Prairie Hills RC&D Awarded US EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant for 2025
MACOMB – The US EPA has selected Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. to lead an additional $1.2 million Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant.
What exactly is a brownfield? As defined by the US EPA, they are properties that have the 'presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.' Environmental impacts from historic agricultural, commercial and industrial activities have resulted in vacant and underutilized brownfield properties throughout west-central Illinois. The US EPA's Brownfields Program has existed since 1995 and works to empower communities in economic development work that prevents, assesses, cleans, and sustainably reuses brownfields.
PHRC&D began their Brownfield Assessment Program in 2018 with US EPA grant funding and were awarded a second grant in 2022. The goal is to identify, prioritize, and complete environmental assessments and/or reuse planning activities on known or potential brownfield sites throughout the area of Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties. Grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, update a brownfield inventory, develop area-wide plans, and support community education and engagement activities.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Livingston at (309)833-4747 or visit www.prairiehillsrcd.org.
