Site Cleanup to Restore Ecosystems and Watersheds
Some USDA-managed lands and former USDA facilities are affected by environmental contamination from hazardous materials. In general, the contamination occurred from historical materials and waste management practices predating the era of modern environmental regulation, which began in the 1970s. In addition, as many as 7,000 mining-related sites (of more than 40,000 such sites on National Forest lands) release harmful quantities of hazardous materials to the environment. These sites were created following passage of the General Mining Law of 1872, which encouraged exploration and settling of the American West. Mining activities under the law were virtually unregulated during the first 100 years following its passage.

State and local economies rely on USDA-managed lands for the many benefits and services they provide, including drinking and irrigation water, fishing, camping, boating, swimming, hiking, and subsistence hunting and gathering. HMMD is involved in funding priority projects for ecosystem and watershed restoration efforts on USDA-managed lands that have been adversely affected by hazardous materials.

Incident/Emergency Response
The petroleum products and hazardous substances that fuel our prosperity can, in a heartbeat, or over many years, pollute the environment, threaten health, curtail economic activity, and disrupt safety and security. It does not matter whether the incident resulted from an accident, an intentional act, or a result of a natural disaster. There is a never-ending need to prepare for, guard against, and effectively respond to incidents that regularly arise during the manufacture, transport, storage, use, or misuse of hazardous materials. USDA HMMD plays a key role in responding to emergency situations on USDA-managed lands which involve discharges of oil and releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants. Past emergencies of national significance where USDA has provided assistance include: oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez, and New Carissa, the Columbia Space shuttle recovery, and Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

Environmental Management Systems
In January 2007, the President signed Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management." The executive order mandates that Federal departments and agencies conduct their environmental, transportation, and energy-related activities under the law in an environmentally, economically and fiscally sound, integrated, continuously improving, efficient, and sustainable manner. The order establishes ambitious objectives related to energy conservation, water conservation, "green" procurement, alternative fuel usage, "green" building construction, and other sustainable practices. The executive order establishes environmental management systems (EMS) as the primary management framework for achieving its sustainable practice objectives.

HMMD assists USDA in the implementation of E.O. 13423 by developing policies and guidance related to:

• Developing and implementing EMS
• Incorporating sustainable goals and compliance management plans into EMS
• Establishing and achieving goals to eliminate or reduce the acquisition, use, and disposal of toxic and hazardous substances.

Brownfields Redevelopment
Rural communities themselves are not exempt from the effects of environmental contamination. Thousands of "brownfields" abandoned industries and businesses, such as mills, factories and closed gasoline stations are actual or perceived sources of environmental contamination. In a rural community, the impact can be even more devastating if the failed business is the sole large employer. A central blighted property also increases pressure to develop surrounding farmland or "greenfields." USDA helps support rural redevelopment through programs in the Rural Development and Natural Resources and Environment Mission areas. USDA HMMD serves as the primary contact point for communities needing USDA assistance with a brownfields project. We also have a special interest on brownfields associated with mine scarred lands and communities from a cleanup and redevelopment perspective.