Ms. Mandel 2014

 I can explain what a Brownfield site is.  I can explain how a Brownfield site is restored to a usable piece of property.

Brownfields are “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…" – CT DEP

 1990’s- Fed. And State Government decided to take action on land that was sitting unused because of the potential hazards that they contained.  Unknown liabilities were preventing communities from restoring these sites.  Jan. 11, Federal Law expands assistance for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revitalization, and job training.  This opens the door to allow real change to take place in these areas.

 Piece of land that was once used for industrial purposes and is now typically abandoned because of suspected contamination. Can you name one Brownfield site in Newington? What has this property been used for that led to it being identified as a Brownfield (contaminated) site?

 A contaminant is a toxic chemical that can harm humans and/or the environment.  Contaminants can pollute water, air, and/or soil. Mercury Benzene Arsenic

 Asbestos - Causes respiratory problems  Benzene - Causes cancer  Lead and Copper – Neurotoxins which cause nervous system problems  Mercury – Causes neurological problems. Greatly affects fish populations.

 Discounted real estate cost  Valuable location  Reduce pressure on undeveloped land  Preserve historical or architecturally significant buildings  Eliminate health and safety hazards  Improve community

 Usually a portable drilling rig is brought to the site  A well is installed. Soil is sampled as the well is drilled.  Groundwater is sampled and analyzed for the suspected pollutants.

 Get rid of contaminants ◦ Excavation techniques ◦ Removing tainted soil ◦ Testing groundwater  Stop the contaminants from spreading  Refurbish or rebuild on the newly cleaned site

 Inventory of Site - what’s there and how much?  Assessment - Can reclamation occur?  Funding - Federal and/or Private ◦ Amount required for each stage of redevelopment  Remedial Design and Construction ◦ Apply appropriate technology to clean or contain pollution ◦ 13 approved clean-up technologies ◦ Each site clean-up is specific to the pollutants and geology of that site  Package site for sale or development

 Develop understanding of: ◦ Type of pollutants ◦ Horizontal & vertical extent of pollution  Impact on the environment: ◦ Are streams, lakes, rivers polluted? ◦ Is the underground water table polluted? ◦ Is the pollution localized or widespread? ◦ Are plants/animals affected?

Contaminant Possible source of contamination Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium chromium, lead, mercury metal finishing/plating shops, manufacturing and foundries, coal burning power plants and landfills Gasoline/constituents of gasoline: gasoline, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene gasoline stations, tank farms, pipelines Solvents: tetrachloroethlyene, trichloroethylene, III- trichloroethane dry cleaners, machine shops, metal finishing/plating shops Petroleum products leaking underground storage tank methane gas decomposing waste materials found in landfills PAH (polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons) PAHs are a group of over 100 different chemicals formed during the incomplete burning of many things including coal, oil, garbage, and cigarettes. Methane gasdecomposing waste materials present in landfills. explosive chemicals that are designed and produced for use as an explosive (e.g., TNT, explosive bolts, bullets, blasting caps, and fireworks). Explosives manufacturing company

Case Study: Waterbury, CT Development – Brass Mill Center Mall The long defunct, brass manufacturing center, once comprised of more than 90 decaying buildings Processed brass until alternate/cheaper alternatives available 100-acre downtown site, was prepared for a rebirth.

 Removal of asbestos, lead paint, metals, solvents, oil, machinery, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contaminated materials.  Over 200,000 cubic yards of debris was removed or recycled  Soil vapor extraction and on-site treatment were used to treat the 155,000 tons of tainted soil.

 The entire demolition and remediation was completed well ahead of schedule and under budget  Now the location is a 1,300,000 square foot mall

Pfizer Global Development Facility New London

Veeder Place, Hartford

 What is a Brownfield site?  How are Brownfield sites restored to usable property?