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Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York,, NY 10007-1866 United States
EPA Proposes Interim Plan to Address Contamination for Berry’s Creek
Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York,, NY 10007-1866 United States
U of Md Takes Second Prize in EPA Annual Campus RainWorks Challenge for Innovative Design
Contact: David Sternberg 215-814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov
University of Maryland Takes Second Prize in EPA Annual Campus RainWorks Challenge
for Innovative Design of Green Infrastructure on Campus
PHILADELPHIA (April 26, 2018) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of its sixth annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a national collegiate competition that engages the next generation of environmental professionals to design innovative solutions for stormwater pollution.
"Today's students are tomorrow's innovators," said EPA Office of Water Assistant Administrator David Ross. "Through EPA's Campus RainWorks Challenge, we are harnessing the creativity and enthusiasm of college students to solve local stormwater problems and better protect the environment."
The University of Maryland, College Park Took 2nd Place Nationally in the Master Plan Category for the "Champion Gateway" project which integrates multiple green infrastructure practices into a campus entryway and pedestrian corridor adjacent to the proposed Purple Line, a light rail system that will connect Metro service lines and bring increased foot traffic to the University.
The team's design decreases impervious surface by over 70 percent and increases tree canopy by planting more than 350 new trees. The redesigned site provides environmental and aesthetic value to the College Park campus, and highlights the wisdom of aligning transportation and water infrastructure planning. Watch the team's video about their project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVX1b2prIwg&feature=youtu.be.
"The competition provides a wonderful learning opportunity for students from a variety of different programs to come together to improve and enhance the management of stormwater on the university campus," said University of Maryland Professor and Campus RainWorks Challenge Faculty Advisor Victoria Chanse. "This competition encouraged critical conversations among stakeholder groups as part of this process for the university to envision what sustainable stormwater management looks like in the face of large-scale campus development."
Stormwater runoff is a significant source of water pollution in America, conveying pollutants to waterbodies, contributing to downstream flooding, and threatening public health and the environment. The Campus RainWorks Challenge asks students and faculty members at colleges and universities across the country to apply green infrastructure design principles, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and increase the use of green infrastructure on the nation's college campuses.
EPA invited student teams to compete in two design categories: the Master Plan category, which examines how green infrastructure can be broadly integrated across campus; and, the Demonstration Project category, which focuses on how green infrastructure can address stormwater pollution at a specific site on campus. With the help of a faculty advisor, teams of students focused their expertise, creativity, and energy on the challenges of stormwater management and showcased the environmental, economic, and social benefits of green infrastructure.
Other RainWorks challenge winners include the following:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1st Place Demonstration Project Category) – The team's project "Campus Hydro Redesigned" integrates a variety of green infrastructure practices into a campus parking lot, reducing impervious area, and completely mitigating the stormwater runoff from remaining impervious surfaces. Using descriptive signage and native vegetation, the team's design also seeks to add ecological, social, and aesthetic value to the site, converting parking space into a multi-functional campus amenity. Watch the team's video about their project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsWU9oXhSN8&t=73s.
University of California, Berkeley (1st Place Master Plan Category) – Titled "(Re)Generations," this project exemplifies long-term commitment and vision in stormwater management. Strawberry Creek is a local water body and defining feature of the Berkeley campus. Using this water body as a connective thread, the team's design strategically phases green infrastructure across the campus, capturing 100 percent of the university's stormwater runoff by 2100, and restoring water quality to the Strawberry Creek watershed. Watch the team's video about their project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRmrjUIsyVw&t=82s.
University of New Mexico (2nd Place Demonstration Project Category) – With their project "Johnson Field (Re)Creation" this team proposes to transform an athletic field to better manage stormwater runoff, reduce local flooding, and improve water efficiency on site. By recessing the playing field two inches and encircling the field with a network of rain gardens and new tree plantings, the design would result in the annual capture of over 1 million gallons of stormwater. Watch the team's video about their project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP0-kBLHmSI&feature=youtu.be.
First place teams will receive a $2,000 student prize to be split among team members and a $3,000 faculty prize to support green infrastructure research and education. Second place teams will receive a $1,000 student prize and a $2,000 faculty prize.
The University of Arizona received an honorable mention in both the Demonstration Project and Master Plan categories.
EPA plans to announce the seventh annual Campus RainWorks Challenge in the summer of 2018. Since 2012, nearly 600 teams have participated in the Challenge.
