The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the Borough of Woodbine, announced a $1 million grant for the cleanup of contaminated sites in Woodbine, New Jersey. The announcement was made at an event held at a Municipal Water Plant on Adams Avenue and Longfellow Street.
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, and Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky highlighted the significance of this grant, which is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The BIL allocates $1.5 billion to the Brownfields Program nationwide.
“Woodbine’s commitment to revitalizing its community is an example for others to follow, and this EPA grant will play a crucial role in transforming contaminated sites into valuable community assets,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “The Brownfields Program grants, bolstered by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a powerful tool for promoting environmental health, economic growth, and job creation throughout New Jersey.”
The $1 million grant will be used to clean up several priority sites including the old Woodbine School at 808 Franklin Street and the former Hat Company site at 608 Dehirsh Avenue. Other sites include a former landfill that closed in 1984 and the Woodbine Municipal Airport.
“This $1 million grant from the EPA is a huge investment in Woodbine’s future that will improve public health, promote environmental justice, and open the door to new economic opportunities in the community,” said Senator Cory Booker. “Cleaning up these contaminated sites and transforming these brownfields into spaces that can once again serve local residents will revitalize this area.”
“We have made it a priority in New Jersey to incentivize the redevelopment of dangerous, contaminated sites into safe, valuable community assets because we know these projects can completely transform overburdened communities,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Not only will this grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency create jobs and spur economic growth, but it will also reap environmental benefits that will be enjoyed by generations of Woodbine residents to come.”
“The cleanup of several sites across Woodbine, a historically overburdened community, will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for residents by setting the stage for much-needed community investments that improve public health, attract jobs and support Woodbine’s broader revitalization efforts,” said NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.
“The $1 million grant to assist Woodbine in remediating several brownfields is a significant investment by the USEPA,” said Mayor William Pikolycky. “As an overburdened and economically-distressed community, Woodbine is ill-equipped to address contamination at these Brownfields sites on its own."
This initiative forms part of EPA's broader efforts to support economically stressed communities through its Brownfields Program which aims to clean up contaminated properties while promoting economic revitalization and environmental justice.
EPA’s Brownfields Program aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which ensures that 40% of overall benefits from federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and pollution.
For more information on EPA’s Brownfields Program visit EPA’s Brownfields webpage.
