5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Mayaguez, PR 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 Municipality of Mayagiiez was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Located in southwest Puerto Rico, Mayagiiez (population 98,434) has an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent, and 45.9 percent of its residents live below the poverty level. The munici- pality is focusing its brownfields efforts on its urban core, where there are abandoned properties, structures in need of rehabilitation, and underused sites. The condition of the urban area hinders revitalization, reduces opportunities for jobs and services, and discourages investment in the community. Assessment of brownfields will facilitate the restoration of eco- logically sensitive areas, and the construction of affordable housing and recreational space. Brownfields redevelopment will enhance property values, create jobs, and revitalize the community. Assessment Grant $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Municipality of Mayagiiez for a brownfields assessment grant. Petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct a brownfields inventory, Phase I environmental site assess- ments, and at least six Phase II environmental site assessments. Funds also will be used for commu- nity outreach activities. 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 2 Brownfields Team 212-637-4314 http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/ brownfields/ Grant Recipient: Municipality of Mayagiiez, PR 787-833-2071 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. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-07-106 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |