Contaminated sites may also be addressed on a voluntary basis by either responsible or voluntary parties through the MDA Agricultural Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup program. Sites that are no longer in operation frequently become a Brownfield, which is an abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial property where expansion or redevelopment is made difficult by actual or suspected environmental contamination. A responsible party may wish to address a site prior to a property transaction, while a voluntary party may choose to clean up a site prior to redevelopment.
By investigating and cleaning up Brownfield sites, redevelopment can take place without the fear of risk to human health or potential environmental liabilities. This benefits Minnesota communities by reducing urban sprawl, enhancing the livability of neighborhoods, and creating new businesses, jobs, an enhanced tax base and improvement of the environment.
AgVIC Program Services
The MDA AgVIC Program is a fee-for-service program that provides technical assistance and issuance of various liability assurance letters to promote the investigation, cleanup, and redevelopment of property that is contaminated with agricultural chemicals. The AgVIC program is designed to provide rapid response and a high level of service for property transfers, business transactions, and other voluntary actions.
To Apply for Help
To enroll in the AgVIC Program, please complete an application and submit an Agricultural Environmental Site Assessment with the application.
Agricultural Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (AgVIC) Application (PDF)
Resource Guide for Funding Opportunities
The Minnesota Brownfields Resource Guide provides an overview of loan, grant, reimbursement, tax assistance, and technical assistance programs provided by federal, state, and local government agencies to help investigate and clean up contaminated sites. The guide was prepared by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Brownfields. For sites affected by agricultural chemicals, potentially eligible grants include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Contamination Cleanup Grant
- Contamination Investigation and RAP Development Grant
- Federal Brownfields Cleanup Program
- Tax Base Revitalization Account [valid only in the 7-county metro area in Minnesota]
Request Specific Information about a Site
To request information about a specific site, contact the Data Management Unit at 651-201-6698 with the MDA Project File Number, the name and location of the site.
