HI
                           C3
  Brownfields  2004

  Grant  Fact  Sheet

       Mineral  County

          Fairgrounds

      Association,  CO



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. Abrownfield 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, the President
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 pro-
grams through a separate mechanism.

Community Description

The Mineral County  Fairgrounds Association was
selected to receive a  brownfields cleanup grant. The
targeted area is located approximately 0.75 miles
outside the Creede city limits. Creede, with a popula-
tion of 3 81, is the county seat and the only town in
Mineral County (population 831). More than nine
percent  of the county's population have incomes below
the poverty line. The target area was contaminated by
mine and mill wastes during the last century. Mining in
the Creede area began around 1890, and the silver-rich
veins remained profitable for nearly a century, though
the devaluation of silver proved difficult for the local
  Cleanup Grant
  $200,000 for hazardous substances

  EPA has selected the Mineral County Fairgrounds
  Association for a brownfields cleanup grant. The
  cleanup grant will be used to remediate approxi-
  mately 46 acres of land that have been contami-
  nated by mining wastes (heavy metals). The site is
  currently known as the fairgrounds portion of the
  Creede Airport Corner property. Once cleaned up,
  the property is slated to be developed into a multi-
  use fairgrounds facility that will offer a wide range
  of recreational, sports, and educational opportuni-
  ties for youths and adults. Its operation also should
  provide employment opportunities for the local
  population.
  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 8 Brownfields Team
  303-312-6803
  http://www.epa.gov/region08/land_waste/bfhome/
  bfhome.html

  Grant Recipient: Mineral County Fairgrounds
  Association, CO
  719-658-0178

  The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
  yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
  in this fact sheet are subject to change.
economy. Since 1985, when the last of the mines
closed, the economy has shifted from mining to ser-
vices, construction, and retail in response to a rising
demand for seasonal homes and tourism. The city of
Creede remains a center for tourism and recreation in
a the region whose economy now relies heavily on the
summer tourism season.
                                                 Solid Waste and
                                                 Emergency Response
                                                 (5105T)
                        EPA560-F-04-150
                        June 2004
                        www.epa.gov/brownfields

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