Idaho Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP)

The Idaho Voluntary Cleanup Program is run by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ says it was created in 1996 by the Idaho Land Remediation Act (Idaho Code § 39-72) to revitalize properties with hazardous substance or petroleum contamination. The Idaho Land Remediation Rules (IDAPA 58.01.18) set out how the program works. A participant signs an agreement with DEQ, cleans up under a work plan DEQ approves, and receives a Certificate of Completion when DEQ approves the completion report.

In a Phase I ESA

VCP sites are the Idaho form of the state voluntary cleanup records that ASTM E1527-21 lists as a standard source. The general reading of a voluntary cleanup listing is on the VCP page. Five Idaho details shape how to read one.

• An application is not a cleanup. DEQ describes the steps in order. The applicant submits a form on site ownership, location and history with a $250 application fee. If DEQ finds the site and applicant eligible, the applicant enters a VCP agreement, pays an initial $2,500 deposit for DEQ's oversight costs, and develops a Voluntary Remediation Work Plan. DEQ reviews the plan and makes it available for public comment before approving it. After cleanup the participant submits a Voluntary Remediation Work Plan Completion Report, and DEQ issues a Certificate of Completion upon approval. Check which step a site reached.
• The Covenant Not to Sue is a separate request. DEQ says the participant may request a Covenant Not to Sue from DEQ. Check whether one was issued as well as the certificate.
• The documents are recorded. DEQ says all documents are recorded with the deed to the property. Ask for the recorded documents and compare them with DEQ's file.
• The cleanup may rest on limits on the land. DEQ lists the use of site-specific risk-based cleanup standards among the program's benefits, and says the program allows a variety of activity and use limitations as part of an environmental covenant in cleanup plans. See Risk Evaluation and environmental covenants.
• Some sites enter to be assessed. DEQ says a party may take part in the VCP to conduct additional assessment under DEQ oversight when a property is being transferred or its environmental status is uncertain, to get a determination of whether any remedial action is needed.

DEQ says any legal entity is eligible to apply, including individuals, associations, local, state and federal governments, and public or private corporations. It lists lender liability protection among the program's benefits.

Where to look a site up

• DEQ's Voluntary Cleanup Program page links a document it titles DEQ Voluntary Cleanup Program Sites, under the heading Participants and Site Status. The page also links the application form, application guidance, an eligibility fact sheet and a list of frequently asked questions.
• DEQ's Facility Mapper page links a map tool that has a Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) category.
• DEQ's program page lists a Voluntary Cleanup Program Manager as the staff contact. The DEQ State Office is at (208) 373-0502.

Getting the file

A listing says a site took part. The work plan, completion report and certificate are in the file. DEQ takes requests under the Idaho Public Records Act through its Public Records Request page, which carries buttons to submit a request online, track its status and search the request archives.

Sources

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality pages, read October 1, 2026:

• Voluntary Cleanup Program, last modified January 7, 2026.
• Facility Mapper, last modified January 8, 2026.
• Public Records Request, last modified August 18, 2026.
• Regional Offices, last modified August 6, 2026.