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.
$369,783
EPA has selected the City of Arcata for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the former Little Lake Industries Mill site located at 46 South I Street. Until 1988, the site was primarily used for timber-related operations that included log storage, milling, and drying. The site contained a remanufacturing complex, kilns, and other industrial structures. The site has been unused since 2001 and most of the buildings and structures were demolished and disposed of. The site is contaminated with metals, semi-volatile organic compounds, and dioxins. Grant funds also will be used to support community involvement activities.