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Brownfields 2004
Grant Fact Sheet
SaA? Benito County, CA
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, the President
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. Additionally, funding
support is provided to state and tribal response pro-
grams through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
San Benito County was selected to receive a
brownfields assessment grant. San Benito County
(population 56,000) is an agricultural community, where
much of the land is owned by the federal government.
The target area, Panoche Valley, is primarily ranching
country. A one-room schoolhouse is sufficient to serve
the children who are among the Valley's approximately
100 residents. The mine site had been the second
largest producer of mercury in North America. The
eroded and degraded conditions at the site are prevent-
ing the restoration and beneficial use of 380 acres of
land as a designated historic landmark. The site also
attracts criminal activity. This project is expected to
Assessment Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected San Benito County for a
brownfields assessment grant. Grant funds will be
used to develop a remediation plan and risk assess-
ment for a former mine site in Panoche Valley that
has been discharging mercury and acid mine
drainage to surrounding areas for three decades.
Funds also will be used for development of site use
alternatives, and community involvement.
Contacts
For further information, including specific grant
contacts, additional grant information, brownfields
news and events, and publications and links, visit
the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/
brownfields.
EPA Region 9 Brownfields Team
415-972-3188
http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/brown/
Grant Recipient: San Benito County, CA
831-636-4110
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
in this fact sheet are subject to change.
enhance waterways to benefit small businesses
downstream from the site and draw visitors to the
historic area, generating revenues and jobs in the
community.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 560-F-04-091
June 2004
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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