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. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to help states and communities around the country cleanup and revitalize brownfields sites. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.
$100,000 for hazardous substances
$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the Acadiana Planning Commission for two brownfields assessment grants. Community-wide hazardous substances and petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct 20 Phase I and 10 Phase II environmental site assessments, build and maintain an inventory of brownfields, and produce cost estimates for cleanup plans. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities. Assessment activities will focus on the Four Corners Neighborhood of Lafayette.