Great locations and operations (think Quik Trip) are a goldmine, some more out-of-the way locations may be white elephants, possibly with soil contamination. 

If everything is clean, you can fill the tank and be done with it- but of course the worry is if the soil test comes back contaminated.

So, let me get this straight, if a place was built in 1977 and it has panneling on the wall and the dog scratches the molding and I wnt to replace the molding, I need to hire a contractor certied by the EPA to take samples and pay for tests to identify lead contamination, then after I pay say $250.00, I get to have them out and test the area again for another $250 (that's $100.00 for each test and the guy doing the assessment).

There is a Home Path property we are considering for rehab/resale in the Chicago suburbs, but we are told that there is a mold problem and we must  protect ourselves from possible  contamination / inhalation when entering for inspection.  

I am estimating the probability of environmental contamination to be low.  

I would check into the legal aspects of the lake bed ownership, the only issue I can see if you need to deal with contamination at any point, you might severe it from your house for that reason.

If the property was built in 2007 then likely they have the newer tank linings that help to prevent contamination and leakage.I would be looking at that lot that comes with the property.

you do have intense clean up situations where with regards to contamination etc.

The site is probably seriously contaminated. 

I chose a local company, and they were very sensitive working with the family and completely removed all contaminated material.