RR Program Announces Dates For Online Training

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Mark your calendars to participate in upcoming training hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Remediation and Redevelopment program. The trainings are hosted as part of the RR Program’s Issues & Trends series which provide updates and information from the RR Program on issues related to environmental contamination and cleanup.  

The trainings are offered virtually and registration is required. Anyone involved in the investigation, remediation and mitigation of contaminated sites under Wisconsin Statute (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700 – 799 is encouraged to attend.  

Schedule and Session Details 

Vapor Intrusion Topics
March 23, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Register to attend by Zoom. 

This session will offer an overview of information available in the Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800) published in January 2026. The publication is a comprehensive resource when working on sites with contaminated vapor that has migrated or has the potential to migrate to current or future buildings. The presenters will highlight how the guidance can help you identify the conditions that may indicate the need for more investigation and the responses and actions that follow discovery of vapor intrusion. The session will also offer information about web-based forms now available to help document building evaluations that can guide you through assessment of vapor related concerns at a building and log inspections of vapor mitigation systems after installation and commissioning.  

Using Monitored Natural Attenuation in Cleanup of Contamination
June 24, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Register to attend by Zoom. 

The session will highlight the newly published Monitored Natural Attenuation Guidance (RR-0156) and considerations when selecting and using monitoring natural attenuation (MNA) as a remedial option for cleaning up contamination.  As part of the session, presenters will highlight the responsibilities of consultants and others and highlight available tools to support informed decision-making that considers the regulatory framework, site investigation components, and lines of evidence. The session will also review the importance of monitoring to verify the effectiveness of the use of MNA. 

Deep Dive into Vapor Intrusion: Application of RR-800
July 16, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Register to attend by Zoom. 

Presenters will dive deeper into the steps to address a site with vapor intrusion or the potential for vapor intrusion, with a focus on the publication Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800). The presenters will share scenarios to show how to investigate the vapor intrusion pathway and the considerations and actions needed after vapor intrusion is identified.   

Conduit Vapor Intrusion: Application of RR-649 and RR-800 
Sept. 17, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Register to attend by Zoom. 

This session will provide an update on vapor intrusion through conduits. Presenters will go over updates to the publication Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors (RR-649) and relevant portions of the publication Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800). This session will also offer an opportunity for you to ask questions specific to preferential pathways.   

More information about the topics is available on our webpage at dnr.wi.gov; search “Vapor Intrusion” or “Natural Attenuation.” 

Recordings of previous presentations and trainings are available in the RR Program’s training library at dnr.wi.gov search “Training Library.” 

Public Input Opportunity – Publication Soil Cleanup Standards Guidance (RR-0152)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is seeking input on the publication Soil Cleanup Standards Guidance (RR-0152). 

This publication provides guidance for persons who perform investigation and remediation of sites with contamination under Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700 – 799 and Wisconsin Statute (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292. Specifically, this guidance is intended for responsible parties, property owners, environmental consultants and attorneys involved with the investigation and remediation of soil contamination.   

Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 720 establishes soil cleanup standards for soil contamination. This guidance describes how to establish and apply soil cleanup standards at a site or facility where a hazardous substance discharge impacted the soil. 

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under Current Notices. Comments may be submitted through March 26, 2026, to  DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Update: U.S. EPA Regional Screening Level and Vapor Intrusion Screening Level Calculators

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The DNR recently learned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Screening Level (RSL) Calculator and the Vapor Intrusion Screening Level (VISL) Calculator webpages are currently offline. The DNR uses these calculators to establish soil residual contaminant levels (RCLs) that may be used by responsible parties to meet cleanup standards in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 720 and to establish indoor air Vapor Action Levels (VALs) and Vapor Risk Screening Levels (VSRLs), consistent with relevant definitions set forth in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 700. We are hoping this is a short-term situation, as the webpages state that the U.S. EPA is working to get the calculators back online as soon as possible.

In the meantime, please continue to use the soil RCLs available in Guidance: Soil Residual Contaminant Level (RCL) Spreadsheet (RR-0151) and the VALs and sub-slab VRSLs available in Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Lookup Table (RR-0136).

If there is a need to calculate a site-specific RCL, the Risk Assessment Information System’s (RAIS) PRG Calculator may be used as a tool to develop site-specific RCLs, with DNR review and approval (Wis. Admin. Code §§ NR 720.10(2)(c) and 720.12(2)).

VALs not included in Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Lookup Table (RR-0136) can be calculated on the U.S. EPA’s Generic RSL Tables for “Resident Air” and “Composite Worker Air” using a Target Hazard Quotient of 1 and a Target Cancer Risk of 1×10-5. VRSLs can be calculated from the VALs by applying the appropriate attenuation factor.

Please contact Erin Endsley with any questions about soil RCLs or Jennifer Borski with any questions about vapor levels.

Now Available: Vapor Intrusion Building Evaluation Form

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed a new web-based form to assist environmental professionals when completing vapor investigations and mitigation. The new Vapor Intrusion Building Evaluation (Form 4400-011) helps document building-specific information including:  

  • Ownership and occupancy
  • Construction type and use
  • Presence and number of elevators, stairwells and sumps 
  • Water supply source 
  • Wastewater disposal method 
  • Foundation details 
  • Potential vapor sources  
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning 

The Vapor Intrusion Building Evaluation form can be downloaded as a PDF and included as supporting information through the DNR’s RR Submittal Portal. 

New users must create a login to access the web-based form.   

Contact the DNR with questions regarding vapor intrusion. Go to the Remediation & Redevelopment Program staff contacts webpage. Click on “Vapor Intrusion Contacts.” 

Update: Back to Basics And RR EAG Meeting To Be Virtual Only

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Due to the dangerous weather forecasted for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, the scheduled Back to Basics session and RR EAG meeting will be a virtual meeting only. The DNR’s RR Program is asking anyone who planned to attend the meeting in-person at either the Milwaukee or Madison location to attend virtually.

Register to attend by Zoom.

Contact Coreen Fallat with questions.

Now Available: Publication Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Following a public comment period and consideration of the comments received, the publication Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800) is now posted and available online. The publication includes: 

  • Science-based recommendations for vapor investigations and mitigation following industry research, scientific publications and collected data 
  • Updated soil and groundwater screening recommendations for chlorinated solvents 
  • Comprehensive information on: 
    • A general vapor intrusion conceptual model 
    • Variables affecting vapor intrusion 
    • Passive sampling techniques 
    • Real-time analysis and on-site laboratories 
    • Parking garages and elevators 
    • Active notification for vapor mitigation systems 
    • Continuing obligations assigned at interim action 
    • Example vapor investigation status map 
  • Building decision matrices with recommended time frames for immediate and interim response actions 
  • History of dry cleaners and other sources of chlorinated solvents 
  • Evacuated canister sub-slab vapor sampling recommendations (previously RR-986) 
  • Educational and visually descriptive figures 

The publication provides guidance for persons who investigate, remediate and mitigate contaminated sites under Wisconsin Statute (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700 – 799. The guidance applies to sites where contaminated vapor has, or has the potential, to migrate to any current or future buildings.  

Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.    

Subscribe to the RR Report to receive notification of future training events regarding RR-800. 

Submit questions on the publication to Jennifer Borski at Jennifer.Borski@wisconsin.gov. 

NR 700 Reporting Due Jan. 30, 2026

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Semi-annual reporting for the period of July 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, is due by Jan. 30, 2026. Semi-annual reporting is required of responsible parties (RPs) for all open sites, including those sites the DNR formerly classified as “conditionally closed” in the Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) online database. Consultants may submit these reports on behalf of RPs.

The DNR will send an email with a unique Report Identification (ID) number to contacts of sites listed in the database during the first week of January 2026. If you do not receive an email by Jan. 6, 2026, you can request a Report ID number by submitting the Report ID Request Form.

The Report ID number uniquely identifies the activity you can report, the reporting period and verifies the person using the Report ID is authorized to submit the report. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Zeichert at Timothy.Zeichert@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-2240.

Wisconsin Administrative Code § NR 700.11(1)(a) requires semi-annual reports from people who meet the definition of a responsible party in NR 700. Local governments that have an exemption under Wisconsin Statute (Wis. Stat.) §§ 292.11(9)(e) or 292.23 and lenders that have an exemption under Wis. Stat. § 292.21 are not required to submit a semi-annual report for those exempt sites.

