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VMS Active Notification Information Now Available

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

New information focused on use of active notifications including using telemetry systems when monitoring an active vapor mitigation system (VMS) is now available on the vapor intrusion resources for environmental professionals webpage.

Monitoring of an active VMS is important to ensure that the system continues to work as designed. Active notifications (continuous monitoring) may include audible alarms, visual indicators and telemetry.

The webpage is a resource for environmental professionals and provides considerations for selecting the type of systems to install including land use, the type of health risk and the contaminant of concern.

View a recorded presentation for more information about active notifications and telemetry systems; Issues & Trends: Vapor Intrusion Updates 2023 (wisconsin.gov). Information specific to active notification is on slides 12 through 21.

Rule Advisory Committee Meetings Sept. 20, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

The DNR formed the RAC to advise DNR staff during development of proposed rules. The RAC is comprised of representatives from environmental consulting and law firms, local government groups, industry stakeholders, affected state agencies and environmental advocacy groups. All RAC meetings are open to the public.

Meeting Information
Interested individuals can attend either virtually by Zoom or in-person.

By Zoom:
9 – 11 a.m. – Continuing obligations (RR-14-23)
Register to attend via Zoom

Noon – 2 p.m. Soil standards (RR-15-23)
Register to attend via Zoom

In-person:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Room G-09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In-person attendees must register to enter the meeting location. To register, contact MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Sept. 19, 2024.

Visit the DNR’s NR 700 Rule Changes webpage to view meeting agendas, materials and the full Rule Advisory Committee meeting schedule.

About the Rule-making Efforts
On Jan. 24, 2024, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board granted approval for these rulemaking efforts through the approval of two statements of scope:

  • Scope Statement for Board Order RR-14-23. Proposes developing administrative rules that affect chapters NR 700, 708, 714, 722, 724, 725, 726, 727, and 749 related to definitions, notifications, fees, agreements, reports, and procedures for interim action and remedial action continuing obligations for environmental contamination.
  • Scope Statement for Board Order RR-15-23. Proposes developing administrative rules that affect chapters NR 700, 720, and 722 related to definitions, land use classifications, procedures for identifying environmental standards for soil, and soil cleanup standards used to investigate and remediate environmental contamination.

The statements of scope may be viewed on the DNR’s Administrative Rules webpage.

Subscribe for updates on future Rule Advisory Committee meetings.

DNR Sets Meeting Dates For Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) set dates for the next four quarterly meetings of the Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG). Dates are also scheduled for the RR EAG’s Funding Sustainability, NR 700 and Vapor Intrusion subgroups.

The DNR’s RR Program oversees the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination and the redevelopment of contaminated properties. The DNR has a business need to receive constructive and practical input from, and provide information to, interested parties on a wide variety of regulatory and policy issues. The RR EAG considers a broad range of technical and policy topics related to investigation and cleanup of contamination and redevelopment of properties.

Quarterly meetings of the RR EAG will be held virtually from 9 a.m. until noon on the following dates:

  • Oct. 11, 2024
  • Jan. 23, 2025
  • April 23, 2025
  • July 16, 2025

Meetings of the RR EAG’s subgroups will allow virtual and in-person attendance on:

  • Sept. 19, 2024
  • Dec. 5, 2024
  • Feb. 11, 2025
  • May 15, 2025

All meetings of the RR EAG and subgroups are open to the public. Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for registration information, meeting agendas and materials.

Subscribe to receive updates on future meetings.

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Subgroup Meetings May 29, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) subgroup meetings on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG subgroup meetings are open to the public.

Where:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G-09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In-person attendees should RSVP to Michael.Prager@wisconsin.gov by noon on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

When:

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting May 30, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

The DNR formed the Rule Advisory Committee to advise DNR staff during development of proposed rules. The Rule Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from environmental consulting and law firms, local government groups, industry stakeholders, affected state agencies and environmental advocacy groups. All Rule Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

When and where:
9 a.m. to noon – Continuing Obligations (RR-14-23)
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St
Madison, WI

Please check in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In-person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Register to attend via Zoom.

Visit the DNR’s NR 700 Rule Changes webpage to register and view meeting agendas, materials and the full Rule Advisory Committee meeting schedule. Subscribe for updates on future Rule Advisory Committee meetings.

