What Is Environmental Remediation of Property?
Environmental remediation is the investigation, containment, and cleanup of contamination on real property to meet regulatory standards. In Florida, the remediation process is supervised by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) under Chapter 376, Florida Statutes and Chapter 62-780, Florida Administrative Code.
Remediation Process
- Phase I Assessment: Records review and site inspection to identify potential contamination sources
- Phase II Assessment: Soil and groundwater sampling to confirm contamination
- Site Investigation: Detailed sampling to define the extent of the contamination plume
- Remedial Action Plan: Cleanup strategy submitted to FDEP for approval
- Active Remediation: Soil excavation, groundwater treatment, vapor extraction, or other cleanup methods
- Monitoring: Ongoing sampling to verify cleanup effectiveness
- Site Closure: FDEP issues a No Further Action (NFA) determination
Common Contamination Types in Florida
- Petroleum: Underground storage tank leaks, fuel spills
- Solvents: Dry cleaning chemicals (PERC), industrial degreasers
- Agricultural chemicals: Pesticides, fertilizers, fumigants
- Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic, chromium from industrial operations
- Asbestos: Building materials in older structures
Florida Cleanup Programs
- Brownfield program: Voluntary cleanup with tax incentives and liability protection
- Petroleum cleanup program: State fund for qualifying petroleum contamination sites
- Drycleaning program: State assistance for qualifying drycleaning solvent sites
Related Terms
- Environmental Site Assessment — The initial investigation
- Environmental Lien — Liens securing cleanup obligations
- Encumbrance — Contamination creates title encumbrances
Barnes Walker Environmental Real Estate
Barnes Walker's real estate attorneys advise Florida property owners on environmental remediation obligations, Brownfield program enrollment, and cleanup cost management. Request a legal inquiry for assistance.
Florida Law Reference
Fla. Stat. Ch. 376; Fla. Stat. Ch. 403
Florida environmental statutes govern liability for contaminated properties, brownfield site rehabilitation, and environmental assessment requirements for real property transactions.
Reviewed by the attorneys at Barnes Walker, Goethe, Shea & Robinson, PLLC