31 communities apply for Brownfield Site Assessment Grants

31 COMMUNITIES APPLY FOR BROWNFIELD SITE ASSESSMENT GRANTS

November 30, 2010

MADISON - Thirty-one Wisconsin communities have submitted a total of 55 applications for grants to assist them in starting environmental investigations on abandoned, idle or underused industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived contamination.

The Department of Natural Resources Remediation and Redevelopment Program received applications requesting $2.6 million in funding for the $1.5 million in Brownfield Site Assessment Grants available from for the fiscal year that runs from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Applications will be scored based on a set of criteria, including tax delinquency, public health impacts and location of the properties to nearby water sources. The department anticipates announcing grant awards in early 2011.

Any local government entity or tribe is eligible to complete an application for a grant. While SAGs do not fund cleanups, the grants do fund the following activities:

environmental site assessments;

site investigations;

demolition;

asbestos removal associated with demolition; and

removal of tanks and drums.

Applicants requested $933,600 in small grants and $1.67 million in large grants. Small grants range between $2,000-$30,000 and large grants range from $30,001-$100,000. This is the twelfth round of SAG grants, created in 1998 by the State Legislature based upon recommendations from the Brownfields Study Group.

Since their inception, SAGs have helped communities begin investigation and cleanup activities on more than 1,600 acres in 205 communities across the state. These activities include 825 site assessments and investigations, the removal of 710 storage tanks and containers and the demolition of 629 structures and buildings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Savagian, 608-261-6422

Last Revised: Tuesday, November 30, 2010