5 o T> Brownfields 2008 Grant Fact Sheet Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Northwest Vermont 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 Northwest Regional Planning Commission was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. The Commission serves 23 municipalities in Grand Isle and Franklin Counties (combined population 52,318), which border New York and Canada. The region historically served as a gateway to New England and a major transportation corridor for commercial traffic. Its location encouraged the development of steamboat landings and shipping ports on Lake Champlain. This Assessment Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Northwest Regional Planning Commission for a brownfields assessment grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct three Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, and 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 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1424 http://www.epa.gov/regionl/brownfields Grant Recipient: Northwest Regional Planning Commission, VT 802-524-5958 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. was followed by the development of railroads and then roads. Brownfields in the region reflect these transpor- tation shifts. Grand Isle County has been a tourism destination for nearly 100 years. Franklin County serves as the center for the state's dairy and maple syrup production. However, residents face challenges in finding local employment. Sixty-eight percent of Grand Isle and 35 percent of Franklin County residents work outside their county. Brownfields assessments will reduce uncertainties about brownfield sites and are expected to encourage the development of cleanup and redevelopment strategies. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-08-212 April 2008 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |