Port of Seattle breaks the brownfield gridlock

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental Solutions

OSTI ID:128787

Rapaport, D

Initiatives in brownfields restoration--in which abandoned, contaminated industrial and commercial sites can be revitalized and returned to productive use--many times have been gridlocked by a core problem: how to achieve protective cleanup levels without bankrupting the cost bearers. Barriers to brownfields restoration include: remediation standards, set by regulatory agencies, that are difficult to achieve at complex sites; technical barriers that make it difficult to restore sites to pristine conditions; and liability and cost issues that discourage investors and lenders from properties struggling under an unfinished regulatory process. Each barrier affects the others, creating a maze that is easy to enter but difficult to escape. In many cases, money, time and expertise are squandered, and feelings of anger and frustration are vented. Fear of gridlock halts many brownfields projects before they begin. Previous site investigations conducted by property owners revealed that spills, leaks, drips and onsite waste disposal of organic and inorganic preservatives used in wood-treatment processes had contaminated the soil and groundwater. The most toxic contaminants were a group of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo(a)pyrene, pentachlorophenol and arsenic.

• OSTI ID: 128787
• Journal Information: Environmental Solutions, Journal Name: Environmental Solutions Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 8; ISSN ESOLE7; ISSN 1077-2537
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COASTAL REGIONS
GROUND WATER
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
REMOVAL
SOILS
WASHINGTON