DEM TO HOST PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING JULY 18 ON USE OF FEDERAL BROWNFIELDS GRANT

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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release:	July 6, 2007
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM TO HOST PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING JULY 18 ON USE OF FEDERAL BROWNFIELDS GRANT

$200,000 Grant from EPA to be Used for Assessing Contaminated Sites in Several Communities

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will host a public informational meeting on Wednesday, July 18 to solicit applications and answer questions about how it intends to allocate $200,000 in brownfields assessment funding. In accordance with the grant, received by DEM from the Environmental Protection Agency in May, brownfield sites in seven Rhode Island communities are eligible to benefit from this funding.

The communities include Woonsocket, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Warwick, West Warwick, Cranston, and Coventry. Many highly recognized brownfields projects have begun or been completed in each of these communities, and in many cases these projects have served as catalysts for further redevelopment planning.

"We at DEM recognize the increased challenges that these municipalities face, and the importance of transforming brownfield sites in these riverfront communities into productive properties in ways that provide long-term economic and environmental benefits for Rhode Islanders," said W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D., DEM Director. "This award represents a crucial way in which DEM can ensure that the momentum of past, highly successful brownfields projects evolves into new projects that further benefit these communities."

Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination. DEM plans to use the funds to carry out a total of six site assessments. The seven municipalities, as well as tribes and non-profit organizations within those communities, are eligible to apply for funds, which will be awarded on a competitive basis. The deadline for submitting applications is October 15, 2007.

The July 18 informational meeting will begin at 3 p.m. in Room 300 at DEM Headquarters at 235 Promenade Street in Providence. DEM will also accept written comments on the planned use of the assessment grant award until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1.

A copy of DEM's successful brownfields grant proposal to the EPA can be found on the Rhode Island Brownfields website, www.brownfields.ri.gov, by clicking on "Documents." To obtain an assessment application or inquire about the July 18 public meeting, contact Cynthia Gianfrancesco at 222-4700, ext. 7126 or at cynthia.gianfrancesco@dem.ri.gov. Written comments should be submitted to her at DEM's Office of Waste Management, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908.

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