GENESEO, N.Y., May 28, 2024 — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer visited Geneseo today to announce $1.5 million in federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the assessment and planning of brownfield sites in the towns of Caledonia, Livonia, and Leicester, and the villages of Dansville and Geneseo.
The community-wide funding will enable Livingston County to conduct environmental site assessments and develop cleanup plans for vacant or abandoned area locations potentially contaminated by hazardous substances or pollutants. Schumer said the grant would have a tremendous impact on the region, transforming derelict eyesores into active sites once again.
“The brownfields across Livingston are waiting for a new lease on life. The issue with the brownfield sites is that without federal support, there’s a burden on the local taxpayers. But today marks a turning point, because today I’m here to announce that Seneca and Livingston Counties have received each $1.5 million to turn brownfield sites into something the community can use,” said Schumer. “This is how we start to turn the corner on these landscapes, this is how we turn these sites from barriers into gateways, and new businesses, new jobs, opportunities for our residents.”
County officials say restoring these properties to productive use will help spur economic growth and community revitalization in the affected areas, while protecting public health and the environment.
“I am thrilled that Livingston County and its partners were selected as a recipient for this very competitive grant,” said Livingston County Board Chair David LeFeber. “This funding will help economic development projects and other redevelopment opportunities in our County by funding environmental assessments, cleanup planning, and reuse planning activities to help redevelopment move forward. Multiple sites within our community are well positioned for adaptive reuse projects but the lack of funding for initial assessment activities is deterring investors. This program will help resolve this issue by allowing us to quantify environmental issues and position sites for redevelopment opportunities.”
Livingston County will first conduct 24 Phase I and 14 Phase II environmental site assessments. Phase I involves examining existing records to evaluate the environmental conditions of a property and identifying potential contamination. If Phase I identifies a potential contamination, a Phase II site assessment will then be employed to determine the types and extent of the pollution using physical sampling and analysis of soil, groundwater, surface water, or building materials. Grant funds will also be used to further inventory and prioritize brownfield sites and conduct area-wide planning and community engagement activities.
"We look forward to the economic opportunities this grant will help create here in Caledonia,” said Caledonia Town Supervisor Daniel Pangrazio. “For too long, sites like these have sat vacant in our community, dampening investment. This funding will be instrumental in revitalizing these properties and improving the quality of life for our residents.”
The EPA defines brownfield contaminants as hazardous substances and petroleum products that may hinder site redevelopment. Common hazardous substance contaminants found on brownfield sites include lead, petroleum, and asbestos. These contaminants from past industrial, commercial, or agricultural activities at the location can pose risks to human health and the environment.
County planning officials teamed with environmental services provider Montrose Environmental to identify and prioritize the County’s brownfield sites, and prepare the grant application to obtain federal funding.
“This funding is transformational to promote reuse of brownfield properties, inform potential developers regarding future use options, foster economic growth and address environmental justice impacts in underserved communities,” explained Montrose Environmental Principal Environmental Scientist Steve Campbell. “Without EPA funding, existing brownfield sites would remain idle and continue to place barriers on potential development. We see this funding as a foundational resource to establish a successful and sustainable brownfield program for Livingston County.”
The EPA selected 178 communities across the country to receive a total of $231 million in funding for Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grant programs. The Brownfields program identified 13 New York communities to receive more than $18 million in funding to tackle brownfields. The EPA describes brownfields as “a property on which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, events and more by following Livingston County on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.