Introduction

Ecological reuse returns polluted or otherwise disturbed lands to a functioning and sustainable use by increasing or improving habitat for plants and animals. "Ecological land reuse" is a broad term that encompasses a number of interrelated activities including the reconstruction of antecedent physical conditions, chemical adjustment of the soil and water, and biological manipulation which includes the reintroduction of native flora and fauna. EPA promotes land reuse programs that consider the inextricable links between all life forms and all media within an ecosystem rather than an isolated manipulation of individual elements. Reuse of contaminated sites, when based on ecological principles, can complement traditional remediation activities that ensure the protection of human health and the environment, in addition to creating habitat. Ecological land reuse can be a cost-effective way to create or incorporate habitats as natural remediation tools that are part of the cleanup process for contaminated sites.

Why restore disturbed or contaminated lands?

Habitat preservation is key to an ecosystem's health and well-being, and there is a growing awareness that restoration is essential to recover ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed. Furthermore, contaminated or disturbed sites that have been restored are once again available for public use and enjoyment

The public's interest in the renewal of natural ecosystems has grown steadily during the past few decades. EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Program assists communities in returning some of the nation's worst hazardous waste sites to safe and productive uses. While the Agency works to protect human health and the environment, EPA also works with communities and other partners to consider future uses for restored Superfund sites. Many sites are now being used as parkland, agricultural land, residences and commercial space.

Ecological reuse can be incorporated into site remediation plans for Superfund sites because it provides habitat for wildlife and is not considered beautification or enhancement. Returning contaminated sites to beneficial use not only allows local communities to reclaim lost land – it can also lead to increased property values, a higher tax base, and protected open space. In addition, when local interests have a stake in the revitalized property, the chances are greater for continued productive use.

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Why are ecosystems important to ecological land reuse?

Project managers seeking to return a contaminated site to a safe and productive use should look not only to the future of the site; they also should consider its past structure and function by looking at the site as an ecosystem – a dynamic environment of living organisms and non-living matter intricately connected by energy and nutrient flows.

Many reuse projects focus solely on manipulating certain elements, such as soil, vegetation, and hydrology, with little attention paid to the links between these and the broader landscape and biosphere. Such actions may not necessarily address all of the ecosystem's needs. Other living organisms, such as insects, wildlife, and microorganisms also form an integral part of the system and must be accounted for, if possible, for the system to flourish. For example: many of the native flowering plant species in the United States rely on bees, hummingbirds or other pollinators to help them reproduce and disperse across the landscape. The flowers and the hummingbird have a symbiotic relationship that benefits them both – the flower produces nectar that the hummingbird feeds on, and the hummingbird carries pollen from one flower to the next, allowing it to reproduce. If a degraded site is repopulated with native wildflowers, but no pollinators are introduced into the site, the native plants may die out and be replaced by invasive species. In order to maintain desired levels of native plant diversity, the restoration and reuse process therefore must ensure that an adequate level of pollinator species is present.

Ecosystem-based reuse can be an important aspect of many remediation projects. If the goal is to return a site to a close approximation of its natural, pre-disturbance state, then an ecosystem-based approach is essential. This approach will ensure that the newly restored site once again becomes an integral part of its environment.

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Archived internet seminars for ecological restoration

Since 1998, CLU-IN has presented Internet Seminars covering a wide variety of technical topics related to hazardous waste characterization, monitoring, and remediation. For each seminar topic, we have selected the highest-quality offering for placement in our archives.

• Ecological Revitalization Resources Available through EPA - Parts 1 and 2: Archive of Dec 3 and 5, 2007 Seminars
• Ecological Revitalization Resources at Various Federal Agencies: Archive of Nov 27, 2007 Seminar
• Ecological Revitalization Case Studies - The Atlas Tack Site and the Poudre River Site: Archive of Aug 2, 2007 Seminar
• Understanding and Reconstructing Soil Conditions at Remediation Sites: Archive of May 2, 2007 Seminar
• Jump-Starting Ecological Restoration - Soil Health: Archive of Oct 5, 2006 Seminar
• ITRC Planning and Promoting of Ecological Reuse of Remediated Sites: Archive of Sep 28, 2006 Seminar
• Jump-Starting Ecological Restoration: Archive of Sep 21, 2006 Seminar
• Using Brownfields Grants for Watershed Restoration and Revitalization: Archive of Sep 20, 2006 Seminar
• Revegetation and Restoration of an Oil Contaminated Wetland in Northern New Jersey: Archive of Mar 23, 2006 Seminar

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Further EPA information and resources on ecological land reuse

• EPA CLU-IN Ecological Revitalization Fact Sheets:
• Ecological Revitalization of Superfund Sites FAQ: http://www.clu-in.org/s.focus/c/pub/i/1399/
• Revegetating Landfills and Waste Containment Areas: http://www.clu-in.org/s.focus/c/pub/i/1382/
• Ecological Revitalization and Attractive Nuisance Issues: http://www.clu-in.org/s.focus/c/pub/i/1438/
• EPA RCRA Brownfields Prevention Initiative – Ecological/Recreational Resuse of RCRA sites:
  http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/rcrabf/ecoreuse.htm
  This site provides information on collaborative activities, resources, and case studies related to sites restored under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and are now being used for ecological and/or recreation activities.
• EPA Ecological Restoration web site:
  http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/ecosecologicalrestoration.html
  Gateway to EPA information and resources on ecological restoration. Links to recommended EPA web pages focused on restoration, organized by topic.
• EPA Superfund Redevelopment Program web site:
  http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/recycle/index.htm
  Information on the Superfund Redevelopment Program, including restored sites and their new uses, tools and resources, pilot programs to restore sites, and contact information.
• EPA Brownfields and Land Revitalization web site:
  http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/index.html
  Basic information on EPA actions and policies surrounding brownfield revitalization, including grants and funding information, tools and resources, and laws and regulations.
• U.S. EPA. August 2007. Integrating Water and Waste Programs to Restore Watersheds, A Guide for Federal and State Project Managers. EPA 540K07001, Office of Water and Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
  http://www.epa.gov/superfund/resources/integrating.htm
  This manual is intended for Federal and state project managers in water and waste programs who are working on assessment or cleanup projects in watersheds contaminated by hazardous materials or waste. Intended to enhance coordination across EPA and state waste and water programs by identifying opportunities for streamlining requirements, leveraging resources, and implementing restoration activities more efficiently.
• ITRC (Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council). 2004. Making the Case for Ecological Enhancments. ECO-1. Washington, D.C.: Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council and the Wildlife Habitat Council.
  http://www.itrcweb.org/gd_EE.asp
  White paper and case studies identify benefits, incentives, and limitations for implementing ecological enhancements at environmentally impacted sites.
• Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC). 2006. Planning and Promoting Ecological Reuse of Remediated Sites. ECO-2. Washington, D.C.: Ecological Land Reuse Team, Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council,
  http://www.itrcweb.org/gd_EE.asp
  Promotes ecological land reuse as an integrated part of site remediation strategies and as an alternative to conventional property development or redevelopment. Describes key decision points in a flow diagram format and defines the practicality of applying natural or green technologies to traditional remediation processes.

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Glossary of ecological land reuse terms