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  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

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