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August 28, 2010

Contaminated land can be saved

David Palmer The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Contamination of land is often thought of as a death sentence for potential commercial property, but that’s not always the case.

Billy Cooch, founder of Highland Technical Services Inc., outlined several ways land referred to as brownfields can be brought back to life when he addressed Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth Friday at All Steak.

An assessment and cleanup program is administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, which is handled in the state by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

“Before this program was established, no one would ever look at those properties,” Cooch said. “But there is grant money to help put blighted property back into circulation.”

Cooch noted that property with petroleum contamination could be eligible for a $200,000 grant to conduct an assessment. If the land has petroleum contamination and other the presence of other contaminants, more grants could be available for additional assessment. Or a single of grant of up to $350,000 could be obtained for a complete assessment of various contaminants.

Many of the grants available to local governments can be instrumental in converting land into commercial use. The assessment is required to determine the extent of contamination and what can be done to salvage the land, he added.

An example of the problems associated with contaminated land involved a bank that foreclosed on a $130,000 home. After a review of the property was conducted, officials discovered a wide range of contaminants present. Even with the assistance of assessment grants, the bank spent well over the value of the home and property to solve the problem.

“Certain steps can be taken that are considered corrective action, but you need to be careful when you invest in some properties,” Cooch said.

Cooch said the state of Alabama has established detailed regulations for assessing and cleaning up contamination through ADEM. Information on the brownfields program is available through ADEM and on the EPA website.



‰ David Palmer can be reached at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com or at 256-734-2131, ext. 213.

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