5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Ripon, 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 Ripon was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Located in Fond du Lac County in the heart of Wisconsin, Ripon (population 6,828) has had slow population growth in recent years. During the past three years, Ripon lost nearly 400 jobs as a result of plant closings and layoffs. The city's per capita and household incomes are lower than the national averages. The city is targeting sites in the Silver Creek downtown area for brownfields assessment. The area contains abandoned industrial sites and several incompatible land uses, such as industrial areas abutting residential areas. Brownfields assessment will catalyze redevelopment in the area and help the city leverage funding for the cleanup of contaminated sites. Anticipated benefits include restoring wildlife and aquatic life along the creek and providing a downtown commerce area for residents. Assessment Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Ripon for a brownfields assessment grant. Hazardous sub- stances grant funds will be used to conduct ten to 14 Phase I and four to eight Phase n environmen- tal site assessments and to support community involvement 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 5 Brownfields Team 312-886-7576 http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields/ Grant Recipient: City of Ripon, WI 920-748-4914 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-07-141 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |