5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Baraboo, Wl EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders 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 City of Baraboo was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Baraboo (population 10,711) is located 35 miles northeast of Madison along the Baraboo River. The river historically provided power for businesses such as woolen and saw mills. Many of the businesses that formerly flourished are now vacant or abandoned. The city is focusing its redevelopment resources on the economically dis- tressed downtown residential neighborhoods that surround the waterfront area. Housing values in these neighborhoods are about half of the county and state averages. Underused manufacturing facilities lining the Baraboo River are potential sources of contamina- tion and limit access to the river. Assessment funding will allow the city to implement its Riverfront Rede- velopment Area Plan and leverage private redevelop- Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Baraboo for two brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to support community outreach, conduct up to eight Phase I and up to four Phase II environmental site assessments, and monitor the health of residents in the downtown area. Petroleum grant funds will be used to perform the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination. 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 5 Brownfields Team 312-886-7576 http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields/ Grant Recipient: City of Baraboo, WI 608-355-2715 The information presented in this fact sheet comes from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. The cooperative agreement for the grant has not yet been negoti- ated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. ment resources. The redevelopment of the waterfront into mixed-use developments and tourist-related retail and recreational activities will help revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. Waterfront redevelopment will also create jobs and recreational opportunities for the residents and increase the city's tax base. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-07-014 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |