SB, HI C3 Brownfields 2003 Grant Fact Sheet Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, VT 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 Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. The commission serves 23 towns with a com- bined population of 63,276 in Washington and Orange Counties in central Vermont. While central Vermont is mainly rural, there is a significant urban presence. Most of the brownfields in central Vermont are com- mercial, industrial, and residential properties located in existing urban, town, or village centers. Fifty-four percent of the target area's population live in urban or semi-urban areas, and nearly eight percent live below the poverty level. Individuals who are sensitive to environmental contaminants, including senior citizens and children under the age of 18, comprise approxi- mately 38 percent of the area's population. Assessing, Assessment Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission for a brownfields assess- ment grant. Grant funds will be used to complete an inventory of brownfields in central Vermont, perform environmental site assessments at priority sites, and conduct public outreach. Priority will be given to brownfields that are situated on or near rivers. 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: www.epa.gov/brownfields. EPA Region 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1210 http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/ Grant Recipient: Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, VT 802-229-0389 Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission 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. cleaning up, and redeveloping central Vermont's brownfields is critical to stimulating the region's economy while maintaining the greenspace that gives Vermont its rural character. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 500-F-03-066 June 2003 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |