Region 2 Excellence in Site Reuse Award
Region 2 supports the reuse of Superfund sites across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the eight tribal nations that make up the Region. Stakeholder cooperation and partnerships are crucial for the successful reuse of Superfund sites in ways that are compatible with the remedy in place, while also addressing needs of the community, site owners, and state and local governments. Region 2 offers an Excellence in Site Reuse award to recognize these collaborative efforts and beneficial use outcomes.
Background
Region 2 established the Excellence in Site Reuse award for those who have supported the reuse of Superfund sites through outstanding efforts that go above and beyond required cleanup. Region 2 strongly supports reuse and believes it is an important part of the cleanup process. Many communities, developers, site owners, and local governments have worked closely with Region 2 to enhance cleanup, minimize the Agency's responsibilities for long term care and maintenance, promote long-term stewardship, and provide economic, environmental or social benefits to local communities.
Eligibility
The Excellence in Site Reuse award could be given to a developer, site owner, responsible party, local government, or other key stakeholder who has demonstrated excellence in working cooperatively with Region 2. Superfund reuse should complement cleanup and may play a key role in ensuring the remedy is protective in the future.
Evaluation Criteria for Excellence in Site Reuse Award
- Enhancement of the selected remedy
- Reduction of EPA’s long-term stewardship responsibilities
- Consideration of and effect on the local community
- Implementation of sustainable practices
- Design of reuse complementary with long term implementation of selected remedy
- Enhanced monitoring of institutional controls (neighborhood watch)
- Innovation in creative thinking and effective use of partnerships
On June 28, 2018, Pete Lopez, Regional Administrator for Region 2, presented the Excellence in Site Reuse Award to the city of Jersey City, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Prologis Corporation for their efforts to redevelop the PJP Landfill Superfund site in Jersey City, New Jersey. NJDEP and EPA redesigned the cap to accommodate redevelopment. The site is now a state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution center.
- Reuse Snapshot
- Site Redevelopment Profile (PDF)(3 pp, 3.7 MB, About PDF)
- Press Release: EPA Recognizes Jersey City, N.J., Superfund Site for Excellence in Reuse
- New Article: Cleanup of formerly smoldering landfill wins EPA award
On July 23, 2015, Catherine McCabe, Deputy Regional Administrator for Region 2, presented the Region’s first Excellence in Site Reuse award to Brick Township, New Jersey, in recognition of the Township’s efforts to return the Brick Township Landfill Superfund site to productive use. By integrating reuse considerations as part of the remedy, design engineers were able to optimize the landfill’s cap for solar reuse. The 24,000 photovoltaic panels provide all of the electricity needed by the locality as well as a third of the energy used by the local water and sewer utility.
