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Brownfields in Region 8
What are Brownfields?
Brownfields are 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. Region 8's Brownfields program provides funds and technical assistance to states, tribes, communities, and other stakeholders to assess, clean up and redevelop brownfields properties in the Rocky Mountain region, making it easier for such lands to become vital, functioning parts of their communities. On this site, you can find information about Region 8’s Brownfields Program including Brownfields grants, program contacts and more.
Brownfields Program Benefits
The Region 8 Brownfields Program has created many benefits for local communities across Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, as highlighted below (results as of January 2013). For additional details, view the summary of EPA Brownfields Program Benefits (PDF, 1 pg, 137K).
- Properties assessed: 1,767.
- Cleanups completed: 121.
- Acres made ready for reuse: 3,332.
- Dollars leveraged: $1,304,782,281.
- Jobs leveraged: 4,437.
News and Highlights
Brownfields Recovery Act funds and technical support help make way for affordable housing at the Village at Westerly Creek
The City of Aurora issued a $250,000 subgrant to the Aurora Housing Authority from its RLF for asbestos abatement prior to the demolition of the Housing Authority’s outdated Buckingham Garden Townhomes (130 units). The demolition made way for the new Village at Westerly Creek (225 housing units). To avoid relocating residents currently living in the Buckingham Garden Townhomes, the development is being conducted in phases. The first phase of the project which includes 55-units of public housing for seniors and people with disabilities has already been completed and residents started moving in at the end of August. The cleanup of the second phase of the project was completed in November and construction has begun. The third phase of the project is expected to begin in 2014. A few of the amenities that the Village at Westerly Creek will include in the redevelopment are open space, walking paths, heated sidewalks in the senior complex, community garden plots, energy star appliances, and photovoltaic panels that will light hallways and common areas. In addition to cleanup funding, EPA also conducted a Targeted Brownfields Assessment on the property to help the Housing Authority determine the extent of asbestos containing materials in the building and estimate abatement and disposal costs. The Village at Westerly Creek held its grand opening on January 18th, 2013. Read more here.
More Region 8 Success Stories »
Brownfields Area-wide planning, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants Announced:
Region 8 to receive $4 million
EPA announced $66.5 million in brownfields investments to protect health and environment, create jobs and promote economic redevelopment nationwide. In Region 8, $2.6 million will be awarded to support brownfields area-wide planning, assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup projects in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah.
The Region 8 grant recipients include:
- The City of Minot will receive a $400,000 assessment grant to conduct environmental site assessments and $200,000 Brownfields area-wide planning grant focused on the downtown area affected by the Souris River flooding in 2011.
- The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation will use a $400,000 assessment grant to inventory brownfields and conduct environmental site assessments.
- Alamosa County Economic Development Corporation will use $200,000 to clean up the Pink Elephant property building contaminated with metals, inorganic contaminants and mold.
- The City of New Rockford will receive a $200,000 cleanup grant to address contamination at the New Rockford City Hospital.
- The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes will use $200,000 to clean up pesticides and metals contamination at the Old Poplar Airport.
- The City of Cheyenne will receive a $1 million coalition Revolving Loan Fund grant to provide cleanup loans and subgrants in the City.
Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities
EPA announced new grants to help communities overcome the challenges of assessing, cleaning up and preparing brownfields sites for redevelopment. Building on its previous experience working with communities, and its extensive team of subgrantees, contractors, partners and other network contacts, Kansas State University will be available to assist Region 8 communities. Kansas State University has a wide range of expertise and technical resources. Visit the Kansas State TAB website to learn more about the services they can provide.
Save the Date: Region 8 - Annual TRP Workshop - Denver, CO - June 18 - 20, 2013
This regional event is an annual tribal-only workshop dedicated to the continued development of Brownfields Tribal Response Programs. Held at EPA's Regional Office, this workshop provides opportunities to meet with other Brownfield Coordinators and exchange information and results of environmental challenges throughout Indian country in Region 8.
2013 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum - Albuquerque, NM - August 19 - 22
This national event sponsored by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) provides the most comprehensive opportunity for Tribal Environmental Programs dealing with environmental land issues. Tribal Response Programs from Tribal Nations throughout the country attend this Forum to network and receive much needed training. For more Information, visit ITEP's website.
The Winter Edition of the WBWire is here. New to brownfields or need help with a project? Technical assistance is available to help communities overcome brownfields challenges. Read more in the Winter Edition of the WBWire.