5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Mecosta County, Ml 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 Mecosta County was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Mecosta County (population 40,553) is a rural community with abun- dant natural resources that include 399 lakes, 293 miles of rivers and streams, and 163,000 acres of forested land. These resources are supporting a growing tourism industry. Remnants of early manufac- turing and industrial development along the banks of the Muskegon and Chippewa Rivers pose potential risks to the health of its residents and its vital re- sources. Groundwater is the sole source of drinking water for area residents and is linked to the rivers and lakes that dot the county. Median and per capita Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected Mecosta County for two brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to inventory approximately 40 properties and perform Phase I, Phase II, and baseline environmental site assess- ments. Funds also will be used to conduct com- munity outreach activities. 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: Mecosta County, MI 231-592-3403 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. incomes in the county are below the state median, and 16 percent of residents live below the poverty level. Assessment of brownfields will help the county leverage resources to revitalize existing communities and neighborhoods, reduce health and environmental threats, and preserve farmland. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-07-107 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |