Brownfields 2010 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet Lansing Brown field Redevelopment Authority, Ml 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 Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. The City of Lansing (population 113,968) developed as an industrial powerhouse in the early 20th century, and relied heavily on automobile assembly and supply. After a century of automobile manufacturing, global competition contributed to plants, suppliers, and other support businesses closing their doors. Tens of thousands of jobs were lost, and many facilities were left abandoned or underused. The state has identified 53 sites with hazardous substances contamination, 205 open leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites, and 194 closed LUST sites in the city. These sites pose potential threats to area residents, nearby buildings, and groundwater. Many brownfields are located along the Grand River near dense residential areas. In July 2009, the city"s unemployment rate was 17.4 percent. Twenty-eight percent of the city"s residents are reported to live below the poverty level, and about 25 percent are minorities. Brownfield assessments are expected to promote site cleanup and reuse. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances and petroleum grant funds will be used to update an inventory of brownfield sites and conduct 36 Phase I and 20 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities and cleanup planning. 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: Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority,MI 517-483-4140 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-10-104 Apr 10 ------- |