Introduction

EPA and BMBF decided to continue their cooperative activities in Phase 3 with a focus on removing obstacles to the revitalization of potentially contaminated sites (e.g., Brownfields). The purpose of Phase 3 was to help revitalization practitioners overcome obstacles to revitalization. The EPA and BMBF followed a systematic approach for each phase of the bilateral. For Phase 3 this included five steps: (1) baseline workshops, (2) feasibility studies, (3) product development, (4) beta testing of products, and finally (5) transferring information, tools, techniques, and approaches through publications, websites, and conference presentations.

SMARTe

SMARTe (Sustainable Management Approaches and Revitalization Tools – electronic) is a freely available, open source, web-based, decision support system located at: www.smarte.org. SMARTe helps users overcome site revitalization obstacles by providing information, resources, links, and case studies for all aspects of revitalization including planning, environmental issues, social acceptance, and economic viability. SMARTe also contains analysis tools for evaluating specific aspects of revitalization such as analyzing site characterization data, performing risk assessments, selecting a developer, and converting units of measurement. Further, SMARTe is an integrated decision support system that allows revitalization stakeholders to objectively evaluate reuse options for specific sites and circumstances using a cost-benefit calculator. Revitalization stakeholders can use SMARTe to help them understand social, economic, and ecological trade-offs, present information to other stakeholders, and develop a revitalization plan.

The current version of SMARTe requires additional development in areas such as: visioning, GIS capabilities, risk assessment, fate and transport modeling, remediation technology selection, identifying sources of money, sustainability, creating a revitalization plan and cost-benefit analysis. Additionally, EPA wishes to expand SMARTe to allow users to incorporate regional considerations in sustainable land management planning (specifically from Phase 4 of the US-German Bilateral Working Group). New versions of SMARTe will be released every year with new tools and capabilities.

The USEPA is currently seeking partners for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to further research and develop decision support tools related to sustainable land management. Tools such as educational materials, documents, case studies, checklists, calculators, spreadsheets, databases and decision analysis tools will be developed and incorporated into SMARTe. All such tools developed under Phase 4 of the US-German Bilateral Working Group will be included.

SMARTe Quality Assurance Project Plan