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Brownfields 2003
Grant Fact Sheet
Merrimack Valley
Planning Commission,
Northeast MA
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. Additionally,
funding support is provided to state and tribal response
programs through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The Merrimack Valley was selected to receive an
assessment grant. The Merrimack Valley Planning
Commission (MVPC) is a public, nonprofit regional
planning agency that serves 15 cities and towns in
northeast Massachusetts, 13 of which will be targeted
for assistance under this grant. The Merrimack Valley
region, known as the "birthplace of the American
Industrial Revolution," is a federally designated Eco-
nomic Development District. The area faces numerous
problems that hamper economic development. Key
among these problems is real or perceived environmen-
tal contamination at many commercial and industrial
sites throughout the valley. MVPC has a strong
Assessment Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the Merrimack Valley Planning
Commission for a brownfields assessment grant.
Grant funds will used to develop a brownfields
program, create a comprehensive brownfields
inventory and database, evaluate and prioritize
sites for assessment and redevelopment, perform
Phase I and II site assessments, and support an
ongoing public involvement program. A number
of prospective sites have been identified that may
be contaminated with petroleum and hazardous
substances related to past uses as mill yards and
manufacturing facilities.
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: Merrimack Valley Planning
Commission, MA
978-374-0519
Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the
MVPC has not received funding for brownfields grants.
Two towns within Merrimack Valley have received
brownfields funding. The Town of Lawrence has received
brownfields funding for assessment and revolving loan fund
grants, and the Town of Methuen has received brownfields
funding for assessment grants.
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been
negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet
are subject to change.
community outreach program, which will continue
throughout the project.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA500-F-03-131
June 2003
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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