Brownfields 2011 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet , 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 Carlin was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Carlin (population 2,322) is a small community in rural Elko County, in northeastern Nevada on the banks of the Humboldt River. The city initially was founded as a railroad town and became the terminus for the Central Pacific Railroad. Due to the decline in the railroad industry, the facility closed in the mid-1900s, leaving behind vacant land with known or suspected contamination. There also are 298 mines in Elko County, many with unsecured hazards. These mines are sources of air, soil, groundwater, and surface water contamination. Contamination from mining and railroad activities poses potential threats to community health and the area's water quality. The 10.9 percent unemployment rate in Carlin is significantly higher than the county and national rates. Brownfield assessments are expected to increase public awareness and understanding of contamination at sites, and facilitate eventual site cleanup and redevelopment. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Carlin for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to prioritize brownfield sites throughout the city and perform at least nine Phase I and at least four Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to enforce institutional controls and conduct community outreach and cleanup planning activities. Petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct 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 415-972-3364 EPA Region 9 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/region9/brownfields) Grant Recipient: City of Carlin,NV 775-754-6354 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-128-125 May 11 ------- |