Brownfields Sustainability

            Pilot Fact Sheet


Laredo Recreation Center

EPA Brownfields Program

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states,
communities, and other stakeholders to work together to
prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse
brownfields. A brownfield 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.

EPA's Brownfields Sustainability Pilots provide technical
assistance to support communities in achieving greener,
more sustainable assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment
at their brownfields projects. These pilots will also serve
as models for other communities across the country.

Project Description

EPA has selected the City of Laredo Environmental
Services Department as a Brownfields Sustainability
Pilot. The City of Laredo was awarded a Brownfields
Cleanup grant to reclaim a contaminated wetland, Killam
Lake, along Chacon Creek, a tributary of the Rio Grande
River. A new City of Laredo recreation center will be
constructed immediately adjacent to the brownfields
cleanup site. EPA funding will assist with the design of
energy and resource conservation building features, an
innovative storrnwater management system to reduce
impervious surface areas and improve site conditions, and
the use of native vegetation to conserve water resources.

The Killam Lake site and the new recreation center will
become an integral part of the city's master trail system
plan along Chacon Creek. The recreation center and its
surrounding environment will create a hub of activities
for the local community which includes canoeing, catch
and release fishing, hiking, nature trails, and more.
Sustainability, conservation, and healthy living are the
emphasis of the amenities and opportunities offered.
Technical Assistance:
Sustainable  Building
Practice^
Technical Assistance Recipient:

City of Laredo Environmental Services Department

Project Focus:

Technical assistance for sustainable building design,
stormwater management, and the use of native
vegetation to conserve water resources in Laredo,
Texas

Funding Amount:

$25,000
Contacts
For further information, including additional technical
assistance information, brownfields news and events,
and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields
Web site at: www.epa.gov/brownfields.

EPA Region 6 Brownfields Team
214-665-6736
www.epa.gov/Region6/6sf/bfpages/sfbfliome.litm

The information presented in this fact sheet comes
from the proposal for technical assistance; EPA cannot
attest to the accuracy of this information. The
implementation plan for the technical assistance has
not yet been finalized. Therefore, activities described in
this fact sheet are subject to change.
                                                           Solid Waste and
                                                           Emergency Response
                                                           (5105T)
                          EPA560-F-08-268
                          July 2008
                          www.epa.gov/brownfields

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