Archives

Start Preparing Now for FY22 EPA Brownfield Grant Applications

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to release application guidelines for the FY22 Brownfield Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grants competition in early September 2021. The EPA grants provide direct funding to local governments, redevelopment agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities. The grants may be utilized for brownfields assessment, cleanup, technical assistance and related activities.

Entities interested in applying for FY22 EPA Brownfield Grants should start getting ready now to apply. This national grant competition is highly competitive and the quality of your project plan and application materials is important.

Continue reading “Start Preparing Now for FY22 EPA Brownfield Grant Applications”

ITRC Offers Online Training June 1 And 15 Regarding Comprehensive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will soon offer a new, online training series based on recent, comprehensive vapor intrusion technical guidance from the national group.

The series, to be held on June 1 and June 15, will cover the purpose and use of the December 2020 comprehensive web-based series of technical resources for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation.

Staff from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program participated in the development of both the technical resources and training.

Continue reading “ITRC Offers Online Training June 1 And 15 Regarding Comprehensive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation”

Public Input Opportunity Ends Soon for Publication RR-982, Guidance on Post-Closure Modifications

The public comment period ends next week, May 11, 2021, for publication RR-982, Guidance on Post-Closure Modifications.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance web page under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through May 11, 2021 to Jodie Peotter at Jodie.Peotter@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Continue reading “Public Input Opportunity Ends Soon for Publication RR-982, Guidance on Post-Closure Modifications”

Public Input Opportunity Ends Soon for Publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors

The public comment period ends next week for publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors.

The document can be found on the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance web page under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through May 3, 2021, to Jim Walden at jamese.walden@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Continue reading “Public Input Opportunity Ends Soon for Publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors”

DNR Awards Brownfields Grant To Village Of Clinton

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the site where a former gas station that later served as a small engine repair shop in the Village of Clinton is on its way to being cleaned up with help from a grant from the department.

The financial award comes from the DNR’s Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) program, which provides contractor services worth up to $35,000 for eligible sites. The DNR awarded the grant to the Village of Clinton for the now-vacant property that is known to have some degree of contamination, though just how much contamination is unknown.

Continue reading “DNR Awards Brownfields Grant To Village Of Clinton”

Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-982, Guidance on Post-Closure Modifications

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication RR-982, Guidance on Post-Closure Modifications.

The purpose of this guidance is to aid in the preparation and review of post-closure modification (PCMs) submittals to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Continue reading “Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-982, Guidance on Post-Closure Modifications”

Issues & Trends Webinar on April 20, 2021: Vapor Intrusion – Acute Risk Associated with TCE

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program reminds you that the next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place next week, April 20, 2021, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The scheduled presentation is: Vapor Intrusion – Acute Risk Associated with TCE.

The presentation is a discussion of the acute risk associated with trichloroethylene (TCE) in vapors. Presenters and guests will provide background on TCE and its prevalence in Wisconsin, along with a discussion of short-term, health-related concerns. Speakers will also explain the need to prioritize vapor investigations when TCE is a contaminant of concern, DNR’s authority under NR 708 and the DNR’s partnerships with DHS and local health departments.

Continue reading “Issues & Trends Webinar on April 20, 2021: Vapor Intrusion – Acute Risk Associated with TCE”

Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors.

The guidance is intended for persons who perform and document investigation and remediation of sites with environmental contamination under Wisconsin Administrative Code (Wis. Admin. Code) chs. NR 700-799, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff who review such submittals.

Continue reading “Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors”

Reminder Letter Sent To Responsible Parties To Prioritize Vapor Intrusion Evaluations At Sites With TCE

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is sending a reminder letter regarding vapor intrusion to parties responsible for cleanup at open remediation sites in Wisconsin. A copy of the letter will also be sent to the responsible party’s (RP) environmental consultant.

The letter is a reminder to RPs and consultants that the potential for short-term (i.e., acute) health risks associated with trichloroethylene (TCE) in indoor air are serious enough that it should be one of the first things evaluated as part of a site investigation. This is especially true on sites where contamination may impact sensitive populations and should be routinely reassessed throughout a project’s life to ensure protectiveness.

Continue reading “Reminder Letter Sent To Responsible Parties To Prioritize Vapor Intrusion Evaluations At Sites With TCE”

DNR Adopts the Department of Health Services’ Recommended Hazard Index (HI) Approach

DNR Adopts the Department of Health Services’ Recommended Hazard Index (HI) Approach for Evaluating Human Health Risk of Certain PFAS due to Ingestion of Drinking Water

On Nov. 6, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) provided the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommended groundwater standards for 16 PFAS substances (known as “Cycle 11”). Shortly thereafter, DHS provided recommendations to DNR for utilizing a hazard index approach to assess the cumulative risk of these PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS from Cycle 10. The hazard index risk assessment approach is used to assess the cumulative risks of compounds with similar health effects that are typically found as mixtures in environmental samples. This approach has been employed by DHS to evaluate certain classes of pesticides and volatile organic compounds as well as by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate the risk posed by non-carcinogenic chemicals found at Superfund sites.

Continue reading “DNR Adopts the Department of Health Services’ Recommended Hazard Index (HI) Approach”