|
TECHNICAL INFORMATION In 2003, WHC held a Technical Symposium, which brought together a group of experts to finalize a white paper discussing the use of ecological enhancements at contaminated properties. The final document, Making the Case for Ecological Enhancements, is now available!
ITRC Guidance Document on Ecological Land Reuse Currently in Development
WHC is collaborating with the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council’s Ecological Land Reuse Team in creating a guidance document based on the principles of the white paper. The guidance document was formally presented at the 2005 Restoring Greenspace conference. An online training session for this guidance document is now being developed. Related Link: Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council Annotated Bibliography on Phytoremediation
Prepared by Mark Coleman, Biological Scientist, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and Ronald S. Zalesny Jr., Research Plant Geneticist, USDA Forest Service North Central Research Station, May 1, 2006. MAKING THE CASE FOR ECOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENTS - Executive Summary An ecological enhancement modifies a site to increase/improve habitat for plants and animals while protecting human health and the environment. An ecological enhancement can include natural remediation technologies and/or also represent an end use which restores/increases the ecological value of the land. |
Ecological enhancements considered at the inception of planning for environmental remediation at Superfund, RCRA, and brownfield sites can be a cost-effective and efficient way to increase, create, and/or improve wildlife habitat. A remedial plan that embraces the concepts presented in this white paper can contribute greatly to protection of human health and the environment. An ecological enhancement modifies a site to increase/improve habitat for plants and animals while protecting human health and the environment. An ecological enhancement can include natural remediation technologies and/or also represent an end use which restores/increases the ecological value of the land. Incorporation of ecological enhancements can benefit multiple stakeholders, such as regulatory agencies, the regulated community, local communities, and the general public.As illustrated in the case studies in Appendix D, ecological enhancements can efficiently and effectively contribute to the success of many projects via the harnessing of remediation technologies, thereby facilitating the attainment of specified remediation goals. Providing ecological enhancements is not a “one size fits all” process. Site-specific considerations and engineering evaluation of goals and objectives, regulatory constraints, potential technologies, probable costs, and likely benefits need to be objectively studied at each potential site. MAKING THE CASE FOR ECOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENTS - Table of Contents Executive Summary 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Using Ecological Enhancements
2.1 Creating or Restoring Wildlife Habitat as a Final Cleanup Goal
2.2 Creating Habitat as a Complement to a Traditional Remedy
2.3 Using Natural Remediation as a Cleanup Technology
3.0 Making the Case
3.1 Environmental Benefits
3.2 Economic Benefits
3.3 Public Benefits
4.0 Relevant Considerations 5.0 Recommendations 6.0 Other Resources Appendix A – Technical Committee Listing Appendix B – Detailed Explanation and Illustrative Example of Conservation Easements Appendix C – Case Study Matrix Appendix D – Case Studies Please check our Case Study Page for a complete listing of Case Studies. CS-1 through CS-24 were developed as a component of this white paper. 
Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader
Land Restoration Home
|
