LAND REVITALIZATION REUSE WORK PLAN U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 ------- LAND REVITALIZATION REUSE WORK PLAN U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Kp.i Region IV Library <51 Forsyth Si SWSte9T25 Atlanta GA 30303-89(19 ------- Table of Contents ¦ Executive Summary Page 1 ¦ Overview Page 3 ¦ Regional Reuse Team Page 3 ¦ Geographic Site Clusters Page 4 ¦ Revitalization Outreach Meetings Page 7 ¦ Reuse Data Collection Page 10 ¦ Revitalization "Success Stories" Page 13 ¦ Strengthening EPA's Workforce Page 16 ¦ Urban Rivers Initiative Page 19 ¦ Ready for Reuse - Technical Determinations Page 20 ¦ RCRA/SF Liability Page 23 ¦ Facilitating Innovative Technical Solutions Page 25 ¦ Site Assessments Page 27 ¦ Accomplishments Page 29 Each 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. section contains the following except the Accomplishment area: Brief Description Staff Contacts Offices Involved in Implementation Schedule and Milestones Measures of Success Resources 1 ------- Executive Summary I. Introduction: As part of its mission to protect human health and the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is undertaking an important initiative to revitalize land by cleaning up waste sites and restoring them to productive economic and greenspace use. The Land Revitalization Initiative emphasizes that cleanup and reuse are mutually supportive goals, and that property reuse should be an integral part of the way EPA does business. Regardless of whether a property is a CERCLA site, an operating waste disposal site, a petroleum facility, a former gas station, or an abandoned industrial facility, EPA believes that environmental cleanup across all EPA programs must be achieved with a consideration of the future needs of the neighboring community and potential use of the site. Region 4 recognizes that cleaning up contaminated sites is important but equally as important is making sure that those sites, once they are clean, can again contribute to the vitality of the communities in which they are located. To achieve these goals, the Region has appointed a Regional Land Reuse Coordinator, and established a cross-program Land Reuse Team. Region 4 will ensure that cleanup program policies and guidance encourage reuse, create public-private and cross-governmental partnerships to foster reuse, instill a culture of reuse in the regional workforce, and provide incentives for reuse through strong implementation of the new Brownfields Law. II. Vision: The June, 2003 policy statement in which the Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) lists Land Revitalization as a top priority, provides the guiding principles upon which this work plan rests. Cleaning up contaminated properties for reuse protects our health, spurs economic growth and preserves open space for future generations. While it was once thought that the removal of contamination from a site was enough to achieve EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment, it is now understood that helping to transform a blighted property to one that can be reused is an integral part of our job. Region 4's vision is to facilitate land reuse by: • Strengthening federal, state, and Tribal partnerships • Encouraging states to establish a Reuse Coordinator 1 ------- • Develop and implement ways to incorporate reuse into state cleanup activities • Strengthen the lines of communication by encouraging states to participate in regularly scheduled reuse conference calls • Partner with industry to recognize industry accomplishments in cleanups that foster reuse • Work with State Small Business Assistance Programs to encourage reuse. • Identify and address obstacles among site cleanup requirements, and facilitate Community Revitalization Roundtables • Ensure early and meaningful community involvement in cleanup and reuse assessments III. Work Product Goals: The Region's Land Revitalization Reuse Work Plan reflects five specific subject areas which have been identified as priorities by EPA Headquarters in implementing the Land Revitalization/Reuse Initiative. These five areas meet major objectives outlined in the Land Revitalization Agenda: 1. Geographic site clusters 2. Revitalization outreach meetings 3. Reuse data collection 4. Revitalization "success stories" on the Region's web site 5. Strengthening EPA's workforce to make reuse an integral part of the job. The Region's Land Revitalization Reuse Work Plan also includes key actions identified as "additional regional reuse priorities" as part of the Land Revitalization Agenda: • Undertake Urban River Restoration Pilots • Pilot Ready for Reuse Technical Determinations • Explore policies to clarify questions about liability that may hinder reuse • Coordinate assistance to target geographic site clusters • Promote innovative technical solutions The Region will identify cross-divisional staff needed to implement the work plan. In addition, Region 4 will work collaboratively with federal, state, tribal, industry and community partners to support the concept of land reuse. Region 4 recognizes that this challenge will require the combined resources and commitment from all stakeholders. 2 ------- LAND REUSE WORKPLAN USEPA - Region 4 Region 4's Land Revitalization Reuse Initiative encourages opportunities across all programmatic lines to achieve the national goal of incorporating land reuse into all of our site cleanup objectives. The Waste programs have a long successful history of promoting cleanup. Because many programs see cleanup as the ultimate goal, we must work hard to change our culture promoting a move beyond cleanup to reuse. This shift will help us further accomplish our goal of protecting human health and the environment, and ensuring that all Americans have clean air, pure water and better-protected land. We have a responsibility and an obligation to help communities move toward a more sustainable future by helping them make informed decisions regarding the environment and the economy. We support a stepwise approach to achieving this goal, the first being to strengthen our internal workforce by making reuse an integral part of our jobs. This work plan incorporates a multi-program communications strategy, which will target prime areas for outreach to both internal and external stakeholders. The Region's message is that EPA is not only concerned about the health of the environment, but