Site Remediation Program

The Site Remediation Program (SRP) provides Remediation Applicants (i.e., any persons seeking to perform investigative or remedial activities) the opportunity to receive review, technical assistance, and no further remediation determinations from the Illinois EPA. The SRP is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the Remediation Applicants. The goals and scope of actions at SRP sites are normally defined by the Remediation Applicants.

The Illinois EPA is authorized to issue No Further Remediation (NFR) letters to the Remedial Applicants who have successfully demonstrated, through proper investigation and, when warranted, remedial action, that environmental conditions at SRP sites do not present a significant risk to human health or the environment. The NFR letter signifies a release from further responsibilities under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. SRP program activities are paid by the parties requesting Illinois EPA oversight.

• April 11, 2025:  The Illinois Pollution Control Board (PCB) published amendments to 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 620 Groundwater Quality (Part 620) in the Illinois Register on April 11^th.  The amendments have an effective date of March 28, 2025. Key updates include the addition of numerical groundwater quality standards for newly added chemicals (including PFAS), updated standards for certain already listed chemicals, and updates to methods and exposure factors for calculating human exposure risks. More detailed information regarding the amendments can be found on the Illinois EPA’s website by clicking here. 

The amendments to Part 620 have several aspects that will affect Cleanup Programs in the Bureau of Land, including the Site Remediation Program. These include:

• The removal of the permeameter test from 35 Ill. Adm. Code 620.210(a) as a valid method to determine hydraulic conductivity for the purposes of classifying groundwater. (Note that the Illinois EPA no longer accepts permeameter tests (ex-situ) for determination of hydraulic conductivity for any purpose).
• An expanded meaning of what constitutes Class I groundwater in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 620.210(a) which now includes:
  • Phase I and phase II wellhead protection areas for community water supply wells/well fields.
  • Designated maximum setback zones for community water supply wells/well fields.
• In instances where the numerical groundwater standard is now less stringent than the Tier I groundwater remediation objective, as listed in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 742 Appendix B, Table E, the less stringent standard now becomes the Tier 1 groundwater remediation objective. The eight contaminants listed in the table below have Tier I objectives that are more stringent than the updated Part 620 numerical standards and therefore the far-right column establishes the updated Tier 1 groundwater remediation objective. 

• January 17, 2025:  The Site Remediation Program will continue to accept documents that are hand-delivered at the new Illinois EPA HQ location but now requires the drop off time and date to be arranged in advance.  To arrange for a delivery, you must email matthew.rutkowski@illinois.gov and cc nichole.goyke@illinois.gov.  A response will be sent indicating the availability to accept the delivery.  When arriving at the main entrance on the east side of the building, notify the security guard that you have an appointment to deliver for SRP and someone will meet you just inside the entrance.  Please include the words “drop off” in the email subject and try to schedule the delivery at least one day in advance.  Nothing can be accepted outside of the Agency’s business hours of 8 am to 5 pm or when State offices are closed.
• December 20, 2023:  The Site Remediation Program's Application and Services Agreement (Form DRM-1) has been updated to reflect Public Act (PA) 103-172 and is available here. The updated form will be required for all applications postmarked 01/01/2024 or later. A check with the updated amount of $2,500 for Advance Partial Payment must be included with the form submittal. Applications postmarked after 12/31/2023 using the previous version of Form DRM-1 or submitted with payment for the previously required amount of $500 will not be processed and may be returned. 
• October 5, 2023:  Pursuant to Public Act (PA)103-172, the Site Remediation Program advance partial payment will be $2,500, effective January 1, 2024. A new DRM-1 form will be available on the website soon. More information concerning PA 103-172 can be found here. 
• December 5, 2022:  The City of Chicago Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Background Soil memo is posted on the TACO page.
• April 5, 2022:  Effective April 5, 2022, a site subject to State or Federal underground storage tank laws is not authorized to enroll in the Site Remediation Program (SRP), in compliance with Section 58.1(a)(2)(iii) of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and 35 Ill. Adm. Code 740.105(a)(3). Prior to April 5, 2022, the process commonly known as "Elect to Proceed" gave authority to the SRP to oversee closure of Leaking Underground Storage Tank incidents sought by tank owners and operators. 

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Site Remediation Program
Remedial Project Management Section
Bureau of Land
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
2520 W Iles Ave
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276