The sustainable reuse of previously contaminated property is an important goal of EPA’s hazardous waste cleanup programs. EPA encourages the cleanup and revitalization of contaminated properties by clarifying Superfund liability concerns and implementing the landowner liability protections. By providing guidance and using site-specific enforcement tools addressing available liability protections, EPA is able to assist parties seeking to clean up, reuse, or redevelop contaminated properties.

EPA is committed to encouraging the reuse of contaminated properties because it helps EPA achieve its enforcement and environmental protection goals, such as long-term site stewardship and sustainable land use planning. Often, reuse can support these enforcement and environmental protection goals and help remove obstacles to cleanups and revitalization.

Learn More About Brownfields and Land Revitalization Enforcement:

• Types of Contaminated Sites
• Landowner Liability Protections
  • Bona Fide Prospective Purchasers
  • Contiguous Property Owners
  • Innocent Landowners
• Enforcement Tools that Address Liability Concerns
• State and Local Government Activities and Liability Protections
• State Voluntary Cleanup

Locate Brownfield and Land Revitalization Cleanup Enforcement Resources:

• Brownfields and Land Revitalization Cleanup Enforcement policy and guidance documents
• Brownfields and Land Revitalization cleanup enforcement reports and publications
• Revitalizing Contaminated Lands: Addressing Liability Concerns (The Revitalization Handbook) (2014 edition)

Coordinating with Other Offices:

EPA’s Enforcement Office supports the cleanup and revitalization efforts taken by other EPA offices that administer the following revitalization programs: 

• Brownfields
• Land Revitalization Initiative
• Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
• RE-Powering America's Land Initiative, and
• Underground Storage Tanks