5 o T> Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet Powell County, MT 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 Powell County was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in western Montana, Powell County (population 7,076) historically depended on its railroad and natural resource industries, but has been severely affected by the loss of jobs in these indus- tries. The decline of the timber, railroad, and natural resources industries has left behind vacant properties and more than 50 brownfields sites throughout the region that have reduced the tax base, stalled eco- nomic development, and became a detriment to human health. Powell County's per capita income is $13,816, which is significantly less than the state and national averages. The county's unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. The county plans to redevelop the Deer Lodge Roundhouse property to be a business park and regional job training facility. After redevelopment, the Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected Powell County for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Deer Lodge Roundhouse site, which is contaminated with hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum, including heavy petroleum fuels, diesel fuel, and solvents. The 14.5-acre site has been unused since 1980, and is contaminated from former rail maintenance, refueling, and locomotive repair operations. Grant funds will be used to remove fuel oil tanks, excavate and dispose of contaminated soil, 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 8 Brownfields Team 303-312-6757 http://www. epa.gov/regionO 8/land_waste/bfhome/ bfhome.html Grant Recipient: Powell County, MT 406-846-3680 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. site also is expected to become an integral part of the River Trail System, which follows the Clark Fork River and provides pedestrian access to Deer Lodge's business and commercial areas. Brownfields redevelopment is expected to create more than 100 jobs and increase the local tax base. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-06-167 May 2006 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |