Site Cleanup Program (SCP)
Formerly Spills, Leaks, Investigations and Cleanups (SLIC)
Quick Links
- Introduction | Applicable Regulation | Additional Resources | Contacts | Databases | Electronic Submittal of Information (ESI)
Introduction
The Site Cleanup Program (SCP) regulates and oversees the investigation and cleanup of ‘non-military owned’ contaminated properties where recent or historical (also known as legacy) unauthorized pollutant releases to the soil, groundwater, surface water, and/or soil vapor have occurred. There are a wide variety of sites under the SCP, including, but not limited to, dry cleaners, pesticide and fertilizer facilities, rail yards, ports, equipment supply facilities, chrome plating facilities, industrial manufacturing and repair shops, manufactured gas and power plants, automotive or other maintenance sites, bulk transfer facilities, and oil and chemical refineries. The types of pollutants encountered at SCP sites are numerous with highly varied chemical properties, and may include, but are not limited to, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perchlorate, fuel constituents, hexavalent chromium, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Not included under SCP is the cleanup of petroleum releases from underground storage tanks - these are handled under a separate program: Underground Storage Tanks (UST).
Applicable Regulation
The following regulations give the State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards the authority to oversee the cleanup activities at polluted sites:
- California Water Code, Division 7
- California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.7
- Clean Water Act, Section 402: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- Resolution No. 92-49 – Cleanup and Abatement Policies and Procedures
- Resolution 88-63 - Sources of Drinking Water
- Resolution 68-18 - Antidegradation Policy
- Lahontan Region Basin Plan
Additional Resources
- State Water Board’s Cost Recovery Program
- Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO), WC Section 13304
- Cleanup and Abatement Account (CAA)
- Site Cleanup Subaccount Program (SCAP)
- Brownfields Program
Contacts
- Lorien Sanders, Senior EG, (760) 241-4942
- Christina Guerra, Senior EG, (760) 241-7333
Databases
- Geotracker is a map-based information database that provides online access to environmental data for sites, including DoD sites (open or closed) under the water boards' oversight.
- Envirostor is a similar database for sites under the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) oversight.
Electronic Submittal of Information (ESI)
- Electronic Submittal of Information (ESI)
On January 1, 2005, the Water Board adopted regulations that require ESI of soil, vapor, and groundwater information for leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites as well as non-UST cleanup sites, including Site Cleanup Program (SCP) sites, military sites (e.g., DoD sites), and land disposal sites.
(Page last updated 8/21/26)
Water is a precious resource in California, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the public and the environment.
