Brownfields include property where the expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The assessment and cleanup of these sites is a significant step in returning Brownfields properties to beneficial use.
EPA Brownfields Grants
Community-Wide Assessment Grants
Carbon County received an EPA Brownfields Program Coalition Community-Wide Assessment Grant in Spring 2018. Grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize sites, conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments and develop cleanup plans for selected sites. Grant funds will also be used to support community outreach activities. Assessment activities are anticipated to focus on the cities of East Carbon, Helper, Price and Wellington. DERR is a partner in the grant process and helped the county by reviewing the grant, providing technical assistance and issuing a letter of support.
Assessment work continued in other communities as well. Salt Lake County and Provo City used assessment funding previously awarded by EPA to evaluate properties in their respective communities/jurisdictions. DERR continued to provide technical assistance by reviewing and commenting on various work plans and reports.
Cleanup Grant – Centro Civico Mexicano
Centro Civico Mexicano, a non-profit organization, was previously awarded a cleanup grant to help fund the removal of impacted soil from its property in downtown Salt Lake City to build affordable senior housing. As part of the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP), Centro completed the cleanup of Pracel B of the property and was issued a Certificate of Completion in December 2018, removing uncertainty on this portion of the site and allowing the planned senior-housing project to move forward.
Area-Wide Planning Grant – Orem City
Orem City used EPA grant funds throughout the year to hold several public meetings and to draft a long-range plan for the cleanup and reuse of Brownfields sites along the Geneva Road Corridor. DERR assisted the city by attending stakeholder meetings and providing technical assistance relative to Brownfields and future assessment activities. Orem City expects the Area-Wide Plan to be completed in the coming year and is currently anticipating an application for an EPA Brownfields Program Community-Wide Assessment grant.