with the overall quality of life by encouraging reuse, redevelopment and revitalization. Regional Reuse Team Rosalind Brown, LRR Coordinator ERCIB (404) 562-8633 Mary Jo Bragan, OPM/PAB (404) 562-8323 Mickey Hartnett ERCIB/Brownfields (404) 562-8661 Eddie Wright ERCIB/EJ & CIC (404) 562-8669 Annette N. Hill OPM/PAB (404) 562-8287 Liz Wilde RCRA (404) 562-8528 Mike Norman South Superfund (404) 562-8792 Kerry-Jo Shell Water (404) 562-9308 Mike Mitchell Water (404) 562-9303 John Mason Water (404) 562-9441 Alan Powell Air Programs (404) 562-9045 Channing Bennett RCRA (404) 562-8474 Pamela Swingle Solid Waste (404) 562-8482 Timothy Simpson SESD (Athens Lab) (706) 355-8736 Rudy Tanasijevich EAD (404) 562-9557 Al Hanke Urban Rivers (404) 562-8954 Dann Spariosu BRAC (404) 562-8552 Anita Davis CERCLA Programs (404) 562-8844 3 ------- a Geographic Site Clusters 1. Brief Description EPA Headquarters outlined five specific subject areas that are priorities under the Land Revitalization Agenda. The first of these subject areas is Geographic Site Clusters. These are areas where the Region, in cooperation with States, Tribes and local governments, will conduct pilot project work to demonstrate the coordinated use of multiple authorities in cleaning up and facilitating reuse. The work conducted under this particular priority will be two-fold. First, the geographic site clusters will be selected. Secondly, the Region will develop procedures for the coordinated use of multiple authorities. A. Geographic Site Cluster Selection: The Region will take an analytical approach to determining the most effective areas to serve as pilot locations. Geographic Information Systems will be used to analyze data on Superfund site locations, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities, Brownfields, Technical Assistance Grants (TAG), Superfund Redevelopment grants, Brownfield job training grants, Watershed projects, Environmental Justice grants, potential urban river pilot locations, Department of Transportation projects, former Community-Based Environmental Protection locations, non- attainment areas, already existing partnerships, Housing and Urban Development empowerment zones and rural development projects. Once collected, this data will be evaluated to determine areas in the Region with significant overlap of each of these elements. This will be done to ensure that areas selected have the greatest potential for use of multiple authorities. Region 4 management in consultation with the States will select the geographic site clusters. B. Once the geographic site cluster area(s) are selected the Region will select specific pilot properties and determine the most effective approach for preparing them for reuse. For each of the geographic cluster areas, teams, with representation from each Division, will be formed to carry out these objectives. These teams will work directly with States, Tribes and local governments and other partners to develop innovative approaches to cleaning up and revitalizing contaminated properties. Resources may have to be shifted around within Divisions to allow staff to dedicate time and resources to this initiative. This will be determined based upon the requirements of the geographic site clusters and the needs of the pilot projects. An example of an innovative approach is the use of potentially responsible parties or potential purchasers to conduct site assessment activities. Such an approach could allow contaminated idle properties to be addressed through the system much faster and make them available for reuse. A ------- For the selection of the Geographic Site Clusters, the contacts are: Mary Jo Bragan, Lead Mickey Hartnett Eddie Wright Jim Wang OPM/PAB ERCIB/Brownfields ERCIB/EJ & CIC Detail to Waste Division (404) 562-8323 (404) 562-8661 (404) 562-8669 (404) 562-8280 For Geographic Site Clusters Pilot Projects, the additional project contacts will be determined as the specific teams are formed. Depending upon the needs of the pilots, the team or teams may need a dedicated team leader and staff. 3. Offices Involved in Implementation All Region 4 Divisions will participate in the selection of Geographic Site Clusters and the implementation of pilot projects within the selected clusters. Resources will come from the following: Waste Division - RCRA, Superfund Redevelopment, Brownfields, Environmental Justice - Interagency Work Group, Air Programs, Water Programs, Planning and Analysis Branch, Innovations Work Group, ORD - Innovative Technology. 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Geographic Site Cluster Analysis Geographic Site Clusters Work Group Identify sites within each program area with multi-media activity. May to August 2003 Selection of Geographic Site Cluster(s) EPA Land Revitalization Team and Regional Management Select area with potential for multi-media activity September 2003 5 ------- Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Form Regional Teams EPA Land Revitalization Team and Regional Management Create Multi-media Teams(s) to select specific pilot project sites within the geographic site cluster(s). September to November 2003 Pilot Properties Geographic Site Cluster Teams Select specific properties that can be used as pilots to demonstrate the use of multiple authorities and reuse. December 2003 5. Measures of Success - Selection of geographic cluster area(s) - Identification of pilot properties - Number of stakeholders involved (federal/state/local/tribal) - Number of sites where innovative principles may be employed 6. Resources One FTE will be devoted to developing the Geographic Site Cluster profile for the region. Each division will designate an FTE who will be required to assist in implementing the pilot program, assist in developing site clusters, develop multi-media site strategies, data collection, and information management. Funds needed: travel; training; materials; contractor support. 