Ohio EPA

Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization

The Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization oversees investigation and cleanup of hazardous substances and wastes that present a threat to human health and the environment, provides initial time-critical response to these threats, oversees cleanup of unplanned releases of pollutants due to spills, accidents and other events, and facilitates environmental cleanup and revitalization of brownfield properties.

Enforcement/Remediation Program

  • Coordinate the investigation and cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous wastes that pose a potential threat to human health or the environment.
  • Work in conjunction with U.S. EPA to ensure investigation and cleanup of federal Superfund sites in Ohio.
  • Work with federal departments and agencies to ensure investigation and cleanup of Department of Defense and Department of Energy sites in Ohio.
  • Investigate sources of contamination to public water systems in order to reduce or eliminate potential or actual threats to human health.
  • Assess and prioritize hazardous waste sites for investigation and cleanup.
     

Emergency Response and Radiological Safety

  • Oversee cleanups of spills or releases to the environment at businesses and facilities, transportation accidents, radiological emergencies, natural disasters, terrorism, etc.
  • Provide technical assistance and training to local, state and federal partners concerning emergency notification and spill cleanup procedures.
  • Conduct spill prevention inspections to determine compliance with federal regulations.
  • Provide technical assistance regarding emergency containment structures and procedures.
  • Implement Ohio EPA’s elemental mercury collection and recycling program.
     

Emergency Spill Reporting

Unauthorized releases of contaminants into the air, land or water should be reported to Ohio EPA. Our Agency maintains a 24-hour service for emergencies. In Ohio only, call: (800) 282-9378. Please provide as much of the following information as possible:

  • time observed;
  • location;
  • type of material released;
  • probable source;
  • volume and duration;
  • present and anticipated movement of contaminant;
  • personnel on scene;
  • actions already initiated; and
  • person(s) on the scene to contact.

Voluntary Action Program (VAP)

Provide regulations, guidance and technical assistance for private parties to investigate environmental contamination, clean it up if necessary and receive a promise from the State of Ohio that no more cleanup is needed.

Site Assistance and Brownfield Revitalization Program

  • Assist those working on brownfields or contaminated sites not yet in a cleanup program.
  • Oversee Ohio’s brownfields program and market Ohio’s cleanup programs.
  • Manage the environmental insurance program.
  • Provide support to local governments in locating state and/or federal funding, determining the correct environmental program, finding technical assistance and conducting outreach and training on brownfield issues.
  • Oversee VAP certification programs for environmental professionals and laboratories.

Corrective Action/Closure

  • Ensure that contamination at hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities is remediated to the extent consistent with RCRA such that it does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.
  • Review plans for proper closure of hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities and oversee closure activities at these facilities.
  • Conduct oversight of corrective action activities at hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities.