Resident Commissioner Announces $1.5 Million in EPA Grants to Orocovis, Toa Alta & Center for Habitat Reconstruction

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández celebrated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of $1.5 million in federal Brownfields Assessment Grants for three Puerto Rico communities. The grants will support environmental site assessments, community engagement, and redevelopment planning in Orocovis, Toa Alta, and the nonprofit Center for Habitat Reconstruction, which will work across multiple municipalities.

“These grants are smart investments for revitalizing communities across Puerto Rico,” said Hernández. “I’m pleased to announce this $1.5 million in funding for Orocovis, Toa Alta, and the Center for Habit Reconstruction that will help clean up contamination, attract new development, and improve public health. I look forward to continuing to support our municipalities and organizations so they remain well-positioned to compete for federal resources.”

The EPA’s Brownfields program provides grants and technical assistance to communities to assess, clean up, and reuse properties that may be contaminated. These awards will support:

Center for Habitat Reconstruction: $500,000

EPA has selected the Center for Habitat Reconstruction for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct up to nine Phase I and up to three Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to support reuse planning and community engagement activities, including nine community meetings. The target area for this grant includes the Municipalities of Vega Baja, Toa Baja, and Hormigueros. Priority sites include a former uniform factory in Hormigueros, a former school in Toa Baja, and a former industrial park in Vega Baja.

Municipality of Orocovis: $500,000

EPA has selected the Municipality of Orocovis for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize brownfield sites and conduct ten Phase I and ten Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop up to ten cleanup plans and support reuse planning and community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the Municipality’s Northern District. Priority sites include a 3.3-acre former clothing factory, a 16.9-acre former vocational center, and four former schools ranging from 1.6 to 35.3 acres.

Municipality of Toa Alta: $500,000

EPA has selected the Municipality of Toa Alta for a Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize sites and conduct 12 Phase I and up to 11 Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds also will be used to develop up to ten cleanup plans and support reuse planning and community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the Municipality’s Former Industrial Zone. Priority sites include a 1.3-acre former coffin factory, a 75.3-acre former industrial park, a 2-acre former carton factory, and a 2.2-acre former trucking depot.

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