Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP)
The Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) oversees the cleanup of properties affected by chemical impacts related to current or historical property operations. The VCP is a brownfields program designed to address chemical impacts at properties burdened by historical or current environmental issues and remove barriers that may hamper financing for real estate transactions or redevelopment. Brownfields is a U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program designed to support land revitalization.
What they’re saying
Investigation activities primarily focus on performing sub-surface investigations to allow for collection of soil and groundwater samples in areas that have been or could have been affected by chemical spills from current or past property use activities. Sub-surface investigations via installation of soil borings and groundwater monitoring wells would be required to allow for collection of soil and groundwater samples in areas that have been affected or suspected to have been affected by chemical spills.
Cleanup activities could include risk-based evaluations, excavation or treatment of affected soils, cleanup of groundwater via removal or treatment, and/or deed restrictions to prohibit use of groundwater or provide a surface cap to restrict contact with affected soils.
Successful completion of cleanup activities results in the VCP issuing a Certificate of Completion. A COC issued by the VCP offers a Release from Liability to future landowners and lenders.
If you own a property that has historically operated as a dry cleaning, auto repair, industrial or manufacturing facility, or are considering selling the property in the future and have confirmed pollution problems, enrollment in to the VCP would be the best option. Current use of a property for dry cleaning, auto repair, industrial or manufacturing facility could also be resolved through the VCP; however, a VCP COC would not cover future chemical spills from future spills.