EPA has a number of policy and guidance tools that can help stakeholders understand the Superfund program and resources that can help communities return sites to beneficial use.

Policy and Guidance

Legal Policy and Guidance Relating to Reuse: Legal policy and guidance documents clarify how to obtain federal Superfund liability protection before you purchase a Superfund site and EPA Windfall Liens that might arise on the site. Liability related policy information includes:

•  2002 Brownfield Amendments
•  Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Status
•  Comfort Letters
•  EPA Liens
•  All Appropriate Inquiry

Superfund Reuse Policy and Guidance: These documents provide guidance for incorporating future land use considerations into the remedy decision making process and the issuance of tools to support reuse.

• The Top 10 Questions to Ask When Buying a Superfund Site provides answers to some of the most common questions that prospective purchasers may have when considering purchasing property at a privately owned Superfund site.
• Considering Reasonably Anticipated Future Land Use and Reducing Barriers to Reuse at EPA-lead Superfund Remedial Sites (PDF)(14 pp, 1.5 MB, About PDF) - This 2010 guidance document expands on many of the principles from the 1995 Land Use Directive and provides additional guidance to EPA Regions on considering reasonably anticipated future land use when carrying out response actions under CERCLA, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).
• Reuse Assessments: A Tool to Implement the Land Use Directive (PDF)(24 pp, 83 K) - This 2001 document reaffirms the original Land Use Directive (see above) and expands upon EPA's framework for developing future land use assumptions when making remedy selection decisions for Superfund sites.
• Superfund Ready for Reuse (RfR) Determinations (PDF)(13 pp, 165 K)- This 2004 document provides information on the use and preparation of RfR determinations at Superfund sites including what information is sufficient to support the RfR decision and how to document an RfR determination.
• Land Use in the CERCLA Remedy Selection Process (PDF)(11 pp, 915 K) - This 1995 directive presents a framework for considering land use in making remedy selection decisions under CERCLA at Superfund sites.

Information on policy and guidance related to Superfund cleanups.

Resources

Learn more about sites addressed by EPA’s Superfund Program and EPA Initiatives and Programs that can help.

Cleanups in my Community: Cleanups in my Community is a searchable, site-listing tool that provides cleanup progress profiles for sites and facilities and properties.

Clu-In: Provides information about innovative treatment and site characterization technologies while acting as a forum for all waste remediation stakeholders.

Environmental Justice: Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) at EPA works with all stakeholders to constructively and collaboratively address environmental and public health issues and concerns.

Green Buildings: The design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal of buildings takes enormous amounts of energy, water, and materials, and generates large quantities of waste, air, and water pollution, as well as creating stormwater runoff and heat islands.

National Cleanup Databases: Summary of a wide range of environmental information on sites and site cleanup made available by EPA.

Smart Growth: Through EPA's Smart Growth Program, EPA is helping states and municipalities better understand the impacts of development patterns. "Smart Growth" seeks to preserve greenfields and encourages infill development where pre-existing infrastructure supports reuse.

Sustainable Management Approaches and Revitalization Tools electronic (SMARTe)Exit: SMARTe is a joint effort of the U.S.-German Bilateral Working Group, EPA, and the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) Brownfields Team. The tool, which is still being developed, is intended to be used by brownfield project stakeholders for assessing both market and non-market costs and benefits of redevelopment options, clarifying both private and public financing options, evaluating and communicating environmental risks, and easing access to pertinent state-specific information related to specific projects.

Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC): TASC is a national EPA program that provides technical assistance services to communities. To support healthy communities and strengthen environmental protection, EPA works closely with communities to make sure they have the technical help they need.

The Revitalization Handbook - Revitalizing Contaminated Lands: Addressing Liability Concerns: discusses potential liability associated with cleanup and reuse of Superfund sites and shares tools that may be available to address these liability concerns.

For local governments considering the reuse of contaminated properties, please see the Process for Risk Evaluation, Property Analysis and Reuse Decisions.