ResilientReuse: GreenInfrastructure& Brownfields





NJIThasservedasanEPAdesignated technicalassistanceprovidersince2008
NJITTABservesasanindependentresourcestostate, territory,regional,county,tribal,andlocalgovernment entities,andnonprofitsattemptingtolearnabout,identify, assess,cleanupandredevelopbrownfields.
“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
Canattractunwanted&illegalactivity
Lowerssurroundingpropertyvalue
Reduceslocalworkopportunities
Lost/reducedtaxrevenue
Limitseconomicgrowth
• Extremeweathereventshavebecome morefrequentandintenseoverthelast 40years,andthenumberandvalueof propertyinharm’swayhasgoneup.
• Thishasledtoasharpriseindisasters whosedamages/costsexceed$1billion.
Between2018and2022,Floridahad thehighesttotaldamagesfrom billion-dollardisastersinthenation.
Source:FifthNationalClimateAssessment
Figurecredit:MississippiStateUniversity
Unaddressed brownfieldsitesare susceptibleto increasedand repeateddamage fromextremeevents thatcanmobilize contaminantsand compromise structureson brownfieldsites.
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
• Removeshealth& safetyhazards
• Removeseyesores; improvescommunity appearance/aesthetic
• Alleviatescommunity fear&worry
• Provides community-needed landuses
• Spurseconomic development
• Createsjobs
• Increasestaxrevenues
• Providesadiverse economicbase
BuildingResilience Through Brownfield Redevelopment
• Removescontaminants &pollutants
• Improvedair&water quality,natural habitats
• Buildresiliencetoflood orextremeheat
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
• Isyourbrownfieldcommunityseeingincreasingstorm events?Consideridentifyingandprioritizingyourbrownfield sitesforredevelopment.
• Whenprioritizingbrownfieldsites,yoursites’vulnerability tonaturalhazards(i.e.,flooding,extremeheat).
• CollaboratewithFloridaDEPtodeterminewhatsolutions wouldbeappropriateforyoursites.
• RefertoNJITTAB’s“GreenStormwaterInfrastructureDecision Tree”ifyouhavemanysitesandwanttoquicklyidentifyif greeninfrastructuremayberightforthem.