SB, HI C3 Brownfields 2003 Grant Fact Sheet Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders in economic development to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. Abrownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Addi- tionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development was selected to receive a revolving loan fund grant. The project is a collaboration between the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the Washington Coalition. The State of Washington (population 5.8 million) has nearly 5,400 confirmed or suspected contaminated sites and almost 5,000 leaking underground storage tanks. These are a legacy of industries built primarily around the natural harbors and waterway resources of the state. The state has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and 25 of the state's 31 rural counties are considered distressed. Jurisdictions represented by this grant include two federal Enterprise Revolving Loan Fund /New; Grant Mg $1,000,000 for hazardous substances $2,000,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development for a brownfields revolving loan fund grant totaling $3,000,000. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the state will provide loans and subgrants to conduct cleanup activities. The state has nearly 5,400 confirmed or suspected contaminated sites and almost 5,000 leaking underground storage tanks. The grant funds will be used at sites contaminated by hazardous substances and petroleum in the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane, in King County, and in rural counties of the state. Contacts For further information, including specific grant contacts, additional grant information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visitlhe EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/brownfields. EPA Region 10 Brownfields Team 206-553-2100 www.epa.gov/rlOearth, click on "Superfund", scroll down and click on "Brownfields" Grant Recipient: Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development 360-725-4032 Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the Washington Coalition has received brownfields funding for revolving loan fund grants. The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. Communities, a federal Renewal Community, a federal Empowerment Zone, and a Brownfields Showcase Community. Potential sites being considered include former landfills, former rail yards, and former junkyards. Redevelopment of these sites is expected to revitalize the environments and economies of the target areas and to serve as catalysts for further revitalization. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 500-F-03-207 June 2003 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |