OTHER TAB PROGRAMS

TAB, in collaboration with TIO and Region 1 and 2, has initiated a science and technology initiative for the potential application of phytoremediation in Brownfields. The project includes three steps, scoping meeting, site visits, and a phytoremediation conference. These steps build upon each other to provide to the target audience (i.e., Municipal planners, developers and regulatory agencies): with a basic understanding of the technical principals of phytoremediation. These include advantages and limitations; potential Brownfield applications; opportunities and barriers in technology acceptability, and the intangible non-technical issues and challenges that need to be overcome. It is hoped that this collaborative project will identify Brownfield sites that offer the opportunity for full-scale demonstrations that can document the benefit of the technology, integration of remediation and development, and cost and time implications.

It is also anticipated that the TAB project will cooperate with EPA to put on a phytoremediation conference during Spring 2000.

 TAB Forums

On December 14, 15, 1999, TAB conducted forums for private owners (many Brownfield sites in the tri-county pilot region are privately owned) to exchange important Brownfield information and provide interaction with the overall objective of encouraging more active pursuit of redevelopment. Training sessions for city-based groups will be held in Spring/Summer 2000 to provide basic knowledge and understanding of Brownfields so the members can more effectively participate in pilot activities. This training will supplement pilot initiatives.

Selected EPA pilot municipalities attended a scoping meeting held in September 1999, in cooperatin with EPA Region 1 and 2, TIO, State of Connecticut, HUD, HSRC, and environmental service consultants. The technology overview and detailed discussion of the issues and concerns provided an excellent opportunity to consider the potential application for Brownfields and need for further activities including site specific regulatory and technical reviews, further education in context of integrating phyto with development and full scale field demonstrations. Following the scoping meeting, a technical team consisting of EPA-ORD, TIO, Region 1 and 2, and TAB personnel conducted site visits on November 16, 17, 1999, to Hartford, Naugatuck Valley, Stamford, and Danbury to further educate Brownfields municipalities and help them gain a better understanding of implementation issues, and to identify site specific opportunities for full scale demonstrations.