Page 238 - Beyond Decommissioning

Experience and lessons learned 219

transfer of contaminants to air and/or water, an intensive use of resources, and the level of cleanup
achieved can be unsuitable for the selected new use of the brownfield site. One critical step in the
redevelopment process is the selection of assessment criteria that determine the need for and
extent of site remediation; the resulting cost—if too high—can be a barrier to the market appeal
of a site. Existing buildings and other structures, when not adapted for reuse, are dismantled and
can be another environmental issue in terms of waste management.
The site clearance, demolition, and remediation phases should be integrated. The redevelop-
ment approach should address environmental protection and land planning issues in a holistic
manner. RBLM leads remediation goals, remediation strategies/technologies and pre- and post-
cleanup site investigation strategies/technologies toward the common objective of site redevelop-
ment (EUGRIS, 2005).

Many factors affect the reuse potential of contaminated sites. These factors and site
features include, among others (EPA, 2018a):
1. Site type
2. Site size and configuration
3. Type and extent of contamination
4. Current status of the site
5. Projected use of the site
6. Real estate market conditions

1. Knowing the type of site will help take advantage of revitalization mechanisms and
understand the opportunities and barriers to reuse. Some legal, financial, or technical
revitalization resources may only apply to certain sites. For example, in the USA Super-
fund sites on the NPL are normally not eligible for brownfields grants. Depending on the
location of the site, zoning restrictions may apply, which would exclude or complicate
certain reuse options.
2. The size and features of the site are prime elements of its planned reuse. The sheer size and
geographical shapes will determine the expanse and layout of buildings to be constructed,
and empty spaces inside and outside them. Accessibility to the site is another key element,
with connecting roads and railroads, canals and rivers, docks and piers being all conducive to
success of the redevelopment project.
3. A considerable, but unknown a priori, share of previously used land is affected by the con-
tamination resulting from past industrial activities. In some cases, the concentration of con-
taminants may be so small as to pose little risk (and require no remediation) but other sites
may contain contaminants which, by their toxicity and concentration have the potential to
cause significant harm to human health and the environment. Remaining contamination may
or may not be compatible with the site reuse.
4. Current site conditions affect redevelopment possibilities. Sites may be perceived to have
contamination issues, but need to be fully characterized before any concrete action can
be taken. Other sites may have partially been cleaned up in the past to address urgent con-
tamination hazards, but more cleanup work will be needed to allow redevelopment. Many
sites can be reused during the cleanup work insofar as the owner or user of the site is aware of
the restrictions, such as refraining from digging or using ground water wells.
5. Geographical, environmental, and administrative constraints will determine the baseline for
the decision-making on possible redevelopment. But a number of other factors will have to