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.  

The RR Program Submittal Portal Is Live With MyWisconsin ID And Multi-Factor Authentication! 

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The DNR is excited to announce that the RR Program Submittal Portal (Submittal Portal) has switched to MyWisconsin ID.  

You can now use your MyWisconsin ID to log in to Submittal Portal. You may need to update your bookmark to this system. You will be prompted to verify your identity with the multi-factor authentication (MFA) option you selected during the enrollment process.  

If you have not created a MyWisconsin ID, details and a step-by step guide are available on the Department of Administration’s MyWisconsin ID Self Registration webpage.   

Tips For Successful Registration  

  • Registration is time-sensitive. Once the base information is entered, registration must be completed within 2 hours (including MFA setup).   
  • A specific MyWisconsin ID is for an individual person, not a facility or company and should NEVER be used by others. 
  • Because multi-factor authentication is used, the MyWisconsin account cannot be shared with others – all users must have their own account.  

Some state systems will transition to using MyWisconsin ID sooner than others. In the meantime, you may need a WAMS ID for some systems and a MyWisconsin ID for others.  

Questions?  

Now Available: U.S. EPA FY 2026 Brownfields Grant Guidelines And Wisconsin State Letters Of Acknowledgement

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is accepting applications for Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC) Grants for fiscal year 2026. The deadline for applications is Jan. 28, 2026. Grants offered by the U.S. EPA Brownfields Program can be used to help transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes. 

The U.S. EPA will host two webinars to share information about the application criteria on the dates below.   

  • Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at noon ET 
  • Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET  

Visit the U.S. EPA’s webpage for application resources for information about these webinars and to access additional information about the grants. 

Wisconsin State Acknowledgement Letters
To apply for an FY26 MAC Grant, grant applicants – except tribal entities – must obtain a state acknowledgement letter from the DNR. The letter acknowledges that the state is aware of the community or organization’s application for a federal grant to conduct a brownfield assessment or cleanup activities. 

Submit a written request for a DNR Acknowledgement Letter to Molly Schmidt at MollyE.Schmidt@Wisconsin.gov by Jan. 14, 2026. More information about state acknowledgement letter requirements is available on the DNR Federal Brownfields Grants webpage under “State Letter of Acknowledgement.”