News Releases from Region 10

City of Eugene and Partners Selected for $500,000 in Brownfields Assessment Grants

Program helps return blighted properties to productive reuse

EPA has selected the City of Eugene as the coalition lead, in partnership with the City of Springfield and Lane County, for two brownfield environmental site assessment grants totaling $500,000. With this funding, Eugene and its partners will conduct up to 29 brownfields site assessments as an initial step towards cleaning up and redeveloping vacant and underutilized properties, transforming them into an asset for both the community and the local economy while protecting public health and the environment.

“EPA is committed to working with communities to redevelop Brownfields sites which have plagued their neighborhoods. EPA’s Assessment and Cleanup grants target communities that are economically disadvantaged and include places where environmental cleanup and new jobs are most needed," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These grants leverage considerable infrastructure and other investments, improving local economies and creating an environment where jobs can grow. I am very pleased the President’s budget recognizes the importance of these grants by providing continued funding for this important program.”

The award to the City of Eugene and coalition partners City of Springfield and Lane County will include $300,000 to assess sites contaminated with hazardous substances, and $200,000 for sites contaminated with petroleum. Grant funds of both types also will be used to update the current brownfields inventory, prioritize sites, prepare cleanup plans, and support community involvement activities.

Assessment activities will focus on the Cities of Eugene and Springfield, and surrounding areas of Lane County, including the Bethel, Trainsong, and Whiteaker neighborhoods, and the Glenwood and Springfield West neighborhoods.

“With the EPA’s grant support we can continue to build on the success of the Brownfield Assessment program,” said Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis. “This program is helping promote the sustainable reuse and redevelopment of existing land within our community. Making sure sites are ready and available for reuse is good for our environment, advances local prosperity and supports underserved neighborhoods. We are encouraged by the EPA’s continued investment in our region and look forward to continuing this important work.”

Last year, the Economic Development Administration selected Eugene’s Pacific Northwest

Manufacturing Partnership as one of 12 communities to be an Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership community. Re-purposing closed lumber mill sites for Advanced Material Science manufacturing is a key element of their IMCP strategy that can be supported by the brownfields program.

Brownfields assessment and cleanup grants target communities with significant distress. These communities are economically disadvantaged -- neighborhoods where environmental assessment, cleanup and new jobs are most needed for residents that have historically been left behind.

Eugene is one of 172 communities selected nationally for new brownfields assessment and cleanup funding in 2017.  Across the country, $56.8 million in funding will be granted. 

For more information about Brownfields Cleanup and Assessment Grants: www.epa.gov/brownfields

To view fact sheets about the 2017 grant recipients: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-list-fy17-grants-selected-funding

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