Green infrastructure tools and techniques for stormwater management include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, habitat conservation, rain gardens, and rain harvesting systems. Using these tools decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. Communities are increasingly using innovative green infrastructure to supplement "gray" infrastructure such as pipes, filters, and ponds. Green infrastructure reduces water pollution while increasing economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings, and open space.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/campusrainworks.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Awards $1.9 Million to Virginia Tech to Research Lead in Drinking Water
Contact: David Sternberg 215-814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov
EPA Awards $1.9 Million to Virginia Tech to Research Lead in Drinking Water
PHILADELPHIA (April 25, 2018) - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $1,981,500 in funding to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Va., to research strategies to detect and control lead exposure in drinking water.
"Lead exposure is one of the greatest environmental threats we face as a country, and it's especially dangerous for our children," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "This research will move us one step closer to advancing our work to eradicate lead in drinking water."
Virginia Tech will use this funding to create a consumer-based framework to detect and control lead in drinking water. Researchers will work collaboratively with the public, encouraging citizen scientists to participate in the research. By involving consumers directly in research, this community science project is designed to increase public awareness of lead in water and plumbing at a national scale. This research expands the capacity of the most vulnerable communities to actively participate in identifying risks and evaluating opportunities to mitigate those risks.
"Our team will establish one of the largest citizen science engineering projects in U.S. history to help individuals and communities deal with our shared responsibility for controlling exposure to lead in drinking water through a combination of low-cost sampling, outreach, direct collaboration, and modeling," said Principal Investigator on the Project Dr. Marc Edwards. "We will tap a growing 'crowd' of consumers who want to learn how to better protect themselves from lead, and in the process, also create new knowledge to protect others. Whether from wells or municipalities, we all consume water, and we can collectively work to reduce health risks."
Administrator Pruitt has made it a priority to reduce lead exposure and address associated health impacts, while also protecting America's waters. The grant awarded to Virginia Tech is one of two grants totaling almost four million dollars to detect and control lead in America's drinking water announced today. EPA also awarded $1.9 million to the Water Research Center in Denver, Colo., to create a risk-based model to identify opportunities to mitigate lead exposure from drinking water including at home and among children and pregnant women.
For more information about these grants: https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/water-research-grants.
Background:
On February 16, Administrator Pruitt hosted key members of the Trump Administration to collaborate on the development and implementation of a new Federal Strategy to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Eliminate Associated Health Impacts. The President's Task Force aims to make addressing childhood lead exposure a priority for their respective departments and agencies. Lead exposure, particularly at higher doses, continues to pose a significant health and safety threat to children, preventing them from reaching the fullest potential of their health, their intellect, and their future. No blood lead level is safe for children. EPA and our federal partners are committed to a collaborative approach to address this threat, and improve health outcomes for our nation's most vulnerable citizens – our children.
Unlike most drinking water contaminants, lead is rarely found in the source water used for public water supplies. Instead, lead can enter tap water when plumbing materials containing lead corrode. Exposure to lead causes health problems ranging from stomach problems to brain damage and studies consistently demonstrate the harmful effects of lead exposure on children, including cognitive function and decreased academic performance. It is particularly dangerous to children because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
More information about lead: www.epa.gov/lead.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA announces $300,000 Brownfields Grants for Norristown, Pa.
Contact: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov (215) 814-5567
EPA announces $300,000 Brownfields Grants for Norristown, Pa.
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (April 25, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Norristown, Pennsylvania a $300,000 Brownfields grant to conduct site assessments of potentially contaminated properties, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment.
"EPA's Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure" said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These grants leverage other public and private investments, and improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment."
"EPA's Brownfields grants provide a boost to communities by helping to put people back to work while also creating cleaner, healthier and economically stronger neighborhoods," said EPA Region 3 Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "The city of Norristown will use this funding to evaluate vacant unused industrial properties and explore ideas on how these properties can be cleaned up and returned to productive use."
EPA has previously awarded $800,000 in Brownfields grants to Norristown and they have identified more than 60 sites for potential redevelopment including 17 properties that have been assessed to date with those funds.
"This funding will allow Norristown to continue on the road of redevelopment and revitalization that we have been working towards," said Norristown Municipal Administrator Crandall O. Jones. "We have felt the impacts of former industrial sites sitting idle and loss of jobs and our workforce. However, with the assistance of EPA funding, we have been able to step in front of the problem of historic environmental legacy issues and remove the obstacle of unknown and uncontained impacts."
