Through ADEQ's Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP), property owners, prospective purchasers and other interested parties investigate or clean up a contaminated site in cooperation with ADEQ. VRP results in a streamlined process for program participants who work with a single point of contact at ADEQ to address applicable cross-program remediation efforts. ADEQ reviews these voluntary remedial actions and provides a closure document for successful site remediation that is accepted by all relevant ADEQ programs.

Program Benefits

• Faster cleanup of environmental contamination
• Streamlined processing and interaction with ADEQ
• Expedited review and approval of cleanup activities
• No further action determinations for successfully remediated properties

Eligibility
Anyone can participate in VRP except those conducting:

• Remedial activities subject to corrective action at or closure of a facility, as defined in A.R.S. § 49-921(2), which has qualified for hazardous waste interim status or to which a hazardous waste permit has been issued pursuant to A.R.S. § 49-922
• Remedial activities pursuant to a written agreement between the applicant and the director
• Remedial activities subject to a judicial judgement or decree
• Remedial activities required by an administrative order issued by the director prior to the submission of a VRP application
• Remedial activities pursuant to a judicial action filed and served by the state prior to the submission of a VRP application
• Remedial activities at a site listed on, or proposed to be listed on, the WQARF Registry [see A.R.S. § 49-287.01(D)]
• Corrective actions being taken pertaining to a regulated underground storage tank (UST) pursuant to A.R.S. § 49-1005, unless a waiver of state assurance fund reimbursement is completed

Fees
Effective Feb. 9, 2001, the VRP interim fee rules:

• Establish a $2,000 non-refundable application fee
• Establish an hourly VRP oversight rate of $110 per hour
• Provide for an initial deposit of $4,000, to be submitted with the participant's work plan or request for an NFA
• Provide for additional deposits of $4,000, if an account drops below $1,000
• Provide small businesses with the opportunity to pay the application fee in installments under an agreement with the department
• Provide for quarterly billing statements

Read the interim fee rule

To Apply

• Submit a complete application with fees to:
  ADEQ Voluntary Remediation Program
  1110 W. Washington St.
  Phoenix, AZ 85007
• ADEQ will promptly review the application and approve, deny, or request additional information to determine the applicant's eligibility to participate in the program
• An application shall be deemed complete unless the department, within 60 days of receipt, notifies the applicant that the application is incomplete or has been denied
• VRP Application

Frequently Asked Questions

Contacts