DEQ division outlines cleanup, brownfields and tank programs; reports gap on tank closures

Brent Everett, director of the Division of Environmental Response and Remediation at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, told the legislative committee the division’s core mission is "protecting public health in Utah's environment through cleanup of chemically contaminated sites and by ensuring that our petroleum storage tanks are used properly." Everett reviewed voluntary cleanup and brownfields programs, Superfund coordination with EPA Region 8, and prevention and compliance measures.

Everett said the division pursues Utah‑led solutions where possible and noted the voluntary cleanup program issues certificates of completion to facilitate property redevelopment. He described ongoing projects including the North Temple landfill remediation, a multi‑phase cleanup in Logan that removed over 800 cubic yards of contaminated soil, and a redevelopment near I‑215 tied to a tiny‑home village. He said the division had added a reallocation in the base bill to move a $40,000,000 water‑rights purchase to the agency authorized to hold assets.

On performance measures, Everett said the division’s target for closure of leaking underground/above‑ground storage tanks was 90 but the division "achieved a success rate of 70," and that the compliance follow‑up metric reported a 98% compliance rate among inspected facilities in 2025. He described workforce turnover and the need for succession planning, and asked the committee to approve authorization to carry federal funds forward to maintain a petroleum storage tank program database and replace aging field equipment.

The director emphasized prevention over remediation: the division tracks inspections and works with a stakeholder group composed of petroleum‑sector actors to assess potential fee changes. Everett closed by offering to follow up with additional material or agency contacts if legislators wanted more detail. The committee asked no substantive follow‑up questions on the presentation.

The committee will consider related budget language and RFA items in upcoming votes; Everett asked members to contact him for details about vehicle authorizations and language amendments added to the voting packet.