Brownfields 2009 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet ^ Southwestern Illinois Development Authority 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. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to help states and communities around the country cleanup and revitalize brownfields sites. 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 Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. SWIDA is focusing its efforts on the 20 communities (combined population 165,000) in the American Bottom region of Illinois. This floodplain of the Mississippi River was first settled in 1699. The area evolved from farming to industry, including steel mills, chemical plants, and oil refineries. The American Bottom also played a role in rail transport, providing a corridor for railroad right-of-way, transfer, switching, and maintenance facilities. This industrial area of the region attracted many immigrants and African-Americans from southern states to work in its factories. Over the last 50 years, industries have abandoned their operations in the area and left behind a legacy of brownfields and high unemployment rates. Brownfields in the target area range from foundries of over 100 acres to small former gas stations. Assessment of brownfields in the target area will help reduce concerns and facilitate site cleanup. The site inventory will help simplify the marketing of the target area. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to inventory and characterize brownfield sites and conduct about 20 Phase I and at least 3 to 4 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to conduct cleanup planning and support community outreach activities. Assessments will focus on the American Bottom region of Southwestern Illinois. Petroleum funds will be used to perform the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination. 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 5 Brownfields Team (312)886-7576 EPA Region 5 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields) Grant Recipient: Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (618)345-3400 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) EPA560-F-09-149 May 09 ------- |