6 ------- % devitalization Outreach Meetings 1. Brief Description Revitalizing an unusable site has significant community benefits. It can provide an environmental benefit, spur the economy and improve the overall quality of life for the residents. The Waste programs have a history of focusing efforts on cleanup of properties, however, that success usually culminated in blighted sites surrounded by chain link fences and "Keep Out" signs. Region 4 will take this opportunity to develop strategies that will help staff move properties beyond cleanup to reuse. Outreach efforts will: ¦ Region 4 will develop an outreach strategy that includes tools and processes to enhance the understanding of the benefits of revitalization and an appropriate set of success measures against which to determine progress towards reaching our outreach efforts. ¦ Use outreach efforts to promote focused data collection, move staff focus beyond cleanup to reuse and encourage collaborative reuse efforts to meet community goals. ¦ Strengthen the capacity of internal staff to make effective reuse decisions. ¦ Use effective outreach strategies to capture successes, lessons learned, financial and technical opportunities, training, and transfer our information to staff and communities as appropriate. ¦ The Region will focus its efforts and resources to support the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects in the southeast announced May 2003. The key to the 15 National Projects is encouraging a collaborative, problem-solving spirit across stakeholders. This will be a part of a more comprehensive effort to fold in and incorporate these lessons to benefit our broader revitalization/reuse work. The outreach strategy will consist of a variety of outreach tools to include websites, briefings, staff training, fact sheets, community meetings, mailings, public service announcements, etc. These efforts will demonstrate EPA's success towards environmental protection and communities' success toward economic, environmental and quality of life improvements. 7 ------- 2. Staff Contacts Annette N. Hill, Lead Kara McCoy-Belle Betty Winter Sheryl Good Mickey Feltus Brian Holtzclaw OPM/PAB OPA OPM/PAB EAD/EJ Water ERCIB 3. Office Involved in Implementation (404) 562-8287 (404) 562-8322 (404) 562-8279 (404) 562-9559 (404) 562-9421 (404) 562-8684 Regional Office programs involved in the outreach efforts will primarily be in the Waste Management Division with assistance from the Outreach Team. 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Establish process for outreach team Annette N. Hill * Facilitate team meetings * Brief team, solidify involvement * Serve as resource for team members August 2003 Develop an outreach strategy process LRR Team Brian Holtzclaw 'Review current successful efforts and assess applicability 'Establish outreach schedule *Designate roles and responsibilities August 2003 8 ------- Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Create Outreach Tools LRR Team Harold Key Brian Holtzclaw Kara Belle * Survey divisions for input * Create a website * Identify pilot communities to focus outreach tools * Develop fact sheets * Develop power point presentations for briefing October 2003 Develop In reach Strategy LRR Team Annette N. Hill Kara Belle Mickey Feltus * Develop briefings and training executives and senior staff * Develop program briefing/fact sheets * Identify training opportunities * Develop internal workshops * Determine Website update process October 2003 Support IWG EJ Brian Holtzclaw Co-chair of National IWG/EJ Revitalization Pilots Task Force * Implement best practices on outreach * Apply lessons learned to other projects * Facilitate oversight and communications in pilot * Support reuse work in IWG pilot areas April 2003 Implement In reach/ Outreach Strategy LRR Team Brian Holtzclaw Mickey Feltus Kara Belle * Schedule internal training * Present briefings * Inform/train appropriate staff * Determine community opportunities * Provide routine updates for webpage * Develop PSAs as appropriate * Capture and share successes in pilot areas to encourage and focus regional support for future pilot areas March 2004 9 ------- 5. Measures of Success - Development of outreach strategy - Development of outreach materials and briefing - Implementation of outreach strategy - Presentations of outreach materials - Periodic updates of website - Conduct training for managers, staff - Conduct training for State and local governments 6. Resources One FTE will be devoted to developing the outreach strategy. Each division will ensure that staff has support and resources to adequately participate in development and implementation of outreach strategy. Funds needed: travel; training; materials; contractor support; conferences. * Reuse Data Collection 1. Brief Description The Region will undertake pilot activities to foster data collection: (e.g. land made available for reuse) that demonstrates revitalization outcomes for cleanup. In order to quantify the success of Region 4 in returning land to productive use for the local communities, we will need to determine which criteria will be useful and can be collected, as well as reviewing our current data collection practice. It may be that data which already exist can be used to quantify the land available for productive reuse, or that with a small additional effort new data could be collected. An example of data that would be easy to start collecting with a small additional effort is acreage of land remediated. The acreage of land under remediation is known by Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) and Corrective Action Specialists (CRSs), but is not currently collected. With the addition of a new data element to CERCLIS and RCRAInfo, and a small educational effort, RPMs and CRSs could add acreage to the databases. RPMs and CRSs could also follow the post-remedial process to document reuse outcomes, and it may be possible to count categories or reuse options: commercial, industrial, recreational, etc. 10 ------- During the Superfund redevelopment Initiative in 1999, an inventory of Superfund sites which had undergone redevelopment was created. Updating and building on that list could potentially provides some historic measures of success. In addition, the Superfund Site Assessment program is currently reviewing CERCLIS to develop a list of sites excluded from Brownfields. This list could also provide a potential inventory of reuse decisions. Another possible starting point for an inventory of reuse data is from RCRA Info. Region 4 is currently investigating adding new data elements to RCRA Info, to document and track Institutions Controls (ICs). Region 4, will investigate if other parties, such as General Service Administration (GSA) and State and Local Governments are routinely collecting data, which could be used as a measure of regional land reuse. To reiterate, it will be important to determine, not only what data would be useful in measuring reuse successes, but also what data can realistically and consistently be collected. 