Printer-friendlyEnvironment DEC
From the September 2007 issue
Eight Counties to Receive Brownfield Grants
More than a million dollars in Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grants will be funded through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act for the investigation of contamination at sites in the villages of Dansville, Medina and Cold Spring, the City of Geneva and the towns of Clarkson and Alexandria. The grants provide up to 90 percent of eligible costs for on-site and up to 100 percent of eligible costs for off-site remedial activities.
Remediation includes removal of contaminants such as asbestos, found at several of the sites
"Through the Environmental Restoration Program, municipalities across the state are working with DEC to investigate and address contamination with the goal of redeveloping and restoring their communities," DEC Commissioner Grannis said. "These grants demonstrate New York State's commitment to economic development and environmental restoration and provide positive benefits to our natural resources, public health and local economies."
The grant recipients are eligible for state assistance through the ERP because they are not responsible for having caused the contamination. However, they will be required to cover the balance of the costs.
Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
Funds from the Bond Act support water quality improvement projects, which help to ensure the availability of clean drinking water
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act authorizes $1.75 billion for important environmental programs. It includes $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 $155.8 million in Bond Act funding has been committed for 241 projects at brownfield sites throughout New York State.
