What Is EPA’s Brownfields Initiative?
EPA’s Brownfields Initiative is an organized commitment to help communities revitalize blighted properties—both environmentally and economically. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was enacted by Congress to require the safe management of municipal and industrial wastes. Some of these wastes are defined as “hazardous wastes.” The requirements of the Act are generally carried out by authorized state RCRA programs, and EPA provides oversight and support. These programs regulate hazardous waste from the point when it is first generated until is finally disposed of. Sometimes, hazardous wastes are improperly managed and must be cleaned up. The RCRA program has a component called RCRA Corrective Action, which is the part of the pro-gram that oversees the cleanup of hazardous wastes at RCRA sites. What Does RCRA Have to Do With Brownfields? By making sure that wastes are properly man-aged, the RCRA program prevents future brownfields. RCRA also may be involved in the restorati
