Before buying land, checking the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) database is a must. You need to know if there was ever a chemical spill or a leaking underground storage tank on the property. However, "Environmental" databases are often the most technical and least user-friendly of all government resources.

 

The data is often buried in "GIS layers" that require special software or high-speed internet to view. For an individual on a mobile phone, these maps can be impossible to use. This "technical barrier" prevents many home buyers from doing their due diligence.

 

governmentdatabase.com identifies which environmental databases are mobile-friendly and which require a desktop. We point you directly to the "Contaminated Sites" list so you don't have to become a GIS expert just to see if your future backyard is safe.