2. Staff Contacts Liz Wilde, Lead Channing Bennett Kerrie-Jo Shell Mike Norman Timothy Simpson RCRA Programs RCRA Programs Water Division North Superfund Branch SESD (Athens Lab) (404) 562-8528 (404) 562-8474 (404) 562-9308 (404) 562-8792 (706) 355-8736 3. Offices Involved in Implementation The Regional offices involved in the data collection portion of the work plan will be primarily in the Waste Division (RCRA, SF, Federal Facilities, Brownfields) and the Water Division. 11 ------- 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Review Existing Databases Data Review Team Review CERCLA, RCRA, Brownfields and any state data available July 2003 Determine Data Needed Data Review Team 'Determine which useful data should be collected. * Determine what is realistically collectable data August 2003 Establish new database Data Review Team Drawing from the above activities. July 2004 Establish Contacts Data Review Team Identify staff and state contacts for collecting and disseminating data. August 2003 5. Measures of Success - The data for the reuse database has been defined. -The actual data collection has begun. - The regional process is implemented. 6. Resources 0.25 FTE familiar with CERCLA and RCRA will be devoted to developing the Reuse Database Collection for the Region. Each division will ensure that the Waste Division receives all necessary data for this portion of the work plan. Funds needed: travel; training; materials; contractor support; conferences. 12 ------- -Devitalization "SuccessStories" 1. Brief Description Region 4 will identify successful reuse projects and activities across the Southeast to document and highlight these efforts. The Region will use these "Success Stories" to document land reuse consideration in cleanups and to provide models for communities and stakeholders interested in revitalization. The Region will build on the Reuse Data Collection efforts to capture information on successful revitalization activities. The Region will develop criteria for "successful" reuse, focusing on sites that incorporated reuse considerations early in site assessment, response, cleanup, or enforcement activities. Emphasis will also be placed on productive reuse, revitalized communities, successful collaborative partnerships, and innovative approaches and solutions. Dissemination of information on successful reuse projects and activities will be essential to ensuring that regional staff consider reuse and incorporate it early into response, cleanup, compliance, and enforcement actions. Sharing information about specific reuse successes and the positive economic and environmental results achieved will motivate other industries and communities to consider reuse as a solution. The Region will identify effective ways to get information to those parties who need resources for pursuing reuse in their communities and to provide information to regional staff on land reuse. The Region will summarize reuse "Success Stories" and make these available to staff, partners, stakeholders, and the public in a variety of ways. The summaries will include information on problems, issues, regulatory options, funding and assistance, innovative uses, collaborative efforts, impacts, benefits, lessons learned, and contacts. Region 4 will make this information available through continuous updates on the EPA website, on CDs, in fact sheets, and in appropriate newsletters (both EPA and other organizations). EPA will explore appropriate organizations outside EPA for locating links to publicize Revitalization Success Stories. Regional staff will make presentations on reuse successes at appropriate conferences and meetings and in appropriate training on land reuse and revitalization. 13 ------- 2. Staff Contacts Betty Winter, Lead Harold Key Nicole Bates Mary Jo Bragan Mike Mitchell Alan Powell Troy Pierce Lora Lee Schroeder OPM/PAB Waste/Program Services ERCIB/ Brownfields OPM/PAB Water APTMD (Air/Transport.) APTMD (Pesticides) APTMD (Pesticides) (404) 562-8279 (404) 562-8864 (404) 562-9966 (404) 562-8323 (404) 562-9303 (404) 562-9045 (404) 562-9016 (404) 562-9015 3. Office Involved in Implementation The following regional offices will provide "Success Stories" on Land Revitalization and Reuse: Waste Division (Program Services Branch, and Economic Redevelopment Community Involvement Branch (ERCIB) Brownfields and Environmental Justice); Water Management Division (Coastal and Watershed Branch); Environmental Accountability Division; and Air, Pesticides, and Toxics Management Division (Air, Pesticides). 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Activity Target Date Office (Staff Lead) Collect R4 existing successes Nicole Bates Division Leads Request each program to provide at least one success story Survey Divisions July 2003 Establish Success Criteria Success Story Review Team Develop criteria based on specific program requirement/policy September 2003 Determine Format Success Story Review Team Use past story publication and HQ guidance and examples September 2003 Announce Success Stories Success Story Review Team Create event to make announcement of the success stories When necessary Determine Media Success Story Review Team Survey representative users on best formats to meet their needs December 2003 14 ------- Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Select Stories to publicize ERCIB/ Brownfields Using criteria and information from potential users, select the stories that offer the best information for users December 2003 Incorporate into LRR Web Site Harold Key Develop a process to ensure that Success Stories are placed on site in timely manner and updated periodically December 2003 Establish process for future collection and dissemination Success Story Review Team ECRIB * Designate responsible staff to report stories to ERCIB * Prepare fact sheets, CDs Distribution channels March 2004 Develop module for training and presentations for conferences/ Meetings Success Story Review Team * Select best stories to train EPA staff, states, partners 'Prepare presentations to promote reuse * Provide resources and contacts for communities April 2004 5. Measures of Success ¦ Number of stories posted on web site and frequency of new postings ¦ Number of outreach materials (CDs, fact