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NR 700 Reporting Due July 31, 2026; Changes Coming In 2027

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Semi-annual reporting for the period of Jan. 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026, is due by July 31, 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 Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System. 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 July 2026. If you do not receive an email by July 7, 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. 

State law requires semi-annual reports from people who meet the definition of a responsible party (Wis. Admin. Code s. NR 700.11(1)(a)). Property owners, such as local governments that have an exemption under Wis. Stats. §§ 292.11(9)(e) or 292.23, and lenders that have an exemption under Wis. Stats. § 292.21 for specific properties are not required to submit a semi-annual report for those exempt properties under state law. 

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 what actions are being taken to complete the remaining actions. 

The next reporting period starts July 1, 2026.  

Change in Reporting Timelines  

The semi-annual reporting timeframes are changing. To accommodate the change, the next site progress report submitted will cover an eight-month period, with the reporting period beginning on July 1, 2026 and ending on Feb. 28, 2027 (Wis. Admin. Code 700.11(1)(a)). During the first week of March 2027, you can expect to receive an email with a unique Report Identification (ID) number.  

Following the reporting period ending in February 2027, semi-annual reporting will continue to be required at 6-month intervals and follow the schedule below.  

Reporting periods  Report due date  
March 1 to Aug. 31   Sept. 30 
Sept. 1 to Feb. 28  March 31 

Reminder – Register To Attend Deep Dive Into Vapor Intrusion: Application Of RR-800 On July 16, 2026

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Register now to attend an upcoming training designed to dive deeper into the steps to address a site with vapor intrusion or the potential for vapor intrusion. The session will focus on the publication Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800). The presenters will share scenarios that explain how to investigate the vapor intrusion pathway and explore the considerations and actions needed after vapor intrusion is identified.    

The training is 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.  

Session Details 

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 

The training is 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. This session is the third in a series of trainings scheduled for this year.  

Additional Session Planned 

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 

Recordings Available 

Recordings of previous presentations and trainings are available in the RR Program’s training library.

Building Your Brownfields Team Webinar Scheduled

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Kansas State University’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) group is hosting two webinars to share information to help build a team with the knowledge needed to successfully move through a brownfields project. Building Your Brownfields Team is a two-part series scheduled for June 30, 2026 and July 1, 2026.  

Part one of the series will explore building the support needed for the project from stakeholders and technical experts.  The second session will focus on the process of cleaning up the site to enable redevelopment. For more information and to register visit the TAB webpage. 

In Wisconsin, the Remediation & Redevelopment Program is available to help you apply what you learn to move forward with brownfield redevelopment in your community. The first step is often a request by a local government for a “Green Team” meeting to discuss resources available to support your brownfields team. For more information, see Green Team Assistance. 

Visit the DNR’s webpage to learn more about opportunities for brownfield redevelopment in Wisconsin.  

Now Available: Guidance: What Landowners Should Know About Using Natural Attenuation To Clean Up Contaminated Groundwater (RR-671)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Following a public comment period and consideration of the comments received, the publication Guidance: What Landowners Should Know About Using Natural Attenuation to Clean Up Contaminated Groundwater (RR-671) is now posted and available online.   

This publication helps property owners understand what natural attenuation is and how it can help ensure long-term protectiveness of public health, safety and the environment. The publication must be provided by responsible parties to owners of property impacted by contamination where natural attenuation is used as a final remedy to address the contamination (Wis. Admin. Code § NR 725.07(4)(a)).  

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.   

 

Soil Background Study For PFAS And PAHs Planned For 2026

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Remediation and Redevelopment Program will be collecting soil samples from locations across Wisconsin as part of a study to characterize background concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface soil.  

PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. PAHs are chemical compounds with both natural and anthropogenic sources. Both PFAS and PAHs can impact human health. 

The samples will be collected from surface soil in approximately 150 locations from undisturbed areas that are unlikely to have been impacted by discharges of PAHs or PFAS. Samples will be collected from areas that represent both rural and urban land uses. Analysis of the samples will help characterize the ambient concentration of these contaminants found in soil from atmospheric deposition. The results may be used to calculate statewide background threshold values for PFAS and PAH contaminants in soil. Sampling will occur on DNR-owned land in coordination with the property managers.  

Sampling will take place in 2026 from May through July. Results will be shared in a final report anticipated in 2027. Contact Trevor Nobile with questions about the soil background study at Trevor.Nobile@wisconsin.gov or 414-852-5310.  