Sites formerly classified by the DNR as “conditionally closed” are open sites that have not been granted case closure and, by definition, have remaining action(s) needed (e.g., properly abandoning monitoring wells or investigative waste needing to be removed).

Semi-annual reporting for sites formerly classified as “conditionally closed” should indicate the current actions to complete the remaining actions.

The next reporting period is from Jan. 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Meeting And Back To Basics Training

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Upcoming Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) Meeting
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a meeting of the RR EAG on Jan. 23, 2026. The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin. RR EAG meetings are open to the public.  

The agenda and meeting materials will be posted in advance on the DNR’s RR EAG webpage.  

Registration Open For Fourth Session Of The Back To Basics Training Series
The Back to Basics training series will be presented in conjunction with the RR EAG meetings throughout 2025 and early 2026. Each session of the series provides information and practitioner perspectives on the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties.  

Individuals involved in or affected by the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination and the redevelopment of contaminated properties are encouraged to attend, including environmental consultants, developers, attorneys, responsible parties, local governments, property owners and those affected by contamination in their communities. 

The session on Jan. 23, Back to Basics: Applying for Closure, will lay out the requirements and best practices when applying for closure. The session will also explore considerations for notifying affected parties of continuing obligations prior to applying for closure. 

Topics and presenters include: 

  • Impact of Remedial Action Planning on Closure Application, Jodie Thistle, DNR  
  • Basics of Applying for Site Closure from the DNR, Kevin McKnight, DNR 
  • Notification of Continuing Obligations Process, Judy Fassbender, DNR  
  • On the Ground: Preparing a Site for Closure (Case Studies), Cory Katzban, The Sigma Group 
  • Best Practices for Submitting Closure Application, Issac Ross, DNR 
  • Moderated Discussion, Bill Nelson or Derek Punches, Godfrey & Kahn  

Information and registration for the Back to Basics training sessions is posted on the RR Program Presentations & Trainings webpage. 

Attending On Jan. 23
In-person and virtual attendance options are available for both the training and for the RR EAG meeting. 

Schedule
9 to 9:30 a.m.: In person arrival and coffee with the DNR
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Back to Basics: Applying for Closure and Maintaining Continuing Obligations
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.: RR EAG Meeting  

In-person attendees will have an opportunity to meet and greet regional DNR staff members from the RR Program; RSVP to Coreen Fallat at CoreenR.Fallat@wisconsin.gov by noon on Jan. 21, 2026.  

Attend in-person in Madison or Milwaukee:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)   
Room G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI   

Wisconsin DNR – Milwaukee Service Center
1027 West St. Paul Ave.
Harbor Room, Rm 107 
Milwaukee, WI 

Attend via Zoom: Register to attend by Zoom [exit DNR] 

Now Available: Vapor Mitigation System Inspection Log Form

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Information gathered during inspections of vapor mitigation systems can now be submitted online through a new web-based form.  

Use the updated Vapor Mitigation System Inspection Log (Form 4400-321) to conduct annual inspections of vapor mitigation systems. Information is automatically saved, and changes can be made before the form is submitted to the DNR. In addition, related photographs can be uploaded directly to the form. 

New users must create a login to access the web-based form.  

Contact the DNR with questions regarding vapor intrusion. Go to “dnr.wi.gov” and search “RR Program Staff.” Click on “Vapor Intrusion Contacts.” Contact DNRRRVAPOR@wisconsin.gov with issues related to the forms. 

Now Available: Publication Monitored Natural Attenuation Guidance (RR-0156) 

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Following a public comment period and consideration of the comments received, the publication Monitored Natural Attenuation Guidance (RR-0156) is now posted and available online.  

This publication provides guidance for persons who investigate, remediate and mitigate contaminated sites under Wisconsin Statute (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700 – 799 and gives direction for characterization, assessment and monitoring of sites at sites where natural attenuation is under consideration as a possible remedial option for petroleum or chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination.  

Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.    

Contact your RR project manager or program specialist with questions.