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DPL to receive $550K grant from feds
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Posted on Dec 01 2006
The Department of Public Lands has been selected to receive $550,000 from the federal government for the cleanup of properties contaminated with hazardous substances and petroleum.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will present the Brownfields Program funds to DPL on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
According to EPA, DPL will receive hazardous substances grant funds amounting to $350,000 to perform environmental site assessments, conduct community outreach activities in the languages of CNMI community members, and develop cleanup plans for the 153-acre Marpi Village Homestead site.
Petroleum grant funds amounting to $200,000 will also be provided so DPL can perform 10 Phase I and two Phase II environmental assessments, conduct community outreach activities, and inventory brownfield sites with potential petroleum contamination around the Mariana Islands.
EPA defines a brownfield site as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”
EPA reported that the former Marianas Public Lands Authority had identified 15 potential brownfields sites under its control, 10 of which are petroleum sites.
A 2003 survey of the Marpi Village Homestead brownfield site indicates that unexploded ordnance is scattered across the 153-acre site.
“Assessment and eventual cleanup of the islands’ brownfields properties will help protect groundwater, a highly valuable and limited resource on the islands, and open up attractive opportunities for investment and redevelopment. New businesses on these sites are expected to create jobs and increase the tax base,” EPA said.
“Assessment and eventual cleanup of the currently underutilized Marpi Village Homestead site will allow the islands to proceed with plans to grant lands to over 500 indigenous individuals and families for the construction of new homes,” EPA added.
