BISMARCK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $1.9 million in Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup grants to accelerate the cleanup of polluted sites across North Dakota.

The project selections include:

– Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, $1 million multipurpose grant to assess and clean up asbestos, lead-based paint and polychlorinated biphenyl contamination at two priority sites, including a former paleontology building.

– South Central Dakota Regional Council, $500,000 assessment grant to assess asbestos, lead-based paint and petroleum contamination at four priority sites, including the Tourist Park Campground, which is recognized as the oldest campground in North Dakota.

– Towner County Hospital Authority, $400,000 cleanup grant to clean up a former hospital building, which was originally constructed in 1952 using asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint. Other contamination that will be addressed using these funds include mercury, polychlorinated biphenyl and ozone-depleting chemicals.