The Low-Scored Site Initiative (LSSI) provides up to $30,000 of assessment funding to assess low scored sites that are eligible for the petroleum cleanup program. The purpose is to sample sites that have not had State-funded work in many years to determine if the contamination file can be closed. Most low scored sites have not had any funding since at least 1995. Petroleum impacts naturally attenuate, and many of these sites are clean.
The LSSI applies to sites scored 29 or less and waives copayments and deductibles associated with participation. FDEP records indicate your site is eligible for the program. There is no cost to participate in this 100% State-funded program.
The funding is for soil and groundwater sampling only. There are three possible endpoints:
1. If the site is clean, the eligible discharge is closed and the FDEP issues a Site Rehabilitation Completion Order (SRCO).
2. If impacts are contained within site boundaries, there are two methods to obtain a ‘No Further Action’ (NFA) letter from the FDEP. LSSI NFA orders (file closure letters) state: “Minimal contamination is associated with the discharge referenced above and such contamination is not a threat to human health or the environment.”
3. If the site is still contaminated, and you do not qualify for NFA options, then participation in this initiative will cease, and the site will resume its place in line for remediation funding based on the existing priority scoring system.
For more information, contact Steve Hilfiker or Ozzie Rodriguez at ERMI