Comprehensive Vapor Intrusion Training April 30 And May 12

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online training on Understanding Vapor Intrusion – Introductory Concepts & Fundamentals over two sessions on April 30 and May 12, 2026.  

The Understanding Vapor Intrusion training series introduces the concepts and fundamentals of vapor intrusion and presents information on using the ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Toolkit, published in January 2026. DNR staff participated in the development of both the technical resources and training. The toolkit is designed for state regulators but also helps environmental consultants and other industry professionals learn about vapor intrusion. 

The training covers the topics below presented over two, two-hour sessions. 

Session 1 – April 30, 2026 (noon to 2 p.m. CST)
Topics:

  • Vapor intrusion and basic science 
  • Common vapor intrusion scenarios 
  • Introduction to data and decisions 
  • Stakeholder communication 

Session 2 – May 12, 2026 (noon to 2 p.m. CST)
Topics: 

  • Recap: how vapor intrusion is different 
  • How to assess vapor intrusion 
  • Managing vapor intrusion risk 
  • Closure and exit strategies 

Interested individuals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Training & Events webpage. The recorded training will also be available on-demand at the CLU-IN Training Archived Webinars webpage. 

Site-specific questions regarding vapor intrusion in Wisconsin should be directed to the assigned DNR Project Manager. General vapor intrusion questions can be directed to the contacts listed on the DNR’s RR Program Staff Contacts website. 

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

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 April 21, 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 Fifth Session Of The Back To Basics Training Series 

The Back to Basics training series is presented in conjunction with the RR EAG meetings. Each session of the series provides information and practitioner perspectives on the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties. The April session is the last of five sessions held in 2025 and 2026.  

The session on April 21, Back to Basics: Updating Continuing Obligations after Closure and Notifying Affected Parties and the Public, will explore important considerations when making an update to a continuing obligation established at a property. The session will also cover how and why to notify affected parties and the public about contamination and remediation efforts. Topics and presenters include: 

  • Overview of the NR 700 process – Jodie Thistle, DNR
  • Modifying Continuing Obligations – Kevin Mcknight, DNR 
  • Understanding Notification and Public Participation Requirements – Michael Prager, DNR 
  • Using Online Tools: RR Sites Map and Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) – Hayley Schnae, DNR and Geoffrey House, DNR 
  • Case Study – Andy Delforge, REI Engineering 
  • Best Practices for Modifying Continuing Obligations– Chris Saari, DNR 
  • Moderated Discussion With Presenters – Bill Nelson/Derek Punches, Godfrey & Kahn 

Recordings and materials from prior training sessions can be found in the RR Program Presentations and Training Library.  

Attending On April 21
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: Updating Continuing Obligations after Closure and Notifying Affected Parties and the Public
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.: RR EAG Meeting 

In-person attendees can meet with regional DNR staff members from the RR Program; RSVP to Coreen Fallat at CoreenR.Fallat@wisconsin.gov by noon on April 17, 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] 

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. 

Public Input Opportunity – Guidance: What Landowners Should Know About Using Natural Attenuation To Clean Up Contaminated Groundwater (RR-671)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is seeking input on the publication Guidance: What Landowners Should Know About Using Natural Attenuation to Clean Up Contaminated Groundwater (RR-671). The publication explains what natural attenuation is and how its use can protect public health, safety, and the environment.  

The publication must be shared by responsible parties with owners of property where natural attenuation is used to clean up contamination, as required by Wis. Admin. Code § NR 725.07(4)(a).  

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under Current Notices. Submit comments through March 31, 2026, to DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Now Available: Vapor Quick Lookup Tables (RR-136)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The updated Guidance: Vapor Quick Lookup Tables (RR-0136) and companion publication History of Changes to Vapor Quick Lookup Tables (RR-0137) are now posted and available online.  

The Vapor Quick Lookup Tables (RR-0136) summarizes indoor air vapor action levels (VALs) and sub-slab, soil gas and groundwater vapor risk screening levels (VRSLs) for chemicals commonly found in Wisconsin based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Regional Screening Levels (RSLs). Changes include updated instructions when calculating the VALs and VRSLs for consistency with the Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800). Additional changes to the publication and to the companion document improve the readability of information in the tables.   

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 a DNR vapor intrusion specialist with any questions. 

Update: U.S. EPA Regional Screening Level And Vapor Intrusion Screening Level Calculators Back Online

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Screening Level (RSL) Calculator and the Vapor Intrusion Screening Level (VISL) Calculator webpages are once again available on the U.S. EPA’s webpage.  

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (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.  

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