Brownfields in Alaska

Brownfields are abandoned, unused, or underused properties that are hindered from desired reuse or redevelopment by real or perceived environmental contamination. A brownfield can be anything from a 200-acre industrial property, to an old lumber mill, or a small abandoned corner gas station.

Every Alaskan city and borough — both urban and rural — has vacant or underused properties whose redevelopment is complicated by potential contamination. DEC strongly supports and promotes the assessment, cleanup, and reuse of brownfields. In particular, the DEC Brownfields Program can help identify brownfields, assess potential contamination, and assist in arranging for necessary cleanup activities in order to help local governments and tribes achieve their community’s visions for reusing those sites. The DEC Brownfields Program also provides outreach and training opportunities, identifies other available funding and resources, and provides site-specific technical assistance to tribes, Alaska native corporations, municipalities, and borough governments.