Pingree announces $500,000 for hazardous cleanup and assessment in Berwick, Hallowell
Press Release
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced that Berwick and Hallowell would receive a total of $500,000 in Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Grants to go toward hazardous site cleanup and redevelopment.
"The Brownfields program has been enormously successful in helping Maine towns clean up and redevelop polluted sites. Many of these industrial sites were once valuable contributors to local economies and can be again with the right assistance," said Pingree. "I'm pleased to hear that both Berwick and Hallowell will receive grants to move forward in cleaning up these sites and work with community members to find the best uses for them."
Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, which oversees funding for the EPA.
Details on the grants are below.
Berwick--$200,000
EPA has selected the Town of Berwick for a $200,000 Brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Prime Tanning Company's Blue Sort Building at 35 Sullivan Street. Tannery operations occurred at the site from approximately 1930 until 2008, when the mill closed and the Prime Tanning owners filed for bankruptcy protection. The site previously had various manufacturing uses, including wool pulling, sash and door manufacturing, laundry operations, shoe manufacturing, and lumber activities. The site is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Grant funds also will be used for cleanup planning and community involvement activities.
Hallowell--$300,000
EPA has selected the City of Hallowell for two Brownfields assessment grants. A $200,000 community-wide hazardous substances grant will be used to conduct four Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments, and develop four cleanup plans. A $100,000 community-wide petroleum grant will be used to conduct four Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments, and develop three cleanup plans.
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