Brownfields are real property, the expansion, development or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 awarded the Municipality of Orocovis a $500,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. This award funds comprehensive environmental assessment and planning activities in the Northern District of Orocovis, Puerto Rico, a 12.45-square-mile area encompassing central urban, commercial, industrial, and tourism zones. The municipality will conduct eligible assessment-related activities authorized under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 104(k)(2), including inventory and characterization of brownfield properties, environmental site assessments, cleanup planning, and community engagement activities. No subawards are included under this agreement.

Specific deliverables include conducting 10 Phase I and 10 Phase II environmental site assessments, hosting 8 to 12 community meetings, developing 6 to 10 site-specific cleanup plans and alternatives analyses, organizing 1 design charrette/visioning session, and submitting 16 quarterly progress reports and 4 annual financial reports through the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). The municipality will competitively procure and direct qualified environmental professionals to execute the environmental site activities. These assessment and planning efforts will directly benefit residents, business owners, and stakeholders within the designated project area.

This agreement will provide funding for the municipality of orocovis to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by cerlca 104(k)(2) in the northern district (ND), a 12.45-square-mile area comprising the central urban, commercial, industrial, and tourism areas in orocovis, puerto rico. Activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding to the recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct cleanup planning and community involvement related activities. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to conduct environmental site activities. Also, the recipient will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (acres). Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:further, the recipient anticipates conducting 10 phase i and 10 phase II environmental site assessments, holding 8-12 community meetings, developing 6-10 site-specific cleanup plans/analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives and 1 design charrette/visioning session, and submitting 16 quarterly reports. As well, submitting 4 annual financial reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near the northern district (ND), a 12.45-square-mile area comprising the central urban, commercial, industrial, and tourism areas in orocovis, puerto rico.