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FORTY PILOT PROJECTS SELECTED, FUNDS AWARDED TORETURN TOXIC WASTE SITES TO PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY USE

Release Date: 07/13/2000
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EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner and the Clinton-Gore Administration announced today that 40 new Superfund Redevelopment Pilots have been selected and that nearly
$4 million will be divided among them to help communities return toxic waste sites to productive use. These pilots are receiving up to $100,000 each to help put back into commercial and recreational use the nation’s worst sites -- those listed on the National Priorities List (NPL).

“The Clinton-Gore Administration has cleaned up more toxic waste sites faster and more cost effectively than ever before in history. Now we are showing that by working with communities, these sites can be restored in ways that lead to productive, economically viable use,” said Browner. “The Superfund Redevelopment Pilot projects are proving that economic development and environmental protection go hand-in-hand.”

In July 1999, Administrator Browner kicked off the initiative by awarding $1 million in first round pilot financial assistance to ten communities nationwide. With this second round of Superfund Redevelopment Pilots, the Agency intends to award nearly $4 million to towns, cities, counties, and states across the nation. These funds will be used for a variety of activities designed to develop local input on anticipated future uses, including the following: public outreach; facilitation of community services; coordination between different levels of government and community members; training of community members and local governments on reusing Superfund sites; and developing reuse assessments and reuse plans.

Many Superfund sites are already being reused as a result of economic conditions or the foresight of local communities or individuals. To date, 190 NPL sites are being reused as retail stores, office buildings, golf courses, softball fields and tree groves. Of the reused sites that have been analyzed, more than 13,000 acres have been returned to ecological or recreational reuse and approximately 14,500 jobs representing $450 million in annual income are located on recycled sites with commercial use.

The Clinton-Gore Administration has completed more than three times as many Superfund site cleanups than previous Administrations. In addition, over the past seven years, EPA has made significant improvements in the Superfund initiative, making the cleanup process 20 percent faster and the cost of cleaning up a site 20 percent less expensive.

One example of a successfully reused Superfund Site is the Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda, Montana. Once a former copper smelting and processing area, golf legend Jack Nicklaus helped transform this site into a recreational and tourist destination by designing a golf course that incorporates many of the features of the old industrial site. This 1,500- acre property employs 20 people and will help revitalize the town of Anaconda.

Overall, EPA or potentially responsible parties are providing up to $100,000 in financial assistance and/or services to each pilot. Applicants are offered several types of program assistance including funding through a cooperative agreement, personnel through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act and access to facilitation services.

A cooperative agreement is the formal mechanism by which EPA is providing the funds. Thirty-seven out of the 40 pilots will develop a cooperative agreement to fund their activities. EPA is providing facilitation services for five of the pilots. Facilitators will help the communities identify stakeholders, hold public meetings and reach a consensus on the reuse of a site. Additionally, EPA may help fund a position for a federal agency expert for at least one of the pilots. By using an Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignment, a federal agency expert can work with a local government on predicting potential reuses for a site.

The mission of EPA’s Superfund program is the timely and efficient assessment and cleanup of the nation’s worst hazardous waste sites. Through its Administrative Reforms and Superfund experience, EPA has become increasingly aware of the importance of fully exploring future land use opportunities with communities before choosing and performing the cleanup. This process assures that the cleanup is protective of human health and the environment and consistent with the anticipated future uses.

Along with EPA’s Brownfields pilots, these pilots emphasize EPA’s goal of environmental protection through cleanup activities that allow for the conversion of once-blighted properties into valuable community assets. The towns, cities and states selected to receive pilot funds are: Corinna, Maine; Lowell, Mass.; Walpole, Mass.; New Bedford, Mass.; Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, Mass.; Woburn, Mass.; Merrimack, N.H.; Stratford, Conn.; Gowanda, N.Y.; Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; West Winfield, N.Y.; Camden, N.J.; Newark, N.J.; Glen Cove, N.Y. (received designation/no funding); Philadelphia, Penn.; Hagerstown, Md.;Chattanooga, Tenn.; Spartanburg County, S.C.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Waukegan, Ill.; Kokomo, Ind.; Calumet, Mich.; Allegan, Mich.; Board of Lake Township Trustees, Ohio; South Milwaukee, Wis.; Chicago Department of the Environment, Ill.; Alexandria, La.; Cushing, Okla.; Plainview, Ark.; East Feliciana Parish Police Jury, La.; Texas City, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Jasper County Commission, Mo.; Board of Lake County Commissioners, Colo.; State of Utah; Denver (City and County), Colo.; Butte-Silver Bow Planning Board, Mont.; Alameda, Calif.; Santa Fe Springs, Calif.; and Panhandle Health District I, Idaho.

For further information: www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle/index.htm.

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