City officials are seeking a $250,000 federal grant to identify and catalog sites that may be contaminated by hazardous waste and petroleum.

The money would come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Program.

Public input is encouraged.

"We are aware of some sites, but if there are any other sites that the public might be aware of or might think are contaminated, we want to know," said Ernie Martin, who works on special projects in the city's Department of Community Services. "We have already received information from the neighborhood boards about gas stations that have been vacant for a number of years or auto repair shops."

Land that once was home to any kind of industrial production may be considered. High on the list of potential sites are former sugar-industry areas in 'Ewa, Waipahu and Wahiawa.

The goal is to find property that communities can put to better use once they have been cleaned of pollutants, Martin said. Parks, green space, housing and commercial use are all options for land that has been cleaned. "Anything we could take a look at and do an assessment on and hopefully revitalize for the community so it can be put to a more useful benefit," Martin said.

The Brownfields Program began in 1995. The EPA, which estimates there are 450,000 such sites nationwide, said the program has changed how contaminated property is perceived, addressed and managed.

Before any cleanup is done, city officials would first work with the affected community to find out what residents want on the polluted site, Martin said. The city would then help the community find money for cleanup work.

The city's proposal for assessment money is due the third week of December.

An assessment could take 12 to 18 months to finish, depending on the number of sites.

This is the third time the city has applied.

"Last year, we just missed out," Martin said. "It is very competitive. We had a strong application, but we just missed the cut."

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.