The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded two grants totaling $400,000 to Lake County for assessment of sites that may be contaminated by hazardous or petroleum substances. These grant funds are being used to:” identify and prioritize brownfield properties”” perform Environmental Site Assessments”” provide liability protection for new owners or operators” conduct outreach activities in communities throughout the County” The completion of brownfield assessments will hopefully encourage investment in communities throughout the County, create jobs, help reduce public health risks, preserve the rural character and protect natural resources in the County.
Your questions and comments are important to us If you would like more information, are interested in redeveloping a brownfield property or if you would like to nominate a site for consideration, please contact any of our Brownfield Authority members or:
Mr. Tony Gagliardo, Chair
Lake County Economic Development Corporation
Address 800 Tenth St Suite 100 Baldwin, MI 49304
Phone 231-745-2722
Email bldgcode@co.lake.mi.us
The goal of this program is to assist with property transfers and to promote redevelopment of brownfield properties. It is a voluntary program. These grants are available county-wide to help bring brownfield properties back to productive use, to protect public health, and to support economic development and natural resource protection.
Develop a Brownfield Inventory and Prioritize Sites Properties throughout Lake County are eligible for assessment activities under both EPA grants. The County will use the funds to: “Research existing databases at State and Federal levels” “Reach out to the community for information and site nominations” “Develop prioritization criteria”
Environmental Site Assessments and Baseline Environmental Assessments The County’s qualified environmental consultant will conduct the actual assessment activities. These activities include:
“Phase I Environmental Assessments including historic record searches and a visual inspection of the property.”
“Phase II Environmental Assessments that involve taking samples of soil and water suspected of containing contamination. If, after the Phase I assessment, there is no evidence to suggest that any activities occurred that caused a release of contamination, then no Phase II (sampling) activities will be undertaken”
“Baseline Environmental Assessments can be conducted to provide liability protection for new owners or operators on a contaminated property.”
Community OutreachThe goal of this program is to improve our communities,protect human health and the environment and spur economic development.The County will use a portion of the funds to prepare information materials and reach out to elected officials and residents. It is our intent to provide numerous opportunities for interested parties to participate in the project. We will share information: “with businesses, residents, local councils and boards” “at neighborhood meeting” “with interest groups that have an active role in shaping our future”
Brownfields are real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence – or potential presence – of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.
Not all brownfield sites are contaminated. A site is considered a “brownfield” because of uncertain environmental conditions at the property which inhibit purchase, reuse, or redevelopment.
A “brownfield site” can be former gas stations, convenience stores, factories, dry cleaners, shooting ranges, homes, farms, equipment yards, junk yards, paint stores, and so on.