Flying Site Assistance - 2010/06
Byline
Joe Beshar | [email protected]
Webinar overview
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsored a webinar seminar, "Taking to the Superfund Skies," to examine the partnership between the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the EPA Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI). The seminar was hosted by the EPA and National Program Manager Melissa Friedland, and I was asked to participate.
EPA and AMA partnership (Melissa Friedland)
Melissa began the presentation by discussing SRI's partnership with AMA.
"I'd like to begin by spending a little time talking about how the partnership got started and how it works on a day-to-day basis. The foundation of our partnership with AMA is based on SRI's mission of supporting communities in their efforts to weave remediated Superfund properties back into the fabric of their community.
"When Joe Beshar called me back in 2004, I jumped at the chance to explore partnership possibilities because I saw it aligning so clearly with our mission.
"The AMA signed a partnership agreement, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with EPA in February of 2005. The MOU links Superfund communities interested in hosting aeromodeling activities on their Superfund sites with the expertise and resources of the Academy.
"By partnering with AMA and other organizations, EPA is affirming its commitment to putting remedies in place that are protective and allow the sites to be used in beneficial ways. Reuse helps EPA as well; future users add an additional measure of protection by acting as stewards for the land, discouraging destructive activities such as trespassing and vandalism.
"So how does it work? A member of AMA contacts the AMA Flying Site Coordinator, Joe Beshar, to inquire about using a cleaned-up Superfund site as a flying field for a local AMA club or chapter. They may have found the site through local contacts, or they may have used the NPL (National Priorities List) site finder website that the AMA has distributed to its members.
"Joe provides SRI with the location (and name, if available) of the site in question. Joe also provides the name of the AMA member who made the inquiry.
"SRI does some quick research on the site, including correctly identifying the name and location of the site, reuse status, and seeks information on local stakeholders, potentially responsible parties, and/or current owners of the site; and determines whether the site has received any coverage in local or regional media.
"SRI contacts the site's EPA Remedial Project Manager (RPM) (and/or Regional SRI Coordinator) to get an update about the status of the site and a more detailed description of the site, current uses, and appropriateness for model aviation activities, and important contacts.
"SRI works with the RPM to identify the next steps. These steps may vary from site to site, but can include contacting the site owner to further discuss reuse opportunities; contacting the AMA chapter to alert it to the site's status; providing the RPM the contact information for the AMA member so communication can continue; identifying potential reuse barriers and methods for overcoming them; or setting up a conference call between the various stakeholders to discuss options together.
"If the site is deemed inappropriate for AMA activities, SRI or the region notifies the AMA contact of this information and may bring to its attention other sites that might be appropriate for aeromodeling activities. If the site is deemed as having potential for aeromodeling activities, in most cases SRI steps aside and the local AMA group and appropriate local stakeholder will work together to facilitate the reuse.
"The EPA regional staff may continue to work with the stakeholders to remove barriers not necessary for protectiveness to support the reuse; answer any questions or concerns the stakeholders might have; and review any design plans as promptly as possible.
"SRI will continue to check in with stakeholders to capture the story and offer assistance when and if it is appropriate.
"There are currently eight Superfund sites with successful AMA flying activities on them, with another seven in pending status. Considering the complex and often lengthy process of Superfund reuse, we are extremely happy with these numbers and looking forward to ushering more sites into reuse!"
How the partnership works — summary steps
- An AMA member contacts the AMA Flying Site Coordinator (Joe Beshar) to inquire about using a remediated Superfund site as a flying field.
- Joe provides SRI with the site's location/name (if available) and the AMA member's contact information.
- SRI conducts preliminary research: verifies site identity and location, assesses reuse status, identifies local stakeholders and owners, and checks media coverage.
- SRI contacts the site's EPA Remedial Project Manager (RPM) or Regional SRI Coordinator for an update on site status, current uses, and suitability for model aviation.
- SRI and the RPM identify next steps, which may include:
- Contacting the site owner to discuss reuse opportunities.
- Alerting the local AMA chapter to the site's status.
- Providing the RPM with the AMA member's contact information.
- Identifying and addressing potential reuse barriers.
- Setting up a stakeholder conference call to discuss options.
- If a site is inappropriate, SRI/region notifies the AMA and may suggest alternatives. If appropriate, local AMA groups and stakeholders lead reuse efforts while SRI monitors and offers assistance.
- EPA regional staff may continue to help remove non-protectiveness barriers, answer stakeholder questions, and review plans.
AMA perspective (Joe Beshar)
Then it was my turn to speak.
"Model aviation is a very worthy hobby and sport, one that brings together all ages from junior to senior, without discrimination, and has proven to be of great value to our nation. It is educational and career-building.
"There are no physical barriers to model aviation. It is an educational sport/hobby, which encourages early interest and promotes our young people into research and development of future products. It is the spark that ignites the imagination; nearly every astronaut at one time or another was involved in model aeronautics.
"The AMA represents some 160,000 members nationwide from every walk of life, economic background, and age group. The Academy is open to anyone interested in building and flying model airplanes.
"AMA is always looking for flying fields which are the heartbeat of model aviation. The extensive search of government agencies for assistance in obtaining model airplane flying sites led the AMA to the Environmental Protection Agency."
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
