There are several key ingredients that make the cleanup and redevelopment of this site a Superfund success story. Although the gaming and historic preservation laws were catalysts in revitalizing the towns, the partnerships formed by EPA resulted in the cleanup of land critical to the economic growth of the area. To ensure successful cleanup, EPA and the State worked closely with developers as well as the State and local governments involved. They worked with officials in Black Hawk to establish a cleanup permit plan for companies interested in developing other non-Superfund contaminated properties. As part of this partnership, EPA helped the local government establish action plans that determine whether and how a developer should clean the property.
Public involvement is an important and ongoing part of the Superfund process.
EPA and the State of Colorado have been instrumental in the Clear Creek Watershed Forum and other community efforts that share project information. In 1994, the Clear Creek Watershed Advisory Group was formed under EPA s Technical Assistance Grant program. The funding is used to communicate publicly cleanup information and to encourage citizen participation in cleanup decisions. I m astonished at the overall effort, the energy of the various agencies, industry and local citizens. The potential for recreation is tremendous.