Norristown is one of 144 communities nationwide that will receive Brownfields grants this year for environmental assessment, revolving loan funds, and cleanups. The 221 grants totaling $54.3 million will provide communities with funding to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment.
The Brownfields Program targets communities that are economically disadvantaged and provides funding and assistance to transform contaminated sites into assets that can generate jobs and spur economic growth. A study analyzing 48 Brownfields sites found that an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue was generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup. This is two-to-seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of these Brownfield sites. Another study found that property values of homes located near Brownfields sites that are cleaned up increased between 5 and 15 percent post cleanup.
Communities can use Brownfields funding to leverage considerable infrastructure and other financial resources. For example, EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund can be used to address the water quality aspects of Brownfield sites and the assessment and construction of drinking water infrastructure on Brownfields, respectively. EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program may also serve as a potential source of long-term, low-cost supplemental financing to fund Brownfields project development and implementation activities to address water quality aspects of Brownfields.
List of the FY 2018 Applicants Selected for Funding: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicants-selected-fy18-brownfields-assessment-revolving-loan-fund-and-cleanup-grants.
For more information on the ARC grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding.
For more information on EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields.
For more information on how brownfields restoration has positively impacted local economies and the quality of life for neighboring communities: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-success-stories.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA announces $2.8 million in Brownfields grants for West Virginia
Contact: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov (215) 814-5567
EPA announces $2.8 million in Brownfields grants for West Virginia
EPA designates a total of $54.5 million for Brownfields nationwide
WASHINGTON (April 25, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded 144 communities with Brownfields grants for environmental assessment, revolving loan funds, and cleanups. The 221 grants totaling $54.3 million will provide communities with funding to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment. The grants include $2.8 million to support six Brownfields projects in West Virginia.
"EPA's Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure" said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These grants leverage other public and private investments, and improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment."
The six Brownfields projects in West Virginia include the following:
Huntington will receive an $800,000 revolving loan fund grant to support cleanup activities for Brownfields sites contaminated with hazardous substances or petroleum in the Highlawn neighborhood of Huntington. Funding also will be used to conduct community outreach activities.
"The award of this Brownfields grant is a continuation of Huntington's partnership with the EPA," said Huntington Mayor Steve Williams. "The grant provides us an additional tool toward realizing our goal of revitalizing our city and transforming the economy of the region."
Weirton will receive an $800,000 revolving loan fund grant to support cleanup activities for Brownfields sites contaminated with hazardous substances or petroleum. Funding also will be used to conduct community outreach activities.
"Steel has been and will always be fundamental to the Weirton community, but the city no longer has to remain in the shadow of abandoned, crumbling steel mills," said Weirton Mayor Harold Miller. "This new influx of EPA cleanup funding will leverage previous assessment and planning grants to finally clean up decades of industrial contamination, promote new manufacturing on old Brownfields, and create new opportunities for the community."
Region 2 Planning Development Council (Southwestern, W. Va.) will receive $600,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could be contaminated with hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on mine-scarred lands within the Metro Valley Corridor. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"Region 2 Planning and Development Council is honored to be selected by EPA for this exciting initiative," said Executive Director of the Council Chris Chiles. "This grant leverages previous funding and investments from federal, state, and local agencies, and we are excited for the EPA to be a critical partner in the future redevelopment and diversification of southwestern West Virginia. This grant will transform known Brownfields properties into attractive locations for new economic development, which is critical to the future success of West Virginia and the entire Appalachian Region."
Fairmont will receive $200,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that may be contaminated with hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on the Riverfront, Downtown, and University Districts. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"The City of Fairmont is thrilled to accept a Brownfields Grant from the EPA," said Director of Planning and Development Sandra Scaffidi. "This grant will enable the city to build on our existing momentum as we continue to revitalize our Brownfields, vacant lots, abandoned buildings and other priority areas. Our plan centers on Coal Run, an underutilized natural asset that links educational and recreational prospects in an at-risk neighborhood with cleanup and redevelopment opportunities throughout the city."
