V>EPA From Brown to Green:
Restoring Ecosystems
on Former Brownfield:
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Ecological Restoration
.n most areas of the country, brownfields redevelopment
projects are becoming more common. As real estate and
transportation costs continue to rise, it makes sense to redevelop
brownfields sites close to urban centers or transportation
corridors; this helps create new jobs, and commercial and
residential opportunities. However, brownfields sites are not
only suited to commercial or residential development; they can
become parks and open space as well! The three innovative
examples highlighted herein show that former brownfields can
provide habitat, recreation and even contribute to the cleanup of
the environment.
Belle Isle Coastal Preserve, Boston, Massachusetts
The Belle Isle Coastal Preserve was not always as pristine as
the name might imply. The former salt marsh was the site of
commercial and industrial uses for years; first as the location
of the Belle Isle Fish Company and later a site for dumping
and filling as the site fell further into disrepair. Eventually the
site became littered with discarded construction and demolition
debris, appliances and heavy equipment. Adjacent to the much
larger Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, the 1.6-acre parcel provided
the City of Boston with a unique opportunity for restoration.
Brownfields developments can be challenging even when the
target site will be redeveloped for a lucrative commercial,
residential, or mixed-use development. Redeveloping a site for
an ecological purpose often requires even more creativity when
it comes to partnering and securing funding. In 2004, armed
with a $200,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant, the Boston
Redevelopment Authority leveraged another $393,000 from the
City of Boston to clean up contamination at the site. A group
called Friends of the Belle Isle Marsh assisted with the cleanup
and served as an advocate throughout the life of the project.
The cleanup activities removed approximately 8,600 cubic
yards of soil contaminated with petroleum, asbestos, lead and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To restore the salt
marsh at the site, the City of Boston contributed $60,000 and
received $55,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service.
Residents Enjoy the Belle Isle Coastal Preserve
at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
JUST THE FACTS:
• Brownfields can be used for more
than just construction of new
buildings - they can become open
spaces, parks and wildlife habitat.
• Opportunities abound - the City
of Boston used cleanup funds to
jump start restoration of a salt
marsh; the City of Rock Island
created a riverfront park;
and Kitsap County restored
salmon habitat.
• Benefits go beyond site
boundaries - all three of these
sites provide habitat for migratory
fish or birds; two of the sites
provided vital links in regional
trails; and two of the sites help
improve local water quality.
"You've got to think long term.
We divided the project into
four phases and
bit off small chunks."
- Sally Heffernan,
City of Rock Island
continued
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The restoration consisted of planting native marsh vegetation and restoring some of the tidal
flow to the site. The city contributed the majority of the $92,000 to complete landscaping and
pathways on the site.
The cleanup and redevelopment turned this brownfield into a park, popular for taking walks and
bird watching. In addition to creating new open space, the redevelopment is linked to Belle Isle
Marsh Reservation, providing access to a 152-acre recreation area. This access to open space is
especially important for this neighborhood of East Boston, which has limited access to natural
resources. With the Belle Isle Coastal Preserve completed in 2006, the local population has a
renewed opportunity to experience the diverse ecosystem that the Massachusetts Bay once was.
The Sylvan Slough Natural Area.
Sylvan Slough Natural Area, Rock Island, Illinois
The City of Rock Island, Illinois, found itself faced with
the challenge of what to do with a 5.5-acre brownfield,
located on the banks of the Mississippi River. The Midway
Oil site was a former bulk oil storage facility, fueling
station and warehouse. However, along with many other
properties in the city, industrial closures left the Midway
Oil site and neighboring properties vacant or underutilized.
What appeared to be just another example of industrial
blight provided the city with an opportunity to reclaim a section of riverfront and create a
demonstration project to reduce nonpoint source pollution to the Mississippi.
The success of this project depended on a variety of partners for funding and technical support.
The city received assessment funds from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's
Brownfield Redevelopment Grant Program and oversight through lEPAs Site Remediation
Program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources provided 50% of the funding to
purchase the sites, through an open lands trust grant. This required the site to remain open
space in perpetuity. In 2003, EPA awarded the city a Brownfields Cleanup grant in the amount
of $97,750 to clean up petroleum contamination. Rock Island had support from River Action,
a local nonprofit environmental organization which promotes the site through its "Retain the
Rain" program. River Action paid for design of the Natural Area, the permeable concrete parking
lot, and interpretive signage. Finally, $60,550 of stormwater reduction projects were funded by
the City as a supplemental environmental project in lieu of paying a fine as agreed in a Consent
Decree with EPA.
