Community Notification

Cleanup Grant applications require the applicant to notice the community of its intent to apply for an EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant and allow opportunity for comment on the application draft. TAB can assist with facilitating this meeting and/or responding to questions.

Community Notification Ad

The applicant must publish a community notification ad in the local newspaper or an equivalent means of communication (i.e., social media, radio, etc.) at least 14 days before the application is submitted to EPA. For FY26 applications, the last date to do this is January 14, 2026.

The community notification ad (or equivalent) must clearly state:

• That a copy of the grant application, including the draft ABCA(s), is available for public review and comment
• How to comment on the draft application
• Where the draft application is located (e.g., town hall, library, website)
• Date, time, and location of the public meeting(s)

Public Meeting

The applicant must hold a public meeting to discuss the draft application and consider public comments prior to submitting the Cleanup Grant application. The public meeting:

• may be held in person or virtually
• must be accessible to people with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities
• may be held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled community meeting where multiple topics are discussed (i.e., monthly town hall), as long as there is an opportunity to discuss the draft application
• must document participants in attendance (i.e., sign-in sheet)

• Copy of the draft ABCA(s)
• Copy of the newspaper ad or equivalent that includes the message and date
• Comments or summary of public comments received
• Applicant's response to those public comments
• Meeting notes or summary from the public meeting
• Participant list from the public meeting

If any of these are not submitted with the application, the application must explain why the requested attachment is not included.

Questions

Contact Mid-Atlantic TAB at wvutab@mail.wvu.edu for clarification or assistance with your community notification and/or public meeting.