Environment DEC
From the June 2005 issue
Bond Act Funding Will Support 10 Projects Throughout New York State
The City of Schenectady intends to redevelop this site for commercial or retail business
Governor George E. Pataki recently announced nearly $1.2 million in Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants to investigate environmental contamination at a total of ten sites in Cortland, Genesee, Madison, Oneida, St. Lawrence, Schenectady, Suffolk and Sullivan counties. The grants are being funded through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
"New York's brownfield programs are among the strongest and most effective in the nation," Governor Pataki said. "Thanks to strong support from municipalities, the business community and environmental organizations we are succeeding in cleaning up and returning an unprecedented number of brownfields to productive use in the community. I'm proud that these grants will allow local governments across the state to move forward on important cleanup projects, helping to protect our environment, create new jobs and economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents."
Residents of Batavia will benefit from the funding to investigate environmental contamination at this site
As a result of historic legislation signed by Governor Pataki in October 2003 to refinance and reform the state's Superfund and Brownfield programs, the grants announced provide up to 90 percent of the eligible cost of the investigation. The municipalities are eligible for state assistance through the ERP because they are not responsible for the contamination.
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, "Thanks to Governor Pataki, brownfield redevelopment is one of New York State's strongest and most effective environmental programs. Successful brownfield redevelopment protects the public and our natural resources. It also brings new economic growth and eliminates the need to develop open spaces by reusing previously developed sites. It is a win/win situation for environmentalists, businesses, local communities and all of New York State."
