Discretionary government support may be granted to investigate a health or environmental hazard or harm caused by the contamination of soil, groundwater or sediments and to remediate the contaminated area. The requirement for receiving government support is that the polluter cannot be identified or reached, or that they are unable to bear the costs. In addition, the investigation or remediation must be manifestly unreasonable to parties other than the polluter.
The tasks related to government support have been centralised to the Finnish Supervisory Agency. The State can support the investigation of contamination or the remediation of contaminated sites in two ways:
- with a government grant
- by organising the investigation or remediation
No support shall be granted
- to the polluter
- to a project that was implemented prior to applying for support (excl. the direct reports required for the application)
- to a project implemented due to a change in land use
- to litter removal or other similar activities not related to soil, groundwater or sediment contamination or risk thereof.
The government offers two means of support
Government grant
- The applicant is responsible for project implementation. The government contributes to payment of the project costs.
- Primary form of support. This is the fastest way to get started.
Organising
- The government is responsible for project implementation and contributes to payment of the project costs.
- Only in exceptional cases can the government be fully responsible for the implementation and costs of the project.
