Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES) FAQ - General Information

I forgot my user id and password, what do I do?

If you forgot your user id and/or password, click the "Forgot your username or password?" link located on the ACRES login screen. This will redirect you to the EPA Web Application Access page. Click the Forgot your username or password? link on this page and follow the instructions. If you have forgotten your user name, it will be emailed to you. If you've forgotten your password, you will be emailed instructions for resetting your password. If you need assistance with resetting your password, please contact the ACRES Help Desk at acres_help@usepa.onmicrosoft.com or (703)-284-8212.

Why do I need to create a new password each time I log into ACRES?

Has it been 90 days since the last time you logged into ACRES? If yes, the reason you are prompted to create a new password is because your password has expired. As required by the Federal Information System Management Act 2002 (FISMA), passwords for accessing applications like ACRES (i.e., all electronic accounts with federal agencies) are set to expire every three months (90 days).

I submitted an ACRES property work package for Regional Review, but later received updated/additional information — can I "take back" that work package?

No. Once you submit a work package for Regional Review, you cannot automatically "take back" the work package without assistance from your EPA Regional representative. To make changes, please contact your Regional Project Officer and have them return the work package for clarification. Note that a work package with any other "status" than Ready for Regional Review or Regional Review cannot be sent back to you for clarification by the Region.

I want to make changes to a property, but the property work package is "locked" — what does "locked" mean?

A "locked" work package means that a work package is being edited by another user, because only one user can edit a work package at a time. You can submit as many work packages as needed for a property — just not at the same time.

Please contact your EPA Regional representative directly if you need to edit information in a property work package that you cannot access.

How many property work packages can I create in ACRES over the lifetime of our grant?

You can create as many property work packages in ACRES as necessary and appropriate. However, there can only be one open property work package in ACRES for each property at the same time. Once you have created a property work package and submitted it for Regional Review, that property work package is "locked" and cannot be edited until it has been approved or sent back to you for clarification.

I currently have an EPA Brownfields Cooperative Agreement, why can't I access our Pilot records awarded prior to 2003?

Pilots are not eligible for data entry via ACRES by recipients — therefore, recipients do not have the ability to access Pilot information entered into ACRES.

Please contact your EPA Regional representative if you would like to additional information about properties that benefited from Pilot funding activities.

I have a question about using ACRES — who do I contact?

Several resources are available to help answer ACRES-related questions including:

  • Calling the ACRES Help Desk at: 703-284-8212. Note that when calling the ACRES Help Line, you need to leave a message and you will receive a call back.
  • E-mailing the ACRES Help Desk at: acres_help@usepa.onmicrosoft.com
  • Using the ACRES Help function
  • Accessing the EPA's ACRES website for:
    • Quick Reference Guides
    • Training materials
  • Asking your EPA regional representative

I have a data question specific to our cooperative agreement — who do I contact?

Many data-related questions can be answered in the ACRES training and outreach materials developed specifically for EPA Brownfields recipients, which can be downloaded from EPA's ACRES website including:

  • Quick Reference Guides
  • Training materials

If after reviewing the available data-related resources you were not able to find the answers to your questions, please contact your EPA regional representative for assistance with your questions.