Project Grant 02J87801

DESCRIPTION:THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF EPA'S CERCLA SECTION 128(A) STATE AND TRIBAL RESPONSE PROGRAM GRANTS ARE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STATES, US TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL NATIONS TO (1) ESTABLISH OR ENHANCE THE FOUR STATUTORY ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE STATE OR TRIBAL RESPONSE PROGRAM, AS SPECIFIED IN CERCLA SECTION 128(A)(2), (2) MAINTAIN AND UPDATE, AT LEAST ANNUALLY, A PUBLIC RECORD OF SITES, PURSUANT TO CERCLA 128(B), THAT INCLUDES THE NAME AND LOCATION OF SITES AT WHICH RESPONSE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE NAME AND LOCATION OF SITES AT WHICH RESPONSE ACTIONS ARE PLANNED TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE NEXT YEAR, AND (3) CONDUCT A LIMITED NUMBER OF BROWNFIELD SITE ASSESSMENTS OR CLEANUPS THAT WILL HELP ESTABLISH OR ENHANCE THE STATE OR TRIBAL NATION'S RESPONSE PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BROWNFIELDS RESPONSE PROGRAM TO MEET THE SECTION 128(A) ELEMENTS. THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WILL OVERSEE AND PERFORM PLANNING, ASSESSMENT, AND CLEANUP OF BROWNFIELDS SITES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF IDAHO. ACTIVITIES:THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WILL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: TIMELY SURVEY AND INVENTORY OF BROWNFIELD SITES, WHICH ARE PROPERTIES WHOSE EXPANSION, REDEVELOPMENT OR REUSE MAY BE COMPLICATED BY THE PRESENCE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE THAT RESPONSE ACTIONS PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT; RESOURCES TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT; MECHANISMS FOR APPROVAL OF CLEANUP PLANS, AND VERIFICATION OF COMPLETE RESPONSES. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ASSIST IN REMEDIATING AND REUSING BROWNFIELDS SITES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF IDAHO. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WILL EXPAND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OF THE IDEQ VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PROGRAM TO SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, ASSESS AND CLEANUP SITES THROUGH THE STATE TARGETED BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT AND CLEANUP PROGRAM, AND OVERSEE THE CLEANUP OF SITES.