Brownfields Redevelopment

Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-619, Guidance: General Liability Clarification Letters

Posted on by Mick

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication RR-619, Guidance: General Liability Clarification Letters.

The guidance document describes when general liability clarification letters, as defined in Wis. Stat. § 292.55, may be helpful and how parties can request a general liability clarification letter from the DNR.

The publication can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance web page under the “Program Guidance” tab.

Comments may be submitted through October 28, 2021 to Michael Prager at Michael.Prager@wisconsin.gov or to DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Hourly Fee Increase For VPLE

Posted on by Mick

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) increased the hourly fee for the review of technical documents submitted through the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program. Wis. Admin. Code § NR 750.07(2) requires the DNR to calculate the hourly billing rate each year.

The new hourly rate is $110, an increase from the $105 rate that has been in effect since 2014. The new fee took effect on July 1, 2021.

Continue reading “Hourly Fee Increase For VPLE” →

Environmental Liability Exemptions in the VPLE Program

Posted on by Mick

The cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties has become a critical land use issue for public and private entities across the country. These brownfields – abandoned or underused properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived contamination – are often the key to a successful community redevelopment project.

Many developers, lenders and prospective purchasers of brownfields choose to enroll in the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program versus a traditional cleanup path, since the VPLE provides certain liability assurances helpful to investors as well as future property owners.

Continue reading “Environmental Liability Exemptions in the VPLE Program” →

DNR Awards Brownfields Grant To City Of Bloomer

Posted on by Mick

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the site of a former agricultural cooperative on the north side of the City of Bloomer is on its way to being cleaned up with help from a grant from the department.

The financial award is from the DNR’s Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, which provides contractor services worth up to $35,000 for eligible sites. The DNR awarded the grant to the city of Bloomer for a property that local officials say may be in a position for redevelopment once the environmental contamination at the property is better defined.

“Local officials will have the opportunity to market this property—located in an established industrial park—once they get more information regarding the contamination,” said Jodie Peotter, DNR Brownfields, Outreach and Policy Section Chief, Remediation and Redevelopment Program. “The city has already seen interest in the property.”

Continue reading “DNR Awards Brownfields Grant To City Of Bloomer” →

Start Preparing Now for FY22 EPA Brownfield Grant Applications

Posted on by Mick

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” →

DNR Awards Brownfields Grant To Village Of Clinton

Posted on by Mick

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” →

U.S. EPA’s Brownfields 2021 Conference Issues “Call for Ideas”

Posted on by Mick

Organizers of Brownfields 2021, the National Brownfields Training Conference, are requesting your ideas and suggestions for the upcoming event to be held September 27-30, 2021, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The National Brownfields Training Conference is attended by stakeholders focused on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment.

The deadline to submit topic and speaker ideas is March 8, 2021.

Continue reading “U.S. EPA’s Brownfields 2021 Conference Issues “Call for Ideas”” →

Upcoming EPA Webinar Opportunity: Supporting Redevelopment and Addressing the Superfund Liability Concerns of Local Governments

Posted on by Mick

On January 22, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host an online webinar addressing brownfields redevelopment and concerns that local governments may have over Superfund liability.

Continue reading “Upcoming EPA Webinar Opportunity: Supporting Redevelopment and Addressing the Superfund Liability Concerns of Local Governments” →

DNR Awards Brownfields Grant Valued up to $35,000 to Grant County

Posted on by Mick

An abandoned downtown property in Lancaster with a 25-year history of petroleum contamination is getting closer to being cleaned up and marketable to possible buyers with assistance from a brownfields grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Continue reading “DNR Awards Brownfields Grant Valued up to $35,000 to Grant County” →

DNR Awards Brownfields Grant Valued up to $35,000 to City of Stoughton Redevelopment Authority

Posted on by Mick

A blighted riverfront property in Stoughton is on the way to being cleaned up with assistance from a brownfields grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Continue reading “DNR Awards Brownfields Grant Valued up to $35,000 to City of Stoughton Redevelopment Authority” →