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Winnebago County to apply for up to $4 million EPA brownfields cleanup grant for American Fiber site in Menasha
Summary
The county approved a resolution to apply for and accept, if awarded, an EPA brownfields cleanup grant seeking up to $4,000,000 to accelerate remediation of the American Fiber site at 204 Railroad Street in Menasha; the committee voted 5‑0 and staff said the DNR currently oversees phytoremediation.
Winnebago County’s Personnel & Finance Committee voted unanimously Jan. 8 to authorize staff to apply for an EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant requesting up to $4,000,000 to speed cleanup of the American Fiber site at 204 Railroad Street in Menasha.
Staff told the committee the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been managing the site using phytoremediation — planting vegetation to absorb contaminants — but that an EPA brownfields grant could pay for more intensive remedies, including soil removal, depending on what consultants and regulators recommend. The application is due Jan. 28, staff said.
The county analyst said EPA funding could broaden reuse options for the site but cautioned the level of cleanup will depend on the grant award and DNR guidance. “Our goal is best‑future land reuse; whether we can reach that depends on the level of cleanup we can afford with up to $4,000,000,” the analyst said.
Supervisors discussed resolution language and removed wording such as "considering" so the motion reads consistently with other grants ("application and acceptance if awarded"). They also asked for clear language limiting county exposure and clarifying the county role as grant applicant and manager, with DNR responsible for technical oversight.
The committee approved the amended resolution 5‑0. Staff said there is no county match required and that the grant, if awarded, would accelerate cleanup beyond the pace expected from state‑only funds.
