www.epa.gov
Superfund Reuse: Planning for the Future
SUPERFUND REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
What are Regional Seeds?
Regional seeds are resources provided by
the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
(SRI) to communities at the request ot EPA
Region staff.
Regional seeds provide an important
catalyst for communities to begin the
process of returning a Superfund site to
productive reuse.
Many sites that have reuse potential are
vacant arid abandoned due to a lack of
knowledge about the remedy components,
the range of potential safe future uses and
the key steps and players needed to
transform a site into reuse.
The seed concept provides an initial
investment to bring the right stakeholders to
the table, clarify remedy constraints, and
outline suitable reuse options for the local
community to pursue.
Once the reuse planning process gains
momentum, communities can leverage the
initial regional seed investment with local
resources to continue the process of
transforming the Superfund site into
productive reuse.
For more information on the SRI program
see the website at:
www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle
Overview of Superfund Redevelopment
What is the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI)?
EPA has set a national goal of returning formerly contaminated lands to long-term
sustainable and productive reuse. In 1999, EPA launched the Superfund
Redevelopment Initiative. SRI is a nationally coordinated program to offer guidance,
tools and services to help communities overcome obstacles to reuse at Superfund
sites. Since its inception, SRI has helped communities reclaim thousands of acres of
formerly contaminated land for commercial, industrial, residential, recreational and
ecological uses. Today, there are more than 500 Superfund sites in new and continued
use.
Why plan for Superfund reuse?
Planning for reuse at Superfund sites provides multiple benefits:
o Community revitalization including jobs, retail amenities and housing;
o Recreation and open space including sports fields, parks, habitat and trails;
o Site stewardship including long-term remedy protectiveness; and
o Reduction in stigma associated with a formerly contaminated site.
How does reuse planning fit with the cleanup process?
Pre-remedy
Planning for the future use of a site during the remedy process can ensure the
remedy selected will support the desired future use. A reasonable anticipated
future land use can inform the base line risk assessment, the remedy selection
and remedy design, as well as the phasing of clean up.
Post-remedy
Once cleanup is complete at a Superfund Site, either recently, or many years
ago, reuse planning can ensure that the desired new use for the site is
consistent with the cleanup remedy, particularly if remedy components
remain in place at the site. Reuse planning at this phase can also assist in
removing unnecessary barriers to reuse.
How can a community obtain free reuse planning services?
Each year, SRI sets aside a limited number of resources to provide in-kind reuse
planning services through the assistance of a national contractor with expertise in the
reuse of contaminated sites. In addition, EPA regions may also be able to provide
resources. The program does not provide funding for environmental assessment,
cleanup or redevelopment. Contact your local Region's Reuse Coordinator for more
information.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative

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www.epa.gov
Superfund Reuse: Planning for the Future
SUPERFUND REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Benefits of Reuse Planning
Reuse planning can provide multiple benefits
including:
¦	Improve relations among stakeholders
by identifying common goals, clarifying
responsibilities and establishing
productive partnerships;
¦	Ensure the protectiveness of the site by
evaluating the compatibility of the
desired future use with the remedy;
¦	Foster long-term stewardship of the site
by resolving ownership and
maintenance responsibilities, and
building an invested community;
¦	Reduce site stigma by informing
community members of the site's status
and potential and removing potential
barriers to reuse;
¦	Potentially reduce costs by tailoring
remedy design and maintenance to fit
iong-term stewardship goals; and
¦	Provide jobs, recreational facilities, retail
or other community amenities.
For more information on the SRI program
see the website at:
www.epa.qov/superfund/programs/recycle
Reuse Planning Services
The Situation Assessment
Purpose: Gather preliminary information to determine initial site reuse potential
and scope further reuse planning assistance if deemed valuable.
Activities: Typically includes visiting the site and community; convening the key
players including EPA, the State, tribes, the local government, the site owner and
community representatives; stakeholder interviews to determine reuse goals and
considerations; and preliminary review of site documents and planning documents.
Outcome: A situation assessment report that outlines preliminary reuse
considerations and recommendations for additional reuse planning activities.
A Reuse Assessment
Purpose: Determine a range of suitable potential future uses for the site to inform
the clean up process and local planning efforts.
Activities: Typically includes refining future use goals in discussion with the site
owner, local government and community; conducting an analysis of the site and
surrounding neighborhood to evaluate the suitability of potential future uses;
integrating the reuse goals and site analysis into a reuse framework that outlines a
range of potential suitable uses; and sharing with stakeholders for review and input.
Outcome: A final report summarizing reuse goals, the site analysis, a reuse
framework, remedy considerations and recommended next steps.
A Reuse Plan
Purpose: Outline specific locations and uses for the site based on additional
stakeholder discussion and analysis.
Activities: This phase may include developing several scenarios for consideration, or
outlining more detailed considerations for a single scenario for stakeholder review
discussion and refinement.
Outcome: A final report summarizes reuse goals, the site analysis, the reuse plan or
scenarios, remedy and reuse considerations and recommended next steps.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is an integral part of each phase of the reuse planning
process and can range in scope from contacting key stakeholders, forming and
facilitating an advisory committee or hosting a public open house to gather
stakeholder input.
Implementation Tools
EPA offers wide range of additional tools to help communities return sites to
productive use. These tools include: videos, case studies, technical reports, comfort
letters, and environmental status reports called Ready for Reuse Determinations.
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative

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