Executive director reports brownfield scoping, public input and regional outreach

James, the executive director, reported that the county held an open house to solicit public input and has formally begun scoping work for a general environmental impact statement (GEIS).

“We got a lot of good positive feedback,” James said, describing attendance from residents on both sides of the river and stakeholder groups. He said the county is aiming to bring environmental and community groups to the table early in the process and to treat them as collaborative partners in the GEIS scoping work.

James told the board that the county is working with the county attorney’s office on commitment letters and scheduling closings for previously approved grants and that those commitment letters would be issued “tomorrow” for the earlier batch of approvals. He also said staff are preparing to replenish multi-grant funds when possible.

James and Terry reported that they attended a Brownfield Developer Summit in Herkimer County organized by the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council, which drew roughly 400 attendees including EPA administrators and state environmental officials. James said Greene County will participate in regional planning with adjacent counties and state agencies and hopes to use brownfield assessment activities to attract developers to identified sites.

Next steps: staff will issue commitment letters to previously approved applicants, continue scoping the GEIS with public input, and pursue regional partnerships and developer outreach through the brownfield assessment work and future conferences.