sheets) prepared ¦ Number of outreach materials distributed ¦ Number of training events using success story information ¦ Number of presentations o reuse successes at conferences, meetings, training • Number of feedback from users on usefulness o materials (survey, comment cards) 15 ------- 6. Resources One FTE from ERCIB/Brownfields to identify and develop "Success Stories" material, .1 FTE to post stories on web site, and .5 FTE from divisions to collect success stories Funds needed: travel; production; material; distribution; contractor support * Strengthening EPAs Workforce 1. Brief Description EPA has a goal to protect, sustain and restore the health of people, communities, and ecosystems using integrated and comprehensive approaches and partnerships. One way to accomplish this is to work collaboratively to change our internal culture to strengthen the Region's ability to make reuse an integral part of our jobs. The training will provide information on identifying specific reuse options such as recreation, nature/green space, industrial, commercial, residential, or historic renovation to promote sustainable redevelopment and improve the quality of life by reducing future contamination, blight, and urban sprawl. It will promote reuse at PRP-lead sites. Training is intended to achieve three objectives: (1) Train EPA, State and stakeholders on the need to consider reuse as an integral part of the cleanup process, (2) encourage reuse at PRP-lead sites. The strategy for making reuse an integral part of our jobs includes: ¦ Finding and/or developing training for staff. To date known training includes: ~U.S. EPA, Sponsored Training (Headquarters) "The Anatomy of a Real Estate Development-What Government Regulators Need to Know About Real Estate Development." 16 ------- ~ U.S. EPA Sponsored Training (Headquarters) "Real Estate Insurance Course." ~ U.S. EPA Sponsored Training (Headquarters) "Redeveloping Superfund Sites - Working With Potentially Responsible Parties." ¦ Incorporating required training into the core activities performed in the cleanup process. Once we identify the appropriate training, the next step is to incorporate appropriate training into the core of activities performed in the cleanup process. The Region must provide training and other important information to staff ¦ Providing technical information to staff and managers concerning the benefits of reuse and the opportunities to incorporate reuse. Some examples include private sector real estate principles and local planning processes as they affect cleanup and reuse decisions that will further the Agency's land revitalization goals. ¦ Demonstrating as success stories sites that have incorporated reuse considerations and decisions early on in the site assessment and response process (i.e. St. Augustine, Florida; Kerr-McGee site, Jacksonville, Florida). ¦ Providing training and involvement for local and state regulators, stakeholder groups, and real estate/brownfields developers to obtain an understanding of the variables and complexities involved in the reuse process in terms of permitting, zoning, financing, liability, community involvement, and land use planning/smart growth objectives. 2. Staff Contacts Eddie Wright, Lead Rudy Tanasijevich Annette N. Hill Waste/EJ & CIC EAD OPM/PAB (404) 562-8669 (404) 562-9557 (404) 562-8287 3. Offices Involved in Implementation The offices involved in implementing this objective include: Waste Management Division; Office of Policy and Management; Environmental Accountability Division. 17 ------- 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Develop Reuse Training Plan Eddie Wright Annette N. Hill 'Establish appropriate contacts in Headquarters and Marasco Newton Group (Pamela Jackson/Bonnie Devos). 'Identify existing training resources (other federal agencies, external providers). "Identify funding resources. * Train Region 4 staff. August 2003 September 2003 July 2003 June 2003- June 2005 5. Measures of Success - To complete the Core Regional Training Plan. - To conduct a minimum of three training courses - To conduct a minimum of two informal discussion sessions to share experiences on the most appropriate ways to incorporate reuse decisions into the CERCLA process; - To formulate policy and guidance changes for integrating land reuse as part of enforcement orders and agreements. 6. Resources It is estimated that the region will need to devote .5 FTE for investigating and securing necessary training tools/contractors, and an additional .5 FTE to implement the training initiative. Funding needed: Headquarters has estimated that it will take approximately 30-35K to host the "Redeveloping Superfund Site - Working with Potentially Responsible Parties." OSWER has awarded a contract to the Marasco Newton Group, which makes 20K in contractor support available to the Region. Funding is needed to host the "The Anatomy of a Real Estate Development - What Government Need to Know About Estate Development," and Real Estate Insurance Training will also require funding either from regional sources or Headquarters. 18 ------- - Urban Rivers Initiative 1. Brief Description The Region is partnering with U.S. Army Corps, of Engineers to select and begin work on selecting Urban River Restoration pilot projects. 2. Staff Contacts Al Hanke, Lead Waste Division (404) 562-8954 Marjan Peltier Water Division (404) 562-9420 3. Offices Involved in Implementation The Region has formed a cross-divisional workgroup to work with the Corps as part of the selection process, which includes the Waste Division and the Watershed Program in the Water Management Division. The purpose of the workgroup is to screen and select potential candidates for another round of pilots. 