Brownfields Redevelopment

Overview

Brownfields are properties once used for industrial, manufacturing or other commerical uses that are lying abandoned or underused due to the suspicion of hazardous substance contamination. In the early 1990s, citizens expressed their concerns that these areas were contributing to urban blight and joblessness, and unknown environmental liabilities were preventing communities, developers and investors from restoring these properties to productive use and revitalizing impacted neighborhoods.

In 1994, US EPA responded to these concerns with an approach that paved the way for innovative and creative ways to assess, clean up, and redevelop brownfields sites. The 2002 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act expands potential federal financial assistance for brownfields revitalization, including grants for assessment, cleanup and job training.

Within the regulatory landscape of brownfields revitalization, EI meets clients' needs in all aspects of brownfields redevelopment. With our interdisciplinary approach, emphasis on broad stakeholder participation, and strong public-private relationships, EI has helped clients resolve brownfields liability issues and leverage millions of dollars for site assessment and cleanup. EI's experience in the legal, technical and political aspects of brownfields enables our clients to harness this redevelopment potential for the betterment of their communities and businesses.

If you would like to discuss how EI can assist you with brownfield services, please contact us at (206) 525-3362, or email us at staff@eiltd.net.

Example Projects

EPA Targeted Brownfield Assessment

TseWhitzen Village Cemetery

EI staff members completed a Phase II investigation report at an important cultural and historical location for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Western Washington. This site has an extensive history of activities related to the wood processing industry and has been excavated resulting in roads and stockpiled material on the site. To assist the Tribe with future development plans at the site, EI staff members prepared a sampling strategy, including sampling diagrams and sampling locations, a Sampling and Quality Assurance Plan compliant with EPA Region 10 requirements. EI also conducted two phases of non-obtrusive sampling throughout the site consistent with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's wishes.

EPA Targeted Brownfield Assessment

NuWay Dry Cleaners

EI staff members investigated the extent of contamination from a former dry-cleaning facility in Victorville, CA. Due to the elevated concentrations of volatile organic compounds observed in soil vapor and soil matrix samples and the potential for the presence of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) at the site, EI staff successfully advised the EPA that the drilling of temporary groundwater monitoring wells could potentially mobilize DNAPLs and make site conditions worse. In lieu of groundwater sampling, EI staff conducted additional soil-gas sampling to determine the extent of contamination without the risk of mobilizing contaminants to groundwater and characterized potential vapor intrusion risks to nearby residential and commercial dwellings.

TESTIMONIALS

"I was impressed with the efficiency of the audit team members, who worked closely together to interview personnel in various positions …covering many environmental areas including the hazardous waste facility. The Team's ISO 14001 knowledge was extensive. The recommendations you provided in the audit report have helped ISC Kodiak further develop their EMS and improve their EMS implementation Process."

- Sunsan L. Boyle
Lead Environmental Specialist
US Coast Guard

TESTIMONIALS

"The Siletz Tribe appreciates the work you have done to provide information on the state of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site and the effect of pollutants on tribal members who consume fish from the Willamette River."

- Brenda Bremner
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

TESTIMONIALS

“EI's ability to coordinate among our partners in the cooperative process is impressive … EI has shown tremendous ability to ensure open channels of communication with us, with our partners and with those on the other side of the table. Even when negotiations have gotten particularly difficult, EI has demonstrated a sense of ethics and diplomacy, all the while ensuring that the Tribe's voice is heard. “

-Delores Pigsley
Tribal Council Chairman
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

TESTIMONIALS

The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council was very impressed by EI's exceptional understanding of State and Federal law, through research, perceptive analysis, and their ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.

- Rory Dabney
Program Coordinator
CIRCAC

TESTIMONIALS

“I want to commend you and EI for your facilitation. The results of the facilitation were exceptional, with all parties leaving the table happy, surprised, and incredulous at how you got the group to come to consensus over issues on which we had been stuck for a long time.

- Jon Gornick
US Army Corps of Engineers

TESTIMONIALS

“ Dr. Bridgen obviously has a great deal of EMS implementation experience, which gives her a wealth of examples to broaden and deepen the understanding of the principles and techniques that we are now incorporating at our facilities.“

- Laura Halterman
Department of Veterans Affairs

TESTIMONIALS

"I want to commend the performance of EI and, in particular, Valerie Lee in the community involvement and communication effort associated with development of the Kalispel Tribe's EMS...This project is setting a precedent by developing an ISO 14001 compliant EMS to ensure that environmental issues receive the amount of attention that the Tribe, as a steward of the environment, believes they deserve."

-Scott Hall
Kalispel Tribe of Indians

TESTIMONIALS

"Attendees appreciated the opportunity to interact, communicate and relate their experiences and issues with one another. We were very successful in establishing a springboard for further interaction and resolution to the many issues facing the Native American communities …"

- Douglas W. Grosse
National Risk Management Research Labratory
US EPA

TESTIMONIALS

"Throughout the two-year process of developing the rule [under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act], Dr. Bridgen was able not only to juggle the many tasks involved, and to produce high quality products on time, but to offer good alternatives for approaching problems encountered in the course of the project. Her involvement enabled the Agency to develop a good rule, within the time and budget allotted."

-Christine Augustyniak
Deputy Director
Environmental Assistance Division
US EPA

TESTIMONIALS

- Sunsan L. Boyle
Lead Environmental Specialist
US Coast Guard

TESTIMONIALS

“I have been consistently impressed by the high quality of the written work your office produces, as well as the remarkable breadth and depth of technical know-how you and your team have. I have been extremely satisfied with EI's ability to produce high-quality work while staying on time and on or under budget."

- Cathy Hendrickson
Georgetown Crime Prevention & Community Council

TESTIMONIALS

“The Siletz Tribe appreciates the work you have done to provide information on the state of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site and the effect of pollutants on tribal members who consume fish from the Willamette River."

- Brenda Bremner
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

TESTIMONIALS

"We would like to commend EI for your creative and thorough approach to address these issues of concern to the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC), stakeholders, and the public-at-large ... CIRCACV was very impressed by EI's exceptional understating of State and Federal law, through research, perceptive analysis, and their ability to work effectively with various stakeholders. "

- Rory Dabney
Program Coordinator
CIRCAC

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