Fayette County will receive $200,000 to conduct site assessments on properties in the City of Montgomery that may be contaminated with hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"In response to the prolonged downturn of coal markets and the departure of major regional employers, the Fayette County Commission has been working closely with leadership in the City of Montgomery to spark resilient economic growth and community wellness in the Upper Kanawha Valley," said President of the Fayette County Commission Matt Wender. "The commission is honored to be receiving EPA Brownfields funding that will allow us to address the blighted properties standing in the way of our collective efforts to build a quality of place that highlights Montgomery's unique assets and fosters a healthy, vibrant community."
The Southern Coal Camp Authority (Delbarton, W.Va.) will receive $200,000 to clean up the former Burch High School/Middle School property at 127 Eutaw Avenue in Delbarton. The schools closed in 1994 and part of the site was later used by the Town of Delbarton to store miscellaneous supplies. The 1.1-acre site is contaminated with inorganic contaminants. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"On behalf of the Southern Coal Camp Authority, I would like to thank EPA for this opportunity," said Authority Treasurer Tracy Slone. "This is the first step for the Southern Coal Camp Authority to help redevelop this property for our Coal Camp Community and to help our community grow."
The Brownfields Program targets communities that are economically disadvantaged and provides funding and assistance to transform contaminated sites into assets that can generate jobs and spur economic growth. A study analyzing 48 Brownfields sites found that an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue was generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup. This is two-to-seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of these Brownfield sites. Another study found that property values of homes located near Brownfields sites that are cleaned up increased between 5 and 15 percent post cleanup.
Communities can use Brownfields funding to leverage considerable infrastructure and other financial resources. For example, EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund can be used to address the water quality aspects of Brownfield sites and the assessment and construction of drinking water infrastructure on Brownfields, respectively. EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program may also serve as a potential source of long-term, low-cost supplemental financing to fund Brownfields project development and implementation activities to address water quality aspects of Brownfields.
List of the FY 2018 Applicants Selected for Funding: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicants-selected-fy18-brownfields-assessment-revolving-loan-fund-and-cleanup-grants.
For more information on the ARC grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding.
For more information on EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields.
For more information on how Brownfields restoration has positively impacted local economies and the quality of life for neighboring communities: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-success-stories
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA announces $2.7 million in Brownfields Grants for Pennsylvania
Contact: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov (215) 814-5567
EPA announces $2.7 million in Brownfields Grants for Pennsylvania
EPA designates a total of $54.5 million for Brownfields nationwide
WASHINGTON (April 25, 2018) – Today, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today awarded 144 communities that will receive Brownfields grants for environmental assessment, revolving loan funds, and cleanups. The 221 grants totaling $54.3 million will provide communities with funding to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment. The grants include $2.7 million to support seven Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania.
"EPA's Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure" said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These grants leverage other public and private investments, and improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment."
"EPA's Brownfields grants provide a boost to communities by helping to put people back to work while also creating cleaner, healthier and economically stronger neighborhoods," said EPA Region 3 Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "Pennsylvania communities will use this funding to explore ideas on how properties can be cleaned up and returned to productive use."
The seven Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania include the following:
Lycoming County will receive an $800,000 revolving loan fund grant to support cleanup activities for Brownfields sites contaminated with hazardous substances. The county will focus much of this funding to support City of Williamsport and Muncy Borough, both of which have supported industry since the early 19th century due to their proximity to rail lines.
"Lycoming County is pleased and honored to be the recipient of this grant and thankful to continue our partnership with the EPA and our community partners," said Community Development/Lead Planner of the County Department of Planning & Community Development Jenny Picciano. "Grant funds will allow the county to clean up Brownfields sites identified in prior assessment grants, leverage public and private funding for economic redevelopment, and ultimately reinvest in our communities."
Butler County will receive $600,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on the City of Butler and Petrolia Borough. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"This grant will provide the Butler County coalition with the opportunity to assess industrial legacy Brownfields properties throughout the county, with the ultimate goal of repurpose and beneficial use," said Chief of Economic Development and Planning, Butler County Mark S Gordon. "This collaborative initiative is one of many aimed at creating opportunities for economic growth."
The Clearfield County Economic Development Corp. will receive $300,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on mine-scarred properties in DuBois and Clearfield boroughs. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
A statement from the Clearfield County Commissioners said the grant: "…will enable Clearfield County to take land previously thought unusable and turn the same into springboards for economic and community growth. It will enable future generations to also reap the benefit of land once believed to have outlived its usefulness."
