5 o T> Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, MA 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 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. The PVPC has targeted the Quaboag Hills region (population 84,665) for hazardous substances assess- ments. This is a 415-square-mile area comprised of 15 small towns in western Massachusetts. Two water- sheds and four major river systems traverse this once industrial region. Many of the mills that once domi- nated the local landscape are now vacant. There are 73 brownfields in the Quaboag Hills region. Assessment and eventual cleanup of these sites will help reduce Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission for two brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to develop a brownfields program and steering committee, select and evaluate sites, perform up to six Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments, and conduct community outreach activities in the Quaboag Hills region of the Pioneer Valley. Petroleum grant funds will be used to create a database, map sites, initiate community outreach activities, and conduct five Phase I and several Phase II environ- mental site assessments in the Hilltown region of the valley. 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 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1424 http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/ Grant Recipient: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, MA 413-781-6045 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. potential health risks and free up at least six sites for redevelopment. These sites will accommodate develop- ment of greenspace, affordable housing, and commercial or light industry. The PVPC also has targeted the 13 contiguous towns in the Hilltown region (population 16,403) for petroleum site assessments. The average weekly wage for workers in the region is 58 percent less Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-06-013 May 2006 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- than the average weekly wage statewide. There are 15 potential brownfield sites in the Hilltown region. Assessment and cleanup of these sites will facilitate economic growth in the region's struggling communi- ties. The region expects to redevelop at least five sites as greenspace, affordable housing, and commercial and industrial space. ------- |