EPA Regional Administrator Martucci Wraps Weeklong Trip to Puerto Rico Highlighting Brownfields Investment and Environmental Restoration
San Juan, P.R. - Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Administrator Michael Martucci completed a five-day trip across Puerto Rico, engaging with local leaders, community advocates, and agency partners to spotlight EPA’s work revitalizing contaminated sites, restoring coastal ecosystems, and investing in local environmental jobs.
The visit coincided with Caribbean Brownfields Week and included stops in San Juan, Camuy, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Naranjito, and other municipalities. The trip emphasized EPA’s commitment to delivering on its statutory mandates, namely protecting clean air, land and water through cooperative federalism and common-sense investment.
“Redevelopment through the Brownfields program builds stronger local economies and healthier communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “This week showed the power of partnerships across all levels of government, with community leaders, and the private sector. Working together we can deliver long-overdue environmental and economic benefits to Puerto Rico.”
Major Highlights from the Week
Meeting with Governor Jenniffer González Colón on Energy Needs
Regional Administrator Martucci met with Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González Colón, along with the island’s Energy Czar, the Secretary of Natural Resources, and the president of LUMA Energy. The Governor convened the meeting to discuss Puerto Rico’s energy needs and explore ways to streamline environmental permitting processes. The meeting reflects ongoing collaboration to modernize energy infrastructure while ensuring environmental safeguards.
EPA-Funded Brownfields Projects in Action
EPA’s investments in Brownfields redevelopment took center stage throughout the week:
- In Camuy, the Regional Administrator attended the Brownfields Job Training Workforce Development Forum and visited a coastal dune restoration site at Finca Nolla, a natural reserve managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the University of Puerto Rico with the support of the Municipality of Camuy, supported by EPA Brownfields assessment funds. The nature reserve is now a protected ecological area with community and educational benefits.
- In Barceloneta, the Regional Administrator gave welcome remarks at the Revitalization Resources Forum where federal and Commonwealth partners highlighted to municipalities, non-government organizations, community-based groups, among other attendees, grant and technical assistance opportunities currently available.
- In Naranjito, he met with Mayor of the city and staff to review progress from a $300,000 Brownfields grant that assessed and redeveloped properties, including a former gas station turned wastewater pump station and a former theater converted into a community resource center. A new $1 million EPA grant awarded in 2024 will expand these efforts to additional properties in the Mountain District.
- At a Brownfields Job Training Program graduation ceremony hosted by PathStone Corporation, the Regional Administrator congratulated trainees who completed an EPA-supported environmental job training program, positioning them for work in site remediation, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure restoration.
Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Groundbreaking
Regional Administrator Martucci joined Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources Secretary Waldemar Quiles, San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Charles Decker, representatives from ENLACE Public Corporation and the G8 community coalition to announce the next phase of the Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project. This $14.7 million phase will protect critical bridge infrastructure and set the stage for future dredging work to restore tidal flow and improve water quality for the 27,000 residents living nearby.
Site Visits to Address Community Concerns
In Arecibo, the Regional Administrator toured the municipal landfill and a stormwater pump station that is part of the municipal storm water sewer system and met with local community leaders to hear firsthand concerns about landfill odors, water pollution, and compliance with federal orders. EPA continues to work with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) and local officials to monitor and enforce pollution controls.
San Juan Bay Estuary Restoration and Monitoring
The trip concluded with a boat tour and meeting with the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership and USACE officials. Discussions centered on the restoration of the Juan Méndez Creek, a degraded tributary whose contamination threatens nearby ecosystems and public health. Supported by EPA’s National Estuary Program, the project aims to restore habitat, reduce flooding, and eliminate illegal sewage discharges.
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