Brownfields Grant funds available from Bear Paw Development

Press release

Bear Paw Development Corp. has announced that landowners of properties that might be contaminated may inquire about funds for environmental assessment and cleanup.

The multi-county economic and community development organization has funds available from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields grants that may be used within Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips and Chouteau counties and on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

“Currently, we have over $195,000 in grant funds available for environmental assessment and $683,000 available for cleanup,” said Bear Paw Executive Director Paul Tuss.

Bear Paw’s Brownfields Program is supported by two grants, a Brownfield Assessment Grant awarded in 2014 and a Revolving Loan Fund Grant for Brownfields cleanup awarded in 2011.

Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant; and these funds can be used to clarify and resolve contaminant issues. Potentially eligible properties include former gas stations, auto repair shops, pesticide/herbicide facilities, dry cleaners, mine sites, buildings containing asbestos or lead-based paint, or any property where site revitalization is complicated by environmental contamination.

“Assessment grant funds can be used to complete Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, determine site contaminant risks, and develop conceptual cleanup plans at no cost to the property owner,” said Michele Turville, Brownfields coordinator for Bear Paw Development.

“Our Brownfields RLF funds allow us to make low-interest loans to for-profit property owners as well as loans and sub-grants to non-profits and local governments for the cleanup of contaminated properties,” she added.

The Assessment Grant funds must be utilized by June of 2017.

The RLF funds must be utilized by September 2016.

Any public or private property owner located in Bear Paw Development’s region may be eligible to participate in the Brownfield Program. To learn more about this program or to determine whether a property is eligible for assessment or cleanup, people can contact Michele Turville, Bear Paw Brownfield Program Coordinator at 265-9226.

Bear Paw Development Corp. is a private nonprofit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy’s Indian reservations.

For more information, visit http://www.bearpaw.org or call 265-9226.