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

This $4,485,900 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818) provides funding to the City of Keokuk, IA to conduct remediation activities at a 9.44-acre brownfield site located at 365 Carbide Lane. The award will cover the costs for the city to clean up environmental contamination at the former Elkem-Carbide facility, including the abatement of approximately 11,000 square feet of asbestos-containing building materials and lead-based paint, the removal of 33,150 cubic yards of contaminated soil, and the preparation of necessary reports and plans. The City of Keokuk will issue a sub-award to SERIPC to provide grant oversight, community engagement, and cleanup planning support. The project aims to transform the remediated brownfield site into developable land that can be reused for the benefit of the local community.

This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) for the city of keokuk, IA to conduct remediation activities as authorized by cerlca 104(K)(3) at 365 carbide lane, keokuk, IA 52632. This cleanup grant funding will be used to cover the cleanup costs of 9.44 ACRES of the auditor's parcel, (associated with the centermost parcel of the original elkem facility). This parcel is owned by the city of keokuk, IA and is situated immediately south of plat 1 of the elkem facility. Activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding to the recipient to clean up a brownfield site. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to conduct environmental site activities, will create a community involvement plan and administrative record for the site(S), and 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:the city of keokuk will issued sub-award with seripc for the cooperative agreement oversight and community engagement and cleanup planning activities. Seripc is responsible for grant oversight support including ACRES reporting, preparation of quarterly reports, preparation of SF-425 forms, coordination between the city, the selected environmental consultants, and the brownfields advisory committee.outcomes:the recipient will conduct abatement of approximately 11,000 square feet of asbestos containing building material; and approximately 11,000 square foot of lead based paint and other hazardous wastes; remove approximately 33,150 cubic yards of contaminated soil; prepare copies of hazardous waste manifests; prepare a remediation close-out report; compile analytical data from soil samples; prepare an abatement clearance report; and prepare a community involvement plan. Further, the recipient will remediate a brownfield site and anticipates holding two community meetings, finalizing an analysis of brownfield cleanup alternatives, and submitting 16 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near the former elkem-carbide facility in keokuk, iowa.