Brownfields Redevelopment - A Restoration Policy Opportunity for the US Army?
Abstract
The U.S. Army, as a part of the DoD complex and owner of a large number of environmentally distressed sites, has a significant role to play in the restoration program confronting the U.S. Army mechanism. This role can potentially facilitate this restoration process, even if it requires a significant "rethinking" of how the "Army does business" and is thus worthy of consideration. This report summarizes the findings of a study undertaken to examine the potential for the Brownfields Redevelopment Program proposed by the EPA for urban areas to impact Army restoration policy. The term "Brownfields" has been used to describe sites that "are abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination." The report summarizes the current restoration mechanisms being employed by the Army and then presents an overview of the Brownfields approach. The potential for Brownfields Redevelopment to become an additional mechanism for the Army is discussed and recommendations for future actions to explore this initiative are provided. It is considered that preliminary arguments regarding the non-applicability of Brownfields Redevelopment for military sites are non-persuasive. The Brownfields approach is not to be considered as a replacement method for the existing programs currently in place to restore Army lands, but rather valued as an alternative method which may be applicable at some sites and may prove to be a more cost-effective and efficient way to deal with restoration. It is considered that Brownfields Redevelopment Initiative does represent an alternative restoration policy option for the Army and is worthy of further study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA594328