Brownfields

ByMeghan NuttingJosh Novikoff

Michelle NewtonJames MarkyAndrea Olmos

Definition of Brownfields

abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or

perceived environmental contamination

Why do Brownfields Exist?

The high cleanup costs and liability issues associated with brownfields in combination with urban flight and the decline of heavy industry are factors that have helped foster the proliferation of brownfield sites across

the U.S.

Brownfields FactsAbandoned brownfield sites are scattered throughout the country. By some counts, the number may be in excess of 500,000 sites.A George Washington University Study shows that every acre of redeveloped brownfields saves 4.5 acres of undeveloped land.Alternative sites for industrial and commercial facilities on “greenfields” requires additional tax expenditures for the infrastructure development of roads, sewers, schools, residences, etc. Putting brownfields back into service represents an environmental and economic opportunity to avoid redundant infrastructure development and tax dollar expenditures while limiting the burden imposed on the environment and habitats.

Biophysical

contamination is categorized as either hazardous or toxiccan adversely affect humans and wildlife polluted sites have the potential to cause problems outside the brownfield boundaries due to the capability of toxic substances to enter the groundwatercommon site pollutants include PCBs and BTEX chemicals

Socioeconomic

industrial revolution- many urban industrial sites were developed and pollutedmany sites now abandoned and overlooked in favor of cleaner, undeveloped suburban land left with numerous brownfield sites across the country that have been abandoned and idle for years sites have not been cleaned and returned to use and productivity due to the high costs of doing so and because of liability issues

Socioeconomic cont’d

Many urban dwellers followed businesses and jobs to the suburbs, creating a population deficit in cities around the country. This resulted in a

diminished tax base in urban communities, urban sprawl, and a disparity of wealth between urban

and suburban areas. These financial problems left cities with insufficient resources to clean up

brownfield sites themselves, which has meant that they have been unused for long periods of time.

Policy

Policy

2001- The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Actsuperfund reform was disassociated from the bill authorizes $150 million per year to State and local governments to perform assessments and clean up at brownfield sites and $50 million per year to establish and enhance State brownfield programs.

Brownfields Policy Must Address the Following Issues

Third party liability cleanup costs if contamination runs off siteFirst party pollution for contamination not discovered until after the policy is boundLegal defense costsRemediation cost overrunsPost-remediation warranty for any contamination missed during remediation, as well as new contamination from other sources

Pros and Cons of Brownfields Revitalization

Conserve greenfieldsConserve resourcesConserve taxpayer money and not build new infrastructurePrevent urban sprawlEncourage urban revitalizationCreates new jobs

Amnesty to pollutersTaxpayers pay for clean-upLack of thoroughness in clean upTime and cost constraintsFocus on achieving minimum state regulations

Can this process be applied to other issues?

An agreement between environment, community, government, and economics.

Easily replicated?Or did everyone’s interests just happen to

coincide?