Superfund

The "EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Program helps communities return some of the nation's worst  hazardous waste sites to safe and productive uses..."( EPA:  Success Stories, 2003).  Rebuilding of these sites is economically, socially, and visually beneficial to the community.  A large percent of Superfund sites were industrial, leaving large amounts of land to redevelop.  There are 170 redeveloped commercial sites, creating 300,000 jobs and bringing in a $1.3 billion annual income-EPA.

Here's a local example of the Redeveloped Superfund site in Minnesota where the General Mills/Henkel facility was located:       

This picture is an aerial view of the former General Mills/Henkel plant.  This was a research facility for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs).  Examples: benzene, toluene.  For 15 years these chemicals seeped into the groundwater, flowing towards the Mississippi River.

For more information and for the information found on this web site::  http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle/success/casestud/gmillcsi.htm

For additional information about Superfund site in your area:

http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle/success/index.htm

Brownfields       

The Brownfields Program (Brownfields National Partnership) designated multiple  "Showcase Communities" all over the United States as examples of Brownfields.  Milwaukee, Wisconsin is one of those communities who has acres of contaminated property, majority of which are vacant and located in the heart of downtown .  Milwaukee has joined together with the local and federal governments to clean up and redevelop these sites. 

For more information about Milwaukee and other local success stories:

http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/html-doc/sc_milwauke.htm

St. Paul, Minnesota:

☼Click here to visit a local success story:  St. Paul, MN