EPA Brownfields Grants Will Aid Environmental Assessment and Cleanup in Two Alaska Communities

From EPA:

EPA Brownfields Grants Will Aid Environmental Assessment and Cleanup in Two Alaska 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 Cook Inlet Housing Authority and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska have been selected to receive Brownfields grants totaling $750,000 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough in partnership the Cities of Palmer and Wasilla has been selected for $550,000 in brownfield assessment coalition grants. The $275,000 community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize brownfield sites; conduct up to 12 environmental site assessments; and prepare three cleanup plans. Grant funds also will be used to prepare area-wide plans for two focus areas and conduct community outreach activities. The $275,000 petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.

The Cook Inlet Housing Authority in Anchorage has been selected for a $200,000 petroleum cleanup grant. The petroleum grant funds will be used to clean up the Tesoro-Olson Site/Alpina Auto Repair Shop site at 3607 and 3609 Spenard Road in Anchorage. The site has been used as a gas station since 1964 and as an auto repair facility, car wash and detail shop, wood lot, and rental car business since the mid-1990s. It is contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.

“We support the vision of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Cook Inlet Housing Authority 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 Brownfields 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Cook Inlet Housing Authority 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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