5 o T> Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet Raymond, NH 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 Town of Raymond was selected to receive two brownfields cleanup grants. Raymond (population 10,027) is a small, economically depressed town in Rockingham County. Unemployment in the town nearly doubled between 2000 and 2003. In addition, poor soil conditions in the downtown area are causing septic system failures, posing a threat to the town's groundwater aquifer. There are 44 potential brownfield sites in Raymond. The Rex Leather Tannery site is the most visible of these, located just a few hundred feet from the Lamprey Elementary School, the Lamprey River, and the downtown area. Cleanup of the tannery property will help alleviate health concerns for those who live near the site and may increase property values around the downtown area. A water treatment facility planned for the site will help address the Cleanup Grants $400,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Town of Raymond for two brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous sub- stances grant funds will be used for removal and offsite disposal of hazardous soils and capping of fill at the 11-acre Lot 120 and the 4-acre Lot 43 of the former Rex Leather Tannery site at the corner of Old Manchester Road and Wight Street. The tannery operated from 1953 until it was destroyed by fire in 1972. Areas where leather scraps are buried are contaminated with a variety of metals. Funds also will be used for 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/region01/brownfields/ Grant Recipient: Town of Raymond, NH 603-895-4735 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. failing septic systems in downtown Raymond and reduce the threat of contamination to the town's ground- water supply. This redevelopment is expected to help attract retail, commercial, and light industrial businesses to the town, thereby improving economic conditions for area residents. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-06-215 July 2006 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |