Brownfields 2010 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet Pawtucket, Rl 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 Pawtucket was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Pawtucket (population 70,086), located in northern Rhode Island, was a thriving industrial center throughout the 19th century. Its economy has been struggling since the 1950s, when it began losing its manufacturing businesses. The loss of industry left a cluster of 20 former industrial sites along the Pawtucket River. These brownfields threaten the health of the river and are impeding economic and recreational reuse of the riverfront. Pawtucket is now one of the most socioeconomically challenged, densely populated, and diverse cities in Rhode Island. The unemployment rate is almost 15 percent. Thirty-six percent of residents are minorities. Almost completely built out, the city must redevelop its brownfields to revitalize its economy. When the target site is cleaned up, the city plans to reuse it for open space and public access to the river as planned for in Pawtucket"s community-based Riverfront Master Plan. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Pawtucket for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the State Pier site located on Tim Healy Way on the east side of the Pawtucket River. The site has been used as a storage facility, freight house, and marina. The site is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other hazardous substances. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities. 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 1 Brownfields Team (617)918-1424 EPA Region 1 Brownfields Web site (http: //www. epa.gov/region 1 /brownfields) Grant Recipient: City of Pawtucket,RI (401) 724-5200 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) EPA 560-F-10-030 Apr 10 ------- |