Brownfields 2009 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet Spar/cs, NV 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 City of Sparks was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Located in western Nevada near Reno, Sparks (population 84,239) evolved from an early Southern Pacific Railroad town into a mid-sized city. As Sparks developed, businesses spread outside the urban core, leaving the older neighborhoods in economic decline. Along with historic railroad operations in these older areas are vacant petroleum handlers, warehouses, and auto shops. The city has identified 359 deteriorating properties or dilapidated structures in need of redevelopment. The highest numbers of potentially contaminated sites and the highest rates of minority and low-income residents in the city are in the older areas slated for redevelopment. Per capita income in Sparks is lower than the state or national averages. Assessment of brownfields is expected to clarify environmental concerns, and catalyze cleanup and redevelopment. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Sparks for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize brownfields, conduct up to 20 Phase I and up to 5 Phase II environmental site assessments, conduct cleanup planning, and support community outreach activities. Petroleum grant 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 9 Brownfields Team (415) 972-3091 EPA Region 9 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/region9/brownfields) Grant Recipient: City of Sparks,NV (775) 353-2368 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-09-177 May 09 ------- |