Site Remediation Program

Kelly Owens, Supervisor
Ashley Blauvelt, P.E., Environmental Engineer IV

235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
(401) 222-2797

For General Inquiries, Please email us at DEM.SiteRemInfo@dem.ri.gov.

Please submit completed Notification of Release Forms to DEM.OWMSiteRemNOR@dem.ri.gov.

Annual ELUR Inspection Reports may be sent to DEM.ELURAnnualMon@dem.ri.gov.

Program Goals

The goal of the program is to provide fair, comprehensive, and consistent regulation of the investigation and remediation of hazardous waste, hazardous material, and petroleum releases, implemented in a timely and cost-effective manner. The State program is designed to determine if a site poses a threat to human health and the environment and efficiently determine a remedy that is effective but not overly burdensome to the parties involved.

This program supports the redevelopment and reuse of contaminated sites through the Brownfields program. Sites are identified, evaluated, remediated, and brought back to beneficial reuse in Rhode Island communities.

Program Purpose

To regulate and provide technical oversight for the investigation and remediation of releases of hazardous waste or hazardous material to the environment; to ensure that those investigations and remedial activities are conducted in a consistent manner that adequately protects human health and the environment; and to enforce regulations regarding the proper disposal of abandoned hazardous waste.

Program Objectives

To support the reuse and redevelopment of contaminated sites through the Brownfields program;
To provide a protective, efficient and cost-effective program as an alternative to the federal process and the stigma associated with it;
To encourage voluntary responses to contamination discovered on properties within the State;
To characterize and evaluate the impacts from releases of hazardous material to the environment;
To determine whether remedial action is warranted under the program;
To require and oversee the implementation of remedial actions designed to minimize, or eliminate, the impacts from releases of hazardous materials; and
To effectively track the progress and report the level of effort expended completing tasks under this program.

Program Process

Cleaning a contaminated site requires investigation, planning, and action. The Remediation Regulations note specific documents that may be necessary as part of that process. The most common are listed under Supporting Documents.

Supporting Documents

Site Remediation Process Flow Chart
Notification of Release, Submit Electronically to DEM.OWMSiteRemNor@dem.ri.gov
Site Investigation Report (SIR)
Site Investigation Report (SIR) Checklist
Remedial Action Approval Fee Form
Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP)
Remedial Action Closure Report (RACR)
Environmental Land Usage Restriction (ELUR)
Soil Management Plan Template
Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Statement
Remedial Agreement
ELUR Annual Inspection Form - PDF / Word, Submit Electronically to DEM.ELURAnnualMon@dem.ri.gov
Community Involvement English or Español

Public Notice Reference Documents

Pre-Site Investigation Public Notice (Example) - English / Spanish
Post-Site Investigation Public Notice (Example) - English / Spanish
Environmental Justice - Site Remediation

Site Assessment Opportunities

RIDEM Brownfields Technical Assistance
RIDEM Targeted Brownfields Assessments (TBA) - combined TBA/BIL Funding Application - NEW!
- For more information, contact Rachel Simpson

Site Cleanup Funding Opportunities

Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund - Competitive reimbursement grants used for site assessment and/or remediation costs in support of the revitalization and reuse of former brownfields for the benefit of the local economy, surrounding community, and environment. For more information, please email DEM.BrownfieldsBG@dem.ri.gov.
- Announcement of Request for Proposals & 2025 Guidelines - NEW!
- 2025 Brownfields Bond Fund Grant Application - NEW!
Assessment & Cleanup Funding Available via BIL - Open to Municipalities & Non-Profits
- Apply using new combined TBA/BIL Funding Application - NEW!
- Contact Kelly Owens for more information
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