^ Brownfields 2011 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet ™ Spencer County, IN 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 Spencer County was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in southwestern Indiana, Spencer County (population 20,039) historically relied upon natural resources such as rich soils, timber, and coal to support its economy. In recent years, the region has experienced significant losses in the timber, manufacturing, and mining industries. More than 53 percent of the county's residents travel outside of the county for employment. The economic downturn has forced the county to reduce all but the most necessary services, leaving no funds for brownfields cleanups. The targeted cleanup site contains a storage building, aboveground storage tank, drums, and other debris. The site is a gateway into Spencer County, and current conditions may discourage visitors and tourists. Cleanup of the target site will reduce the contaminants that pose threats to human health and the environment, and facilitate the site's redevelopment. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected Spencer County for a brownfields cleanup grant. Petroleum grant funds will be used to clean up the former United Energy facility at 12743 East State Road 66 in Evanston. The three-acre site is an abandoned petroleum distribution facility that was in operation from the 1940s to the 1990s. Soil and groundwater at the site are contaminated with a variety of petroleum hydrocarbons. Grant funds also will be used to support 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 5 Brownfields Team (312)886-7576 EPA Region 5 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfiel ds) Grant Recipient: Spencer County,IN (812)367-8455 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) E PA 560-F-128-078 May 2011 ------- |