U.S. EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant

In May of 2016, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Coalition (ZMCC), comprised of the City of Zanesville, Muskingum County, and the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority, received a $550,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Hazardous Substances and Petroleum Assessment Grant.

This grant supports the assessment of brownfield properties located within Muskingum County. The funding provides $400,000 in funding to assess properties potentially contaminated with hazardous substances and $150,000 for properties with potential petroleum contamination.

This grant funding is available through September 30, 2020.

Zanesville Community Updates

Steps Involved in Property Assessment

  1. Property Owner submits Property Submission Form (DOCX)
  2. ZMCC selects sites for eligibility approval
  3. Site Eligibility Determinations
  4. Completion of Site Access Agreement
  5. ZMCC Environmental consultant completes:
    • Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
    • Phase II ESAs
    • Hazardous Materials Assessments
    • Cleanup planning and design

Studies Needed

  • Site Assessment may be required for a loan for redevelopment by a bank
  • The Assessment may increase the marketability of a brownfield
  • Assessments can assist owners and developers interested in cleaning up brownfield sites and redeveloping them for productive use
  • Studies build prerequisite plans to apply for cleanup funding at the state and federal level

Eligible Areas

The grant funding may be utilized on any site within Muskingum County that meets the U.S. EPA property eligibility criteria. Property owner participation is mandatory. Sites will be prioritized by the ZMCC based upon site eligibility, access, marketability, and community impact.

Site Cleanup

If it is determined that the cleanup of part/all of a site is necessary, members of the ZMCC or other local municipalities may pursue additional grant funding to support site cleanup. Funding for site remediation/cleanup is available from the U.S. EPA Brownfield Cleanup Program and the Jobs Ohio Revitalization Fund.