| Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster is pleased to announce that the Department of Environmental Protection has selected the 9th district for a $200,000 brownfields assessment grant to assist in the clean-up and revitalization of Central City Borough and Shade Township in Somerset County.
“Cleaning up contaminated brownfields sites is one of the keys to smart economic redevelopment and responsible environmental stewardship,” Shuster said. “The money in this grant will speed the recovery of these communities along the Dark Shade Watershed, provide a better future for its residents and a cleaner environment for Pennsylvania.”
The grant money will be used to provide community outreach to residents in the affected communities, provide site assessments and develop a remediation plan to rehabilitate contaminated land along the Central City brownfield. According to EPA, the site itself is a nine-mile-long linear brownfield area, with acres of mine-scarred, contaminated, barren land, and the worst acid mine drainage pollution in the 468-square-mile Stonycreek Basin.
“The Pittsburgh and surrounding area is a hotbed for brownfields redevelopment – a leader from the beginning,” said Donald S. Welsh, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “The progress in this region continues with the grant awards announced by EPA today. I commend your local, state and congressional leaders for reclaiming these abandoned properties and transforming them into assets that will benefit communities for years to come.”
“I am pleased to have received advanced news of this grant and I am ready to assist my constituents along the Dark Shade Watershed with any questions they may have about the grant and its impact on their communities.” Shuster added.
Constituents with questions are encouraged to call Congressman Shuster Toll-Free in his Hollidaysburg office at 1-800-854-3035. |
