LARSON ANNOUNCES EPA GRANT FOR BROWNFIELD SITE IN GLASTONBURY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2000

LARSON ANNOUNCES EPA GRANT FOR BROWNFIELD SITE IN GLASTONBURYGLASTONBURY - U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) today announced a $75,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for a site assessment of the Field-Holstein property, a former bulk oil storage facility in Glastonbury. The assessment, which will be conducted by the EPA, will determine the conditions and level of contamination of the site and estimate the cost of cleaning it for planned redevelopment.

"Even though this is a preliminary step, the grant will be a tremendous asset to Glastonbury. It is so important that our towns have the funding to look at how to revitalize and renew older industrial sites," said Larson. "I truly hope that this grant will play a major role in our continued efforts to preserve open space and recapture our river front, which is one of our most valuable assets."

In August of 1999, Congressman Larson and EPA Regional Administrator John P. DeVillars toured the Glastonbury site, along with 5 others in the First Congressional District. Larson asked that DeVillars to visit the sites with him to highlight the need for technical and monetary assistance from the EPA.

"We have been working very hard on this issue for some time. The remediation of these brownfields sites is vitally important to the communities in which they are located, they represent an important economic and environmental resource that must be preserved," said Larson.

According to the EPA, the town plans to restore and redevelop the 23-acre site, which is on the Connecticut River, for recreation purposes and improved access to the river.

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