USEPA Definition of a Brownfield: 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. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands.
Brownfield Planning
The Orem Brownfields Program was created in 2017 when the City of Orem received its first grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop an Area-Wide Plan for the Geneva Road Corridor. This plan is called Imagine Orem: Geneva Road and is linked in the documents section.
Brownfield Assessment Program
Since then, the Orem Brownfields Program has grown to include an Assessment Program. In 2019, the City of Orem was awarded a $300,000 grant from the EPA to fund Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments for sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous materials. This program assists public, private, and non-profit property owners and potential purchasers with initial assessment activities that follow the general environmental due diligence process for commercial real estate transactions.
Assessments at eligible sites are conducted by a qualified environmental professional contracted by the City of Orem, including BRS, Inc. and Wasatch Environmental.
Program Participation
In order to participate in the Orem Brownfields Assessment Program, the property owner or property purchaser must contact the project manager to begin the process. The City will need information on property ownership, use, past environmental information and redevelopment plans. Property owners seeking to submit their site for consideration under the Orem Brownfield Assessment Program must first fill out a site profile form available in the Resources Section Below.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
The purpose of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to determine the likelihood that some form of environmental contamination is present at the site. Completion of a Phase I ESA affords a prospective purchaser, innocent landowner, or contiguous property owner protection from future liability for contamination that is currently present at the site. Findings in a Phase I ESA report will determine whether or not further site investigation is warranted.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) allow for a more comprehensive report of what contaminants are present on the property and how much of the contaminant is present. Reports that note levels of contaminants above the state standard likely will contain a recommendation for a Phase III Investigation and/or Remedial Action Plan.
Remedial Action Planning
Remedial Action Planning is the final step in the Brownfields Assessment Program. A Remedial Investigations conducted as part of this stage may include
- additional collection of soil and groundwater samples;
- continued investigation of any anomalies discovered during the Phase II investigation;
- further assessment of the extent and quantity of hazardous building materials; and
- characterization of hazardous waste disposal characterization.
Brownfield Advisory Committee
Feedback and involvement from the community stakeholders is critical to the success of this program. The Orem Brownfields Program is guided by an Advisory Committee consisting of the following partners:
- City of Orem
- City of Vineyard
- Utah County, Department of Health
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality
- Utah Department of Transportation
- Utah Transit Authority
- Utah Valley University
- Mountainland Association of Governments
- EDC Utah
The Brownfield Advisory Committee meets twice a year to provide guidance to the City of Orem on how to best prioritize site assessments and spend grant funding. Additional information on opportunities for community involvement are detailed in the Community Relations Plan and will be updated in the “News and Announcements” section.
News and Announcements
- A public workshop was held on October 29, 2020. The meeting recording and presentation are available here.
- Application for participation in the brownfield assessment program is now open. Please review the application package on this page.
