What is a Brownfield?
Definitions to know:
BROWNFIELD
A property in which its expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
A “brownfield” generally refers to a parcel of land that was previously used for industrial purposes and which is contaminated by low concentrations of hazardous chemicals.
ENVIRONMENTAL COVER
An environmental cover is a layer of clean soil placed over the ground to create a protective barrier between people and any contaminants that remain below the surface. It allows safe use of the site, like for parks or open spaces, while keeping people from coming into contact with deeper soil that may still contain pollution.
EXPOSURE PATHWAY
An exposure pathway is the link between an environmental release or source to the point where a population might come into contact with, or be exposed to, the environmental contaminant.
IMMOBILE CONTAMINANT
A contaminant is considered immobile when it is no longer at risk for moving through groundwater or the air and coming into contact people.
SUPERFUND SITE
In 1980, Congress established the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). CERCLA is informally called Superfund. It allows the EPA to clean up contaminated sites. It also forces
the parties responsible for the contamination to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanup work. When there is no viable responsible party, Superfund gives the EPA the funds and authority to clean up contaminated sites. Montague Park is no longer designated as a Superfund site.
SOIL BORING
A subsurface investigation to collect samples in order to determine the depths and composition of layers of soil and other materials below the surface.
TDEC
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; TDEC is responsible for all testing and monitoring of the Montague Park environmental cover.