The cleanup involved demolishing existing structures on the site and remediating contaminated
soil; however the city used some innovative approaches to both tasks. Materials from the
buildings were salvaged and reused on the site, whenever possible. For example, bricks were
processed to use in permeable walking paths. Inert materials (e.g., concrete) were used to fill
basement spaces. Pre-cast concrete panels from former buildings were used for sidewalks and to
delineate planting areas. Another innovative cleanup practice was using bioremediation to clean
up contaminated soil. First, 400 cubic yards soils were excavated and mixed with wood chips
and manure to break down the mostly petroleum-based contaminants. The mixture was wrapped
in black plastic and hydrated as necessary. Within six months, the soil was clean and returned to
the excavations to be used as compost.
continued
Brownfields Success Story
Ecological Restoration:
Restoring Ecosystems on Former Brownfields
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105T)
EPA 560-F-10-210
July 2010
www. epa.gov/brownfields/
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Once cleanup activities were complete, the city replanted with native species to restore this section
of riverfront. But they did not stop there - to further clean up water headed for the Mississippi,
Rock Island used bioswales, permeable paving, a permeable parking area, water garden, and other
best management practices (BMPs) to improve the quality of stormwater runoff from the site. The
site also captures and filters run-on from an adjacent two-million square-foot industrial complex.
These features have the twofold benefit of improving water quality and helping educate the visiting
public about urban nonpoint source pollution through interpretive signs around the site.
In addition to the built features on the site, the Sylvan Slough Natural Area provides a
variety of recreational opportunities. The site features a Bald Eagle observation
area, a picnic area and parking for an adjacent 64-mile riverfront trail and
bicycle path. Interpretive signs describe the historic context of the site, the
creative cleanup and bioremediation, the water quality features, and the
natural resources present onsite today.
CONTACTS:
For more information contact
EPA's Office of Brownfields and Land
Revitalization: (202) 566-2777
Visit the EPA Brownfields Web site at:
www.epa.gov/brownfields/
Sinclair Inlet Restoration Project, Kitsap County, Washington
In Kitsap County, Washington, EPA partnered with the county
government, local residents and other public agencies to turn a group of
four contaminated properties into viable waterfront habitat for salmon
and other native species. Kitsap County lies west of Seattle and has seen its
population increase over the past quarter century, placing increased pressure
on the area's natural resources.
Past activities on the sites included the Evergreen Auto Wrecking site, a concrete
batch plant, lumber mills, a roofing contractor, and a sand and gravel plant, among other industrial
uses. In the past, some of these operators filled portions of the Gorst Creek Estuary to increase the
useable land on their property. In addition to the fill, soil and ground water on these parcels became
contaminated with petroleum products, metals and PAHs.
Around 2003, these areas were being eyed for potential restoration to benefit native salmon
populations and help improve water quality; however, an assessment would have to be performed
first. To get things moving, EPA awarded three Brownfields Cleanup grants, totaling $400,000.
The assessment enabled the county to secure additional funding from EPA, Washington State and
the Port of Bremerton to help with cleanup, community involvement, and restoration activities.
In addition, the county was able to exchange surplus, county-owned property for one of the
waterfront properties.
Taken together, these four sites were a catalyst for the restoration of nearly 11 acres of shoreline
and salt marsh habitat. The new riparian and salt marsh areas provide recreational opportunities and
habitat, and are helping to improve local water quality. In addition, the Sinclair Inlet area will be
connected to a regional trail system called the Mosquito Fleet Trail, a bike and pedestrian trail that
runs along the shoreline of Kitsap County.
As these three examples show, brownfields can be turned into more than buildings and parking lots
- they can be used for waterfront recreation, natural stormwater treatment areas and wildlife habitat.
As with most brownfields projects, partnerships and dedicated local support are crucial for project
success. When combined with the vision to restore a site, these attributes can turn brown to green.
Brownfields Success Story
Ecological Restoration:
Restoring Ecosystems on Former Brownfields
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105T)
EPA 560-F-10-210
July 2010
www. epa.gov/brownfields/
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