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Frequently Asked Questions
EPA's RCRA Brownfields Prevention Initiative
Pilots
Purpose of Pilots & the Identification of Potential Applicants
Q1 What are the benefits of being a pilot?
A1 Benefits may include: expedited
cleanup; field testing of available
administrative flexibility and
other relevant RCRA cleanup
reform tools; crafting of
innovative approaches that
emphasize site outcomes and
eliminate unnecessary process
steps; possible EPA sponsorship of
public meetings and related
outreach activities; and improved
prospects for revitalization and
redevelopment.
Q2 Who should apply?
A2 Individuals, decision making
groups, government entities, and
stakeholders seeking integrative
solutions and innovative
approaches that may address
RCRA issues at cleanup sites are
good applicant candidates for
these pilots. For example, a
representative from EPA Regions,
State, local government, or
communities overseeing a cleanup/
redevelopment may apply.
Likewise, a developer, a
prospective buyer, or an
owner/operator whose entire
property or parcels of the
property are subject to RCRA
operating cleanup requirements
may also apply.
The RCRA Brownfields Prevention Initiative
~	The purpose of the Resource Conservation
& Recovery Act (RCRA) Brownfields
Initiative is to prevent future brownfields
and insure the successful cleanup and
long-term, sustainable reuse of RCRA
facilities.
~	The initiative seeks to build on statutory
and regulatory flexibility that currently
exists within the RCRA statute and
regulations.
~	The initiative is not about legislative
reform or regulatory relief ; rather it is
designed to improve how the government
implements its programs and works with
stakeholders to yield more efficient results
for communities and the environment.
~	In March 2000, EPA and States selected an
initial round of four RCRA Brownfields
pilots to showcase RCRA Cleanup
Reforms and develop solutions that take
advantage of existing statutory &
regulatory flexibility.
~	EPA is now asking EPA Regions, States,
local governments, communities, and other
stakeholders to submit proposals for the
second round of RCRA Brownfields pilots
no later than February 1, 2001.

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Q3 What are examples of RCRA cleanup/redevelopment projects that may qualify for these
RCRA Brownfields pilots?
A3 A brief list of examples of RCRA cleanup/redevelopment projects that may qualify for
pilots include: parcels of a property subject to RCRA post-closure care requirements; a
regulated unit being closed under clean closure requirements; cleanup of RCRA treatment,
storage, or disposal facilities (both permitted & interim status); RCRA properties
undergoing corrective actions at high and non-high priority facilities such as generator
sites; restoration/redevelopment projects under state voluntary cleanup programs; and
large facility complexes trying to redevelop property parcels. Other communities who are
stakeholders of redevelopment projects that address RCRA cleanup concerns are also good
candidates, specifically, those with low income/minority populations or at Tribal lands.
Important Information About the Pilots
Q4 What level of funding will EPA allocate to the selected pilots?
A4 Just as in the first round of RCRA Brownfields pilots, EPA is not allocating pilot funding.
However, limited funding may become available for EPA to sponsor a few public meetings
and support other related pilot outreach activities.
Q5 What is the timeline for pilot results?
A5 Pilots should complete activities within two years. However, EPA plans to report
preliminary accomplishments at Brownfields 2001 in September 2001.
Q6 What are the selection criteria applicants should address?
Brownfields Defined
Brownfields are abandoned, idled or
underutilized industrial and commercial
properties where expansion or redevelop-
ment is complicated by real or perceived
environmental contamination.
EPA's Brownfields program is designed to
empower states, cities, Indian Tribes,
communities, and others to work together
to prevent, assess, cleanup, and
sustainably reuse Brownfield sites.
A6 For a discussion of the selection
criteria, please see the December 22,
2000, memorandum titled: Upcoming
CY2001 Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) Brownfield
Pilots: Application Guidelines.
Selection Process, and Criteria, from
Timothy Fields, Jr., Assistant
Administrator, Office of Solid Waste
and Emergency Response to RCRA
and Superfund Regional Policy
Managers.
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

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Application Process
Q7 How do I apply?
A7 Interested parties should first contact the key stakeholders of a candidate
cleanup/redevelopment pilot. In addition, a potential applicant should inform the EPA
Regional Workgroup contact about the intended pilot proposal. EPA Regional Workgroup
contacts can provide you with assistance in developing the application, if needed. Regional
contacts are listed towards the end of this flyer. Once an interested party determines that
his/her RCRA cleanup/redevelopment project may meet the selection criteria, the applicant
should submit two copies of the application to EPA no later than February 1, 2001.
RCRA Cleanup Reforms
RCRA Cleanup Reforms are EPA's comprehensive effort to address the key impediments to
cleanups, maximize program flexibility, and spur progress towards a set of ambitious
national cleanup goals.
Two examples of RCRA Reforms being implemented or developed to help streamline RCRA
cleanups include:
•	Hazardous Remediation Waste Management Requirements (HWIR-Media) and Post
Closure Rules. These rules limit the applicability in certain situations of some RCRA
requirements such as land disposal restrictions, minimum technological
requirements, and permitting, or provide alternative requirements more tailored to
cleanup situations.
•	Guidance on Results-Based Approaches for RCRA Corrective Action. This guidance
will stress that results-based approaches which emphasize outcomes and eliminate
unnecessary process steps, should be a significant part of state/regional Corrective
Action programs.
For an overview of these and other RCRA Cleanup Reforms, see the EPA document titled:
RCRA Cleanup Reforms, July 1999, EPA 530-F-99-018. Also, visit our Website:
http://www.epa.gov/correctiveaction
Q8 How can my application be more successful?
A8 Your application may be more successful by following up on each action item and
important date provided below:
1.	Check with key project stakeholders and government representatives.
2.	Inform your EPA Regional Workgroup Contact (see list below).
3.	Answer the pilot's criteria succinctly and directly (see Q6 & A6).
4.	Submit two copies no later than February 1, 2000, as follows:

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