Voluntary Cleanup, Oversight and Assistance Program

The Voluntary Cleanup Oversight and Assistance Program (VOAP) offers people the opportunity to work proactively with state government to address necessary cleanup of a property to return it to productive use. In return for their efforts, participants can receive a No Further Action letter and a release of liability for areas where investigation and cleanup is conducted. The program is open to everyone with an interest in addressing contamination at a site. The following are examples of situations where this program is currently used.

1. To resolve potential liability of an innocent landowner at a contaminated site,
2. To address potential liability at a site for a prospective owner,
3. To establish a legal basis for enforcement of institutional controls to limit future liability at a site resulting from it progressing to uses with increased risk,
4. As an alternative to receiving a unilateral order from the Commissioner to investigate and clean up a inactive hazardous substance site.

The VOAP is participating as part of Tennessee's state response program under the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. As a result, program participants may receive protection from intervention by U.S. EPA at eligible sites.

The Innocent Party Fact Sheet provides additional information about how the program benefits some participants. If you have a question how your site may fit into this assessment and cleanup program, please contact us.