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Program Highlights ^™enta
ERA Funding Provided to States and Tribes to Address Contaminated Land in their Communities
REGION I
MAINE - Staff from the Maine Brownfields Program provided
assistance related to facility upgrades at their Eastern Manufacturing
property in Brewer. Previous brownfields cleanup activities conducted
in 2008 consisted of capping contaminated materials onsite along
with a deed restriction prohibiting future excavation without approval
of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). During
the planning stage for installation of an elevator to provide Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant access to the warehouse, the
contractor contacted the Brownfields Program to provide notice
of the intent to excavate and to design an investigation plan. The
Brownfields Program used Section 128(a) Response Program
funding to conduct oversight, provide technical advice on how to
conduct the investigation, and approve the activity. Results of soil
samples showed levels of hazardous substances that required
a remedial action. The contractor submitted a proposed plan for
incorporating the hazardous materials into an onsite disposal
area. Although the initial disposal area was not appropriate, DEP
worked with the contractor to find an area that was environmentally
appropriate and cost effective. This process allowed the contractor
to efficiently conduct the necessary work at the facility while being
protective of human health and the environment, and without
disrupting ongoing operations.
REGION 2
ST. REGIS MOHAWK TRIBE - The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT),
located inAkwesasne, New York, received its first Section 128(a)
Response Program cooperative agreement in fiscal year 2011. Since
receiving the funding, the tribe is working to address the primary
elements of a brownfields response program. Currently, the tribe is
compiling an inventory of brownfields properties. The tribe completed
a generic community action plan and met with the community to
describe its cooperative agreement and environmental plan of action
regarding brownfields properties. In addition, information about the
cooperative agreement was published in the SRMT newspaper and
public notification of the project was met on the SRMT Environmental
Division website. Included on the website is an explanation of the
new cooperative agreement, a description of brownfields, plans
for seeking input from stakeholders regarding brownfields issues,
contact information, and tribal training plans. All of these efforts
promote the development of the tribe's new response program and
environmental justice.
REGION 3
VIRGINIA- Redevelopment team members for the Mill at South
River, a former industrial property in Waynesboro, announced
that the project successfully completed a $5.5 million voluntary
remediation and site preparation phase of the redevelopment. It is
the largest known voluntary brownfields investment by an individual
in Virginia and ranks in the top seven percent in size of Voluntary
Remediation Program (VRP) properties in the state. The nearly 40-
acre property with 490,000 square feet of buildings was committed
to the VRP in 2005 and the Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality used Section 128(a) Response Program funding to provide
oversight. The Mill at South River was originally the Crompton-
Shenandoah Company's Waynesboro plant, a manufacturer of
velvet, corduroy and velveteen fabric. The buildings on the complex
were constructed and expanded, between 1926 and 1971, and
currently provide leased space to various small industry and artisan
tenants, warehouse space to trucking, and other industries. With
the remediation and site preparation complete, as well as Planned
Unit Development zoning in place for mixed use, the property is now
positioned to move to the first phase of market-driven redevelopment.
The Mill at South River's efforts to preserve and restore the historic
buildings on property, along with the property's proximity to the
downtown historic district and residential neighborhoods, is symbolic
of the city's attempt to reshape its economy through adaptive reuse,
while paying homage to its industrial heritage. The redevelopment
team sees the Mill at South River as ideal for office, commercial,
artisan, education, and residential use. The Mill's location along
the South River also makes it ideal for a research facility, cold
water restoration program and fish hatchery—all of which are being
considered. In addition, the first phase of future renovations was
registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) certification with the U.S Green Building Council.
