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First "Ready for Reuse" Certificate Announced

Release Date: 7/2/2002
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) issued their first "ready to reuse" certificate to a 144 acre steel manufacturing plant in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.  

     EPA and the ODEQ issued their first "ready for reuse" certificate to the Sheffield Steel Corporation in Sand Springs, OK.  The State of Oklahoma and EPA agree that Sheffield Steel Corporation has successfully completed its cleanup of the property.  The "ready for reuse" certificate verifies that environmental conditions on this property are protective of its current use and anticipated future use as an industrial property.

     EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Larry Starfield said, "Today's announcement highlights our newest initiative to promote the reuse of formerly used industrial properties.  We are building on our experience using the enormously successful Brownfields program.  Our "ready for reuse" certificates clear the way by providing necessary assurances to help encourage developers to reuse these valuable natural resources."

     A "ready for reuse" certification recognizes that contamination at a property has been characterized and cleaned up to a standard that is safe for its intended reuse.  "Ready for reuse" certification allows a potential buyer to make informed purchasing or development decisions based on information verified by EPA and the state environmental regulatory agency.  The primary purpose of the certification is to provide, in a straightforward manner, specific information about contamination, work performed at the site and the status of each real estate parcel that has been cleaned up to meet state and federal requirements.

     The Sheffield Steel Corporation facility is located at 2300 South Highway 97 in Sand Springs, OK.  Sheffield and its predecessor have operated the facility for more than 72 years as a steel manufacturing facility.  In the course of historical manufacturing activities, Sheffield has managed hazardous materials and some releases of these materials to the environment have occurred.  To address those releases, Sheffield voluntarily cleaned the contamination and is now interested in selling and/or developing the property for additional industrial uses.  

     Information concerning the current environmental conditions of the Sheffield Steel property and risk management activities conducted to ensure protectiveness are summarized in the 2002 Sheffield Steel Corporation Risk Evaluation Report/Risk Management Report.  Copies of this document may be obtained from either the ODEQ, Land Protection Division, P.O. Box 1677, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677 or Sheffield Steel Corporation/Doug Strickland, 220 North Jefferson St., Sand Springs, OK 74063.

     For more information on the "ready for reuse" certification process call Steve Gilrein, Associate Director for RCRA, EPA Region 6, 214-665-8179.  To learn more about EPA's Land Revitalization Initiative, contact Stephen Luftig, Senior Advisor for Land Reuse, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response at  703-603-9931.