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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
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