REGION 4
KENTUCKY - The brownfields of Central Appalachia present great
challenges and great opportunities. In an attempt to address the
challenge of information and strategies exchange, Kentucky used
Section 128(a) Response Program funding to host "Exploring
Community Revitalization in Central Appalachia." This conference
was held at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, close to the boarders
of Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia—three states affected by the
challenges. Staff from EPA Regions 3, 4 and 5 also attended the
meeting. This was a participant-driven conference that brought
together 29 attendees, representing a broad section of stakeholders,
including the private sector and governmental and non-governmental
agencies. The participants engaged in active discussions during
CERCLA Section 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program Fundin
January/February 201 I
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breakout sessions on eight topics. There were also seven "lightning
round" presentations on successful projects in the regions. Many
of the attendees were from organizations that were not previously
familiar with each other and it appears that the event created several
mutually beneficial collaborations.
Participants engaging in active discussbns during a breakout sessbn at the
CentralAppalachia Conference.
REGION 5
OHIO - Ohio EPA's voluntary, statewide inventory of brownfields
properties is now available to the public. Prospective brownfields
properties must be included in the inventory in order to be eligible for
Clean Ohio program grant funding. Local governments and private
entities may submit information for inclusion in the online inventory.
Information contained in the Ohio Brownfield Inventory includes
details such as location, past use, utilities available, and proximity
to major roads, airports and public transportation. It also includes
Google Maps support to allow for use of Google features such as
pan, zoom, MAP Views Terrain/Satellite/Hybrid, and "Street View."
Advanced query grid tools also allow for filtering, sorting, grouping,
and exporting of brownfields property data. The Ohio Brownfield
Inventory database is part of a new Ohio EPA Brownfield Inventory
Support website which was developed, in part, with Section 128(a)
Response Program funding. In addition to the database, this website
includes resources for brownfields redevelopment and a media
gallery highlighting some brownfields success stories. Also included
are an application for inclusion in the Ohio Brownfield Inventory and
an affidavit for removing a property from the Inventory. The new
website is located at: http://www.derr.epa.ohio.gov/Home.aspx.
REGION 6
CHEROKEE NATION - The Cherokee Nation wants tourists to visit
Tahlequah, the city its people established at the end of the Trail of
Tears in northeastern Oklahoma. To that end, the Cherokee Nation's
tourism department is restoring four properties, starting with the
state's oldest municipal building, the Cherokee Nation Supreme
Court, built in 1844 and vacant since 1994. The tribe used Section
128(a) Response Program funding to conduct asbestos and lead
based paint abatement at the building. Restoration is still underway;
however, once the interior is renovated, the building will reopen as
a museum. The collection will include an original printing press from
the Cherokee Advocate, the state's oldest newspaper, which was
published in the building. Cherokee Nation also plans to restore
three more important sites: the Cherokee National Capitol Building,
the Cherokee National Jail, and Ross Cemetery, where workers
have already started to repair fences. "The Supreme Court building
is extremely important in Cherokee history," says Molly Jarvis, vice
president of marketing for the Cherokee Nation. "This [restoration]
is part of a very long-term plan for the Cherokee Nation to preserve
our history. We're starting with downtown Tahlequah."
IOWA - Visitors to the downtown area of Fort Dodge travel past
a two-block stretch of dilapidated buildings, empty store fronts,
and vacant lots. With changing trends in retail and commercial
businesses over the last 30 years, many city businesses had simply
closed or moved to new growth areas on the fringe of this mid-
size Iowa city. In addition to the dilapidated gateway to downtown,
community leaders also learned that the only remaining grocery
store in the central city, Fareway Stores, Inc., was going to close
its existing downtown store, and consider moving to the growing
commercial corridor on the east side of the city. City leaders
contacted the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Brownfield Redevelopment Program for technical and financial
assistance to evaluate the properties. Using Section 128(a)
Response Program funding, DNR assisted the city with Phase I and
Phase II assessments to evaluate soil and ground water conditions,
and conducted asbestos inspections in all the structures on the
properties. The city presented this two-block, former brownfield
area as 'shovel ready' and Fareway Stores, Inc. agreed to purchase
the parcel and commit to construction of a new 33,000-square-foot
downtown grocery store. Fareway Stores completed construction
and held a grand opening ceremony in February 2011. The new
store features a bakery, expanded meat and produce sections, a
larger inventory of organic foods, and employs energy efficiency
concepts such as using heat generated from the refrigeration
system's compressors to warm the interior of the store. This
managed growth and infill redevelopment helps ensure that the
downtown business district will remain a viable and valuable part of
the character of Fort Dodge.
