Environmental Monitoring and Remediation
One sector that is sure to create new career opportunities is called environmental monitoring and remediation. This sector, “makes sure our aging infrastructure, building stock, and vacant land are safe and clean for future greener development by testing and cleaning contaminated land, water, and air,” (Cha and Dafoe 21). These responsibilities are extremely important to ensure that the next generation will not have to deal with problems that could arise from building on or around chemically tainted land.
What are brownfields?
One of the most important aspects of this district is the management of sites that previously released toxic and hazardous substances into the surrounding environment. These regions are known as “brownfields.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a brownfield can be defined as “a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant,” (“About Brownfields”). The EPA also estimates that there are “more than 450,000 brownfields in the U.S.” (“About Brownfields”).
Some of the job titles that would become available as a direct result of brownfield remediation include hazardous materials remover workers and hazardous materials handlers. Urban Agenda provides the following position descriptions for these occupations:
• Remove asbestos and/or lead from surfaces using hand and power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, and high-pressure sprayers.
• Operate machines and equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
• Apply chemical compounds to lead-based paint.
• Construct scaffolding or build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work. (Cha and Dafoe 49)
Brownfields in New York City
PLANYC estimates that, “All together, as many as 7,600 acres across the city may suffer from contamination—an area over eight times the size of Central Park” (41). With such a huge expanse available for development, what is being done about brownfields in New York City? It is not surprising that Mayor Bloomberg has included eleven initiatives entirely devoted to brownfield cleanup. Of these eleven initiatives, which can be viewed in the box on the right, six have been achieved and one has been mostly achieved as of April 22, 2010.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) provides a color brochure called “Brownfields: Transform the Past; Build for the Future,” which describes three programs to aid in the remediation of brownfields. These programs are
• Environmental Restoration Program: Provides municipalities with financial assistance for site investigation and remediation at eligible brownfield sites. Municipalities are reimbursed 90 percent of on site costs and 100 percent of off site costs.
• Brownfield Cleanup Program (successor to the Voluntary Cleanup Program): Developed to enhance private sector cleanup of brownfields and to reduce development pressure on greenfields.
• Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program: Provides technical and financial assistance to municipalities and community based organizations to conduct redevelopment planning for areas containing brownfield sites. (4).
Case Study #1: Richmond County Bank Ballpark
Not only can the cleanup of brownfields bring jobs to New York City, but there can also be more jobs as a result of this environmental remediation. One such example is the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. Once a contaminated rail yard located in Staten Island, the area is now the Staten Island Yankees’ minor league baseball stadium. The ballpark is, “a 6,500-seat facility that has hosted hundreds of thousands of fans since opening in 2001. The stadium has created 200 jobs and more than $16 million in annual revenue and represents the centerpiece of a comprehensive economic redevelopment plan for the north shore of Staten Island,” (Ennist).
This site is the perfect example of the opportunities that can arise as a result of brownfield remediation. Not only were jobs immediately generated as a direct result of the decontamination of the rail yard, but long-term, permanent jobs were also produced. The actual cleanup of the contaminated area created jobs in hazardous-waste removal, the building of the ballpark created jobs in construction, engineering, and architecture, and the completed ballpark created jobs for ticket-takers, security detail, and refreshment vendors.
In addition, where there once stood a vacant, stagnant plot of land, there is now a vibrant, exciting recreational area for an entire community to enjoy. The ballpark has also become a tourist location, with special events and concerts held in addition to baseball games. Thus, an area that was once a detrimental eyesore now produces tourist revenue for the city of New York.
View Richmond County Bank Ballpark in a larger map
Case Study #2: Schaefer Landing
Schaefer Landing is located on the former site of the F&M Schaefer Brewery, the longest operating beer brewery in New York City during its time. It is built on a 1.74-acre site in South Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Now, Schaefer Landing offers affordable and market-rate housing with a 15-story building containing 140 affordable rental units, as well as a 15-story tower and a 25-story tower containing a total of 210 condominium apartments (“Schaefer Landing”).
Similarly to the previous case, this project created jobs in areas not just related to environmental remediation but also in construction, engineering, and architecture. Although Schaefer Landing is by no means a tourist destination, it is still important to note that this land, previously of no use to the city, now provides housing for a diverse community. For more information on the significance of lands that can be utilized for housing the future population of New York City, please view our colleagues’ database entitled Housing.
Sources
“About Brownfields.” EPA.gov. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 18 Feb. 2010, . Web. 28, Mar. 2010.
“Brownfields: Transform the Past; Build for the Future.” The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, n.d., . Web. 28, Mar. 2010.
Cha, J. Mijin and Jack Dafoe. “New York City Green-Collar Jobs Roadmap.” Center for American Progress, 27 Oct. 2009, . Web. 18 Mar. 2010.
The City of New York/Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Brownfields.” PLANYC: A Greener, Greater New York, 2010. . Web. 10 Mar. 2010.
The City of New York/Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Brownfields Progress as of April 22, 2010.” PlaNYC Progress Report 2010. NYC Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability. . Web. 10 Mar. 2010.
Ennist, Larry. “Brownfields: New Life, New Uses.” DEC.NY.gov. Department of Environmental Conservation/New York State Conservationist, Dec. 2006, . Web. 28 Mar. 2010.
“Schaefer Landing.” ULI.gov. Urban Land Institute, 2010, . Web. 6 May 2010.
Index
