Toolkit for Greener Practices: Option List
MPCA staff and stakeholders identified 15 options for P2 and sustainable activities and organized them into three specific scenarios, covering a range of circumstances at cleanup and other regulated sites and greenfields. The three scenarios are Development or Renovation, Business Practices and Cleanup Remedy Selection. A site may, in fact, correspond to more than one of these scenarios.
Select an option listed in the following table to access the corresponding Option Detail Sheet. Alternatively, access the detail sheets from the Decision Tree, which will help you focus on the options most appropriate to your site.
The options were chosen according to the potential for enhanced environmental outcomes. The options listed under each scenario include activities that are strictly within and beyond the regulatory authority of MPCA programs. They are consistent with the MPCA Risk-Based Site Evaluation guidelines for incorporating pollution prevention into response action plans. Remediation staff may promote other options that do not relate directly to contaminant clean up to realize enhanced environmental outcomes that protect Minnesota's air, land and water and sustain the global environment. All P2/S activities are voluntary unless implementation is required to protect against a threatened release or to correct a compliance violation.
Appropriate sites may involve undeveloped or vacated property, property with an existing commercial or industrial operation, or property undergoing development. MPCA cleanup programs included in this initiative are the Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) Program, the Superfund Program and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program. Although this initiative was not developed with petroleum tank release sites or closed landfill sites in mind, some of the guidelines may be applicable.
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Sites at which a No Action remedy is not adequate. These sites may be vacant or undeveloped. Examples of P2 or sustainable activity include energy efficient alternatives to groundwater pumpout systems that avoid discharge to WWTPs, such as constructed wetlands; treatment to avoid cross media transfer; and deconstruction of buildings to salvage materials for reuse. |
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Includes cleanup sites at which a known or threatened (potential) release can be attributed to an operating business or sites at which a new business is subject to environmental regulations. If necessary, MPCA remediation staff is advised to refer such sites to MPCA compliance programs or the MPCA Small Business Assistance Program or Ombudsmen for assistance with implementation of P2 or sustainable activities. |
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Opportunities for P2 and sustainable activity for this scenario that are within direct jurisdiction of MPCA programs include preventing threatened releases of hazardous substances, storm water management, and management of air emissions and hazardous waste. For cleanup sites, including Brownfields, at which redevelopment or renovation is planned, remediation staff can assist with appropriate referrals. MPCA staff must be sensitive to timelines required by real estate transactions at some brownfields and be willing to forego or abandon plans to pursue opportunities for voluntary P2 or sustainable activities. Opportunities for P2 and sustainable activities outside the strict regulatory jurisdiction should be promoted only in appropriate circumstances and when the regulatory customer or client is interested. Options 2-1, 2-3, 2-4, and 2-5 may also be applicable. |
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