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Establish Workgroup Al Hanke Marjon Peltier Establish working group to screen and select potential candidates for future pilots. August 2003 Implement HQ Urban Rivers Guidelines Al Hanke Marion Peltier Apply selection criteria Select potential candidates October 2003 Coordinate with Geographic Cluster Workgroup Al Hanke Marion Peltier Identify potential Urban River Pilot candidates which coincide with the LRR Geographic Cluster Pilots October 2003 19 ------- 5. Measures of Success Measures of success will be dependent upon candidate selection. Possible measures could include: TMDL compliance Habitat Restoration Wetland Restoration Sites along rivers restored for reuse purposes 6. Resources Two .25 FTEs will be devoted to implementing the Urban Rivers Initiative for the Region. Funds needed: travel; training; materials; contractor support; conferences. *Ready for Reuse - Technical Determinations 1. Brief Description The Region will pilot the use of formal technical determinations to document that previously contaminated properties are ready for appropriate reuse. Region 4, with input from communities and developers, as well as, State and local governments will determine which information is critical for communities and developers to know about a property in order to make appropriate reuse decisions. After determining which information is readily available to the Region, a prototype with the information grouped and summarized in an easy to read one page summary will be designed. The Region will then solicit review and comments of this one page draft, by communities and developers, in order to design a final version of a one page "ready for reuse summary." The Region will identify and provide training to pertinent staff on what is required for the "reuse summaries". After staff are trained to identify and track the information required by the "reuse summaries", Region 4 will implement the process with pertinent staff such as Remedial Project Managers and Corrective Action Specialists, incorporating the completion of "reuse summaries" into the remediation process. The reuse summaries will be recorded in an electronic database that will be made publicly available by a web page. It is anticipated that any member of the public could access the reuse summary for a specified property. ~ ------- Several States are investigating how to market land "ready for reuse" to developers and other interested community members through their Brownfields programs. Developers and communities need a brief, easily understandable, summary of characteristics of a parcel of land, which incorporates the information they need to know. Region 4 anticipates that by providing "one pagers" on parcels "ready for reuse", in an easily accessible regional database, states, developers and other interested parties can more easily survey what is available for redevelopment. 2. Staff Contacts Liz Wilde, Lead Channing Bennett Kerrie-Jo Shell Mike Norman Rudy Tanasijevich Timothy Simpson RCRA Programs RCRA Programs Water North Superfund EAD SESD (Athens Lab) (404) 562-8528 (404) 562-8474 (404) 562-9308 (404) 562-8792 (404) 562-9557 (706) 355-9736 3. Offices Involved in Implementation The Regional offices involved in this Ready for Reuse - Technical Determination portion of the work plan will be the Waste Division (RCRA, SF, Federal Facilities, Brownfields) and the Water Management Division. 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Develop a Reuse Assessment Process Liz Wilde *Review geography and history *Describe nature and extent of contaminations of site *Describe the risk assessment 'Describe institutional controls *Describe the liability issues December 2003 Create Developer- Friendly One Page Summary prototype Liz Wilde Create an all inclusive summary of site attributes. December 2003 21 ------- Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Implement the process to provide a summary sheet for each site Liz Wilde * Brief/train pertinent staff and management * Provide blanks * Collect the information July 2004 Provide public access to the summary sheets Liz Wilde * Develop electronic database of summary sheets available * Create web site access to the database July 2004 5. Measures of Success - Design of prototype "Reuse one-pager" that can be "Filled in" for "Completed" site - Incorporate into EPA evaluation/remediation process - Provide information on a publicly available web database 6. Resources 0.25 familiar with CERLCA and RCRA will be devoted to develop the Ready for Reuse - Technical Determinations portion of the work plan for the Region. Contract support will be required for the database and web link. Funds needed: travel; training; materials; contractor support; conferences. Note: The "Ready for Reuse" determinations is from the Federal perspective, since there could be State criteria that would be more rigid than the Federal standards, and this would be an issue outside of EPA's control. The "reuse summary" should include liability or liability insurance information, since this is critical to any developer or other buyer, but liability decisions would be made by other groups. It may not be within EPA's authority to decide the liability issues of a site. 22 ------- * Resource Conservation and Recovery Act/Superfund Liability 1. Brief Description EPA is exploring policies to clarify certain liability issues that impact the revitalization of properties that are ready for reuse. To date the mechanisms available to the Agency to address outstanding liability concerns entail: - Written statements documenting statutory liability relief for certain land-owners, generators and transporters - No action assurance letters - Prospective Purchaser Agreements - Comfort/status letters indicating low enforcement priority - Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser statements The nature and extent of the proposed reuse and the time and money involved with the particular redevelopment project on the property will dictate which one of the above-noted documents will be sought from EPA. Moreover, each of these statements on liability involves a different degree of liability relief or clarification and can be issued by various employees within the Agency. 2. Staff Contacts Rudy C. Tanasijevich EAD Anne Heard EAD Anita Davis CERCLA Programs 3. Offices involved in Implementation Environmental Accountability Division, Office of Legal Support; Waste Division, CERCLA Program Services Branch; Water Management Division (404) 562-9557 (404) 562-9521 (404) 562-8844 23 ------- 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item CERCLA/RCRA Liability Reviews Responsibl e Office (Staff Lead) Rudy C. Tanasijevich Anne Heard Anita Davis Activity * Review reuse proposals on a case- by-case basis to determine the extent of CERCLA/RCRA liability associated with the site. * Develop and issue appropriate liability relief/status documents as needed. (i.e. assurance letters; prospective purchaser agreements; comfort letters, etc...). * Prepare a brief summary document to be made available to the real estate development sector, financial institutions, and the small business community concerning CERCLA/RCRA liability status/relief statements that EPA could potentially issue to a current or potential property owner/operator. September 2003. .. September 2003. . . October 2003 . . . 