EPA plans to redevelop Superfund sites for potential sales

March 15th, 2018 by Dakota Software Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency is one of the major organizations in charge of the Superfund project, which helps identify, contain and rehabilitate sites contaminated by hazardous waste, as well as pursue those who helped damage those areas. Recent statements from the organization indicate it plans to focus more on the redevelopment aspect of the Superfund site management process, where certain parcels that fall under that designation may eventually be sold to new owners and used in certain ways. Although the process is still in its early stages, chief administrator Scott Pruitt has indicated general support for cleaning and refreshing the sites in the past. He may prioritize the program going forward.

A variety of abandoned Superfund properties may be redeveloped.

Superfund sites may find new life

A January press release from the federal environmental regulator indicated two sites in New England - one in New Bedford, MA, and another in Stratford, CT - were identified as having notable redevelopment potential. The release also indicated they have a significant degree of possible future commercial use.

"EPA plays a very important role coordinating closely with local and state partners to help New England communities pursue redevelopment opportunities at Superfund sites that can spur both improved community health and economic revitalization," said Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, EPA regional administrator, in the release. "New Bedford Harbor and Raymark Industries are two sites that we are focused on bringing back into productive re-use."

In the same release, Pruitt said one of the EPA's goals is to reintegrate the contaminated sites - usually closed to any outside entry, much less sale - into their communities and use the sometimes-substantial landmasses to their benefit.

Another site, located near Sonoma, CA, is already back on the market, according to a report from local newspaper the Cloverdale Reveille. The former location of a brake factory, the five-acre site has already proven attractive to a new developer, just as it did when the brake facility was initially built. A local company has a lease-to-own option in place, to conduct its due diligence and facilitate potential future construction.

The EPA's push to redevelop Superfund sites can be seen as a move away from more restrained approaches in the past. For businesses, the most immediate impact is likely the increased availability of a variety of sites already used for many different commercial and industrial purposes. However, the decision also provides an intriguing look at current priorities within the agency.