On Jan. 24, 2024, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board granted approval for these rulemaking efforts through the approval of two statements of scope:

  • Scope Statement for Board Order RR-14-23. Proposes developing administrative rules that affect chapters NR 700, 708, 714, 722, 724, 725, 726, 727, and 749 related to definitions, notifications, fees, agreements, reports, and procedures for interim action and remedial action continuing obligations for environmental contamination.
  • Scope Statement for Board Order RR-15-23. Proposes developing administrative rules that affect chapters NR 700, 720, and 722 related to definitions, land use classifications, procedures for identifying environmental standards for soil, and soil cleanup standards used to investigate and remediate environmental contamination.

The statements of scope may be viewed on the DNR’s Administrative Rules webpage.

Brownfield Redevelopment Open House For Local Governments On April 24, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a brownfield redevelopment open house for local governments on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. 

A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by real or potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use; they can be anything from a 500-acre former automobile assembly plant to a small, abandoned gas station.  

The open house will focus on resources available to local governments for redevelopment of brownfield properties into community assets, including funding, liability and other tools and assistance available from the DNR.    

Staff from the DNR and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will be available for questions and discussions on brownfield resources as well as due diligence in the acquisition of brownfield properties and how to locate information about contaminated sites.   

Local government officials interested in learning more about brownfield redevelopment in Wisconsin are encouraged to attend.   

When:
April 24, 2024
10 a.m. – noon 

Where:
DNR Spooner Service Center 
Community Room 112
810 W Maple St.
Spooner, WI   

Attendees should RSVP to Thomas.Coogan@wisconsin.gov by April 18, 2024.   

Unable to attend but interested in learning how cleaning up brownfields can help your community? The DNR’s series of on-demand Brownfields Fundamentals webinars cover planning, cleanup, liability, and other topics as part of a well-rounded crash course in Wisconsin brownfield redevelopment.   

The DNR has a wide range of financial and liability tools available to help local governments, businesses, lenders, and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin, including Ready for Reuse financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup. DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and private individuals to discuss brownfield projects through Green Team meetings.   

More information about the DNR’s brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s brownfields webpage.   

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Meeting

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG meetings are open to the public.

Where:

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G-09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

When:

1-4 p.m.
In-person attendees should RSVP to Jodie.Thistle@wisconsin.gov by noon on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Zoom attendance registration.

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

Rule Advisory Committee Meetings April 12, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday, April 12, 2024. 

The DNR formed the Rule Advisory Committee to advise DNR staff during development of proposed rules. The Rule Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from environmental consulting and law firms, local government groups, industry stakeholders, affected state agencies and environmental advocacy groups. All Rule Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

Where:

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.
In-person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
When:

Friday, April 12, 2024 
9 – 11 a.m. – Continuing Obligations (RR-14-23)
Register to attend via Zoom.

Noon – 2 p.m. Soil Standards (RR-15-23) 
Register to attend via Zoom.

Visit the DNR’s NR 700 Rule Changes webpage to register and view meeting agendas, materials and the full Rule Advisory Committee meeting schedule. Subscribe for updates on future Rule Advisory Committee meetings.

Wisconsin DNR Update on WMC and Leather Rich, Inc. v. DNR

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

On March 6, 2024, Dist. II Court of Appeals  issued an opinion in WMC and Leather Rich, Inc. v. DNR, affirming a circuit court ruling regarding DNR’s authority to regulate “emerging contaminants” (including PFAS compounds) as hazardous substances under the Spills Law. The department will be petitioning for review by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The court’s decision is stayed until the conclusion of all appeals. The stay allows the department to continue under the Spills Law to work with responsible parties whose sites are contaminated by PFAS. The stay also means that Wisconsinites with private wells contaminated with PFAS who are currently receiving emergency bottled water may continue to receive a source of safe drinking water while the department appeals the order.

Given that the case remains pending in litigation, the DNR has no further comment.

ITRC Comprehensive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training March 14 and 28

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on March 14 and March 28, 2024.

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage. While the documents are designed to assist state regulators, they also raise awareness with environmental consultants and other industry professionals.

The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion mitigation and presents information on how to utilize the ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Interactive Directory. The interactive directory includes fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists. DNR staff participated in the development of both the technical resources and training.

The training consists of a series of eight modules on the topics listed below and will be presented over two, two-hour sessions:

Session 1 – March 14, 2024, noon to 2 p.m.
Topics Include:

  • Introduction and overview of vapor intrusion mitigation training team
  • Conceptual site models for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Public outreach during vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Rapid response and ventilation for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Remediation and institutional controls

Session 2 – March 28, 2024, noon to 2 p.m.
Topics Include:

  • Active mitigation approaches
  • Passive mitigation approaches
  • System verification, OM&M and exit strategies

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 Vapor Intrusion Resources for Environmental Professionals webpage.