BROWNFIELDS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) defines a brownfield as real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Brownfields are traditionally seen as the consequences of past manufacturing and heavy industrial operations. Within Washington County there are currently 140 brownfields, occupying 10,000 acres, which is 2% of the county’s total land area.
The goal of the RACW is to remediate and prepare sites for redevelopment. Since clean up standards vary based on future use, redevelopment can present a broad range of future opportunities for communities with brownfield sites. Communities throughout the country have attracted new industries to brownfield sites and also have been successful at transforming former industrial sites into new residential, commercial, recreational, and mixed-use developments.
The PA Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and US EPA consider mine-scarred lands, or abandoned mine lands, as brownfields. The RACW also includes these former mine lands in its “Brownfields Program” in order to identify and possibly remediate and reuse underutilized and potentially dangerous mine sites throughout the county. Other examples of brownfield sites include closed mills, chemical plants, oil refineries, gas stations, slag dumps, mine dumps, bottling plants, storage facilities, and other similar industries.
BROWNFIELDS INITIATIVE
The goal of the RACW’s “Brownfields Initiative” is to identify, remediate, market, and reuse abandoned industrial and commercial properties that have become detriments to their respective communities. Recently the RACW was awarded two Environmental Assessment Grants to assess selected brownfield sites. Also, the RACW is working to partner private investment and public resources to make these sites attractive and productive.
After successful remediation and development of brownfields, communities can see visible results of revitalization efforts in the form of community and economic development projects. The RACW will assist developers by linking them with available sites and financial resources and facilitating municipal and community efforts. Goals include eliminating blight, creating jobs, increasing the county’s tax base, and improving the vitality of businesses, neighborhoods, and the county's culture as a whole.
BENEFITS OF REDEVELOPING BROWNFIELDS
Redeveloping brownfield sites allows communities to rebuild thriving business districts, allows rural areas to cut down on urban sprawl by keeping new developments close to current developments and reduces health risks imposed by any contamination on the sites. Revitalizing business districts benefits the whole community through revenue, addition to the tax base and bringing more jobs to the area. Each brownfield site is unique in terms of its market for potential reuse; therefore, reuse can be diverse allowing for all types of development. Also, infrastructure is usually already present, making it easier for development to be carried out and sets the basis for future traffic patterns.
With proper planning, resource gathering, and strategizing, communities that have suffered economic decline in the past can effectively redevelop brownfields to create vibrant, successful, and productive communities.
