'BROWNFIELDS'

'BROWNFIELDS.' "Brownfields" in 2015 referred to vacant or underutilized properties possibly contaminated with hazardous substances or pollutants that hindered development or expansion. In 2015 city officials announced that they intended to use two grants from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency totaling $400,000 to minimize risks for landowners who redevelop the properties by paying for environmental assessments of sites within the historic Millwork District, South Port area and the Washington Neighborhood.

The program would be voluntary. Landowners who participated were eligible to receive free site assessments which normally cost between $2,000 to $80,000. Investigations began with compiling records of the historic uses of the site and nearby properties to determine potential for environmental hazards. If there were concerns, groundwater samples would be taken to determine types and concentrations of contamination and choose areas that would need to be cleaned up. If high levels of contamination were found, a report would be sent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. If cleanup was needed, funding could be possible through the EPA or DNR. Property owners could be held responsible if their actions had led to the contamination.

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Source:

Barton, Thomas J. "City Targets Stigma of 'Brownfields," Telegraph Herald, May 31, 2015, p. 13A