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Section
5.0: Suggestions for Proceeding
Drawing on the findings of
its study, EPA offers the following suggestions to assist others who are
planning, designing, and operating web sites that include information
about brownfields properties:
- Consider the requirements
of all potential users of a web site: To help ensure the success of
a web site, discussions should be held with target audiences that could
benefit from the site. Those audiences might include national corporations
that purchase brownfields properties, as well as associations with members
who have redeveloped brownfields properties successfully and actively
seek new opportunities. The optional web site design prepared by EPA
can be used as a basis for further discussions about the items of information
that would be most useful to users of a web site.
- Identify opportunities
to build on lessons learned: The study revealed that many cities, states,
private parties, and other entities are embarking on individual efforts
to develop and operate web sites. Because many of those systems will
be similar to one another, efforts might be combined to save time and
money. The information obtained through the study could be used to guide
that process. Any resources saved when developing web sites could be
used instead to gather, enter, and maintain complete and current property
information in the web site.
- Identify opportunities
to share information: A variety of entities have expended vast resources
to plan and design web sites. Increasing communication among potential
users and operators of web sites to identify common needs and approaches
could save significant funds.
- Define actions and resources
for moving forward: Any effort to list information about the potentially
thousands of brownfield properties across the nation will require a
well-defined plan and extensive resources. The steps to be taken in
a national effort must be defined and shared with all stakeholders in
the process. Once the steps have been defined, an estimate of the resources
necessary can be made. Then parties could begin to allocate the resources
necessary to accelerate the concept.
- Encourage the sharing of
views and the development of strategic alliances: During the study,
EPA held discussions with a cross-section of potential users of web
sites. However, because the potential number of users is large, additional
discussions are warranted to ensure all valid views are represented.
Many individuals, government agencies, associations, and other entities
have worked on brownfields web sites. However, much of the work to date
has been performed by individuals working on their own. It would be
beneficial to identify opportunities to bring those entities together
to form strategic alliances and partnerships as a means of maximizing
resources and "brainpower."
- Identify past and current
efforts: It would be beneficial to identify efforts by local, state,
and federal agencies and other entities that can serve as a basis for
others to consider. The efforts should include both web site designs
and procedures for the collection and maintenance of information about
properties. Information about efforts that have not been successful
also should be shared.
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