What DEQ costs are charged to responsible parties?
Cleanup and hazardous waste laws authorize DEQ to charge all reasonable costs attributable to or associated with cleanup or hazardous waste activities at a particular site. DEQ accounts for these costs as direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are expenditures made specifically for the site, such as the cost to travel to the site, and DEQ staff time directly associated with the site including time spent to: • Consult with the owner and/or environmental consultants • Review data and reports describing the type and extent of contamination • Review proposed cleanup actions • Provide information about the site and opportunities for the public to comment on the cleanup • Provide comments and/or direction on the preferred cleanup method or remedy. Indirect costs are those which support the operation of the program in general, but are not directly related to specific projects. Examples of indirect costs are: • Office space, equipment and supplies • Non-site-specific activities of project sta
