The Groundwork USA Trust Act 2015 - Summer

Team Members: Allison Pace, Kaitlin Flahive, Merav Cohen, Erica Golin, Nicole Joseph, Sara Kaddoura,Lacey Gray McCarthy, Zenia Montero, Iara Souza Vicente  

Brownfield contamination affects approximately 500,000 sites across the United States, posing serious threats to public health, environmental quality, and economic development. Contaminants such as heavy metals, petroleum products, and industrial chemicals can persist in soil and groundwater, increasing risks of cancer, neurological damage, and ecosystem degradation. These sites often remain abandoned due to high remediation costs, contributing to urban decline and environmental injustice in disadvantaged communities. The legislation proposes federal funding to support nonprofit organizations in assessing and remediating contaminated sites while promoting community-based redevelopment.

Research findings highlight the environmental, social, and economic benefits of brownfield remediation, including increased property values, improved environmental quality, and enhanced community well-being. Effective remediation strategies—such as bioremediation, soil stabilization, and pollutant extraction—can restore ecological function and enable productive land reuse. Community-based organizations play a critical role in ensuring redevelopment addresses local needs and promotes environmental equity. However, successful implementation requires sustained funding, careful site-specific risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement. By supporting local remediation efforts, the legislation would accelerate environmental restoration, stimulate economic development, and improve public health outcomes.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.