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PA EPA EXPECTS TO FUND 25 NEW BROWNFIELDS PILOTS IN 1997

Release Date: 11/1/96
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PA EPA EXPECTS TO FUND 25 NEW BROWNFIELDS PILOTS IN 1997

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1996

EPA EXPECTS TO FUND 25 NEW BROWNFIELDS PILOTS IN 1997

EPA will begin accepting proposals for the 1997 National Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Pilots. The brownfields assessment pilots, which are each funded up to $200,000 over two years, are designed to empower states, communities and other parties interested in economic redevelopment to work together to prevent, safely clean up and reuse brownfields. A brownfield is a site or a portion of a site that has actual or perceived contamination, as well as an active potential for redevelopment or reuse. Chosen pilots test redevelopment models, direct special efforts toward removing regulatory barriers without sacrificing protectiveness, and facilitate coordinated environmental assessments and cleanup efforts at the federal, state and local levels. These funds are used to generate interest by pulling together community groups, investors, lenders, developers and other affected parties to address the issues of clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances and returning them to appropriate productive use. EPA expects to select 25 additional national brownfields assessment pilots by March 1997. All applications must be postmarked no later than Jan. 13, 1997. Previously unsuccessful applicants must revise and resubmit their applications. Applications submitted before Nov. 1, will not be considered. The national brownfields assessment pilots are administered on a competitive basis. To ensure a fair selection process, evaluation panels consisting of EPA Regional and Headquarters staff and other federal agency representatives will assess how well the proposals meet the selection criteria outlined in the newly revised application booklet "The Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative: Application Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilots (October 1996)." Copies of the application package and the solicitation notice can be obtained by calling the RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 or 703-412-9810. Information can also be obtained through the Internet at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/.

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