Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization: Engaging Communities to Support Ecosystem-Based Management and Improve Human Wellbeing at Clean-up Sites

Abstract

Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization (R2R2R) is a framework to identify ecological and policy-based relationships between large-scale aquatic sediment remediation projects, subsequent habitat restoration projects, and waterfront revitalization. A defining feature of R2R2R is that it possesses three essential feedback loops: a translational ecology feedback loop, an adaptive management feedback loop, and a project management feedback loop. The R2R2R framework builds on Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) theory by addressing the role of humans through these feedback loops, and by recognizing the ability of communities to learn and make choices that improve the environment through translational science. In this framework, translating ecological changes from remediation and restoration projects to public benefits (e.g., swimmable water, potential for urban greenspace) using the concept of ecosystem services is critical to support decisionmaking. In practice, community perceptions and uses of the remediated and restored ecosystem or habitat are central to EBM. We use the Great Lakes Area of Concern program to illustrate how R2R2R exemplifies EBM for large, complex sediment remediation and aquatic habitat restoration projects. Lessons Learned • The Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization (R2R2R) framework is integrative of diverse interests through ongoing opportunities for engagement and a synthesis of input to inform research and project alternatives • Consideration of translational ecology and adaptive management, in addition to the project, create distinct opportunities for engagement with the community, stakeholders, and project implementers

The perceived ecological and human well‐being benefits of ecosystem restoration

“…Moving forward, we hope this baseline fosters dialogue and the eventual inclusion of human well‐being and equity criteria in GLRI's and other restoration programme's RFPs and monitoring. Especially, with the recent revitalization research that focussed on equity (Nixon et al., 2022; Williams & Hoffman, 2020)–and continued attention to the gentrification implications and the equitable distribution of urban greening, restoration and conservation (Gould & Lewis, 2012; Rigolon et al., 2019; Yocom et al., 2016)–it is reasonable to expect that consideration of equity in ecological restoration will only increase in future.…”

“…Broadly, the concern is to ensure that restoration efforts–and the accompanying federal spending–are fairly distributed among regions and communities according to socio‐economic status, race and gender (Angradi et al., 2019; Armstrong, 2019; Breslow et al., 2016; Wells et al., 2021), without causing negative impacts like ‘green gentrification’ or displacement of low‐income or renter communities (Gould & Lewis, 2012; Rigolon et al., 2019). For example, the Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization (R2R2R2) framework proposed by Williams and Hoffman (2020) and research by Nixon et al. (2022) highlight the local links between restoration actions and the socio‐economic and well‐being changes that drive revitalization.…”

Evolving Institutional Arrangements for Use of an Ecosystem Approach in Restoring Great Lakes Areas of Concern

“…Concern among some RAP practitioners is that AOC delisting can result in loss of momentum due to lack of a tangible reason to organize, loss of important sources of funding, and less frequent environmental monitoring [ 23 ]. As cleanup nears completion, many AOCs are considering “life after delisting” and exploring how to leverage remedial and preventive actions to advance broader social and economic revitalization in waterfront areas [ 41 ]. In total, our survey found that 30 of the 43 AOCs mention “life after delisting” and/or sustainability ( Tables 2 and 3 ).…”

Bringing soil chemistry to environmental health science to tackle soil contaminants

“…The USEPA, whose mission involves research that protects human health and the environment, has a long tradition of working across the framework in Figure 1. An example of these efforts is the USEPA Great Lakes Region's Remediation to Restoration to Revitalization (R2R2R), which seeks to remediate contaminated areas to restore ecosystem services and revitalize communities (Williams and Hoffman, 2020). These projects engage diverse scientists, including soil chemists, ecologists, biologist, and health scientists, to work with stakeholders to convert contaminated lands to thriving areas.…”