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Laredo to Receive $100,000 from EPA

Release Date: 06/14/2006
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Cynthia Fanning, 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas - June 14, 2006) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency applauded the city of Laredo for its successful petition to receive a $100,000 Brownfields grant by presenting Mayor Betty Flores with a facsimile check at a U.S.-Mexico border environmental workgroup meeting.

"I am glad that EPA's Brownfields program can help one of the fastest growing cities in the United States maintain its status as an economic engine for the border area," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. "Revitalizing former inner city industrial and commercial sites is a smart way to keep our cities great places to live."

Laredo will use its grant to clean up hazardous substances at the 18-acre Killam Lake property, which became contaminated from years of illegal dumping and unregulated landfill activities. Using this property, the city plans to continue development of a network of nature trails and park space in the Chacon Creek watershed.

"This is a very important step in reaching the finality of an ambitious plan to eventually connect all of Laredo's creeks and river systems through a greenbelt park," Mayor Flores said. "The hard work of the Environmental Services Department and our private sector partner, the Killam Company, and the EPA is to be commended. Together they make Laredo a better place to live and play," she added.

A Brownfield is a property which may have expansion, redevelopment or reuse challenges from hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. EPA's Brownfields program is designed to help stakeholders assess, safely clean and sustainably reuse these properties. Reinvesting in Brownfields increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, uses existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off undeveloped land, and improves and protects the environment.

More information about EPA's Brownfields program and Laredo's plans for the Killam Lake property is available at epa.gov/brownfields/.