Mine-Scarred Lands (MSL) Initiative Tool Kit: Now Available from the Institute of Brownfield Professionals - January 22, 2007

Silver Spring, MD: The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Mine-Scarred Lands (MSL) Initiative is an effort to improve federal agencies’ coordination and collaboration for the clean-up and redevelopment of hard-rock- and coal-mine-scarred lands. The MSL Initiative has partnered with six communities on demonstration projects, and has developed a tool kit—updated on November 2, 2006 – to help other communities clean up and revitalize former mines by sharing models from the six projects and links to a range of resources.

Through decades of experience, the MSL Initiative partners have concluded there is no set strategy for mine revitalization. The Mine-Scarred Lands (MSL) Initiative Tool Kit therefore explains the general phases through which many mine-scarred land projects progress:

• Creating a Vision for Revitalization describes the types of information used and the stakeholders involved in assessing revitalization opportunities.
• Building Project Teams discusses the techniques project leaders apply to develop core project teams, identify partners and stakeholders, and involve community residents.
• Obtaining External Support relates how project teams use subject-matter experts and planning specialists.
• Developing a Revitalization Plan focuses on methods project partners use to set reuse goals and create project plans.

In other sections, the tool kit provides information about:

• Technical Considerations, providing an overview on technical issues and associated research resources, and describing how to obtain information on water quality treatment alternatives.
• Legal Considerations, relating information about the legal framework for mine clean-up and reuse, and discussing techniques for addressing liability issues and work with private or public land owners.
• Funding Revitalization Projects, describing methods for identifying and applying for funding and technical assistance resources and providing an overview of federal, state, tax-incentive, private-sector, and non-profit resources.

Obtain a PDF copy of the Mine-Scarred Lands (MSL) Initiative Tool Kit from IBP by contacting Institute Resources Manager Alpha Moore at alpha@brownfieldpros.org or 301/588-8668.

Established in 2004, the Institute of Brownfield Professionals is an educational organization whose mission is to:

• provide a forum for discussion of business, regulatory, and technical issues of common interest;
• represent members in regulatory matters;
• provide educational and training media and fora to advance members’ knowledge and capabilities;
• certify the apparent qualifications of environmental professionals; and
• promote members’ availability to serve those who need the services of environmental professionals.

Obtain more information about the Institute of Brownfield Professionals by visiting its website (www.brownfieldpros.org) or by contacting its staff (301/588-8668 or info@brownfieldpros.org).

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