Month: October 2023

Updates To The RR Presentations & Training Library

Posted on by Christine Sieger

Brownfields Fundamentals logo which is a photo of an old white building with broken windows transitioning into a sketch drawing of a new apartment complex. The words brownfields fundmentals are at the bottom of the image.The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program provides up-to-date and quality presentations and trainings on a variety of technical and educational topics for environmental professionals, local governments, community organizations, members of the public and others.

The RR Program Presentations & Training Library webpage has added a dedicated section for the Brownfields Fundamentals series. The articles, webinars and panel discussions are designed to provide valuable brownfields cleanup and redevelopment information and resources to local governments and their communities.

RR Program Trainings

  • Brownfields Fundamentals
  • Issues & Trends – Quarterly Zoom webinars providing information on a variety of topics such as DNR and RR Program updates, Wisconsin Administrative rulemaking information, environmental contamination and cleanup and more.
  • Consultants’ Days – Coming to a region near you in 2024! A day-long conference designed for environmental professionals focused on providing presentations, demonstrations, and discussions on environmental cleanup laws, best practices, compliance and guidance. The accordion contains presentations from past conferences.
  • Local Government Days — A day-long conference for local government officials on brownfields redevelopment. This accordion contains presentations from past conferences.

A list of upcoming presentations and trainings is available on the RR Program Presentations & Trainings webpage. If there is a topic you would like addressed in a future webinar, please email Jody.Irland@wisconsin.gov.

DNR Requests Proposals For Two Brownfield Projects

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has posted requests for proposals (RFPs) on two brownfield planning projects. The projects are funded by a FY23 Small Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Cuba City Brownfield Site Reuse Concept Planning
The DNR is seeking proposals from qualified firms interested in providing consulting services to assist with the community engagement and visioning process for a large, soon-to-be vacant senior care and rehabilitation facility located in Cuba City, Wisconsin. The senior care facility is a 9-acre site with asbestos-containing materials and other potential environmental conditions.

Port Edwards Brownfield Site Reuse Concept Planning
The DNR is seeking proposals from qualified firms interested in providing consulting services to assist with brownfield redevelopment planning at a former paper mill in the village of Port Edwards, Wisconsin. This planning project is focused on an approximately 46-acre portion of the 180-acre former paper mill.

Proposals are due Nov. 20, 2023. The RFPs are available on the RR Program Public Notices webpage.

DNR Launches New Vapor Intrusion Webpage For Local Governments

Posted on by Christine Sieger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 19, 2023
Contact: Christine Sieger, DNR Remediation and Redevelopment
Program Director
Christine.Sieger@wisconsin.gov or 608-422-1148

DNR Launches New Vapor Intrusion Webpage For Local Governments

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced a new webpage to help local governments address vapor intrusion in their communities.

The new Vapor Intrusion for Local Governments webpage from the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program provides tools and resources for local governments to address vapor intrusion in their communities, including information on locating contaminated sites, considerations for development or redevelopment, vapor intrusion prevention and planning resources as well as health information.

“The risk from vapor intrusion is new territory for many municipalities and local health departments,” said Jennifer Borski, Remediation and Redevelopment Program Vapor Intrusion Team Leader. “This webpage is designed specifically for the unique needs of local municipalities as they incorporate consideration of this health risk into their daily work on items such as permitting, redevelopment, road work and planning. Our hope is this webpage will serve to provide readily accessible support and guidance for municipalities and encourage partnership with the DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment Program in our shared efforts to protect the residents of Wisconsin.”

In addition to the webpage dedicated to local governments, a new landing page has been added to organize vapor intrusion resources into three main categories and provide a streamlined path to the vapor intrusion information each group needs: local governments, environmental professionals and property owners, occupants and the public.

Vapor intrusion is a phenomenon through which vapors from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from chemicals used in commercial activities, such as dry-cleaning chemicals, chemical degreasers and petroleum products like gasoline, enter a building, typically through cracks or gaps in the foundation. These VOC vapors are often colorless and odorless and bring chemicals into the indoor air, which can cause unsafe indoor air quality conditions and result in adverse health effects to building occupants.

The Remediation and Redevelopment Program welcomes feedback on the vapor intrusion webpage improvements. Ideas and suggestions can be sent to DNRRRwebrequests@wisconsin.gov.
More information about the DNR’s brownfields cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s brownfields webpage.

Matt Thompson Named RR Program West Central Region Team Supervisor

Posted on by Christine Sieger
Matt Thompson and partner taking a selfie outside on a grassy area.

Matt Thompson and family.

Matt Thompson will take on a management role with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program.

Thompson recently accepted a new position as the Team Supervisor in the West Central Region (WCR) stationed in the Eau Claire office.

Thompson joined the RR Program in 2015 as a limited-term employee and is currently the WCR hydrogeologist program coordinator. Prior to the DNR, Thompson worked in the non-metallic mining industry.

He replaces Dave Rozeboom, who took a new position as the WCR Field Integration Leader earlier this year. Thompson will begin his new role Oct. 23, 2023.

DNR Seeks Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst/Specialist

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Department of Natural Resources is recruiting a Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst/Specialist that will be dedicated to supporting the needs of the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program.

This position will be located in the DNR’s Madison, Wisconsin office. The deadline to apply is Oct. 11, 2023.

This position supports the planning, implementing, upgrading, and development of the RR Program’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping applications and geospatial data needs. The primary responsibilities of this position include managing and maintaining the RR Program’s web-based mapping applications (including the RR Sites Map) and all requisite map/feature services; performing advanced technical data and database design; analyzing data requirements; performing spatial data analyses; and assisting with necessary quality assurance and quality control processes to support the RR Program’s IT operations and business needs. The position may be filled at either the IS Systems Development Services Senior/Analyst or Specialist levels.

Additional details, including necessary qualifications, are available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 11995).