Which governmental body oversees the Brownfields Program in the U.S.?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the Brownfields Program in the United States. This program is focused on revitalizing and repurposing previously used industrial or commercial properties that have potential environmental contamination. The EPA plays a critical role in providing guidance, funding, and technical assistance to state and local governments, as well as communities, to help manage brownfields effectively.

The EPA's involvement involves assessing the environmental conditions of these sites, facilitating cleanup efforts, and promoting sustainable redevelopment. This oversight is essential for ensuring that such properties can be transformed safely and beneficially for community use, contributing to public health and local economic development.

The other governmental bodies mentioned do not have a primary role in overseeing the Brownfields Program. For instance, the Department of Justice typically handles legal enforcement of environmental laws but does not manage the Brownfields initiative. The Federal Bureau of Investigation focuses on national security and law enforcement rather than environmental matters, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development addresses housing issues and urban development but not specifically the environmental remediation of brownfields. Thus, the EPA is uniquely positioned to lead in this area.