From Superfund to Super Fun - The Benefits of Recreational Superfund Site Reuse

Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 2:00 PM-3:30 PM EDT (18:00-19:30 GMT)

Consideration of future use is an integral part of the EPA's cleanup programs. Superfund site restoration and reuse can revitalize local economies and communities with recreational opportunities. This webinar will showcase the benefits of recreational reuses at Superfund sites across the country.

Presenters:

Alexis Rourk Reyes, EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Superfund Redevelopment Program (Rourk.Alexis@epa.gov or 202-564-3179)

Alexis Rourk Reyes serves as the Program Manager for the Superfund Redevelopment Program at the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Superfund Redevelopment Program helps communities reuse formerly contaminated land through an array of tools, partnerships, and activities, aiming to provide long-impacted local communities with new opportunities to grow and prosper. Alexis previously served in EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization where she led technical assistance on equitable development as part of the Building Blocks program and supported other technical assistance program to communities with data analysis and engagement of underrepresented groups to ensure that community-driven action planning is done with their meaningful participation. Her previous positions and education were focused on in participatory land use planning, environmental justice, and public health.

Chelsea Sebetich, EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Superfund Redevelopment Program (Sebetich.Chelsea@epa.gov or 202-566-1151)

Chelsea Sebetich has recently joined the Office of Superfund Remediation & Technology Innovation's Community Involvement and Program Initiatives Branch at EPA headquarters, where she supports the Superfund Redevelopment Program (SRP) - EPA's effort to help communities reclaim and reuse formerly contaminated Superfund sites. She also supports the Superfund Job Training Initiative (SuperJTI), an environmental remediation job readiness program that provides free training and career development opportunities for people living in communities affected by Superfund sites.

Prior to her work with EPA, Chelsea served with the Peace Corps in North Macedonia, where she volunteered with a local environmental community organization, in addition to her primary role as an education program facilitator. She began her career in the nonprofit sector, working as a program coordinator for a small business foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Chelsea holds a Masters of Public Administration in Sustainable Development & Organizational Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and International Cultural Studies from Bethany College in West Virginia.

Tony Stillman, Academy of Model Aeronautics (tonys@modelaircraft.org)

Tony Stillman is the Safety/Technical Director at the Academy of Model Aeronautics. He has been flying RC models for over 50 years, starting when he was 12 years old. Mr. Stillman joined a local model club (Northwest Florida Modelers) and flew at their site for many years. He served as the club President, Vice-president, Safety Officer, Newsletter Editor and Secretary/Treasurer over the next 25 years. He also became involved with the Academy of Model Aeronautics as a District Vice-President representing the Southeastern US. Mr. Stillman went to work with the AMA in 2011 as their Flying Site Assistance Coordinator, assisting model airplane clubs around the country to obtain and retain flying sites.

Mr. Stillman moved into the role of AMA Safety/Technical Director about 2 years ago. He still assists the AMA Clubs department with Flying Site Assistance when needed.

Moderator:

Jean Balent, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (balent.jean@epa.gov or 202-566-0832)

Ms Balent is on the staff of the EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division where she has worked to collect and disseminate hazardous waste remediation and characterization information since 2003. Ms Balent manages the Clean Up Information Network website and actively supports online communication and collaboration resources available to EPA. She formerly worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Engineering Division in the Buffalo District. Ms Balent was also a member of the SUNY-Buffalo Groundwater Research Group where she constructed and tested large scale models of groundwater flow. Ms Balent has also conducted research relating to the Great Lakes, environmental remediation, and brownfields re-development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from SUNY-Buffalo and a Master's degree in Information Technology from AIU.

Webinar Slides and References:

• Slide Presentation for July 19, 2022 Superfund Redevelopment Program Webinar (20.9MB/PDF)

Webinar Slides and References:

• Slide Presentation for July 19, 2022 Superfund Redevelopment Program Webinar (20.9MB/PDF)

Additional Resources:

• Seminar Archives
• EPA's Superfund Redevelopment
• Superfund Redevelopment Basics
• Find the Redevelopment Tool that Works for You
• Supporting Current and Future Use at Superfund Sites
• Regional Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator Contacts
• Superfund Redevelopment Partnerships
• Superfund Redevelopment Ready for Reuse Fact Sheets
• Superfund Redevelopment Success Stories, Fact Sheets and Case Studies
• Ready for Reuse (RfR) Determinations