^ Brownfields 2009 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet 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 Town of Jaffrey was selected to receive three brownfields cleanup grants. Jaffrey (population 5,476) is located in southwestern New Hampshire, about 90 miles from Boston. It is home to Mount Monadnock, one of the world's most frequently climbed mountains, which is visible from all the towns in the region. The target sites are located in a mixed-use neighborhood with retail, commercial, and multi-family residential properties occupied predominantly by low-to-moderate-income families. Groundwater contamination at the sites extends for an estimated 15 acres, appears to be migrating toward the Contoocook River, and is within a short radius of a wellhead protection area of a town well. Cleanup of the Elite Laundry sites will help protect the health of downtown area residents and the Contoocook River watershed by mitigating the potential harmful effects of contaminants from the site. It also is expected to increase property values by removing blight from the community. Once the target sites are cleaned up, the town anticipates that a small commercial retail store will open on the property. Cleanup Grants $600,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Town of Jaffrey for three brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Elite Laundry sites at 4, 6, and 10 Laundry Road. A commercial laundry and dry cleaning business operated at the sites from 1937 to 1997. Previous environmental studies indicate the presence of tetrachloroethene and related contaminants in site soils and groundwater. Grant funds also will be used for groundwater and gas management and monitoring, and for 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/regionl/bro wnfields) Grant Recipient: Town of Jaffrey,NH (603)532-7880 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-09-246 May 2009 ------- |