Brownfields Environmental Assessment Program (BEAP): 1996-2000

Program History

The Brownfields Environmental Assessment Program (BEAP) was a federal program that assisted municipalities with Environmental Site Assessments (ESA's) for tax delinquent or bankrupt properties, or properties a local government acquired for redevelopment. Using federal dollars, site assessments were conducted by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff to determine if the properties were contaminated. The last brownfields assessment was conducted in 2000. Wisconsin replaced this pilot program with the creation of the successful Brownfield Site Assessment Grant (SAG) program.

The type of activities conducted were determined on a case by case basis, and may have included Phase I and Phase II ESA's or other investigative efforts. After the BEAP work was conducted, many of these properties required further investigation to fully characterize the degree and extent of contamination.

By conducting environmental site assessments, the BEAP helped municipalities take the initial step toward reducing potential health risks, address environmental contamination, and restore economic viability to brownfields. The program also helped launch redevelopment projects at properties where municipalities were unable to perform initial environmental assessment work as well as qualify properties for other financial assistance programs. Because the BEAP was an EPA brownfields pilot program, properties where BEAPs were conducted could also qualify for federal tax incentives.

For additional information about BEAP properties, contact: Andrew Savagian
608.261.6422