Archives

Rescheduled: Deep Dive Into Vapor Intrusion – Application Of RR-800 Planned For Aug. 20, 2026

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Register now to attend the rescheduled training designed to dive deeper into the steps to address a site with vapor intrusion or the potential for vapor intrusion. The session focuses 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
Aug. 20, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Register to attend by Zoom
Note: If you had registered to attend July 16, you need to re-register to receive the new link.

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.

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.

RR Program Encourages Review Of U.S. EPA Policy Statement On LUST Releases And Advanced Site Characterization Tools

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

In September 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a policy statement encouraging states to move LUST cases toward closure. DNR encourages consultants to familiarize themselves with the EPA policy statement and the latest science related to petroleum-related site investigation tools, remediation and attenuation. The policy statement recommends action to move more sites to closure by:  

  • Reevaluating and assessing threats from open UST releases. 
  • Incorporating current best practices, tools, and scientific understanding of petroleum releases into their threat assessment – tools and science that might not have been available when the threats from the release sites were first evaluated and the original cleanup goals established. 
  • Making the threat assessment process open and transparent so owners and other stakeholders can be better informed about the threats posed by releases and collaborate with regulators on a course of action going forward. 

While the Wis. Admin. Code NR 700 series allows residual contamination to be left in place upon closure and exposure threats are already a significant part of closure-related decisions, several of the cases in Wisconsin have stalled due to incomplete site investigations. Defining the extent of contamination in all applicable media is required (Wis. Admin. Code § NR 716.11(3)(a)). Using advanced site characterization tools can be an efficient and cost-effective method of completing site investigations, particularly at LUST sites. Information and case studies about several of these technologies is available from ITRC and the U.S.EPA. In addition, a High-Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC) toolkit is currently in development by the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) Tanks Subcommittee for release in 2026 or 2027.   

This policy statement was preceded by an ASTM Standard published in May 2025 providing related technical resources.  

Given the significant role of natural attenuation in the remediation of LUST cases, consultants are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with RR program’s updated Monitored Natural Attenuation Guidance (RR-0156). 

For questions related to the RR LUST Program, please contact Jason Lowery at 608-228-4737 or Jason.Lowery@wisconsin.gov or visit the RR Petroleum and LUST webpage.

VPLE Oversight And Technical Review Fee Increased

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) increased the hourly oversight and technical review fee for sites participating in the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program. The new rate is $130 per hour, an increase from the previous rate of $125 per hour. The new hourly fee took effect on July 1, 2026.

This hourly fee is calculated annually in accordance with Wis. Admin. § NR 750.07, based on current wages, fringe and indirect costs.

The VPLE program is a voluntary, fee-based option for those who want to investigate and remediate a property, providing them with a transferable exemption from future environmental liability. The fee supports the DNR staff’s technical oversight throughout the remediation process.

For more information, visit the VPLE webpage.

Note From The RR Program: Sharing Demographic Information With The DNR

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Understanding building occupancy is important for protecting public health when there is a known risk of indoor air contamination caused by vapor intrusion. Collecting information about the individuals present at a building is referred to as collecting “demographics.” The demographic information can identify if any sensitive populations spend a meaningful amount of time in the building. Sensitive populations may be at an increased risk of adverse short-term (i.e., acute) health effects and primarily include people who are:

  • Under age 15
  • Currently pregnant or may become pregnant
  • Elderly

Risk of indoor air contamination is identified by an exceedance of the indoor air vapor action level (VAL) and/or sub-slab vapor risk screening level (VRSL) for a specific contaminant. When a VAL or VRSL is exceeded, the DNR recommends that the responsible party or their environmental consultant quickly share if any sensitive populations are present in the building. When sharing information with the DNR, the information should be general in nature, indicating whether a sensitive population is present; it should not include personal information such as names, specific ages, personal addresses and individual occupancy habits (e.g., work hours).

When there is a known exceedance of the indoor air vapor action level (VAL) and/or sub-slab vapor risk screening level (VRSL), DNR collaborates with DHS and local health who provide health-based recommendations that consider building occupancy when advising on the health risk, a timeline for a response and the need for immediate or interim actions (Wis. Admin. Code §§ NR 708.05 and 708.11.)

For more information about the risk of contaminated vapor within a building, visit dnr.wi.gov and search “vapor intrusion.”

 

 

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.