Menendez, Booker Announce $2M from EPA to Assess, Clean Up Contaminated Sites in NJ

Press Release

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced the awarding of $1,963,658 in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to assess and clean up contaminated sites in Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Jersey City and Plainfield.

"No one wants to live next to a contaminated site that can harm the health and well-being of nearby residents and drag down the local economy," said Sen. Menendez. "These important funds will help remediate and return these fallow lands to the community, creating a healthier and more vibrant place for us all to live and do business."

"New Jersey has a greater density of contaminated sites than any other state, and there's a lot of work to be done to clean them up," said Sen Booker. "Today's announcement means we are another step closer to remediating polluted sites that threaten communities' health and well-being."
The EPA announced the following grant awards:
Asbury Park - $400,000 (Monmouth)

EPA has selected the City of Asbury Park for two brownfield assessment grants, for $200,000 each. Community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct four Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments, and prepare two cleanup plans. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities. Community-wide petroleum grant funds will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.
Atlantic City - $763,658 (Atlantic)

EPA has selected Atlantic City for two brownfields assessment grants, for $200,000 each. One community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize brownfields, and conduct 12 Phase I and 12 Phase II environmental site assessments. The other is a community-wide petroleum grant fund to be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.

EPA has also selected Atlantic City for two other brownfields cleanup grants for $363,658 for hazardous substances. The hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Bungalow Park site at 709 Mediterranean Avenue, and the Delta Basin Homes site at North Maryland, Wabash, and Adriatric Avenues. The Bungalow Park site is vacant, undeveloped land and is contaminated with historic fill. The Delta Basin Homes site was formerly developed with a vehicle inspection station and automobile repair garages, and is contaminated with historic fill. Grant funds at both sites also will be used for community outreach and involvement activities.
Jersey City - $400,000 (Hudson)

EPA has selected the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency for two brownfields assessment grants, of $200,000 each for community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct five Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments, and prepare one cleanup plan and a community-wide petroleum grant funds to be used to conduct four Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments, and prepare one cleanup plan. Grant funds of both types also will be used to support community outreach activities.
Plainfield - $400,000 (Union)

EPA has selected Plainfield for two brownfields assessment grants of $200,000 each. One for community-wide hazardous substances grant funds will be used to conduct four Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments, and prepare one cleanup plan. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities. The second grant for community-wide petroleum funds will be used to conduct the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination.

Brownfields assessment grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfields sites. An eligible entity may apply for up to $200,000 to assess a site contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum) and up to $200,000 to address a site contaminated by petroleum.

Brownfields cleanup grants provide funding for a grant recipient to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites. An eligible entity may apply for up to $200,000 per site. These funds may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). Cleanup grants require a 20 percent cost share, which may be in the form of a contribution of money, labor, material, or services, and must be for eligible and allowable costs (the match must equal 20 percent of the amount of funding provided by EPA and cannot include administrative costs)

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