Superfund Redevelopment Basics
On this page:
- The Program
- Getting Started with Superfund Redevelopment
- Site-Specific Reuse Support
- Partnerships
- Reuse Success Stories
- Policy, Guidance & Resources
The Program
Superfund Redevelopment has helped communities reclaim and reuse thousands of acres of formerly contaminated land. Through an array of tools, partnerships, and activities, Superfund Redevelopment continues to provide local communities with new opportunities to grow and prosper.
Getting Started with Superfund Redevelopment
Becoming involved in the redevelopment of a Superfund site requires considerations different from other contaminated sites (e.g., brownfields). However, successful Superfund site redevelopment projects from around the country demonstrate that the barriers and challenges can be overcome.
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Getting Started with Superfund Redevelopment (PDF)(1 pg, 380 K)
The steps for Getting Started with Superfund Redevelopment highlight key issues and considerations to think about while planning and undertaking the redevelopment of a site. The redevelopment process will vary depending upon the specific characteristics of the site you are interested in redeveloping.
Additional helpful resources include:
- Top 10 Questions to Ask When Buying a Superfund Site
This document provides answers to some of the most common questions that prospective purchasers may have when considering purchasing property at a privately owned Superfund site.
- Process for Risk Evaluation, Property Analysis and Reuse Decisions (PREPARED) Workbook
This document is a resource for local governments considering the reuse of contaminated properties.
- Prospective Purchaser Inquiry Process (PDF)(4 pp, 802 K)
EPA Region 4 offers a prospective purchaser inquiry process. This free, optional, information service is available to prospective purchasers, sellers, lessees, and other stakeholders involved in the redevelopment of a current or former Superfund removal or remedial site.
- The Revitalization Handbook - Revitalizing Contaminated Lands: Addressing Liability Concerns
This document discusses potential liability associated with cleanup and reuse of Superfund sites and shares tools that may be available to address these liability concerns.
Site-Specific Reuse Support
Superfund redevelopment works with communities to provide site-specific reuse support and help return Superfund sites to productive use. Browse sample reuse plans, reuse assessments and other reports.
This fact sheet describes EPA’s technical assistance services that are available to support the productive reuse and redevelopment of Superfund sites.
Partnerships
Partnerships between EPA, states, tribes, other federal agencies, local governments, communities, land owners, lenders, developers, and parties that are potentially responsible for contamination are a critical factor in the reuse of Superfund sites.
Reuse Success Stories
Communities who have reused sites share their stories so others seeking to reuse sites or address problems can benefit from their experiences.
Policy, Guidance & Resources
EPA has a number of policy and guidance tools that can help stakeholders understand the Superfund program and resources that can help communities return sites to beneficial use.
- Legal Policy and Guidance Relating to Reuse
Legal policy and guidance documents clarify how to obtain federal Superfund liability protection before you purchase a Superfund site and EPA Windfall Liens that might arise on the site. Liability related policy information includes:- 2002 Brownfield Amendments
- Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Status
- Comfort Letters
- EPA Liens
- All Appropriate Inquiry
- Considering Reasonably Anticipated Future Land Use and Reducing Barriers to Reuse at EPA-lead Superfund Remedial Sites (PDF)(14 pp, 1.5 MB)
This 2010 guidance document expands on many of the principles from the 1995 Land Use Directive and provides additional guidance to EPA Regions on considering reasonably anticipated future land use when carrying out response actions under CERCLA, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).
- Reuse Assessments: A Tool to Implement the Land Use Directive (PDF)(24 pp, 83 K)
This 2001 document reaffirms the original Land Use Directive (see above) and expands upon EPA's framework for developing future land use assumptions when making remedy selection decisions for Superfund sites.
- Superfund Ready for Reuse (RfR) Determinations (PDF)(13 pp, 165 K)
This 2004 document provides information on the use and preparation of RfR determinations at Superfund sites including what information is sufficient to support the RfR decision and how to document an RfR determination.
- Land Use in the CERCLA Remedy Selection Process (PDF)(11 pp, 915 K)
This 1995 directive presents a framework for considering land use in making remedy selection decisions under CERCLA at Superfund sites.
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Process for Risk Evaluation, Property Analysis and Reuse Decisions (PREPARED) Workbook (Municipal Acquisition Handbook) (PDF)(212 pp, 6.4 MB)
This document guides local decision makers through a step-by-step process for determining how to facilitate reuse of contaminated properties by considering acquisition and non-acquisition property recovery actions.
Learn more about sites addressed by EPA’s Superfund Program and EPA Initiatives and Programs that can help.
- Cleanups in my Community
Cleanups in my Community is a searchable, site-listing tool that provides cleanup progress profiles for sites and facilities and properties.
- Clu-In
Provides information about innovative treatment and site characterization technologies while acting as a forum for all waste remediation stakeholders.
- Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) at EPA works with all stakeholders to constructively and collaboratively address environmental and public health issues and concerns.
- Green Buildings
The design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal of buildings takes enormous amounts of energy, water, and materials, and generates large quantities of waste, air, and water pollution, as well as creating stormwater runoff and heat islands.
- National Cleanup Databases
Summary of a wide range of environmental information on sites and site cleanup made available by EPA.
- Smart Growth
Through EPA's Smart Growth Program, EPA is helping states and municipalities better understand the impacts of development patterns. "Smart Growth" seeks to preserve greenfields and encourages infill development where pre-existing infrastructure supports reuse.
- Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC)
TASC is a national EPA program that provides technical assistance services to communities. To support healthy communities and strengthen environmental protection, EPA works closely with communities to make sure they have the technical help they need.