| Northeast Texas Brownfields Working Group | |
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The
Brownfields Committee is currently operating under an EPA grant awarded through
the Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG). Among our primary
objectives is an inventory of area sites to identify any
potential contamination issues. The
age and maintenance of many of the properties suggests the
possibility of hazardous contaminants. It
may sound scary, but it is really as simple as asking if potential
redevelopment could be held up or worse, aborted, simply from fear of possible
contaminates like lead paint or asbestos.
Identification
of any potentially contaminated sites will allow for the pursuit of additional
EPA funding in order to facilitate confirmation and cleanup of these sites. Although
cleanup doesn't guarantee
redevelopment of the area, it could most certainly prove to be a catalyst for
increased visibility and further efforts to develop the area.
In
addition to the site inventory we are also working on developing a program to
implement Xeriscaping projects within the
area. Xeriscaping involves the
use of drought tolerant plants in landscaping. In
addition to beautifying areas, the plants and limited need for watering
combine to minimize runoff and erosion issues. Native trees require little
supplemental water and can reduce heating and cooling bills by as much as
thirty percent.
We've
had an encouraging response from the local community so far. A broad
spectrum of governmental, nonprofit, civic, business, and private citizens
wrote "Letters of Support" to provide us with documentation of community
recognition. Support and recognition through support letters
is
beneficial in further pursuit of funding, as well as in encouraging the
support of a greater portion of the population.
We
would greatly appreciate the opportunity of including both you as an
individual, and your organization among our list of
supporters.
This
is only the beginning. Downtown Texarkana deserves the careful study and
assistance we plan to provide.
Nita
Fran Hutcheson
Chair,
Brownfields Committee
903-792-8681
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Copyright 2006.
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