Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)

ADEM was established in 1982 with the passage of the Alabama Environmental Management Act to provide a comprehensive program of environmental management for the state. In May of 2001, the Alabama Land Recycling & Economic Redevelopment Act (ALRERA) was passed into law. The Act gave ADEM authority to promulgate regulations and implement a voluntary cleanup program for the state. Alabama presently is using voluntary cleanup agreements based on language in the Act until such time as the promulgated regulations become effective (sometime in April, 2002). Prospective developers/purchasers of sites contaminated with hazardous waste, hazardous constituents, and/or petroleum products are eligible to participate in the voluntary cleanup program. NPL sites, RCRA TSD units, sites currently under order, and responsbile parties are presently not eligible to participate in the program. Program incentives include a transferable limitation of liability for prospective developers/purchasers, lenders, and clean hand parties.