Once A Brownfield, Now A Productive Site
Correcting an industrial
disaster
The Solvay Settling Basins, the scene of years of
industrial pollution on the shores of Syracuse’s Onondaga Lake, is the
setting for a novel approach to restoring brownfield sites for beneficial use.
Instead of capping them with clay and plastic, fencing them, and posting
“Keep Out” signs, a partnership of engineers, scientists and new
corporate owners has taken a different tack on a portion of the site: Restore
the ecosystem. Remediate the environmental concerns. Grow and harvest something
useful.
Then invite people in.
Read the story. Dr. Douglas J. Daley, who teaches environmental resource engineering at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse leads a portion of the work.
“Humans have developed the area for their benefit but, unfortunately, destroyed a relatively unique environment: an inland salt marsh,” Daley said. “We’re trying to reclaim some of that lost ecological history on an otherwise unusable site, while providing a benefit, both now and in the future.”
“A conventional approach, by itself, won’t solve the long-term problem, so we’re taking a systems approach to it,” he said. “It’s a unique solution to a unique problem.”
Too often, solving problems “by the book” doesn’t help anyone. A multi-discipline solution to a human-caused disaster.
Then invite people in.
Read the story. Dr. Douglas J. Daley, who teaches environmental resource engineering at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse leads a portion of the work.
“Humans have developed the area for their benefit but, unfortunately, destroyed a relatively unique environment: an inland salt marsh,” Daley said. “We’re trying to reclaim some of that lost ecological history on an otherwise unusable site, while providing a benefit, both now and in the future.”
“A conventional approach, by itself, won’t solve the long-term problem, so we’re taking a systems approach to it,” he said. “It’s a unique solution to a unique problem.”
Too often, solving problems “by the book” doesn’t help anyone. A multi-discipline solution to a human-caused disaster.
Posted: Sun - November 11, 2007 at 05:16 AM