The review and analysis of cleanup alternatives relies on the data collected during the site assessment and investigation phases, which are discussed in the preceding sections of the Road Map. The purpose of evaluating various technologies is to identify those technologies with the capability to meet specific cleanup and redevelopment objectives. For brownfields sites, it also is important to consider budget requirements and to maintain a work schedule so that the project remains financially viable.

Institutional controls also are an important consideration during this phase. Examples of such legal and administrative requirements include easements, covenants, zoning restrictions, and the posting of advisories to increase community awareness of the environmental conditions and cleanup activities at the site. See Spotlight 16, Understanding the Role of Institutional Controls at Brownfields Sites, for more information about institutional controls.

Factors that should be considered during the evaluation of cleanup options include:

1. How do we determine the appropriate and feasible level of cleanup? Are there federal, state, local, and tribal requirements for cleanup? Should risk-based approaches be considered as an option for assessing exposure (see the definition of risk-based corrective action [RBCA] in List of Acronyms and Glossary of Key Terms)? Are there prescribed standards for cleanup? Are there provisions for using presumptive remedies?
2. What factors are associated with the implementation of cleanup options? Will the cleanup facilitate or hinder the planned redevelopment? How long will cleanup take? What will cleanup cost? What are the short-term and long-term effects of the cleanup technologies under consideration?
3. Are the cleanup options compatible with regional or local planning and development goals and requirements? Can redevelopment activities (such as construction or renovation of buildings) be conducted concurrently with cleanup?
4. How can the community participate in the review and selection of cleanup options? Are the options acceptable in light of community concerns about protection during cleanup and reuse of the site? What environmental standards should be considered to ensure that community stakeholders are satisfied with the outcome and process of cleanup, given the intended reuse?
5. Is there a need for institutional controls after cleanup? Are proposed institutional controls appropriate in light of community concerns and access to and use of the property? Will institutional controls facilitate or hinder development? What plans, including financial assurances, are being made to ensure that institutional controls remain in place as long as contamination is present?
6. What options are available to monitor the performance of cleanup technologies?

The process of reviewing and analyzing cleanup options and technology alternatives usually follows these steps:

• Establish goals for cleanup that consider the end use and use applicable standards, published state or federal guidelines, RBCAs, or site-specific risk assessment results
• Educate members of the community about the site cleanup selection process and actively involve them in decision-making
• Review general information about cleanup technologies to become familiar with those that may be applicable to a particular site:
  • Use the resources in this publication
  • See Table A-3, Technologies for Treating Contaminants Found at Brownfields Sites, for examples of technologies that are appropriate for specific types of contaminants
  • Conduct searches of existing literature that further describes the technology alternatives
  • Analyze detailed technical information about the applicability of technology alternatives
• Narrow the list of potential technologies that are most appropriate for addressing the contamination identified at the site and that are compatible with the specific conditions of the site and the proposed reuse of the property:
  • Network with other brownfields stakeholders and environmental professionals to learn about their experiences and to tap their expertise
  • Determine whether sufficient data are available to support identification and evaluation of cleanup alternatives
  • Evaluate the options against a number of factors, including toxicity levels, exposure pathways, associated risks, future land use, and economic considerations
  • Analyze the applicability of a particular technology to the contamination identified at a site
  • Determine the effects of various technology alternatives on redevelopment objectives
• Continue to work with appropriate regulatory agencies to ensure that regulatory requirements are addressed properly:
  • Consult with the appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal regulatory agencies to include them in the decision-making process as early as possible
  • Contact the EPA regional brownfields coordinator to identify and determine the availability of EPA support programs
• Integrate cleanup alternatives with reuse alternatives to identify potential constraints on reuse and time schedules and to assess cost and risk factors
• To provide a measure of certainty and stability to the project, investigate environmental insurance policies, such as protection against cost overruns, undiscovered contamination, and third-party litigation, and integrate their cost into the project financial package
• Select an acceptable remedy that not only achieves cleanup goals and addresses the risk of contamination, but also best meets the objectives for redevelopment and reuse of the property and is compatible with the needs of the community
• Communicate information about the proposed cleanup option to brownfields stakeholders, including the affected community

Show all resources as one list

Examples of resources that will assist in reviewing and analyzing cleanup options are listed below.

A. Resources for Cleanup Options

The documents listed below are resources that provide general information about the availability of technology resources in the form of bibliographies, status reports, and user guides.

B. Site-Specific Resources for Cleanup Options

Listed below are survey reports on the application of innovative technologies to specific contaminants and site types.

C. Technology-Specific Resources for Cleanup Options

The documents listed below provide detailed information about specific innovative technologies and the application of those processes to specific contaminants and media in the form of engineering analyses, application reports, technology verification and evaluation reports, and technology review.

After you have reviewed options for cleanup, you may take any of the following courses of action:

Result of the Review of Cleanup Options		Course of Action
The proposed cleanup option appears feasible.		Proceed to the Cleanup Design and Implementation phase.
No cleanup option appears feasible in light of the proposed redevelopment and land reuse needs (such as project milestones and cost and intended reuse).		Determine whether revising the redevelopment plan remains a practicable option; if so, proceed to the Cleanup Design and Implementation phase. If contamination exists at considerable levels, compliance with other programs, such as RCRA and Superfund, may be required.