EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is 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. The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002, as amended by the Brownfields Utilization, Investment and Local Development Act of 2018, was passed to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfield sites. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through five competitive grant programs: Multipurpose Grants, Assessment Grants, Revolving Loan Fund Grants, Cleanup Grants, and Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.
$400,100
EPA has selected the Municipality of Aibonito for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to develop an inventory of brownfield sites and conduct 10 Phase I and up to nine Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop up to 10 cleanup plans and to support community outreach activities. The target area for this grant is Aibonito's Urban Center, an urban area where most commercial and industrial activity occurs. Priority sites include a vacant and deteriorating former medical institution, a former gas station, an unused and deteriorating wastewater treatment plant, a former pharmacy, and a former school.