Whitman County- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Port of Whitman County a $500,000 Brownfields Cleanup Grant for its St. John site. The grant will fund the cleanup of the property for eventual reuse as a health clinic. 

When Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics considered buying the St. John property, due diligence revealed potential site contamination. Concerned about clean-up costs, Whitman Hospital chose not to purchase and instead asked the Port to consider buying the property. As part of an EPA funded assessment grant, the Port conducted Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments. Finding considerable contamination, the Port purchased the St. John site with the intent to do all necessary environmental cleanup so Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics can build a medical clinic and pharmacy on the property. 

“Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics is grateful to the landowners that were willing to sell this property to the Port,” said Hank Hanigan, Chief Executive Officer of Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics. “We are excited to provide St. John with a new medical clinic and pharmacy. Cleanup is a vital step towards making that happen.”

Other Whitman County Brownfield sites include the Rosalia Visitor Resource and Interpretive Center, a former Texaco gas station, and Palouse Brewing Company and TLC Animal Care, both located on the site of a former fuel depot. 

“The Port thanks the EPA for this Cleanup Grant,” Commission President Kristine Meyer said. “This funding is an effective tool for restoring property and facilitating economic development in St. John. The community will benefit from this property cleanup for years to come.”

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About Brownfields

EPA Cleanup Grants fund cleanup of environmental contamination at brownfield sites. A brownfield site is a formerly used piece of property that may be contaminated with hazardous materials, pollutants, or other contaminants. Common contaminants include lead, petroleum, asbestos, PAHs, and other metals. 

About the Port of Whitman County

The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities. For more information about Port properties and ongoing projects visit the Port website, www.portwhitman.com.