Expedited Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) process

The Expedited VCP (Voluntary Cleanup Program) process is designed to encourage cleanup and redevelopment. This process has higher expectations, fees, and cost recovery rates than the Standard VCP process. This helps us make the process more efficient and allows us to deliver opinions on predictable timelines.

The types of opinions we issue are the same as opinions for any VCP project. Expedited VCP projects must meet the same cleanup standards as any cleanup project in Washington.

Applying to the Expedited VCP process

You can apply anytime, but space may be limited during high-demand periods. To schedule an intake call, and see if this process fits your site, email Frank Winslow, Expedited VCP cleanup project manager.

Qualifying for the Expedited VCP process

The project must be eligible to apply to the Standard VCP process.

Projects that are already in Standard VCP can apply only if on a VCP wait list. If accepted, the Standard VCP agreement ends and a new Expedited VCP agreement and application starts. If rejected, the project keeps its spot on the wait list.
You must own, operate, or have an interest in purchasing the property. Consultants, lawyers, or other contractors without ownership or operational roles cannot sign the agreement.
The remedial investigation or equivalent report must meet the Remedial Investigation Checklist requirements.
You must not have outstanding cleanup charges or a history of payment delinquency with Ecology. If you do, we may reject your application.

Working with Expedited VCP

See the complete Expedited VCP process guidance for more information on any part of this process.

The expedited VCP workflow. A text version is linked in the caption. — Click image to expand. You can also read a text version.

Recommended intake meeting

We provide a free intake meeting to guide applicants to the right cleanup process: the Standard or Expedited VCP processes, PLIA’s technical assistance program, or Ecology-supervised cleanup. At intake meetings we review VCP processes, application materials, and expectations to assess project eligibility. The meetings also provide a chance to discuss eligibility concerns for the Expedited VCP process, especially site-specific conditions. These meetings are not for asking how to clean up a site.

Unless waived by Ecology, the Ecology cleanup project manager and the customer team will meet in person or virtually to review expectations and discuss project details. This intake meeting should happen within 30 calendar days of entering the agreement.

Applying to Expedited VCP

You must submit a complete application, including a remedial investigation report or equivalent that meets our Remedial Investigation Checklist requirements. This helps us better understand the site and respond more quickly to future requests.

We will invoice you for a nonrefundable application fee. Within 10 calendar days of receiving payment, we will accept or reject the application.

Time frames

We aim to provide a written opinion on your remedial investigation report within 90 calendar days of accepting your Expedited VCP application. We will provide future opinions within 90 calendar days of receiving a complete request, as long as you keep us informed of any timeline changes.

Cost and billing

When you apply, we will invoice you for the nonrefundable application fee. If we accept your project, you must make an initial prepayment within 30 calendar days of the invoice date. We charge hourly for services, with our costs deducted from your prepayment. A portion is held for the close-out fee, charged when the agreement ends.

Expedited VCP customers cover the full cost, so our hourly rates are higher than for the Standard VCP process. See the Expedited VCP guidance for full cost details and policies.

Leaving the Expedited VCP process

You may end the Expedited VCP agreement at any time. The application fee is nonrefundable. We will deduct any outstanding costs and the close-out fee from your prepayment balance and refund any remaining balance over $10 within 45 calendar days.

If you sell the property while it is an Expedited VCP project, you may transfer enrollment to the new property owner. We will not charge them for the application fee if they follow the guidance steps.

Expectations

We designed the Expedited VCP process to support a collaborative and responsive partnership with your team.

What you can expect of us
What we expect of you

We will foster a professional and respectful relationship with you and your team.
Our opinions will consistently reflect our policies, procedures, and Washington State law.
We will be helpful, supportive, and passionate about our work for a cleaner Washington.
We will provide all official correspondence by email, followed by a hard copy, if needed.
We will respond to communications within seven calendar days.
We will provide timely, consistent updates on scheduling communications, responses to questions, and target dates for opinion letters, including advance notice of any changes.
We will send monthly financial statements showing your current deposit balance and a summary of the previous month’s activity.
We will not charge for extra costs due to staffing changes. However, we will bill for costs related to switching cleanup project managers when moving between Expedited and Standard VCP processes.

You will maintain a professional and respectful relationship with your assigned cleanup project manager and Ecology staff.
Your opinion requests will be complete and follow all guidance.
You will upload all electronic environmental data to the EIM system promptly after collecting samples and receiving analytical laboratory reports.
You will respond to our communications within seven calendar days.
You will notify us at least 30 days before any expected property transfer.
You will submit a completed change of contact form for any updates to your contact information or your customer team's contact information.

Contact information

Frank Winslow (he/him)
Expedited VCP Site Manager
vcp-exp@ecy.wa.gov
509-424-0543