Missouri Department of Natural Resources » Preservation Resource Directory

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (BVCP), under a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. EPA, conducts site-specific environmental assessments of Brownfield properties for public entities such as cities, counties and quasi-governmental entities, as well as for not-for-profit organizations. Properties that are privately owned are only eligible if an application is sent on behalf of the private owner by an eligible entity. The assessments are provided at no cost to the property owner or the eligible applicant. An assessment provides valuable information that can aid in making decisions regarding the future of the property.
Often, local governments acquire contaminated properties through foreclosure for back taxes, land donations, or may own property they would like to sell for redevelopment purposes. These entities sometimes have difficulty finding adequate funding to pay for environmental assessments (All Appropriate Inquiries, Phase I and Phase II Assessments) prior to redevelopment. Often, it is the unknown environmental condition of the privately or publically held property that dissuades developers. The assessments provide the information necessary to move forward with planning, and redevelopment of the property.
The BVCP also offers state oversight for the voluntary cleanup of properties contaminated with hazardous substances. The BVCP is a non-enforcement program designed to help property owners, business operators, or prospective buyers. It provides “closure” when the property is cleaned up to approved specifications and standards acceptable to the state. This “closure” can greatly reduce the environmental liability associated with such properties, thereby facilitating property transactions. (7/18)