News Releases from Region 06

Port of New Orleans Among Winners of EPA Cleanup-Planning Grant

19 communities nationwide receive $3.8M in funding for cleanup, reuse of brownfield sites

DALLAS – (Jan. 5, 2017) The Port of New Orleans is among 19 recipients of up to $200,000 each from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to plan for cleanup and reuse of brownfield sites as part of the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (AWP) program. The port will work with stakeholders to develop a revitalization plan for the Industrial Canal Corridor, a section of industrial, residential, and mixed-used properties in New Orleans.

“The Area-Wide Planning grant program is an innovation initiated by the Obama Administration to empower communities to transform economically and environmentally distressed areas, including communities impacted by manufacturing plant closures, into vibrant future destinations for business, jobs, housing and recreation,” said Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. “These grants provide the opportunity for communities to determine for themselves revitalization plans that best meet their vision and needs based on a rigorous analysis of market and infrastructure in a manner that benefits and does not displace long-term residents.” 

Brownfields are properties where hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants might be present. This grant will help stakeholders plan for the revitalization of the Industrial Canal Corridor, which is currently marked by blighted properties, deteriorating structures, and poor environmental conditions. Restoration and cleanup will reduce risks to the community from flooding and exposure to contaminants, spur economic growth and create green space and recreational opportunities. Key partners who will work with the Port of New Orleans on this project include the City of New Orleans, Regional Planning Commission, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.  

EPA’S AWP program was modeled after New York State’s Brownfields Opportunity Area (BOA) Program, which was developed by communities – particularly lower income communities – to enable them to drive development that meets their needs without displacing them. Studies have shown that residential property values near brownfields sites that are cleaned up increased between 5 and 15 percent. Data also shows that brownfields clean ups can increase overall property values within a one-mile radius. Preliminary analysis involving 48 brownfields sites shows that an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue was generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup.

More information on the funding recipients: /brownfields/national-brownfields-area-wide-planning-grant-selected-proposal-descriptions

To apply for brownfields grants: /brownfields/apply-brownfields-grant-funding

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/

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