Meetings, Events & Trainings

Brownfields 2023 Conference Travel Scholarships Available

Posted on by Christine Sieger

Are you part of a community group, non-profit organization, environmental justice group or other organization that is interested in attending the 2023 National Brownfields Training Conference, Aug. 8-11, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan?

Travel scholarships might be available to you! Travel scholarships include registration fees and housing for four nights. Limited scholarships are available – the deadline to apply is May 17 at 11:59 p.m. Access the application and additional information on the Brownfields 2023 Travel Scholarship webpage.

What is the benefit of attending the 2023 National Brownfields Training Conference?

The brownfields conference is a platform to connect and learn best practices of cleanup and reuse of contaminated properties from a variety of industry stakeholders. The theme of this year’s conference is “Sustainable Communities Start Here,” which will cover topics such as financing, liability, community engagement, and the latest brownfields technologies and strategies. The 180 sessions, workshops, and networking events are curated to help you gain inspiration and strategies for revitalizing communities, catalyzing economic growth, restoring the environment and protecting the public health.

When: Aug. 8-11, 2023
Where: Hunting Place, Detroit, Michigan
More information available on the Brownfields 2023 website.

DNR To Hold Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group Subgroup Meetings

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) subgroup meetings on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG subgroup meetings are open to the public.

birds eye view map of the Milwaukee DNR service center. Parking area indicated in red on eastside of map. Entrance to DNR circled in yellow in northeast corner of DNR office. Road entrance to the DNR office is on West Saint Paul Avenue which is north of DNR office.

Map for parking and entrance to the DNR Milwaukee Office

Where:
Milwaukee DNR Service Center
Harbor Room
1027 W. St. Paul Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Main entrance on the northeast corner of the building; check in with the security desk inside the front door.

In-person attendees should RSVP to Jody.Irland@wisconsin.gov by noon on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

When:

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

EPA Offers Brownfields 101 Training

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 will offer online training about Brownfields 101.

Brownfields 101 – April 11, 2023, 9:30-11 a.m. CST

This training will cover brownfields basics, assessing environmental conditions, and ownership and management. Register online.

Access additional information, resources, and materials about EPA Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) on the Brownfields and Land Revitalization in EPA Region 5 website.

Issues & Trends Webinar on April 12, 2023: Ready For Reuse Revolving Loan Funds Program

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from noon-1 p.m.

The scheduled presentation is the Ready for Reuse (RFR) Revolving Loan Funds Program.

The webinar will focus on the variety of ways to use RFR during the post-closure and redevelopment stage, as well as during the cleanup process. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

RFR loans are used for environmental cleanup of hazardous substances or petroleum at brownfields throughout Wisconsin. Learn more about RFR on the RR Program Wisconsin Ready For Reuse webpage.

Interested in learning what funding resources exist for cleaning up brownfields in your community? Watch this short overview on RR Program funding resources [00:04:58].

A Zoom web conferencing registration link may be found on the RR Program’s Conferences and Training webpage.

Recordings of previous Issues & Trends webinars may be found in the RR Program’s Training Library.

ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Series On Feb. 14 And Feb. 21

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, 2023.

The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion mitigation and presents information on how to utilize the ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Interactive Directory. The interactive directory includes up-to-date fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists. DNR staff participated in the development of both the technical resources and training.

The training consists of a series of eight modules on the topics listed below and will be presented over two, two-hour sessions:

Session 1 – Feb. 14, 2023, noon-2:00 p.m. CST
Topics Include:

  • Introduction and overview of vapor intrusion mitigation training team
  • Conceptual site models for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Public outreach during vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Rapid response and ventilation for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Remediation and institutional controls

Session 2 – Feb. 21, 2023, noon-2 p.m. CST
Topics Include:

  • Active mitigation approaches
  • Passive mitigation approaches
  • System verification, OM&M and exit strategies

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage.

The online sessions will repeat in June 2023. This training is also available on-demand at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation archive.

DNR To Hold Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group Meeting

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a series of Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) subgroup meetings on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022.

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG subgroup meetings are open to the public.