Fareway Stores, Inc. employees cut a ribbon to open a new grocery store in
downtown Fort Dodge.
CERCLA Section 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program Fundin
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REGION 8
STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE - The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
completed the cleanup of an abandoned motel and residence known
as the "Old Warrior Motel." The former motel was out of operation
for over 15 years and was a major blight in the center of Fort Yates,
North Dakota. Frequented by vandals, kids and substance abusers,
the asbestos and lead contaminated buildings were also public health
and safety hazards. To pay for the cleanup, Standing Rock Sioux
used Section 128(a) Response Program funding as well tribal funds
received from solid waste disposal fees. The tribe also used Targeted
Brownfields Assessment (TBA) support from Region 8 to characterize
the lead and asbestos contamination prior to cleanup. Conducting
the cleanup in the middle of winter presented various challenges, and
delays were not uncommon, but the tribe was ultimately successful
in removing contamination, demolishing the buildings, and properly
disposing and recycling building debris. The tribe plans to reuse
the prime location for new low-income housing and construction is
scheduled to begin in summer 2011.
The "Old Warrior Motel" property during demolition and cleanup.
REGION 9
SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY (SRPMIC) -
The SRPMIC Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
(EPNR) Division continues to build capacity for its Tribal Response
Program in Arizona. EPNR recently hired a Senior Environmental
Specialist (SES) to manage the Tribal Response Program. SRPMIC
used Section 128(a) Response Program funding to promote a
community-wide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection
Event in the fall of 2010 and a second event is being planned during
SRPMIC's Earth Day in April 2011. Public outreach information
is being provided through the newly developed Tribal Response
Program webpage (http://www.srpmic-nsn.gov/government/epnr/
brownfields.asp) on the EPNR website. The website provides a
description of brownfield sites and allows the public to request site
assessments online. The website also contains a video of past
brownfields projects and a Public Record information database
of ongoing projects. In addition, EPNR has fostered public
participation by announcing the Brownfields Program in SRPMIC's
Au-Authm Action News newspaper. The community also developed
preventative draft ordinances and policies to support the goals of
the Tribal Response Program. EPNR developed a close relationship
with the Salt River Police Department Ranger Division to assist in
environmental enforcement and the prevention of new brownfields.
REGION 10
P Si
BRISTOL BAY NATIVE ASSOCIATION (BBNA) - Using Section
128(a) Response Program funding, BBNA, the University of
Alaska Fairbanks - Bristol Bay (UAF-BB) Campus, Tribal Councils,
Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP) Tribal staff, and tribal
members have all partnered to develop a Brownfields/Environmental
Internship pilot program. The program benefits college students
who wish to remain in their home village and earn credits toward
an Environmental Science certificate. The student's home village
benefits through an environmental cleanup project and the UAF-BB
Campus Environmental Science program benefits from a higher
enrollment in the program. Aria Johnson, the BBNA Brownfields
Program Manager says that "the project was labor intensive to
initiate; however, it is rewarding to see the progress of students and
the increased community interest in selected projects." Kimberly
Seybert was selected as the first intern and she has already earned
16 college credits toward her Environmental Studies Certificate.
This approach to practical training and fieldwork means more
human resources and increased capacity for BBNA to manage
environmental cleanup projects in the local communities they serve.
Bristol Bay Native Association Brownfields Staff conducting fieldwork.
United States
Environmental Protection
CERCLA Section 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program Funding
January/February 201 I EPA-560-F-1 I -029
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