Brownfields 2011 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet Manitowoc, Wl 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 Manitowoc was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Located in eastern Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Michigan, Manitowoc (population 34,800) has been significantly impacted by brownfields. The state has documented at least 209 contaminated sites and leaking underground storage tanks in the city. Many brownfields are near the Manitowoc River and Lake Michigan, threatening sensitive environments and the city's water supply. Others are adjacent to neighborhoods and threaten the health and economic well-being of disproportionate numbers of minority and low-income residents. The city's unemployment rate of 14.4 percent can be attributed in part to a decline in manufacturing, historically an important part of the city's economy. Median household incomes are below state and national averages. Assessment of brownfields will help the city characterize and prioritize sites and support efforts to protect the Manitowoc River. Assessments also are expected to facilitate the city's Downtown and River Corridor Master Plan. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Manitowoc for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct a brownfields inventory and perform at least five Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop two cleanup plans and support community outreach activities. Petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination. 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: City of Manitowoc,WI 920-686-6930 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-128-094 May 2011 ------- |