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EPA Recognizes Universal City Property Management, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Facility

Release Date: 05/10/2004
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov Laura Niles, (404) 562-8353, niles.laura@epa.gov
Today the United States Environmental Protection Agency recognized Universal City Property Management (UCPM) and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Facility for working in close cooperation with each other along with Federal, State, and local agencies to streamline the hazardous waste cleanup process at the Sand Lake Road Complex (SLRC) property in Orlando, Florida. The property redevelopment will lead to more than $3 billion in income producing properties. Therefore, expediting the corrective action process is a pivotal element in redeveloping the property into a significant income producing area of regional importance in Orlando.

This innovative approach has been developed, implemented and refined at Universal resulting in fast-tracked cleanups that have saved substantial dollars and time based on conventional RCRA corrective action. The strategy was founded around the following pillars:

- Team based collaborative approach;

- Focused and results-oriented use of RCRA corrective action pipeline;

- Innovative waste and contaminated media characterization and handling process; and

- State approved variance or "contained out" determination and process as established by land disposal restriction treatment standards.

The benefits gained are consistent with newly developed, more flexible RCRA rules and policies initiated by EPA; expedited cleanup, and reduced compliance and oversight costs, while maintaining protection of human health and the environment. This was a win-win situation for EPA, FLDEP, the metropolitan Orlando area and Universal Studios in meeting aggressive cleanup goals. It is estimated this process has saved $0.5 to $1 million, which will be directed to other SLRC priority clean-up efforts, enhancing benefit to the public. Finally, this innovative approach reduced the environmental remediation liabilities and expedites returning the land to unrestricted use for future generations.

UCPM's plan is to redevelop the property into a mixed commercial use project, including convention, resort, commercial and hotel enterprises. Currently the ongoing environmental assessment and remediation activities are being planned, coordinated and implemented in conjunction with the high visibility redevelopment program.

The property is located off Sand Lake Road in Orlando, Florida. The complex covers approximately two thousand (2,000) acres. The acreage was purchased from Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) in December 1998. LMC operated on this land from 1958 to 1996 to develop, manufacture, and test a variety of missiles, guided projectiles, weapons delivery systems and communication and electronics systems. LMC was subject to corrective action through Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments and post-closure of a RCRA regulated unit.