5. Measures of Success - Review reuse proposals on a case-by-case basis to determine the extent of remaining CERCLA/RCRA liability associated with each site proposed for reuse. - Expedite reuse liability determinations so as to not unnecessarily impede implementation of land reuse and revitalization efforts. 6. Resources Two FTEs from EAD, OLS; Waste Division; and Water Management Division. 24 ------- * Facilitating innovative Technical Solutions 1. Brief Description Region 4 with support from Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Technology Innovation Office (TIO) has in place technical contacts and teams that can provide project managers with site-specific assistance to reduce cleanup costs and facilitate reuse and is developing mechanisms to ensure that information on innovative technologies is available to the Region 4 staff, States and the public. In facilitating innovative technologies solutions, Region 4 will develop and improve the us of technology to assess and cleanup contamination. These goals can be assisted by: ¦ Endorsing and promoting field analytical methods to characterize sites and minimize costs. ¦ Working with States and Tribes to identify efficiencies in the use of area-wide assessment that reduces costs. ¦ Promote the use of EPA's capabilities to provide technical assistance in support of Brownfields cleanup. The strategy involved with providing information on innovative technologies to interested parties includes: ¦ Soliciting, announcing, and providing training information on innovative technology presentations, courses, and internet seminars. ¦ Keeping track of and supporting the use of innovative technologies that assist in remediating sites to reuse conditions. ¦ Listings of internet sites useful in identifying and evaluating innovative technologies. 2. Staff Contacts Felicia Barnett, Lead ORD Technical Liaison (404) 562-8659 R4 Waste Division 25 ------- 3. Offices Involved in Implementation The offices involved in implementing this objective mainly include the Waste Division with some support from the Regional Science Council, SESD in Athens, and the Water and Air Divisions. 4. Schedule and Milestones Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Develop a listing of websites for identifying and evaluating Innovative Technology Felicia Barnett Contact EPA and other federal and state agencies involved in Site cleanup for helpful technology sites. December 2004 5. Measures of Success - Region 4 announcements for innovative technology information available via classes, presentations and the internet. - Technical support for sites using innovative technologies as requested. - Listing of internet sites useful in identifying and evaluating innovative technologies provided to the Reuse Workgroup for distribution. 6. Resources Generally, resources for innovative technical support already exist within the Waste program and include the ORD Hazardous Substances Technical Liaison, the Region 4 Office of Technical Services (OTS), the ORD Technical Support Centers (including the ORD Brownfields Technical Support Center), and the OSWER Technology Innovation Office. Region 4 Remediation project managers can avail themselves of all sources available to assist them in identifying innovative technologies to promote reuse through the Region-based ORD Technical Liaison or through their specific contacts within these groups. 26 ------- * Site Assessments 1. Brief Description Region 4 in partnership with the States will explore ways to consider and encourage reuse by screening sites for reuse potential early on in the site assessment process. 2. Staff Contacts: Jennifer Wendel Superfund (404) 562-8799 Mickey Hartnett Brownfields (404) 562-8661 3. Offices Involved in Implementation This activity will be done by the Waste Division - Superfund Branches in coordination with the Brownfields Group. 4. Schedule and Milestone Action Item Responsible Office (Staff Lead) Activity Target Date Identify Potential Sites Jennifer Wendel Review Active and Potential Site Assessment sites within Pilot Geographic Cluster December 2003 Develop an Implementation Strategy Jennifer Wendel *Assemble a workgroup to create the strategy * Coordinate with HQs March 2004 Coordinate with Geographic Cluster Team Leader Jennifer Wendel Select potential pilot sites June 2004 27 ------- 5. Measures of Success - Number of sites identified. - Development of a Regional Strategy to screen sites for reuse. - Number of pilot sites where strategy is implemented. 6. Resources One FTE devoted full time to develop and implement this process. Funds needed: travel; training; materials; contractor support; conferences. 28 ------- ACCOMPLISHMENTS The accomplishment reports will be completed and sent to Headquarters on a yearly basis. These reports will reflect number of jobs created, properties assessed, redevelopment starts and completion, partnerships leveraged, and dollars leveraged. The following are a few examples of Region 4 accomplishments. Facilitating Innovative Technical Solutions Site/Area Reuse Approach Potential/Actual Reuse Contact Distressed Birmingham, AL Industrial Area Brownfields Pilot Commercial and industrial space creating 2000 new jobs Region 4 Brownfields Program (404) 562-8663 Fayetteville, NC Downtown Industrial Brownfield Brownfields Pilot Airborne and Special Operations Museum Region 4 Brownfield Program (404) 562-8663 Trolley Barn Site, Louisville, KY Brownfields Pilot African American Museum, mini-mall, cultural center, restaurant Region 4 Brownfields Program (404) 562-8663 Brownfields in Gaines Street Corridor Tallahassee, FL Brownfields Pilot Cascades Linear Green way Region 4 Brownfields Program (404) 562-8663 Atlanta Steel Redevelopment Project - 138 acres in Downtown Atlanta XL Innovative Project Multi- media (RCRA/Air) Early Consideration of Reuse in Cleanup Discussions Atlantic Station - mixed residential/business development with multi- modal bridge Ben West EPA Region 4 (404) 562-9643 Rob Goodwin EPA Region 4 (404) 562-9044 29 ------- Facilitating Innovative Technical Solutions SITE Innovative Technology Potential Reuse Contact