CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENER CLEANUPS. Region 4 Brownfields Grantees Workshop October 17, 2016

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1 CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENER CLEANUPS PROACTIVE STEPS FOR SUSTAINABLE REDEVELOPMENT Region 4 Brownfields Grantees Workshop October 17, 2016

2 Why Does Climate Change Matter? Many of the outcomes EPA programs, in partnership with communities, are trying to attain (e.g., land revitalization, clean air, safe drinking water, economic growth) are sensitive to changes in climate Until recently, project managers have been able to use past conditions as a good predictor of the future conditions Now, future changes in climate conditions must be predicted with the highest degree of certainty as possible as a basic element of successful project management 2

3 What is Changing?

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5 Adaptation versus Mitigation 2

6 How Does Climate Change Apply to Brownfields Projects? What areas are you targeting for reinvestment? What are the risks of unknowingly investing limited redevelopment resources in a future flood zone or eroding coastline? Will the cleanup remedy you re designing hold up against expected changes for your area? Are closed cleanup sites under threat of erosion? Can sustainable redevelopment strategies help with mitigation?

7 Some Potential Threats Related to Contaminated Sites Flooding from increased rainfall/storm intensity Soil instability/erosion from increased rainfall Shoreline erosion from sea level rise and storm surges Drought where non-irrigated vegetation prevents sediment runoff Will expected changes introduce contaminants into the environment?

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10 Explore Climate Threats Using Available Resources Research potential efforts by local/state governments, NGOs, and academic institutions EPA s Adaptation Tools for Public Officials www3.epa.gov/climatechange/adaptation/tools.html EPA s Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) website View your local climate change projections FEMA Flood Map Service Center NOAA Climate Portal

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13 Greener Cleanups and Calculating an Environmental Footprint for your Cleanup Project An environmental footprint is a qualitative or quantitative estimate of the affects that our activities pose on the environment. Assessment of the environmental footprint should consider five core elements: Total energy use and renewable energy use. Air and atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Water use and impacts to water resources. Materials management and waste reduction. Land management and ecosystem services.

14 Examples of the best management practices (BMPs) to achieve a greener cleanup include: Installing onsite renewable energy systems to meet all or a portion of the project's electricity demand. Equipping field machinery with clean-emission technology for exhaust systems. Using a closed-loop (re-circulating) system to treat groundwater. Choosing materials with recycled content. Installing soil berms around low-lying work areas to prevent soil erosion caused by stormwater runoff.

15 Using Greener Practices During Cleanup - Mitigation

16 Using Sustainable Redevelopment Strategies Green infrastructure for flood control and stormwater retention, especially for waterfront projects Including expansion of parks, greenspace, urban forests (Carbon sink benefits) Reduces risk from flooding due to climate change Shoreline softening Habitat restoration, Wildlife corridors Nonpoint source control/water quality projects Coordination with public works projects and other infrastructure funding Clean energy and renewable energy development

17 Green Infrastructure Role in Cleanup

18 Office of Sustainable Communities Mitigation and Adaptation Many communities want to foster economic growth, protect environmental resources, enhance public health, and plan for development in a sustainable manner but lack the resources to do so. EPA s Office of Sustainable Communities offers technical assistance through the Smart Growth Program. Greening America s Communities Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Smart Growth Implementation Assistance 18

19 Why Renewables on Potentially Contaminated Lands? Build sustainable land development strategy Leverage existing infrastructure Provide low-cost, clean power to communities Protect open space Gain community support Reduce project cycle times with streamlined zoning and permitting Improve project economics through reduced land costs & tax incentives 19

20 THANK YOU! Margaret Olson