Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
by 2015. Germany is aiming to reduce greenield consumption by 75% by 2020 (Genske,
2003). The USEPA made special efforts since 1998 to encourage brownield redevelopment—
in line with the goals of sustainability (USEPA, 1999a). Three cities, Baltimore (Maryland),
Portland (Oregon), and Chattanooga (Tennessee) were selected as EPA pilot cities. Aspects
of these programs included (a) an inventory of the brownield sites, (b) development of
awareness programs, (c) cleanup and redevelopment criteria, and (d) inding inancing
mechanisms for cleanup. The aims of these programs were to (1) catalyze business, (2) cre-
ate jobs, (3) clean up the environment, (4) rebuild the community, (5) promote land use, and
(6) reduce urban sprawl as a means to reduce contamination.
An overview of the action plan devised by the USEPA (1999b) regarding brownield
development is shown in Figure 7.10. The irst part of the evaluation is the collection and
assessment of the environmental information for the site. The data will determine what
cleanup may be required depending on the intended use of the land. These data will need
to be compared with regulatory levels to determine if the contaminant levels in the site are
above or below regulatory limits. The National Brownield Program has resulted in the
assessment of over 20,000 sites, 872 cleanups, and almost 16,200 hectares made ready for
reuse (USEPA, 2014).
Once a cleanup option has been chosen for a brownield, the technology will be imple-
mented and monitored to determine if cleanup levels are reached. Additional contamination
No
Site assessment
and investigation
Determine if site
is contaminated
Redevelopment is
possible
Yes
Evaluation
according to
regulations
No
Is cleanup of site
required?
Yes
Examine
cleanup options
Are cleanup options economic
and technically feasible?
Yes
Additional
remediation
procedures
Further
evaluation
of risks
Was contamination
removed, controlled
or contained?
No
Yes
No
Toward
redevelopment
Yes
End of
project
Is redevelopment practical?
FIGURE 7.10
Evaluation of a brownield project. (Adapted from USEPA, Road Map to Understanding Innovative Technology
Options for Brownields Investigation and Cleanup , 2nd ed., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ofice of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response, Washington, DC, EPA, 542 B-99-009, 1999b.)
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