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EPA awards nearly $600,000 to cleanup and revitalize two Washington communities

Release Date: 06/10/2011
Contact Information: Mark MacIntyre, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-7302; City of Ellensburg Department of Community Development, 509-962-7231

(Seattle, Wash. - June 9, 2011) - EPA is providing nearly $600,000 in Brownfields grants that will help two Washington communities to assess, cleanup and redevelop abandoned or contaminated properties. The funding is part of more than $76 million in EPA brownfields investments across the country announced this week by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to protect health and the environment, create jobs and promote economic re-development in American communities.

The City of Ellensburg has been selected for two brownfields assessment grants for a total of $400,000. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to identify brownfield sites and conduct 10 Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to conduct community outreach activities. Petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.

The Colville Confederate Tribes have been selected to receive $196,720 for hazardous substances brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Old Nespelem Post & Pole at the Colville Confederated Tribes Fish & Wildlife site (68 Schoolhouse Road, Nespelem, WA).

EPA's "Brownfields" program works with tribal, state and local governments to provide local communities the tools they need to assess and clean up abandoned industrial and commercial properties.

"There are few better investments in community development here in the Northwest and Alaska," said Dennis McLerran, EPA Regional Administrator in Seattle. "By creating local brownfields assessment and redevelopment partnerships, many communities have demonstrated dramatic success by delivering good-paying jobs, boosting local economies and protecting public health."

More information:

Read the fact sheet for the City of Ellensburg's grant

Read the fact sheet for the Colville Confederated Tribe's grant

EPA's national news release: EPA Administrator Announces $76 Million to Clean Up Contaminated Sites and Revitalize Communities

EPA’s brownfields program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/