As demand for brownfield redevelopment continues, the standards and practices that guide due diligence, cleanup, and risk management continue to advance. ASTM standards help ensure that redevelopment projects meet regulatory requirements while supporting sustainable reuse and effective long-term stewardship.
At this year’s National Brownfields Training Conference, Terradex Vice President J. Michael Sowinski will speak on two panels addressing recent developments in ASTM standards and continuing obligations, providing practical insights for property owners, brownfields developers, and environmental professionals managing environmental risk and liability. Mike is a national expert on long-term stewardship, continuing obligations, and institutional controls. He leads the ASTM Task Group that drafted Standard Guide E2790, serves on the ASTM E50 Executive Committee, and has co-authored key legal and technical publications. The session descriptions follow.
ASTM Standards for Brownfields Redevelopment (Roundtable Discussion)
For over 125 years, ASTM International has been a global leader in developing consensus standards for various industries. While many environmental professionals are familiar with E1527 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments, the ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management, and Corrective Action has jurisdiction over 120 standards.
This session will highlight the dozens of ASTM standards that directly apply to brownfield redevelopment and provide guidance to help multidisciplinary teams confidently navigate environmental assessments, cleanup, and reuse.
Mike will co-present with Adaapta CEO Danielle Getsinger to discuss the depth and breadth of ASTM standards and how they can be leveraged to accelerate brownfields projects.
Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 AM
The Continuing Evolution of Continuing Obligations (Panel Presentation)
Continuing obligations (CO) often arise from recognized environmental conditions found during due diligence. COs can involve adhering to “appropriate care” safeguards during and after cleanup activities, complying with institutional controls after redevelopment ends, among many other things. Under CERCLA and similar state laws, COs outline the steps brownfield purchasers need to take to manage contamination left behind, which in turn gives liability protection and otherwise manages risks.
This panel will explore how COs are evolving in response to practical experience, emerging contaminants, and new guidance—highlighting real-world implementation challenges and the role of tools like EPA’s Common Element Guidance and ASTM Guide E2790 (currently under revision).
Mike will be joined by experts including Craig Boehr, Esq. (Senior Attorney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), Meaghan A. Colligan, Esq. (Partner, Holland & Knight), and Tim J. McGahey, CHMM, LEED-AP (Senior Vice President, Environmental Due Diligence, AKT Peerless) to share legal insights, technical perspectives, and examples from the field. Together, they’ll offer a multidimensional view into how continuing obligations are evolving and what it means for brownfield stakeholders.
Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Time: 3:15 – 4:15 PM
Monitoring Land Use for Safe Redevelopment Join the Conversation at Brownfields 2025
If you’re attending Brownfields 2025, we hope to see you at the panels where Mike will share his insights alongside leaders from EPA, ASTM, and other organizations. Terradex will not be exhibiting this year, but our team will be on site and would love to meet you.
Interested in connecting? You can reach out directly to Mike at m.sowinski@terradex.com or Terradex President & CEO Peter Biffar at p.biffar@terradex.com.