The Greene County Industrial Development Authority will receive $300,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that may be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will target the municipalities of Monongahela, Waynesburg, and Cumberland. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"This grant will be used for the assessment of unknown potentially hazardous or contaminated sites that resulted from past industrial use," said Chairman of the Green County Board of Commissioners Blair Zimmerman. "We are hopeful that these sites will be able to be utilized to attract future development to Greene County."
Norristown will receive $300,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"This funding will allow Norristown to continue on the road of redevelopment and revitalization that we have been working towards," said Norristown Municipal Administrator Crandall O. Jones. "We have felt the impacts of former industrial sites sitting idle and loss of jobs and our workforce. However, with the assistance of EPA funding, we have been able to step in front of the problem of historic environmental legacy issues and remove the obstacle of unknown and uncontained impacts."
Earth Conservancy will receive $200,000 to clean up a 400-foot segment of Espy Run that runs through the City of Nanticoke and Hanover Township. Espy Run travels through mine-scarred lands once used for anthracite mining. The stream is impacted by sedimentation and acid mine drainage. Grant funds will also support community outreach activities and monitoring.
"The EPA's continued support of Earth Conservancy is a testament to partnerships working to improve the environment from past damages," said Earth Conservancy President and CEO Mike Dziak. "The generous support we are receiving for this third segment in the ongoing restoration of Espy Run – which was destroyed decades ago by anthracite mining – will repair the streamway and mitigate the production of acid mine drainage downstream. When complete, the restored Espy Run will create habitat for wildlife and enhance quality of life for those nearby."
Lawrence County will receive $200,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could be contaminated with hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessment activities will target the City of New Castle's gateway corridors. Funds will also support community outreach activities.
"Having been the recipient of $600,000 of EPA funds in the past, the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation has successfully utilized the funds to benefit both economic development and community development projects," said Director of Economic Business Development for LCEDC Linda D. Nitch. "We look forward to utilizing this new grant award to further develop activities in New Castle."
The Brownfields Program targets communities that are economically disadvantaged and provides funding and assistance to transform contaminated sites into assets that can generate jobs and spur economic growth. A study analyzing 48 Brownfields sites found that an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue was generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup. This is two-to-seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of these Brownfield sites. Another study found that property values of homes located near Brownfields sites that are cleaned up increased between 5 and 15 percent post cleanup.
Communities can use Brownfields funding to leverage considerable infrastructure and other financial resources. For example, EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund can be used to address the water quality aspects of Brownfield sites and the assessment and construction of drinking water infrastructure on Brownfields, respectively. EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program may also serve as a potential source of long-term, low-cost supplemental financing to fund Brownfields project development and implementation activities to address water quality aspects of Brownfields.
List of the FY 2018 Applicants Selected for Funding: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicants-selected-fy18-brownfields-assessment-revolving-loan-fund-and-cleanup-grants.
For more information on the ARC grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding.
For more information on EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields.
For more information on how Brownfields restoration has positively impacted local economies and the quality of life for neighboring communities: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-success-stories.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Announces $2.4 million in Brownfields Grants for Virginia
Contact: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov (215) 814-5567
EPA Announces $2.4 million in Brownfields Grants for Virginia
EPA designates a total of $54.5 million for Brownfields nationwide
WASHINGTON (April 25, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Brownfields grants to 144 communities for environmental assessment, revolving loan funds, and cleanups. The 221 grants totaling $54.3 million will provide communities with funding to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment. The grants include $2.4 million to support Brownfields projects in Virginia.
"EPA's Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These grants leverage other public and private investments, and improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment."
The six Brownfields projects in Virginia include the following:
The Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corp. in Alleghany County will receive $600,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could by contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on the four locations including Alleghany County, the towns of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate, and the city of Covington.
"The loss of jobs from declining industries and closing of traditional factories have left much of the Alleghany Highlands region impoverished," said Executive Director of the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corp. Marla Akridge. "Our Brownfields redevelopment initiative will complement and enhance ongoing and planned economic development projects that focus on innovative products and advanced technologies and manufacturing. This grant will provide a much-needed boost toward transforming the City of Covington, County of Alleghany, Town of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate."
Wise County will receive $600,000 to conduct site assessments of mine-scarred properties in the Guest River Watershed that could by contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment.
"The EPA assessment grant is a tremendous opportunity for the county to work with the city of Norton and our towns to develop site assessments and facilitate redevelopment of the Guest River Watershed," said County Finance Administrator David Cox. "Wise County is working diligently with its regional partners to diversify our economy through additional economic development and additional tourism destinations."
