SEOPA received grants from the EPA to conduct the assessments on properties throughout Washington County in the hope of spurring property owners and developers to voluntarily identify and clean up any possible petroleum contamination that is a barrier to redevelopment and reuse. A petroleum brownfield site is an underutilized or abandoned property containing possible petroleum-based pollutants or contaminants.  Common sources of contamination are underground storage tanks or abandoned oil or gas wells. Kemron Environmental was selected as the environmental professionals to assess the sites.   
 
"To date, six project sites have been reviewed for Phase I and II EPA assessments," said Port Authority Director Mike Jacoby. "Having the assessments completed will assist with moving the commercial properties forward for future commercial and small business use. Fortunately, most of the sites evaluated have been relatively free from contamination. But lenders and developers need the environmental reports before investing in these properties."

"The primary benefit of brownfield redevelopment is that they address the health and safety concerns of residents by identifying contaminated soil or water," said Buckeye Hills Development Director Melissa Zoller. "These redevelopments will create jobs, business development or expansion and generate tax revenues." Zoller adds that there are still funds available for assessments at additional sites. Contact the Port Authority at (740) 373-3233 if a need exists.