I JBt? | Brownfields 2010 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet VTV Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Rapids (population 18,435) has an extensive industrial history. In the early 1900s, the city prospered with the advent of logging and papermaking. Since the 1980s, however, the city has experienced significant job losses due to plant closings and the downsizing of these industries, resulting in properties becoming vacant and underutilized. The state has identified more than 100 contaminated sites in the city, many of which are along both sides of the Wisconsin River and in primary commercial corridors. Brownfield efforts will focus on the West Industrial, West Grand Avenue, East Grand Avenue, and Upper River Districts. Brownfield assessments will identify human health threats and are expected to facilitate redevelopment efforts outlined in the city"s Downtown Waterfront Plan. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Wisconsin Rapids for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to create a site inventory database and conduct 15 to 20 Phase I and 10 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop 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 Wisconsin Rapids (715)421-8210 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 c Environmental anri Fmpflpn™ EPA 560-F-10-133 Protection Agency Response (5105T) April 2010 Washington, DC 20450 Kesponse (si us ) ------- |