Lynchburg Economic Development Authority will receive $300,000 to conduct environmental site assessments and develop cleanup plans for a section of the city known as the Tyreeanna area. Grant funds will be used to expand the existing Brownfields inventory and hold public informational meetings.
"Lynchburg's Fields of Opportunity program works with property owners to identify, assess and prepare for potential cleanup of previously hazardous buildings or sites and gives the community the opportunity to reap the benefits of redevelopment and restore economic vitality," said Director City of Lynchburg Office of Economic Development & Tourism Marjette Upshur. "Building upon the success of the city's first EPA Brownfields assessment grant in 2015, focusing on Downtown and Mid-Town properties, the Economic Development Authority will now focus efforts on Tyreeanna, one of the city's gateways, to directly impact citizens by improving economic opportunities and reducing environmental and health risks associated with potential Brownfields sites in their midst."
Northampton County will receive $300,000 to conduct environmental assessments and prepare clean plans for locations along the Highway 13 corridor and the county's portion of the Virginia Enterprise Zone to determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Grant funds will also be used to hold community-wide focus groups.
"On behalf of the Northampton County Board of Supervisors I would like to express our appreciation to the EPA for awarding us a Brownfields community-wide assessment grant," said County Administrator Charles Kolakowski." This grant will assist the county in our efforts to revitalize currently vacant buildings and properties which may have environmental issues."
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University will receive $300,000 to conduct environmental assessments and prepare clean plans for mine-scarred lands within the Southwest Virginia Coalfield region, with an initial focus on the Towns of Honaker, Pocahontas, St. Paul, and Appalachia. The assessments will help determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Grant funds will also be used to create community steering committees.
"The Community Design Assistance Center, an outreach center in the College of Architecture & Urban Studies at Virginia Tech will use the Brownfields assessment grant to focus on a 10-county region of southwest Virginia that has largely been impacted by the economic downturn in the coalfields," said Director, Community Design Assistance Center/Virginia Tech Elizabeth Gilboy. "This includes Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Giles, Lee, Scott, Tazewell, Russell, Washington, and Wise Counties. This is an opportunity for these small towns to once again become economic hubs for the region with small businesses, retail, and restaurants in the downtowns that cater to visitors and residents alike."
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will receive $300,000 to conduct environmental assessments on properties in southwestern Virginia including the counties of Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, and Wythe, and the City of Galax. The assessments will help determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Grant funds will also be used to conduct community outreach activities.
"Virginia DEQ is dedicated to helping each EPA grantee transform their Brownfields sites into community-driven revitalization that will have a lasting impact on the environment and their economic future," said Virginia DEQ Brownfields Coordinator Vince Maiden. "We are excited that these awards reflect our focus on assisting all communities across the Commonwealth, especially small rural communities, towns and cities, and remain committed to helping each successful applicant leverage this funding to write their own Brownfields success story."
The Brownfields Program targets communities that are economically disadvantaged and provides funding and assistance to transform contaminated sites into assets that can generate jobs and spur economic growth. A study analyzing 48 Brownfields sites found that an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue was generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup. This is two-to-seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of these Brownfield sites. Another study found that property values of homes located near Brownfields sites that are cleaned up increased between 5 and 15 percent post cleanup.
Communities can use Brownfields funding to leverage considerable infrastructure and other financial resources. For example, EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund can be used to address the water quality aspects of Brownfield sites and the assessment and construction of drinking water infrastructure on Brownfields, respectively. EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program may also serve as a potential source of long-term, low-cost supplemental financing to fund Brownfields project development and implementation activities to address water quality aspects of Brownfields.
List of the FY 2018 Applicants Selected for Funding: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicants-selected-fy18-brownfields-assessment-revolving-loan-fund-and-cleanup-grants.
For more information on the ARC grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding.
For more information on EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields.
For more information on how Brownfields restoration has positively impacted local economies and the quality of life for neighboring communities: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-success-stories
Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 United States
EPA Helps Restore Puerto Rico’s Science Lab and Air Quality Monitoring Capabilities
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Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York,, NY 10007-1866 United States
EPA Announces Availability of Funding to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines Nationwide
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Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York,, NY 10007-1866 United States
EPA Regional Administrator Visits U.S. Virgin Islands as Hurricane Maria Response Turns to Recovery
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Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, New York,, NY 10007-1866 United States
