Projects range from simple sites with a limited amount of contaminated soil to complex sites with multiple contaminants impacting multiple media. Oversight by the Voluntary Cleanup Program has helped cities secure funding for infrastructure expansion, has provided the certification needed to facilitate property transactions and redevelopment, and has provided technical assistance on brownfields issues. DEQ charges an hourly rate for qualified staff to oversee the cleanup of such sites. The total cost of the cleanup varies with the nature of the site and contamination. DEQ can review pertinent information about a site in order to provide an estimate of the total cost and time needed to cleanup the property.
More complicated cleanups require more time and a more formal cleanup process.
However, many cleanups are done in phases, often allowing construction to occur on portions of a site prior to complete cleanup. DEQ maintains a waiting list of applicants wanting to participate in the Voluntary Cleanup Program. How long a site remains on the waiting list depends on the threat to public health and the environment, the complexity of the site, and the applicant's scheduling needs and readiness to begin. DEQ has a goal that no sites remain on the waiting list for longer than three to six months and many projects are started immediately. For more information on voluntary cleanups, contact the DEQ Voluntary Cleanup Section in your region.