Link to DEM Home Page Link to State of RI web site RIDEM graphical banner, showing land and water scene
Navigation button, HomeNavigation button, ProgramsNavigation button, TopicsNavigation button, MapsNavigation button, PublicationsNavigation button, NewsNavigation button, EventsNavigation button, SearchNavigation button, HelpNavigation button, Contact
Home > News > News Item


 
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: July 29, 2009
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM SOLICITING APPLICATIONS STATEWIDE FOR TARGETED BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT PROJECTS
$400,000 in Grant Funding from US EPA to be Used for Assessing Contaminated Sites

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management is soliciting applications from across Rhode Island to initiate allocation of $400,000 in Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) funding. This grant is being supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and will be spent over the next three years. Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination.

In May, DEM received a total of $1 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency, with $600,000 targeted for the Broad Street Regeneration area of Central Falls, Pawtucket and Cumberland, and the remaining $400,000 for brownfields assessments anywhere in Rhode Island. This funding is for sites potentially contaminated with hazardous substances, including petroleum. DEM will carry out the assessments for successful applicants. Many highly recognized brownfields projects have begun or been completed in many communities, and in many cases these projects have served as catalysts for further redevelopment planning.

"We at DEM understand the importance of redeveloping brownfields sites into showcase properties that provide long-term economic, social and environmental benefits," said DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D. "This economic stimulus funding represents a critical way in which the state can ensure that the momentum of past brownfields projects evolves into new projects that further benefit communities across Rhode Island."

DEM plans to use the grant funds to carry out a total of 18 site assessment tasks statewide. All municipalities, as well as tribes and non-profit organizations within those communities, are eligible to apply for DEM to conduct assessments on eligible sites. Selection of sites will be determined on a competitive basis. The deadline for submitting TBA applications is September 30, 2009, with site selection to begin in early 2010. While DEM requires all TBA applications to be submitted by September 30 for early 2010 selection, DEM accepts TBA applications anytime on a rolling basis for potential future funding.

DEM also announces that it continues to have available an additional $100,000 in brownfields funding for assessments of sites contaminated with petroleum only. These funds, per the terms of the grant as received from the US EPA in 2008, is targeted at the following seven communities: Woonsocket, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Warwick, West Warwick, Cranston, and Coventry. DEM has committed to spending this money by the end of 2011. TBA applications for petroleum only sites in the targeted communities are also being accepted at this time.

Copies of DEM's successful brownfields grant proposals to the EPA and a fact sheet on the 2009 grant program are available on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Topics" from the homepage, then "Grants", then "Brownfields Competitive Site Assessment Grant Applications".

-30-
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer