Toxics Cleanup > Voluntary Cleanup Program

Voluntary Cleanup Program

The Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) is one of several options for cleaning up a hazardous waste site under the state’s cleanup law.  Under this option, you may perform a cleanup independently and request services from the Department of Ecology (Ecology) for a fee, including:

• Technical assistance on how to meet cleanup requirements.
  
  
• Written opinions on whether your cleanup meets those requirements.

The VCP includes the following beneficial features:

• Anyone can join.  Anyone, from property owners to prospective purchasers or developers, may apply to enter the VCP.
  
  
• Join at any time.  You may apply to enter the VCP at any point in the cleanup process, including during the investigative or planning phases.  In fact, Ecology encourages early consultations.
  
  
• Site manager.  Upon entering the VCP, Ecology will assign a site manager to your project who can provide technical assistance and written opinions on your planned or completed cleanup.
  
  
• Timely service.  Upon receipt of a request, the site manager assigned to your project will provide you an opinion usually within 90 days.
  
  
• Pay only for requested services.  You pay only for the services that you request.  There is no application fee.
  
  
• Withdraw at any time.  You may withdraw from the VCP at any time during the cleanup process.  The VCP is voluntary.
  

Upon successful completion of your cleanup, Ecology will issue you a No Further Action (NFA) opinion, which may be useful in obtaining loans or selling or redeveloping your property.

Upon receiving an NFA opinion, local governments may apply for an independent remedial action grant from Ecology to help offset their cleanup costs. For more information, visit: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/grants/rag.html.

Should I Join the VCP?

This page explains your options under the law and helps you decide whether the VCP is the best option for you.

Getting Started

This page gets you started and provides answers to frequently asked questions about the VCP application process, including your application and Ecology’s response.

The Process

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the operation of the VCP, including how to:

• Request Services
• Pay for Services
• Change Contacts
• Withdraw from the Program

The Services

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the services you may request under the VCP, including:

• Overview
• Types of Opinions
• Opinions on Property Cleanups
• Opinions on Site Cleanups
• Limitations of Opinions
• De-listing of Sites
• Periodic Review of Cleanups
• Rescinding of Opinions

The Requirements

This page identifies the requirements governing the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and provides guidance on how to meet those requirements.

This page also identifies important reporting requirements, including data submittal and licensing requirements.

Just the Forms

This page provides you with the forms you need to do the following:

• Apply
• Request Opinions
• Change Contacts
• Withdraw from the Program

Just the Opinion Letters

This page provides a quick overview of the types of opinions Ecology provides on a cleanup under the VCP and the boilerplate letters Ecology uses to provide those opinions.

Contacts

This page provides information on how to contact the persons who manage the operation of the VCP:

• Statewide Coordinator
• Financial Manager
• Regional Unit Managers