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Brownfields 2005
Grant Fact Sheet
Schoolcraft County, Ml
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, 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
Schoolcraft County was selected to receive two
brownfields assessment grants. Schoolcraft County is
geographically one of the largest counties in Michigan,
but has a relatively low population of approximately
8,903. Although the county has an abundance of land,
70 percent of this land is government-owned park and
refuge land protected from development. For years, the
county has struggled with high unemployment rates
largely associated with the decline of the mining and
forestry industries, and the cyclical nature of the
tourism industry. The county has an unemployment rate
of 9.1 percent, and a poverty rate of 12.2 percent. The
median household income is lower than those of the
state and national averages. In addition, the population
Assessment Grants
$200,000 for hazardous substances
$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected Schoolcraft County for two
brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous
substances and petroleum grant funds will be used
to identify and prioritize brownfield properties,
perform 20 Phase I and 15 Phase II site assess-
ments, perform five baseline environmental
assessments, draft brownfields financing plans,
and conduct outreach activities in communities
throughout the county.
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: Schoolcraft County, MI
906-341-5126
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
in this fact sheet are subject to change.
is 6.1 percent American Indians. The many Schoolcraft
County properties that are believed to be contaminated
include former sawmills, and abandoned gas stations.
At least 35 leaking underground storage tanks may
threaten the county water supply, groundwater, and
surface waters, including Lake Michigan. Brownfields
assessments and future redevelopment will encourage
investment in small communities, create jobs, help
reduce public health risks, preserve the rural character
and natural resources of the county, and control the
potential migration of contaminants.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA560-F-05-100
May 2005
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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