We will create a new City office to increase resources dedicated to brownfield planning, testing, and cleanups
We can do more to assist all parties in their brownfield efforts. The increasing brownfield-related requests are outpacing the staffing levels at both the City and State. There is a need to increase resources to communities wanting to address brownfield redevelopment in their neighborhoods. Further, the City's few brownfield-dedicated staff are spread across multiple agencies.

We will consolidate the City's existing brownfields staff into a new department. This new office won't simply assist the State's staff; it will offer an expanded set of services including planning, outreach, project management and public support. Additionally, the office will execute remediations under the City's jurisdiction and apply for State and Federal grants.

The office will provide a new level of "customer service" to communities and developers, helping them navigate the complicated process of remediating brownfields.

The State's role will remain central. To reduce the time for State review of remedies, we will urge the State to increase the staff of the Department of Environmental Coordination (DEC), DOH, and the Department of State, the three agencies with oversight of brownfield programs. In addition, we will work with DEC and DOH to form partnerships so that joint reviews can streamline State and City processes further. (See chart on following page: Office of Environmental Remediation Organizational Chart)

Progress (as of 4/22/08):
The City has begun a search for the Director of the Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) as well as a technical review staff at DEP and will continue the interview process to fill the positions.