5 o T> Brownfields 2008 Grant Fact Sheet Baraboo, 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 this 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. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The City of Baraboo was selected to receive three brownfields cleanup grants. Located between Madison and the Wisconsin Dells, Baraboo (population 10,711) includes the portion of the Baraboo River called the Baraboo Rapids. At the turn of the previous century, the river's abundant water supply powered the lumber and textile industries in Baraboo. Today, the dams that provided power for industry have been removed, but the riverfront continues to serve as an industrial area. The target cleanup sites are in the Ringling Riverfront District that runs through the center of Baraboo and contains 16 brownfields. Housing values in these neighborhoods are about half of the county and state averages. When the Vine Street Right-of-Way and the Eastern and Western Manufactured Gas Plant sites are cleaned up, the city plans to redevelop them for mixed residential and commercial uses. This redevelopment is Cleanup Grants $600,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Baraboo for three brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Vine Street Right-of-Way site and the Eastern and Western Manufactured Gas Plant sites on Vine Street. The right-of-way site was once part of a raceway. The former manufactured gas plants are currently being used by an energy company as offices, a garage, and an equipment storage yard. The sites are contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocar- bons, cyanide, and volatile organic compounds. Grant funds also will be used to perform air monitoring and conduct 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 Baraboo, WI 608-355-2715 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. expected to provide the catalyst for larger riverfront redevelopment efforts, restore neighborhood property values, and create jobs. Cleanup of brownfields also is expected to help protect the quality of the Baraboo River and make land available for the Baraboo Riverwalk Path. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-08-142 April 2008 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |