Superfund Redevelopment History Timeline - Printable Version

In 1999, EPA launched the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative with the goal of returning formerly contaminated lands to safe and productive reuse. Today, EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Program continues to support reuse, developing cutting-edge tools and resources to address evolving community priorities and tackle new challenges. Below is a timeline highlighting some of the most notable milestones in the history of Superfund Redevelopment. Click on the links for more information about a particular topic or event.

1999 

  • First Pilot Grants for Superfund Redevelopment 
    EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Initiative kicked off supporting communities by providing resources to explore Superfund reuse through pilot-grant cooperative agreements. The pilot program helped almost 70 communities lay the groundwork for successful Superfund redevelopment projects. Today, the Superfund Redevelopment Program continues to provide on-the-ground reuse support to communities. Since 1999, the Superfund Redevelopment Program has provided over 500 efficient, dynamic reuse support projects to communities nationwide.

2000

2001 

2002

  • Landfill Gas to Electricity Plant
    Site stakeholders installed six microturbines at the Operating Industries, Inc., Landfill in Monterey Park, California. These microturbines converted landfill gas at the site into electricity, powering the cleanup and saving nearly $21,000 in energy costs each month.

2003

  • First Ready for Reuse Determination 
    EPA, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas City co-signed the nation’s first Ready for Reuse Determination, for the Tex Tin, Inc. Superfund site in Texas City, Texas. EPA’s site status report summarized site history, cleanup actions and the remedy’s compatibility with industrial uses. A bulk oil storage and transfer facility is now on-site. To date, EPA has supported over 20 Ready for Reuse Determinations.

2004

  • Return to Use Initiative
    The Superfund Redevelopment Initiative announced the Return to Use Initiative at an event at the Butterworth #2 Landfill Superfund site in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Return to Use Initiative focused on unused sites that were cleaned up before EPA’s emphasis on considering reuse during cleanup activities.

2005

  • First Superfund Prospective Purchaser Inquiry Process
    EPA’s Region 4 supported the first Prospective Purchaser Inquiry Service. The service provides accurate, comprehensive information about Superfund sites free of charge. A response team helps address questions prospective purchasers may have about a site’s Superfund status, helping them make informed and timely decisions about the purchase and use of a Superfund site.
  • Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Partnership with U.S. Soccer Foundation
    The Superfund Redevelopment Initiative partnered with the United States Soccer Foundation at the Whitmoyer Laboratories Superfund site in Jackson Township, Pennsylvania, to support the construction of soccer fields at Jackson Recreation Park.

2006 

  • Establishment of EPA’s Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use Performance Measure
    The Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use performance measure became EPA’s first reuse-focused Government Performance and Results Act performance measure.
  • First-Ever Cleanup by a Non-Liable Party
    A Superfund Redevelopment Initiative pilot grant to the city of Houston, Texas, supported community planning efforts for the potential reuse of the Many Diversified Interests, Inc. Superfund site. The resulting plan recommended residential, recreational and neighborhood-scale commercial uses for the site. In 2006, to help spur redevelopment opportunities at the site, a non-liable prospective purchaser entered into an agreement with EPA to implement part of the cleanup plan. The prospective purchaser completed cleanup of on-site soils in 2008. The site is the first-ever Superfund cleanup led by a non-liable party; it saved taxpayers $6.6 million in cleanup costs.

2007

2008

  • First In-Depth Case Study
    EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Initiative published the first Superfund Redevelopment In-Depth Case Study, about the Many Diversified Interests, Inc. Superfund Site in Houston, Texas. These in-depth case studies explore Superfund reuse stories from start to finish.
  • Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Partnership with Academy of Model Aeronautics
    EPA partnered with the Academy of Model Aeronautics to open a flying field for model airplanes at the Auburn Road Landfill site in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Flying Tigers Academy of Model Aeronautics club uses the flying field.
  • Guidance for Prospective Purchasers
    EPA published a report that provides answers to 10 questions that prospective purchasers often have when deciding whether to purchase property at privately owned Superfund sites.
  • Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Partnership with The Trust for Public Land
    EPA worked alongside the city of Maywood, California, and The Trust for Public Land to support the opening of Maywood Riverfront Park in May 2008 as part of the Los Angeles River Greenway project. The park includes soccer fields, basketball courts, a play area, native plant landscaping and picnic areas. Due to popular demand, the park expanded in 2018 onto more land within the site boundary.
  • First Excellence in Site Reuse Award
    EPA’s Region 4 recognized the Port Salerno Industrial Park in Martin County, Florida, with the first-ever Excellence in Site Reuse Award for its reuse of the Solitron Microwave Superfund site. PSIP purchased the site property in 2003 and coordinated with EPA during the construction of an industrial park for warehouse, office space and commercial facilities. This award inspired all of EPA’s regions to develop similar programs.

2009

  • Superfund Redevelopment Initiative 10th Anniversary
    To celebrate the anniversary, the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative hosted a series of webinars featuring Superfund site reuse success stories. EPA continues to host a regular webinar series.

2010

2011

  • Tracking the Beneficial Effects of Reuse
    The Superfund Redevelopment Initiative started tracking the beneficial effects of reuse in communities. The Superfund Redevelopment Program continues to track these effects today, including the number of businesses at Superfund sites as well as the number of employees, and annual income and sales.

2012

  • The Pollinator Partnership
    EPA worked with the Pollinator Partnership and other site stakeholders at the Chemical Commodities, Inc. Superfund site in Olathe, Kansas, to support the planting of garden habitat. The garden provides a beautiful landscape and offers educational opportunities for the community to learn about the importance of pollination. Later in 2012, EPA’s Region 7 gave its first Leading Environmentalism and Forwarding Sustainability Award to stakeholders who helped revitalize the area.
  • First Superfund Job Training Initiative
    In December 2012, the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative’s first Superfund Job Training Initiative project provided 19 trainees living on the Navajo Nation with new skills and work experience linked to construction and cleanup near Gallup, New Mexico, and on Navajo Nation lands.

2013

  • Solar Panel Installation at Superfund Site
    In May 2013, the Somerset County Improvement Authority oversaw the installation of over 3,000 solar panels at the TD Bank Ballpark, located at the American Cyanamid Co. Superfund site in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The energy generated from the solar panels provides about 88% of the energy used at the ballpark.
  • The Superfund Job Training Initiative
    In June 2013, 14 trainees living near the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site in Seattle, Washington, graduated from the Superfund Job Training Initiative program with new skills linked to the cleanup of the site.

2014

  • Superfund Redevelopment Initiative’s 15th Anniversary
    To celebrate the anniversary, the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative enhanced its website with more case studies and information about returning sites to beneficial use.
  • First State Excellence in Supporting Reuse Award
    EPA developed the State Excellence in Supporting Reuse Award to recognize state partners whose work has led to lasting benefits that enhance community quality of life and ensure the long-term protectiveness of site remedies and stewardship of the environment. In its inaugural year, EPA recognized three state agencies – the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
  • Publication of Regional Economic Profiles
    The Superfund Redevelopment Initiative completed regional economic profiles for each of EPA’s 10 Regions. These profiles tell a story about the role of Superfund in the Regions and the beneficial effects of reusing formerly contaminated properties. They summarize and synthesize economic data collected for Superfund sites within each EPA Region and highlight successes.
  • Region 6 Reuse Award
    In May 2014, EPA’s Region 6 presented the Region’s first Greenovations Award to site stakeholders for their role in constructing a landfill gas-to-diesel fuel energy plant at the Mosley Road Sanitary Landfill site near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Region 3 Reuse Award
    In September 2014, EPA’s Region 3 gave its Excellence in Site Reuse Award to site stakeholders for their involvement in the redevelopment of the Palmerton Zinc Superfund site in Palmerton, Pennsylvania.

2015

  • Region 8 Reuse Award
    In April 2015, EPA’s Region 8 presented its Excellence in Site Reuse Award to site stakeholders for their redevelopment efforts at the Midvale Slag Superfund site. The site now hosts light rail system infrastructure, homes, office buildings, stores and recreation amenities.
  • Region 2 Reuse Award
    In July 2015, EPA’s Region 2 presented the Region’s first Excellence in Site Reuse Award to site stakeholders for the construction of a 24,000-panel solar array at the Brick Township Landfill Superfund site.
  • Region 10 Reuse Award
    In August 2015, EPA’s Region 10 presented the first Howard Orlean Excellence in Site Reuse Award to stakeholders who helped convert 400 acres of agricultural land in Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Basin, part of the Bunker Hill Mining & Metallurgical Complex Superfund site, into healthy wetland habitat. This ecological restoration effort is attracting tundra swans back to the area.

2016

  • Grant for New Health Care Facility
    The East Central Oklahoma Family Center received a $1 million grant to construct a new health center building at the Eagle-Picher Henryetta site in Henryetta, Oklahoma. The grant was made possible by the site’s Ready for Reuse Determination issued by EPA in 2015.

2017

2018

  • Superfund Redevelopment Opportunity Sites
    As part of the Superfund Task Force Recommendations, EPA identified a list of 31 sites with the greatest expected redevelopment potential.
  • Superfund Job Training Initiative
    In March 2018, 24 trainees graduated from the Superfund Job Training Initiative program at the Madison County Mines Superfund site in Fredericktown, Missouri.
  • Redevelopment Story Map
    In June 2018, the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative published the Redevelopment Story Map, which provides an overview of the Superfund Redevelopment Opportunity Sites and highlights redevelopment potential at those sites.
  • Region 1 Reuse Award
    In December 2018, EPA’s Region 1 presented its Excellence in Site Reuse Award to site stakeholders as part of the grand opening of a new senior center at the Blackburn & Union Privileges Superfund site in Walpole, Massachusetts.

2019

  • Superfund Redevelopment Initiative 20th Anniversary
    To celebrate the anniversary, the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative developed a video and a report that share stories of Superfund site transformations, highlight nationwide accomplishments, and discuss how reuse and redevelopment help communities turn once-contaminated lands into valuable resources.
  • Region 3 Reuse Award and 20th Anniversary Celebration
    In August 2019, EPA’s Region 3 presented its Excellence in Site Reuse Award to recognize outstanding reuse work at the Croydon TCE Superfund site in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. The award ceremony kicked off a series of events commemorating the 20th anniversary of EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Initiative.
  • Superfund Job Training Initiative
    In December 2019, 20 trainees graduated from the Superfund Job Training Initiative program at the San Gabriel Valley Superfund sites in La Puente, California.

2020

  • Superfund Redevelopment Opportunity Sites Fact Sheets
    As part of the Superfund Task Force Recommendations, the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative developed Redevelopment Opportunity Fact Sheets for Superfund sites across the country. The fact sheets describe when and how these sites are (or will be) ready for reuse.
  • EPA’s 50th Anniversary
    In July 2020, the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative and EPA’s Region 3 celebrated EPA’s 50th Anniversary by releasing a video highlighting Superfund sites in Virginia as prime examples of how EPA works with state, local, Tribal and private-sector stakeholders to clean up hazardous waste sites, supporting economic investment alongside the protection of human health and the environment.

2021

  • Transition to EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Program
    EPA changed the name of the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative to the Superfund Redevelopment Program. This change celebrated the 21 years of the Initiative’s success and recognized reuse and redevelopment as key components of the Superfund process.
  • Launch of the Superfund Redevelopment Mapper
    In October 2021, the Superfund Redevelopment Program announced the launch of EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Mapper, a GIS-based tool to help local, state and Tribal governments, community organizations, developers and community members explore reuse and redevelopment at and near Superfund sites. This first-of-its-kind tool provides users with site locations and key information highlighting site features and surrounding area characteristics. GIS layers allow users to customize their evaluation criteria, such as income levels, unemployment and land features.

2022

2023

  • Region 3 Reuse Award
    In September 2023, EPA’s Region 3 presented the Excellence in Site Reuse Award to site stakeholders for their outstanding commitment and efforts in revitalizing part of the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Superfund site in Suffolk, Virginia.
  • Region 4 Reuse Award
    In December 2023, EPA’s Region 4 presented its Excellence in Site Reuse Award to site stakeholders in recognition of their commitment and dedication to remediating the U.S Finishing/Cone Mills Superfund site in Greenville, South Carolina.
  • Superfund Job Training Initiative
    In December 2023, 21 trainees graduated from the Superfund Job Training Initiative program at the New Bedford Harbor Superfund site in Massachusetts.
  • First In-the-Moment Videos
    In December 2023, the Superfund Redevelopment Program released its first “in-the-moment” videos. These videos capture “on the spot” sound bites from reuse and redevelopment events and activities at Superfund sites.

2024

  • Celebration of 500 Regional Support Projects
    EPA marked the completion of 500 reuse planning and technical assistance support projects since 1999. These projects are a catalyst for reuse – they help communities, property owners and local governments understand protective remedy components, plan appropriate potential future uses, eliminate reuse barriers and launch next steps for implementation. As part of the celebration, the Superfund Redevelopment Program created an online mapping application that explores all regional support projects to date and provides access to site photos as well as links to more information.
  • Region 10 Reuse Award
    EPA’s Region 10 presented the Howard Orlean Excellence in Site Reuse Award to recognize people who contributed to returning formerly contaminated land to productive reuse at the Umatilla Army Depot Superfund site in Hermiston, Oregon.

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Last updated on February 10, 2026