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Brownfields 2003
Grant Fact Sheet
Bath, ME
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders in economic development
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 January 11, 2002, President George
W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability
Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the
Brownfields 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. Addi-
tionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal
response programs through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The City of Bath was selected to receive a brownfields
assessment grant. Bath is located on the Kennebec
River, and the city depends on the waterfront for
economic development, recreation, and access to
transportation corridors. During the past 30 years, Bath
has focused on redeveloping its downtown, including
the waterfront. The target sites are located in a
blighted and largely abandoned area along the water-
front on the north end of downtown. Progress toward
this goal has stalled in recent years because of per-
ceived environmental liabilities at the remaining north-
ern waterfront properties. More than 25 percent of
waterfront-corridor residents are senior citizens, who
may be more sensitive to environmental hazards. The
city's Community Development Office conducted a
Assessment Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Bath for a
brownfields assessment grant. The city has
identified high-priority gateway sites in the city's
downtown waterfront area for assessment.
Other sites to be assessed will be selected
through a community-based prioritization pro-
cess. In addition, grant funds will be used to
support community outreach, conduct a city-wide
brownfields inventory, and develop an action plan
for each site.
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 at:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/.
EPA Region 1 Brownfields Team
617-918-1210
http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/
Grant Recipient: City of Bath, ME
207-443-8372
Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the City
of Bath has not received brownfields grant funding.
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been
negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet
are subject to change.
door-to-door canvass of residents and businesses in
downtown neighborhoods to involve the community in
its brownfields program. The city plans to continue
holding public meetings to solicit input on the cleanup
and reuse of brownfield sites in the city.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 500-F-03-052
June 2003
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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