Uniform Environmental Covenants
Georgia’s
Uniform
Environmental Covenants Act
, O.C.G.A. § 44-16-1 et. seq., became effective on July 1, 2008. This Act was created to provide for the contents of an environmental covenant and to provide for enforcement, notice, recording, amendment and termination of same.
Certain properties within Georgia have been designated as needing corrective action due to the presence of hazardous wastes, hazardous constituents, or hazardous substances regulated under state law. In some instances, uniform environmental covenants (UEC) are implemented to protect public and environmental receptors from exposure to those substances that remain in soil and/or groundwater. This is accomplished through permanent controls and restrictions on property usage, and Georgia law requires compliance with the UEC.
EPD has established a
model
environmental covenant
. For more information related to implementing an environmental covenant, please see the
environmental
covenant guidance
and the Voluntary Remediation Program
FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions). EPD has also established a
streamlined
groundwater covenant
for properties impacted by releases from nearby properties. For more information related to the streamlined groundwater covenant, please see these
FAQs
.