The Province is providing up to $1.5 million for a program that helps clean up contaminated, private land and gets it ready for redevelopment, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

Application forms for the 2013 intake for brownfield renewal funding are now online. Since its creation in 2008, the program has granted more than $5.4 million for 85 projects in 44 communities.

The program funds studies to determine if a site is contaminated and to develop options for site restoration and redevelopment.

A brownfield is an industrial or commercial property that is abandoned or underused. Brownfield sites are often contaminated and have redevelopment potential. Brownfield redevelopment helps to increase commercial space, creating employment, improving community safety, retaining green space and reducing pressures on undeveloped land.

The application deadline is May 17, 2013.

Application forms are available at: www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca/financial.html

Media Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261