Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet

Orange, CA

EPA BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM

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. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields 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.

CLEANUP GRANT

$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Orange for a brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Grijalva Park at Santiago Creek site at 368 North Prospect Ave. The parcel was formerly occupied by an asphalt plant and a gravel pit that was subsequently filled with construction debris.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

The City of Orange was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in southern California, the City of Orange (population of 135,000) is a sizable community without an indoor recreational facility or a community center. More than 25 percent of city residents are immigrants, and over 26 percent are under the age of 18. There are several landfills located on the Santiago Creek and in the City of Orange. These landfills pose a threat to the creek. Water from the Santa Ana River that is pumped into the Santiago Creek provides a year-round water supply for the community. To better serve its youth, the city acquired a 42-acre parcel, once used as a landfill, with the intention of converting it into a community and recreation center with open space, parkland and links to a regional trail system along the Santiago Creek. Brownfields cleanup will allow the city to complete the park, and construct a gymnasium, aquatic center, and community building. Brownfields redevelopment will create jobs, greenspace, and a community cornerstone.

CONTACTS

For further information, including specific grant contacts, additional grant information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/brownfields.

EPA Region 9 Brownfields Team
415-972-3092
http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/brown/index.html

Grant Recipient: City of Orange, CA
714-744-5597

The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change.