I jBt; | Brownfields 2009 Assessment Grant Fact Sheet Aguadilla, PR 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 Municipality of Aguadilla was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Located in northwestern Puerto Rico, the Municipality of Aguadilla (population 64,685) occupies about 36 square miles and contains many brownfield sites, especially in the central historic district. The development of suburbs has reduced the use of the urban center and left behind abandoned properties and closed businesses. An informal inventory lists several facilities related to the manufacture of clothing, leather, chemicals, and electronics that ceased operations in 1996. In addition, the municipality has preliminarily identified several illegal dump sites in low-income communities. Fifty-five percent of Aguadilla residents live below the poverty level. The unemployment rate is nearly 20 percent, and more than 45 percent of households earn less than $10,000 per year. Brownfield assessments are the first step toward eventual site cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments are expected to promote implementation of the municipality's economic redevelopment strategy and help preserve Aguadilla's central historic district. Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Municipality of Aguadilla for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct at least seven Phase I and two Phase II environmental site assessments. Petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct at least seven Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop an inventory of sites, conduct cleanup planning, and 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 2 Brownfields Team (212) 637-4358 EPA Region 2 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/region2/brownfields) Grant Recipient: Municipality of Aguadilla,PR (787) 891-1005 ext 4063 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-09-059 nil- a ancl Emergency .. Protection Agency Response (5105T) MaV09 Washington, DC 20450 ^ v ' ------- |