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EPA grant to assess pollution in West Millcreek area (Salt Lake County)

Release Date: 04/07/2008
Contact Information: Dan Heffernan, 303-312-7074

Brownfields funds aim to spur redevelopment in heart of Salt Lake Valley

(Denver, Colo. -- April 7, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today awarded Salt Lake County a $200,000 grant for an environmental assessment of West Millcreek, an area in unincorporated Salt Lake County, bounded by 300 West, State Street, 3900 South and the Murray City boundary. These hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct site assessments of properties in the 135-acre area and to support community outreach activities and encourage reuse.

Salt Lake County is targeting West Millcreek for assessment to eliminate uncertainty about existing contamination and encourage beneficial reuse. The area has a long history of commercial and industrial operations, including trucking and paving companies, a cement plant, and printing and graphics companies. While development has thrived in surrounding areas, West Millcreek has experienced a decrease in population, a higher-than-average poverty level, and low property values. Past land uses have resulted in potential environmental contamination that discourages development.

"The thorough assessment of West Millcreek is a big first step towards revitalization," said EPA brownfields coordinator, Dan Heffernan. "This grant will generate clear information about the extent and type of contamination that exists on the site, removing a critical barrier to public and private investment."

The $200,000 EPA brownfields assessment grant will be used to identify and assess the nature of environmental hazards and prioritize sites for any necessary cleanup activities that are aligned with community redevelopment objectives. Though served by I-15 and two light-rail stations and adjacent to thriving redevelopment projects in Murray City and South Salt Lake City, investment in the West Millcreek area has been limited. The brownfields assessment grant will provide information about potential contamination and help catalyze developer interest.

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. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. 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.

Communities in 43 states will share more than $74 million in brownfields grants to help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive community use. The grants, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also go to two tribes and two U.S. Territories.

“By revitalizing and restoring neighborhoods nationwide, EPA’s Brownfields Program is proving that being a little green is doing a lot of good,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “These grants will help convert even more environmental eyesores back into sources of community pride.”

Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. In January 2002, President Bush signed the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, which authorizes up to $250 million in funds annually for brownfields grants. The 2002 law expanded the definition of what’s considered a brownfields, so communities may now focus on mine-scarred lands or sites contaminated by petroleum or the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs.

In all, 209 applicants were selected to receive 314 assessment, revolving loan fund, and cleanup grants:

• 194 assessment grants totaling $38.7 million to be used to conduct site assessment and planning for eventual cleanup at one or more brownfields sites or as part of a community-wide effort.
• 108 cleanup grants totaling $19.6 million to provide funding for grant recipients to carry out cleanup activities at brownfields sites they own.
• 12 revolving loan fund grants totaling $15.7 million to provide funding for communities to capitalize a revolving loan fund and to provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfields sites.
• Revolving loan funds are generally used to provide low interest loans for brownfields cleanups.