New Brownfield Task Force formed in Cecil County

John Gonazalez, PE and Kevin Hansen, PG, LEED AP, of LandmarkJCM, on August 2, 2011 were named to a new Cecil County Brownfield Task Force.

The Brownfield Task Force members, selected by Cecil County's Commissioners, will consider draft ordinance for Brownfield overlay zoning and make recommendations to the Commissioners based on their review.

As a resident of Cecil County and branch manager of LandmarkJCM's Havre de Grace office, John Gonzalez says he's

"very interested in seeing the County have a tool to help get economic development going." He says "this type of ordinance can help redevelop sites within the growth corridor, and the County can get properties back on the tax roles."

Kevin Hansen, Director of LandmarkJCM's Science Division, brings years of knowledge and experience in remediation of Brownfield sites and says he is

"excited to have the opportunity to share my experience in helping the County find ways to encourage owners to clean up sites that are contaminated."

The outcome of this Brownfield Task Force can be a Win-Win for all!

Maryland Brownfield Breakfast a Success

LandmarkJCM hosted a Brownfield Breakfast yesterday at the Vandiver Inn in Havre de Grace Maryland (just down the street from our office on Congress Street).

Speakers included Priscilla Carroll of Bowie and Jensen, Jim Carroll (no relation) from MDE, Doug Seavey and John Gonzalez from LandmarkJCM. The event was moderated by Mark Parker of LandmarkJCM.

All of the builders, developers and government officials in attendance learned a little more about the opportunities available through the development of brownfield properties.

For more information, please contact Mark Parker at LandmarkJCM.

Mercury Found in All Fish Tested from 300 Streams in U.S.

Disturbing article that points out that the things we did many years ago will have a lasting effect. This is why the Brownfield Program and Public/Private Partnerships on cleaning up sites is so important.

See article here.

For more information of the Brownfields Program and the incentives available for cleaning up contaminated sites, contact Doug Seavey at JCM Environmental.

ERA Harrington Realty Learns About NAHB Green Building

Today I was privileged to speak at the ERA Harrington sales meeting to tell them about green building, their colleague JT Takacs handles sales for our client Layton Construction. There were 40-50 realtors at this meeting and they listened to me, a financial planner, and a local real estate attorney. I explained that the NAHB green building program encompasses envirornment protection as well as energy and water efficiency and homeowner education, so they are able to thus educate their prospective clients. A few asked me about the NAHB green home certification process for builders. I also explained that green sustainable homes are selling better than non-green homes according to an Oregon marketing study. I further told them about our menu of services including phase 1 environmentals, brownfields redevelopment, wetlands studies and pond management for hoa’s. Nobody fell asleep and I was complimented afterwards so thats a good sign!

Brownfield Reimbursment

DNREC is turning around Brownfield reimbursements as quickly as 15 days recently. Keep in mind that 100% of your costs may be reimbursable (up to a cap) when investigating and remediating a brownfield site. After reaching the cap, another 50% (up to another cap) of your costs may be reimbursable. The caps depend on the type of project and whether there is a public benefit component (non-profit use, low income housing, etc.).

DNREC also has low interest and no interest loans available for this type of work.

The time has never been better to develop a brownfield site. Call us for more details at (302) 737-9335 x201!

Welcome Doug Seavey, P.E.

We are proud to welcome the newest addition to our team, Doug Seavey, P.E. Doug will be working as an Environmental Engineer in our Remediation Branch and lending support to all of our other Branches. Doug has 11 years experience as an Environmental Engineer and will be assisting with Brownfields Remedial Action Plans, Designs, Oversight and Community Wastewater Design and Review.

Doug has previously worked for Tetra Tech in California, Oregon, Massachusetts and Delaware doing public and private remediation work and community wastewater designs.

Doug can be reached in our Newark Office at (302) 737-9335 X406 or at dseavey@jcmenv.com. More information at http://www.jcmenv.com/.