EPA Brownfields Grants Will Aid Environmental Assessment and Cleanup in Three Oregon Communities

From EPA:

EPA Brownfields Grants Will Aid Environmental Assessment and Cleanup in Three Oregon Communities 
 
Contact Information:  Judy Smith, Press Officer, 503-326-6994; smith.judy@epa.gov
                                  Susan Morales, Brownfields Program 206-553-7299; morales.susan@epa.gov

(Seattle – May 20, 2016) The Tigard City Center Development Agency, Metro Clackamas County and the City of Portland in Oregon have been selected to receive Brownfields grants totaling $1.4 million from EPA to help assess and cleanup contamination in their communities. Assistance provided by this program supports local efforts and serves areas that are underserved and economically disadvantaged, including neighborhoods where environmental cleanup and new jobs are most needed.  

The Tigard City Center Development Agency has been selected for two hazardous substances brownfields cleanup grants totaling $400,000.  The grant funding will be used to clean up two properties that are contaminated with halogenated volatile organic compounds, metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls.  The properties being cleaned up are located at the Main Street/Fanno Creek (Saxony-Pacific) site at 12533 and 12535 SW Main Street, the former site of a sawmill, welding shop, and printing shop. Grant funds at both properties also will be used to enforce institutional controls and conduct community engagement activities.

The City of Portland has been selected for two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct four environmental site assessments and prepare two cleanup plans. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities. Community-wide petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.

Metro in partnership with Clackamas County and the City of Oregon City has been selected for two brownfields assessment grants totaling $600,000. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds of $300,000 will be used to update an inventory of brownfield sites, conduct environmental site assessments and prepare one cleanup plan. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities. Community-wide petroleum grant funds of $300,000 will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination. The target areas for this grant are communities along a nine-mile segment of McLoughlin Boulevard in northwestern Clackamas County.

“We support the vision of the Tigard City Center Development Agency, the Metro Coalition and the City of Portland as they work locally to bring new life to these underutilized properties,” said Sheryl Bilbrey, Director of EPA Region 10 Office of Environmental Cleanup.  “We are pleased that the EPA Brownfield grant funding will help leverage additional partners and resources to help make a visible difference in these communities.”

These grants are part of part of 218 national grant investments totaling $55.2 million that is being provided to 131 communities across the nation.  

Read the fact sheets about the Tigard City Center Development Agency, Metro Clackamas County and the City of Portland in Oregon proposals at:https://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/

For more information on Brownfields grants: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding

Read the national announcement listing all 218 grant investments at: National Brownfields ARC Grant Announcement

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