Cypress Creek RCRA Corrective Action Immunoassay Screening for pesticides Community wants to use as greenspace and stream restoration Leo Romanowski 404-562-8485 Townsend Saw Chain Superfund Site In-Situ Redox for metals (Chromium) New developer using property as it is remediated for warehouse/office storage facilities Ralph Howard 404-562-8829 Base Realignment and Closure The Region 4 Federal Facilities Program has supported of the President's Fast Track Cleanup Program with great successes in innovative cleanup and reuse. The Fast Track Cleanup Program applies to bases identified by DoD as being closed or realigned under the Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-526) (BRAC I) or the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-510) (BRAC II, III, and IV) where there is environmental contamination and property will be available for transfer to the community, i.e., Fast Track Cleanup locations. Dann Spariosu 404-562-8552 Some of the innovations originated by the BRAC Program are: •Partnerships between EPA, DoD, and State environmental agencies. •Cooperation between BRAC Cleanup Teams with Local Redevelopment Authorities. •Transfers and/or leases of property for economic development or public benefit while cleanup progresses. •Development of effective land use controls. •Innovative RCRA and CERCLA strategies to accomplish Fast Track Cleanup. •Privitization of cleanups which save millions of federal tax dollars. 30 ------- Base Realignment and Closure Continued Many of these BRAC innovations have since been adopted by the Brownfields, RCRA, and CERCLA cleanup programs to facilitate beneficial land reuse. Dann Spariosu 404-562-8552 Charleston Naval Complex: A BRAC and Redevelopment Success There are many success stories at Region 4's ten BRAC sites. One of these, the former Naval Complex in Charleston, South Carolina, is making waves in the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) community by boasting one of the fastest job replacement rates following base closure in 1996. During the past six years, the number of jobs has grown from 500 to more than 6,000. Approximately 1,000 of these jobs are federal, with the remainder spread among more than 70 private sector companies. In addition, in 2002, the city of North Charleston was awarded part of the land for its ambitious Noisette Project. A major redevelopment plan for a largely blighted area in the southern part of the city, the Noisette Project will transform three-quarters of a mile of former base property into a riverfront park along the Cooper River. The park will include a mix of natural preserves and recreational facilities, with the first phase of construction planned for completion in 2003. Established in 1902, the Charleston Naval Complex quickly became the Navy's third largest home port. The site housed operations for a variety of naval activities, including a 21-pier ship yard, training and supply centers, and a hospital. When the BRAC Commission announced site closure, nearly 12,000 Navy employees were working on the 1,600-acre complex. When the base formally closed, the Navy gave the city the deed to 288 acres and 120 buildings on the property. Dann Spariosu 404-562-8552 31 ------- Charleston Naval Complex: A BRAC and Redevelopment Success Continued Decades of naval activity left the site contaminated with environmental hazards including heavy metals, asbestos, and petroleum products. To speed up corrective action, the Navy, working with EPA Region 4 and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, chose to pilot an innovative contracting approach: a guaranteed fixed-price contract for $28.8 million. This contracting approach grants almost full management and financial responsibility for the site cleanup to independent contractors. To date, cleanup measures have included asbestos and underground storage tank removal, soil extraction, innovative technologies like electrical resistance heating, and groundwater monitoring. The Navy also supplied initial funding to establish the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority, an entity that attracts new companies to occupy former base property. In addition, local government and businesses established a second development entity, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, to promote economic growth both on the former base and in the surrounding community. These agencies' recruitment efforts have encouraged 99 new companies to settle near the base, adding more jobs and $2.2 billion of direct capital investment to the region's economy. Dann Spariosu 404-562-8552 Brownfields Assessment Pilots and Showcase Communities Properties with Brownfields Assessment 315 Properties with Brownfields Redevelopment Activities Underway 67 Total Jobs Leveraged 1699 Total Partnerships with Other Organizations 260 Mickey Hartnett 404-562-8661 32 ------- Brownfields Job Training and Development Pilots Participants Completing Training 186 Participants Obtaining Employment 122 Mickey Hartnett 404-562-8661 Luminous Processors Superfund Redevelopment Site From 1952 and 1978, Luminous Processors operated its manufacturing facility on a 1-acre site alongside Highway 78, the Atlanta Highway. The company made glow-in-the-dark watch and clock dials, popular and useful household items. But the dials glowed because they were painted with radioactive isotopes. When Luminous Processors abandoned the site in 1980, the company left behind not only an empty building, but also soil contaminated with high levels of radioactive waste. In 1981, EPA placed the site on its list of high-priority Superfund sites and awarded funds to the State of Georgia for the cleanup of the site. While the Luminous site was being cleanup, developers were building the Georgia Square Mall which attracted the attention of the McDonald's Corporation. McDonald's purchased the Luminous property in 1990 and built a restaurant complete with an outdoor playground. Because EPA's cleanup was so thorough, McDonald's was able to redevelop the property without liability concerns. In fact, so complete is the transformation that few people today realize that the property was once a radioactive waste site. The rapid and successful cleanup of the Luminous Processors property has ensured the protection of human health and the environment, while the restaurant itself has provided local jobs and revenue. Mike Norman 404-562-8792 33 ------- |