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Roxanne Chronert Named RR Policy And Program Operations Director

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

Roxanne ChronertRoxanne Chronert will take on a new management role with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Remediation and Redevelopment Program.

Chronert recently accepted a new position as the Policy and Program Operations Director for the Remediation and Redevelopment Program and will be stationed in the Green Bay office.

Chronert joined the RR Program in 1994 as a limited-term employee and has served as the Northeast Region Team Supervisor for the last 12 years.

She replaces Jenna Soyer, who took a new position in the DNR’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Division last fall. Chronert will begin her new role on Feb. 11, 2024.

Rule Advisory Committee Meetings Feb. 23, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday, Feb. 23, 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 Molly Schmidt at MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

When:

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.

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Subgroup Meetings

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, Feb. 28, 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 513
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

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

In-person attendees should RSVP to Jodie.Thistle@wisconsin.gov by noon on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

When:

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

U.S. EPA’s Updated Soil Lead Guidance For CERCLA Sites And RCRA Corrective Action Facilities

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

On Jan. 17, 2024, the U.S. EPA updated its residential lead screening levels for soil. The updated guidance is a culmination of a years-long effort to strengthen the investigation and cleanup of lead-contaminated soil to protect children from lead exposure. The updated guidance lowers the recommended lead screening levels for direct contact with soil from 400 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg or parts per million) to 200 mg/kg for residential settings and recommends application of 100 mg/kg if additional sources of lead exposure are present (e.g., lead in drinking water, lead paint, etc.). No changes to industrial lead levels are proposed.

The DNR is reviewing the U.S. EPA’s guidance and consulting with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to determine how it may apply in Wisconsin. The DNR expects to have more information soon.

The new guidance is intended to apply to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites immediately, and the U.S. EPA is currently working on an implementation plan. If you have specific questions about the application of the guidance to RCRA and CERCLA sites, please reach out to the following DNR contacts:

Issues & Trends Webinar On Jan. 31, 2024: When Should A Site Investigation Enter Surface Water

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, from noon-1 p.m.

The scheduled presentation is titled When Should a Site Investigation Enter Surface Water and will be followed by time for questions. Site investigation scoping is the first step to developing a site investigation work plan. This webinar will highlight what information to evaluate at sediment sites during site investigation scoping. It will also cover potential pathways for contamination to enter surface water.

A Zoom web conferencing registration link may be found on the RR Program’s Conferences and Training webpage.

Recordings of previous Issues & Trends webinars may be found in the RR Program’s Training Library.

RR Program Seeks Policy and Program Operations Director

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is recruiting a Policy and Program Operations Director. This position may be located in either the DNR’s Madison, Milwaukee or Green Bay offices. The deadline to apply is December 13, 2023.

This position serves as the lead policy and program operations position in assisting the Director of the Remediation and Redevelopment Program. In the absence of the Program Director and in conjunction with the Program’s Field Operations Director, this position represents the Department in external contacts with the Governor’s Office, the legislature, local government leaders, federal agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regional and national remediation and redevelopment-related organizations, and a wide variety of public groups, private businesses, and associations. The Policy and Program Operations Director provides day-to-day supervision of the Program’s section chiefs and Program Support staff throughout the state. This position oversees the implementation of all policy, planning, personnel and database oversight activities associated with the RR program’s policy and program operations activities. This position serves on the Remediation and Redevelopment Management Team and plays a key role in facilitation.

A full position description, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 12491).

Now Available: Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124)

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

Following a public comment period, the publication Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124) is now posted and available online.

The document can be found here. Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.

The purpose of this guidance is to outline approaches for investigating and remediating hazardous substances discharges that impact sediment to comply with the requirements in Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and the applicable provisions of Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700-799. This guidance explains the steps recommended for assessment of contaminated sediment, evaluation of remedial options and the selection, design, implementation and monitoring of remedial actions. This guidance will clarify closure requirements at sites with contaminated sediments, including continuing obligations, long term stewardship and financial assurance.

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Carrie Webb at CarrieA.Webb@wisconsin.gov.

Now Available: Publication Guidance: Environmental Contamination & Your Real Estate (RR-973)

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

Following a public comment period, the publication Guidance: Environmental Contamination & Your Real Estate (RR-973) is now posted and available online.

The document can be found here. Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.

The purpose of the guidance is to provide information to help property owners understand the impact contamination may have on the market value of their property and the legal obligations they have should the property be sold in the future.

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Barry Ashenfelter at Barry.Ashenfelter@wisconsin.gov.

ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Series On Feb. 14 And Feb. 21

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, 2023.

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 up-to-date 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 – Feb. 14, 2023, noon-2:00 p.m. CST
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 – Feb. 21, 2023, noon-2 p.m. CST
Topics Include:

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

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage.

The online sessions will repeat in June 2023. This training is also available on-demand at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation archive.

RR Sites Map Updates

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently made updates to the Remediation and Redevelopment Sites Map (RRSM).

Winter 2023 updates include:

  • 2022 leaf-on aerial photos added.
  • Improved leaf-off aerial photo imagery by updating to 2018-2021 imagery (state-wide, 3″-12″ resolution).
  • Modified slider bar to only include the aerial photos.
  • All aerial photos now viewable at scales from 1:50,000 to 1:248.
  • County tax parcels now identifiable starting at a scale of 1:15,840 through 1:248.
  • Ability to toggle the dynamic parcel labels on and off; this option is available starting at a scale of 1:3,960.

The RRSM is the DNR web-based mapping system that provides information on contaminated properties and other activities related to the investigation and cleanup of contamination in Wisconsin. Access the RRSM, additional information about map layers and user tips on the RRSM webpage.