Developing Brownfields in Hawaii

Fenix Grange Supervisor, Site Discovery, Assessment and Remediation

Role of HEER – Protecting Human Health and the Environment

1.  Discover…Assess…Protect 2.  Property owners are responsible for the

safety of their properties 3.  HEER oversees investigation and cleanup 4.  We approve safe and protective remedies

Hawaii Brownfields – Good News and Bad

!  Little heavy manufacturing history ! Few properties left idle ! Most sites are relatively low risk

! Widespread soil/groundwater contamination

! Significant risks do exist

Where are Brownfields in Hawaii?

1.  Historic industrial/commercial areas 2.  Harbors 3.  Pipeline corridors 4.  Historic pesticide mixing operations

Risks occur with land use changes

Rail, TOD and Brownfields

Types of Contamination

1.  Petroleum contamination 2.  Metals in soils: Lead paint, fill from

demolition, old incinerators, Chinatown fire

3.  Pesticides and chemicals Pre-1980 buildings

Direct Exposure

Groundwater

Prevailing Wind Direction

Leaching

Conceptual Site Model of Potential Environmental Hazards

Gross Contamination

Ecotoxicity

Stream

Stream

Discharge to aquatic habitats

Free Product

Dissolved plume

Leaching

Drinking Water

Vapor Intrusion Soil

Protecting Against Exposure

1.  Children and communities 2.  Current and Future building occupants 3.  Construction workers 4.  Our ecosystems and wildlife

Is My Property Affected?

!  Find out! !  What is the history of your site? !  Public records at DOH can help !  Hire an experienced environmental consultant !  Report what you find !  Work with DOH to get No Further Action The first step to successful redevelopment is understanding conditions at your property

Resources to Help you

!  City and County Areawide Assessment Grant –  Phase I, Phase II and a little cleanup help

!  Competitive EPA Brownfield Grants –  Assessment and Cleanup funds

Eliminate or Manage Risks?

!  Remove contamination…eliminate risks –  Feasible…cost effective?

!  Contain contamination… manage risks –  Appropriate land use…acceptable risks

All brownfields are NOT created equally.

Making the Right Choice

All brownfields have a valuable reuse

!  Know your site conditions !  Plan a compatible use !  Don’t paint yourself into a corner…

…wrong use for contamination present.

Do’s of Redeveloping Brownfields

! Do consider the benefits ! Do fully characterize the site ! Do contact DOH early ! Do engage environmental professionals ! Do decide to eliminate or manage risks ! Do select compatible re-use

Don’t’s of Redeveloping Brownfields

! Don’t underestimate the impact of environmental issues on your development plans

Contact Information

Fenix Grange fenix.grange@doh.hawaii.gov Phone: 808-586-5815

HEER Office Website