Where:
State Natural Resources Building Room G09
101 S. Webster Street, Madison, WI 53703
Enter from Webster Street and take the hallway to the right to the reception desk.
In-person attendees should RSVP to Jody.Irland@wisconsin.gov by noon on Thursday Dec. 8.

When:

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe here for updates on future meetings.

ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Sessions On Nov. 3 And Nov. 15

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer comprehensive vapor intrusion mitigation training over two sessions on Nov. 3 and Nov. 15, 2022.

The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion mitigation and presents information on how to utilize the ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Interactive Directory. The interactive directory includes up-to-date fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists. DNR staff participated in the development of both the technical resources and training.

  • Session 1 – Nov. 3, 2022, Noon-2:00 p.m. Topics Include:
    • Introduction & Overview of Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Team
    • Conceptual Site Models for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
    • Public Outreach During Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
    • Rapid Response & Ventilation for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
    • Remediation & Institutional Controls
  • Session 2 – Nov. 15, 2022, Noon-2 p.m. Topics Include:
    • Active Mitigation Approaches
    • Passive Mitigation Approaches
    • System Verification, OM&M, and Exit Strategies

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage.

The online sessions will repeat in 2023. This training is also available on-demand at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation archive.

National Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Offers Free Webinar on MARC Grant Applications

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The National Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) is offering a free webinar on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at 1 p.m. CDT titled Enhance Your Chance: What You Need to Know to be Competitive in the FY23 EPA MARC Grant Competition. The webinar is focused on how to prepare an application for the U.S. EPA Brownfields FY2023 Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) grants.

The webinar will provide insight on eligibility, common application mistakes, addressing timely criteria, narrative criteria tips, special considerations for each type of application and the TAB tools and resources available to assist with applications. A Q&A session for attendees will also be included.

Register for the webinar at https://www.ksutab.org/events/webinars/details?id=550.

Issues & Trends Webinar on Nov. 16, 2022: Passive Air Sampling for Vapor Intrusion

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program shares that the next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place on Nov. 16, 2022, from noon-1 p.m.

The scheduled presentation is Passive Air Sampling for Vapor Intrusion.

The webinar will spotlight changes in recommendations for vapor intrusion sampling (e.g., longer duration passive sampling in lieu of evacuated canister sampling for vapor intrusion investigations).

Colder temperatures and the indoor heating season are the preferred conditions for conducting vapor intrusion sampling. In anticipation of increased sampling during the winter months, DNR staff will provide the latest recommendations for sampling methods for soil gas, sanitary sewer and sewer cleanouts, indoor air and sub-slab vapor.

Additional topics addressed during the webinar will include a review of the health risk concerns and randomly timed 8-hr or 24-hr samples, different passive samplers, considerations when selecting appropriate samples and how to evaluate the data.

Environmental consultants working on sites with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly chlorinated solvent sites, are encouraged to attend.

A Zoom web conferencing registration link may be found on the RR Program’s Conferences and Training webpage.

Recordings of previous Issues & Trends webinars may be found in the RR Program’s Training Library.

Vapor Mitigation Update: DNR To Present At DHS Wisconsin Radon Conference Sept. 28, 2022

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

DNR staff will present at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Wisconsin Radon Conference in Marshfield on Sept. 28, 2022. The DNR’s presentation will include information on the health risks from chemical vapor intrusion, including the similarities and differences between chemical vapor intrusion and naturally occurring radon.

Conference attendees will have an opportunity to refresh their knowledge base on indoor air quality and radon, gain understanding of current and emerging issues and network to improve statewide collaboration. This conference is intended for soil gas mitigators, state and local health departments, contractors, nonprofits and home inspectors.

Environmental consultants who hire soil gas mitigators for environmental cases are encouraged to share this continuing education opportunity with their contractors. There is overlap in both health risks and solutions to mitigate exposure from chemical vapor intrusion and naturally occurring radon.

The DNR values partnering with the DHS and local health departments regarding risks to human health from environmental contamination.

More information on the one-day conference and a pre-conference training opportunity is available here.