Environment DEC
From the February 2007 issue
DEC Announces Brownfield Grants for Lewis, Herkimer and Jefferson Counties
DEC recently announced $912,000 in Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants for the investigation of potential environmental contamination at sites in Lewis, Herkimer and Jefferson counties. The grants are being funded through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and provide up to 90 percent of the eligible cost of the investigation.
Restoration Enables Redevelopment
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act authorizes $1.75 billion for important environmental programs. The Bond Act included $200 million for ERP grants to municipalities for costs associated with the investigation and cleanup of brownfields. Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties where real or perceived environmental contamination hinders the potential for redevelopment.
To date, more than $137.7 million in Bond Act funding has been committed for 216 investigation and cleanup projects at brownfield sites throughout New York State. This funding includes 181 investigation projects totaling more than $66.7 million and 35 remediation projects totaling more than $71 million. Other applications are under review by DEC and additional grants are anticipated in the near future.
Grants in Brief
Several of the grants will address environmental contamination at former service stations
$203,900 to the Village of Dolgeville, Herkimer County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at the former Citgo Gas Station located at the corner of North Main and State streets.
$146,900 to the Town of Leyden, Lewis County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at the former Gas Station site in the Village of Port Leyden, Lewis County, located at the intersection of Mechanic and North streets in Port Leyden.
Groundwater sampling wells will be installed at the Jefferson County site
$561,200 to the City of Watertown, Jefferson County: For the investigation of environmental contamination at the Sewall's Island site located at 400 Pearl Street. The property to be investigated was used for industrial purposes from the mid-1800s until late 1990, and is most recently noted for the operation of the Bagley & Sewall Company, a maker of paper manufacturing machines.
