Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of the seventh annual National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Awards on June 5, 2024. These awards recognize federal agencies, states, Tribes, local partners, communities, and developers for their efforts in restoring and reusing contaminated land at federal facilities.
“This year’s winners demonstrate the importance of strong partnerships in transforming contaminated federal facilities into community assets,” said Cliff Villa, EPA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Office of Land and Emergency Management.
The 2024 award recipients are:
**Superfund National Priorities List Award: Oak Ridge Reservation, Tennessee (Department of Energy – Office of Environmental Management)**
The Oak Ridge Reservation operated as a federal uranium enrichment facility until 1985 as part of the U.S. nuclear weapons program. After extensive cleanup and redevelopment efforts, the 2,200-acre site has been transformed into the East Tennessee Technology Park. The park now hosts Clean Energy businesses, a Manhattan Project National Historic Park, and a nature conservation area.
**Base Realignment and Closure Award: Former Norton Air Force Base, California (Air Force)**
Closed under the Base Realignment and Closure Act in 1994, Norton Air Force Base has been redeveloped into San Bernardino International Airport and a global logistics complex. The site now employs nearly 18,000 people with companies such as Amazon, Kohl’s, Mattel, UPS, FedEx, Stater Brothers complex, and Pep Boys operating there.
**Superfund Non-National Priorities List Award: Tuba City Disposal Site, Arizona (Department of Energy – Office of Legacy Management)**
Located near the Hopi Reservation on land leased from the Navajo Nation, this former uranium mill site was remediated under the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project following contamination from operations between 1956 to 1966. Ongoing groundwater remediation is powered by renewable energy systems that also connect to the Arizona Public Service electrical grid. Cooperation between leaders from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Reservation, and Department of Energy has been key to this site's success.
The EPA established these awards to honor exceptional work in remediating federal sites for beneficial use while creating positive community impacts. The agency continues its cleanup responsibilities at approximately 2,400 federal facility sites nationwide.
Award-winning projects are recognized for excellence in cooperative partnerships with EPA; integrating redevelopment design with selected remedies; innovating beneficial use outcomes; considering local community impacts; and fostering economic development or recreational opportunities.
Further information about the 2024 National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Awards can be found on EPA's website.
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