Contamination and cleanup
Brownfields, site remediation, PFAS, Superfund, spills, solid waste and landfills. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Latest briefings
- MediumErie County, NY
New York appeals court holds brownfield cleanup kept Buffalo scrap yard's grandfathered use alive
The Fourth Department upheld a zoning board finding that ongoing state brownfield remediation continued a nonconforming scrap yard use, so a new operator needed no use variance.
- MediumNew York
New York proposes requiring active landfills to treat leachate before disposal, with phase-in to four years
DEC's proposed amendments to its solid waste rules would require treatment of leachate at 32 active landfills before it goes to wastewater plants or other discharge, with plans due one and two years after the effective date. Comments closed September 9, 2026. The proposal is not in force.
- MediumNew York
New York legislature passes stricter PFAS drinking-water limits while federal rollback is proposed
Both houses passed a bill setting New York limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS and 10 for three other PFAS, with water systems to comply by May 1, 2029. As of October 7, 2026 the Senate page shows it awaiting the Governor. Federal proposals of May 20, 2026 would drop limits for those three PFAS.
ProposedContamination & cleanup - MediumNew York
New York's revised cleanup rules for brownfields and Superfund sites took effect December 31, 2025
DEC adopted rewritten cleanup rules with no change from its proposal. They revise more than half of the soil cleanup objectives, define site cover requirements and drop the historic fill definition. DEC's materials read describe no transition rule for projects already in the program.
Rules 11
- Federal · 40 CFR Part 112Oil spill prevention plans for fuel storage (SPCC)
- Federal · 40 CFR 302.4; 89 FR 39124PFOA and PFOS as federal hazardous substances
- Federal · 42 U.S.C. 9601(40), 9607(r); 40 CFR Part 312Superfund liability and the buyer’s defence (All Appropriate Inquiries)
- New York · ECL Article 27, Title 14; Tax Law 21Brownfield Cleanup Program and tax credits
- New York · ECL art. 40; 6 NYCRR Parts 597–598Chemical bulk storage tank registration
- New York · ECL Article 27; 6 NYCRR Part 375Contaminated site cleanup rules and soil standards
- New York · 6 NYCRR 360.12, 360.13, 361-5; ECL 71-2703Excavated soil and fill reuse rules
- New York · 6 NYCRR Parts 360 and 363, new Subpart 363-12 (proposed; ENV-26-26-00002-P)Landfill leachate treatment rule (proposed)
- New York · NYC Zoning Resolution § 11-15; 43 RCNY § 43-1474 (formerly 15 RCNY Chapter 24)New York City (E) designations for hazardous materials, air and noise
- New York · ECL 17-1001 et seq.; 6 NYCRR Part 613Petroleum bulk storage tank registration
- New York · 10 NYCRR Subpart 5-1; S3207B/A8634BPFAS limits in drinking water