5 o T> Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet Santa Cruz County, AZ 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 Santa Cruz County was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Located in southeast Arizona along the Mexican border, Santa Cruz County is targeting the Santa Cruz Designated Redevelopment Area (population 21,447), one of the largest ports of entry between the United States and Mexico. This corridor, which is approximately three miles wide and eight miles long, encompasses the cities of Nogales and Tumacacori/Carmen. The target area's population is 93 percent Hispanic, with unemployment rates ranging from 12.6 to 26 percent, due to seasonal employment. Thirty-one percent of the area's families live below the poverty level. The county has identified potential brownfields in areas housing former and Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected Santa Cruz County for two brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous substances and petroleum grant funds will be used to perform Phase I and II environmental site assessments, and conduct community 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 9 Brownfields Team 415-972-3092 http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/brown/ index.html Grant Recipient: Santa Cruz County, AZ 520-375-7670 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. existing stockyards, quarries, smelters, storage and maintenance yards, wastewater and settling ponds, hazardous fill materials, recycling plants, a shooting range, metals and auto parts manufacturing, salvage yards, and illegal dumps. When brownfields are revital- ized, they will be used for mixed-use development, including a market plaza and greenspace. Brownfields redevelopment will reduce the stigma of contamination, increase employment, increase opportunities to retain and expand businesses, provide shopping and recre- ational opportunities, alleviate environmental justice concerns, and improve the quality of life for area residents. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-06-171 May 2006 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |