State and Tribal Response Program
EPA’s State and Tribal Brownfields Response Program empowers states, Tribal Nations, territories, and communities to build strong partnerships and local capacity to assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields.
How States, Tribes and EPA Work Together
States and Tribal Nations are responsible for developing brownfields cleanup standards and policy and conducting or overseeing assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites in their jurisdictions. EPA provides funding to help establish or enhance state and tribal response programs.
Roles & Responsibilities for Brownfield Activities
![Roles and Responsibilities for Brownfields Activities [Icon] EPA – Awards grants, offers technical assistance and provides tools and guidance [Icon] States and Tribes – Sets cleanup standards, develops environmental policy and oversees and approves site cleanup and reuse decisions [Icon] Brownfields Grantees – Uses EPA grants, technical assistance and other federal, state and local funds](/system/files/styles/large/private/images/2025-02/roles-and-responsibilites_0.jpg?itok=M-HsU35R)
Awarded annually and administered through cooperative agreements with EPA regional offices, these State and Tribal Response Program funds are commonly referred to as Section 128(a) funding, after the program’s authorization in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CERCLA. Authorized at $50 million per year and shared among states, federally recognized tribes and territories, the funding primarily provides financial support to:
- Establish or enhance elements of an effective state or tribal response program, as specified in CERCLA Section 128.
- Ensure that states and Tribes maintain a public record of sites included in their programs.
- Conduct brownfield site assessments or cleanups that will help establish or enhance the state or Tribe’s environmental response program.
State and Tribal Response Programs oversee assessment and cleanup activities at brownfield sites across the country. The depth and breadth of these programs vary. Some focus on CERCLA-related activities, while others are multifaceted, addressing sites regulated by both CERCLA and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Many states also offer accompanying financial incentive programs to spur cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties.
Funding Guidance and Other Resources
Annual Funding Guidance
- FY 2025 Section 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program Funding Guidance (pdf)
- Funding Guidance for FY 2024 (pdf)
Section 128(a) Program Fact Sheets
General Resources
- Entities Eligible for Section 128(a) Funding
- State and Tribal Response Program Highlights
- State Brownfields and Voluntary Response Programs Search
- Cleaning Up Brownfields Under State Response Programs - Getting to "No Further Action" (pdf)
- Brownfield Grant Recipient Success Stories
State and Tribal Program Contacts
To view state and Tribal programs by region, visit the region page or search by keyword, region or state.