ResilientReuse: GreenInfrastructure& Brownfields
CarrieMartin,AICP EnvironmentalSustainabilityPlanner
NJITTABEPAREGION
4
NJIThasservedasanEPAdesignated technicalassistanceprovidersince2008
NJITTABservesasanindependentresourcestostate, territory,regional,county,tribal,andlocalgovernment entities,andnonprofitsattemptingtolearnabout,identify, assess,cleanupandredevelopbrownfields.
Assistanceisfree!
“Brownfieldland”asalegalconcept
“Realproperty,theexpansion,redevelopment,orreuseofwhich maybecomplicatedbythepresenceorpotentialpresenceofa hazardoussubstance,pollutant,orcontaminant.”*
PublicLaw107-118(H.R.2869)
UsedinEPA’sBrownfieldandLandRevitalizationProgram
*Note:thisdefinitionincludesresidentialproperties “Brownfieldsites”meanssitesthataregenerallyabandoned, idled,orunder-usedindustrialandcommercialproperties whereexpansionorredevelopmentiscomplicatedbyactualor perceivedenvironmentalcontamination. Section376.79
FloridaStatues
Disadvantagesofbrownfieldsites
Potentialharmtohumanhealth&the environment
Canattractunwanted&illegalactivity
Lowerssurroundingpropertyvalue
Reduceslocalworkopportunities
Lost/reducedtaxrevenue
Limitseconomicgrowth
IncreasingExtremeEvents:AThreat
Multiplier
• Extremeweathereventshavebecome morefrequentandintenseoverthelast 40years,andthenumberandvalueof propertyinharm’swayhasgoneup.
• Thishasledtoasharpriseindisasters whosedamages/costsexceed$1billion.
Between2018and2022,Floridahad thehighesttotaldamagesfrom billion-dollardisastersinthenation.
Source:FifthNationalClimateAssessment
Figurecredit:MississippiStateUniversity
ExtremeEvents:ImpactsonBrownfields
Unaddressed brownfieldsitesare susceptibleto increasedand repeateddamage fromextremeevents thatcanmobilize contaminantsand compromise structureson brownfieldsites.
CommunityBurden
Communitiesofcolorand low-incomecommunitiesmay bearadisproportionateburden ofthenegativeimpactsof brownfieldsandincreasing extremeweatherevents.
Infographic:“SupportingEnvironmentalJusticeThroughEPABrownfields andLandRevitalization”,EPA;10/13/2021
“Acapabilitytoanticipate,preparefor,respondto,andrecoverfrom significantmulti-hazardthreatswithminimumdamagetosocial well-being,theeconomy,andtheenvironment”-EPA
Source:USEPA’sSuperfundClimateResilience
Structuresdamagedbyflooding
Elevatedstructure
BuildingResilience Through Brownfield Redevelopment
PositiveSocial Impacts
• Removeshealth& safetyhazards
• Removeseyesores; improvescommunity appearance/aesthetic
• Alleviatescommunity fear&worry
• Provides community-needed landuses
ImagescourtesyofE.ChristianWells
BuildingResilience Through Brownfield Redevelopment
Positive Economic Impacts
• Spurseconomic development
• Createsjobs
• Increasestaxrevenues
• Providesadiverse economicbase
BuildingResilience Through Brownfield Redevelopment
Positive Environmental Impacts
• Removescontaminants &pollutants
• Improvedair&water quality,natural habitats
• Buildresiliencetoflood orextremeheat
ImagescourtesyofE.ChristianWells
Potentiallycontaminated brownfieldsite
Source:USEPA’sBrownfieldsandPublicHealth
Paved,impervioussite androadareas
Poordrainagefor stormwater management
Removeandreduce contaminantstocleanthesite
Source:USEPA’sBrownfieldsandPublicHealth
Addsafe,pervioussurfaces forwalkingorbiking
Improvedrainage andstormwater management
Pavementanddark, heat-absorbing materials
Source:USEPA’sBrownfieldsandPublicHealth
Lackofplantsand greenspace
Uselightercolorand reflectivepavement andmaterials
Source:USEPA’sBrownfieldsandPublicHealth
Planttrees,addwater featuresandexpand greenspace
ClimateConsiderationsforBrownfields
• Isyourbrownfieldcommunityseeingincreasingstorm events?Consideridentifyingandprioritizingyourbrownfield sitesforredevelopment.
• Whenprioritizingbrownfieldsites,yoursites’vulnerability tonaturalhazards(i.e.,flooding,extremeheat).
• CollaboratewithFloridaDEPtodeterminewhatsolutions wouldbeappropriateforyoursites.
• RefertoNJITTAB’s“GreenStormwaterInfrastructureDecision Tree”ifyouhavemanysitesandwanttoquicklyidentifyif greeninfrastructuremayberightforthem.
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