Brownfields 2009 Cleanup Grant Fact
Sheet
Howland, ME
REC(M(H.GBV
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states,
communities, and other stakeholders to work together to
prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse
brownfields. A brownfield 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
February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed
into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The Recovery Act is an unprecedented effort to
jumpstart our economy, and create or save millions of
jobs. This law provided stimulus funds to the
Brownfields Program to award grants to evaluate and
clean up former industrial and commercial sites. Under
this law, EPA will provide financial assistance to
eligible applicants through four competitive grant
programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund
grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants.
Community Description
The Town of Howland was selected to receive three
brownfields cleanup grants. Howland (population
1,362) is a rural community located 35 miles north of
Bangor. The closure of the Old Howland Tannery in
1971 left the town without any industry to support local
workers. The decline in the wood products and paper
industry, and manufacturing overall, has left a growing
number of brownfields sites in the state. The old
tannery, in the heart of downtown Howland, is
contributing to the economic pressures and blight that
have discouraged investment. Contamination at the site
poses risks to both humans and the environment,
including runoff and leaching into the Penobscot and
Piscataquis Rivers. The average household income in
Howland is 26 percent less than the state average. The
unemployment rate is significantly greater than the state
and national rates. Cleanup of the Howland Tannery
property is expected to reduce the stigma that has
negatively impacted property values. Once the sites are
cleaned up, Howland proposes to turn them into a
destination for river-related recreation and associated
businesses along the Penobscot and Piscataquis Rivers.
Cleanup Grants
$600,000 for hazardous substances
(Recovery Act Funding)
EPA has selected the Town of Howland for three
brownfields cleanup grants. Grant funds will be used
to clean up Lots 37, 75, and 76 of the Old Howland
Tannery. Prior to becoming a tannery, the 12-acre
site was used for paper, pulp, and plywood
production. The target sites are contaminated with
heavy metals, semi-volatile organic compounds, and
fuel-related compounds. Grant funds also will be
used to conduct 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
(http://www.epa.gov/brownfields).
EPA Region 1 Brownfields Team
(617)918-1424
EPA Region 1 Brownfields Web site
(http: //www. epa.gov/region 1 /brownfields)
Grant Recipient: Town of Howland,ME
(207)723-3513
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 negotiated.
Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are
subject to change.
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20450
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105T)
EPA 560-F-09-233
May 09
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