential Brownfield sites.
| Property Identification | Location | City, State | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Lot Clean Up Project | NW corner of McDonald Dr. and Mesa Dr. | Scottsdale, Arizona SRPMIC Land |
U.S. EPA awarded a Brownfields Assessment and Clean Up Grants.
The Assessment Phase of the project was completed. U.S. EPA Brownfields Clean up Grant has allowed for the clean up of 60 acres of the Feed lot Project (completed in 2011). SRPMIC has formally closed the Brownfields Clean up Grant (2012). Fencing and signs have been installed… In 2014, U.S. EPA approved additional Site Specific funds… In August 2021, the U.S. EPA provided Site Specific funds… |
| Scottsdale Six Drive-In Theater | SE corner of McKellips Rd. and McClintock Dr. | Scottsdale, AZ SRPMIC Land |
A Phase I Site Investigation, asbestos and lead surveys were conducted.
The site was abated and demolished… The land is now ready and available for leasing. |
| Beeline Dragway | Arizona State Route 87 and west of Val Vista Rd. | AZ SRPMIC Land |
U.S. EPA granted Targeted Brownfields Assessment.
Clean-up and asbestos removal completed. Site-specific funds used for demolition and reports completed in 2015. |
| Beeline Gravel Pit | Arizona State Route 87 and west of Val Vista Rd. | AZ SRPMIC Land |
Targeted Brownfields Assessment grant awarded (2014).
Phase I and II completed. Clean-up was completed during FY 2016. |
| Asbestos Removal Project-Brownfields Special Project | Various Home Sites /Abandoned Trailers | AZ SRPMIC Land |
Special project funds for asbestos removal granted.
Work completed by end of FY2015. |
| Roadrunner Lake Resort Trailer Park | 1149 N 92nd St, Scottsdale, AZ 85256 | Scottsdale, AZ SRPMIC Land |
U.S. EPA Site Specific funds used from 2018 to 2021.
Ongoing clean-up efforts supported. |
| Roadrunner Lake Resort Trailer Park Areas 1 and 5 | 1149 N 92nd St, Scottsdale, AZ 85256 | Scottsdale, AZ SRPMIC Land |
Multipurpose Grant awarded in 2021.
Phase I and II assessments completed. Asbestos removal planned; redevelopment planning ongoing. |
Brownfields Program Accomplishments 2010-Present
In 2010, SRPMIC began clean up of the old cattle feed lot located on McDonald and Mesa Dr., “Feed Lot Clean Up Project”. As of today all clean up has been completed through the assistance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant funds. SRPMIC has also come very far in developing and enhancing the Brownfields Program, and has kept the Community informed through an accessible public record, constant outreach, newspaper articles, newsletters, brochures and flyers.
Brownfields Program Assessment and Clean Up Grants 2003-2009
In 2006, the SRPMIC was awarded a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fully assess, clean up, and remediate a 160-acre parcel that was operated as a cattle feedlot from 1963 to 1990.
Resources
Household Hazardous Waste Guideline
Be Smart – Employee Hazardous Materials Safety
Sea Inteligente – Proteja sus Empleados de Productos Peligrosos
Wait, Stop, and Think! – Trash Bin Recycling Message
Recyclable Materials Information Sheet
Brownfields Redevelopment Planning Surveys
Join SRPMIC’s Brownfields Program in Community Outreach!
Help shape the future of our community by participating in the redevelopment planning of three former Brownfields sites. Complete three quick 1-minute surveys for us:
Roadrunner Survey: Link
Cypress Landfill Survey: Link
Old Feedlot Survey: Link
Your input matters! Plus, by participating, you’ll be entered into a raffle for exciting participation prizes. Get involved today and help us create a better tomorrow for SRPMIC!