&EPA
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5101)
EPA 500-F-98-187
July 1998
Assessment
Demonstration Pilot
Shenandoah, VA
Outreach and Special Projects Staff (5101)
Quick Reference Fact Sheet
EPA's Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative is designed to empower States, communities, and other
stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and
sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield is a site, or portion thereof, that has actual or perceived contamination and
an active potential for redevelopment or reuse. Since 1995, EPA has funded more than 200 Brownfields Assessment
Demonstration Pilots, at up to $200,000 each, to support creative two-year explorations and demonstrations of
brownfields solutions. The Pilots are intended to provide EPA, States, Tribes, municipalities, and communities with
useful information and strategies as they continue to seek new methods to promote a unified approach to site
assessment, environmental cleanup, and redevelopment.
BACKGROUND
EPA has selected the Town of Shenandoah for a
Brownfields Pilot. The Town is located on the South
Fork of the Shenandoah River in Page County, Virginia.
The Town built its heritage as an iron-based industrial
center and railroad transportation hub. The decline
of the iron industry and the decreased rail traffic due
to the advent of diesel engines led to an economic
downturn for Shenandoah. The Big Gem Cast Iron
Furnace, once the principal producer of iron in the
area, was dismantled and later donated to the Town
by Bethlehem Steel. Although several small factories
have since opened, the economy has remained severely
depressed, with an unemployment rate of 10.4% and
a poverty rate of 13.1%. In addition, there is very
little land available for commercial or industrial
enterprise.
Shenandoah plans to targetthe large Big Gem Furnace
tract, which is located in the center of the Town, for
cleanup and redevelopment. Although buildings are
no longer present and the site is forested, there is still
concern about residual contamination. The Town
aims to eventually develop a recreational center and
establish the Big Gem Furnace Historical Park on the
site. The Town believes this redevelopment will
attract a significant amount of tourism and create
needed area jobs, thereby increasing the quality of life
for area residents.
PILOT SNAPSHOT
Shenandoah, Virginia
Date of Announcement:
July 1998
Amount: $200,000
Profile: The Pilot targets
the former Big Gem Cast
Iron Furnace tract located
in the center of the Town
for cleanup and
redevelopment.
Contacts:
Town of Shenandoah
(540) 652-8164
Regional Brownfields Team
U.S. EPA-Region 3
(215) 566-3129
Visit the EPA Region 3 Brownfields web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/brownfld/hmpage1.htm
Forfurtherinformation, including specific Pilot contacts,
additional Pilot information, brownfields news and events, and
publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
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OBJECTIVES
Shenandoah's primary objective is to clean up and
redevelop the Big Gem Cast Iron Furnace site, which
will stimulate the local economy and return the area
to its former level of prosperity. The Pilot plans to
assist in these efforts by conducting environmental
assessments and developing a cost-effective cleanup
and redevelopment plan forthe target site. In addition,
the Pilot will evaluate financing alternatives for the
project and conduct community outreach activities.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Activities planned as part of this Pilot include:
• Determining the type, extent, and magnitude of any
contamination present in the soil or groundwater at
the target site through Phase I environmental
assessments;
• Creating a cleanup and redevelopment plan for the
target site and determining future steps required to
abate pollution;
• Conducting community outreach programs such as
public forums and seminars to explain technical
project information to the public; and
• Forming partnerships with surrounding small towns
and universities to gain support, expertise, and
added insights during the project term.
The cooperative agreement for this Pilot has not yet been
negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet
are subject to change.
Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot Shenandoah, Virginia
July 1998 EPA500-F-98-187
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