^ Brownfields 2010 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet <^4 ^- New Mexico Environment Department 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 New Mexico Environment Department was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. New Mexico (population 1,984,356) is a predominantly rural state with a long history of agriculture and mining. The hard rock mining industry, which included extensive uranium mining, left behind numerous mine-scarred lands, ghost towns, and abandoned industrial facilities. The state has identified about 210 brownfield sites throughout the state. In addition, New Mexico has the third-highest poverty rate in the nation, and is ranked 45th in per capita income. Most communities throughout the state lack the tax base and sufficient resources to address brownfields or administer a brownfields program. Brownfield assessments are expected to assist these communities move forward with redevelopment plans and encourage economic vitality. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the New Mexico Environment Department for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct three Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments. Community-wide petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct four Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to conduct cleanup planning and 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 6 Brownfields Team (214) 665-6780 EPA Region 6 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/region6/bro wnfields) Grant Recipient: New Mexico Environment Department 505-827-2754 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) EPA560-F-10-136 April 2010 ------- |