Environmental Contamination

Update: U.S. EPA Regional Screening Level and Vapor Intrusion Screening Level Calculators

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The DNR recently learned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Screening Level (RSL) Calculator and the Vapor Intrusion Screening Level (VISL) Calculator webpages are currently offline. The DNR uses these calculators to establish soil residual contaminant levels (RCLs) that may be used by responsible parties to meet cleanup standards in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 720 and to establish indoor air Vapor Action Levels (VALs) and Vapor Risk Screening Levels (VSRLs), consistent with relevant definitions set forth in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 700. We are hoping this is a short-term situation, as the webpages state that the U.S. EPA is working to get the calculators back online as soon as possible.

In the meantime, please continue to use the soil RCLs available in Guidance: Soil Residual Contaminant Level (RCL) Spreadsheet (RR-0151) and the VALs and sub-slab VRSLs available in Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Lookup Table (RR-0136).

If there is a need to calculate a site-specific RCL, the Risk Assessment Information System’s (RAIS) PRG Calculator may be used as a tool to develop site-specific RCLs, with DNR review and approval (Wis. Admin. Code §§ NR 720.10(2)(c) and 720.12(2)).

VALs not included in Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Lookup Table (RR-0136) can be calculated on the U.S. EPA’s Generic RSL Tables for “Resident Air” and “Composite Worker Air” using a Target Hazard Quotient of 1 and a Target Cancer Risk of 1×10-5. VRSLs can be calculated from the VALs by applying the appropriate attenuation factor.

Please contact Erin Endsley with any questions about soil RCLs or Jennifer Borski with any questions about vapor levels.

Request For Qualifications:  Kewaunee Marsh Remedial Design 

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for remediation design services at the Kewaunee Marsh Arsenic Contaminated Site.  

SOQs are due Oct. 3, 2025.  

Following scoring of the SOQs, the DNR will request proposals from up to four qualified environmental consulting firms. Only one contract will be awarded.   

A copy of the Request for Qualifications is available on the RR Program Public Notices webpage. 

Request for Qualifications: Vapor Intrusion Zone Contract

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) to identify up to four qualified environmental consultants to provide professional services to investigate and mitigate vapor intrusion at sites in Wisconsin. This work will be conducted on an as-needed basis under a Vapor Intrusion Zone Contract. 

Selected consultants will be offered a 3-year professional services contract, with the option for two 1-year extensions (5 years total). 

Interested parties should submit an SOQ by Aug. 1, 2025.  

Copies of the Request for Qualifications are available on the RR Program Public Notices webpage. 

Remediation And Redevelopment Database Enhancements Available Now

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

A newly designed and enhanced Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment Database Tracking System (BRRTS) application is now available. Update your existing bookmarks to the new web address for quick access to the information.  

BRRTS is a go-to source for publicly available information about reports of potential contamination, property with contamination, cleanup activities and redevelopment activities in Wisconsin.  

Updates to BRRTS were planned to transition the application to different technology platform. As part of the process, the DNR asked internal and external stakeholders to suggest improvements to the tool. Recommendations included updating the user interface and improving search features. The DNR completed the first phase of improvements which include the following highlights: 

  • The ability to search by the Consultant Company and Historical Waste Fill fields 
  • Improved options for viewing search results  
  • Buttons to easily navigate to supplemental datasets, maps and location details 
  • Faster page scrolling on the Activity Details Page  
  • And more! 

Additional enhancements are anticipated for the Fall of 2025.  

Contact Sonya.Rowe@wisconsin.gov with questions or suggestions.

Public Input Opportunity On Two Publications – Guidance: Contaminated Soil Quick Reference Table (RR-106) and Guidance: Soil Residual Contaminant Level (RCL) Spreadsheet (RR-0151)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on two publications. 

  • Guidance: Contaminated Soil Quick Reference Table (RR-106) 
  • Guidance: Soil Residual Contaminant Level (RCL) Spreadsheet (RR-0151) 

The purpose of the publications is to provide resources for externals to look up soil residual contaminant levels, or RCLs, that are developed using standard equations in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Screening Level (RSL) Calculator. RCLs are commonly used at remediation sites but are not required. The responsible party (RP) has the option to develop and propose a site-specific soil standard. The Contaminated Soil Quick Reference Table contains contaminants commonly encountered at remediation sites. The Soil RCL Spreadsheet “does the math” to make it easier for the RP and their consultant, but using it is optional.  

The DNR updated the publications in response to the U.S. EPA’s May 2024 update to its RSLs. Screening levels for 18 contaminants changed since the last update to the DNR’s publications in 2018. Ten common contaminants were added to the Soil RCL Spreadsheet and it also incorporates a cumulative risk calculator for carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs).  

The documents can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices webpage. Comments may be submitted through Oct. 2, 2024, to Erin Endsley at Erin.Endsley@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov. 

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.

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:

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.

EPA Adopts New ASTM Standard For Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

On Dec. 15, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final action to amend the EPA’s Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule. The new rule allows the use of ASTM International Designation E1527–21, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, to satisfy AAI requirements. The rule takes effect Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.

AAI is a process of evaluating the environmental conditions and assessing potential liability for contamination at a property and is completed prior to a property transaction. Satisfying AAI is one of the requirements for the innocent landowner, contiguous property owner, or bona fide prospective purchaser limitations on Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) liability.

The amended AAI rule allows parties acquiring properties to use the most up-to-date industry standard practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to comply with the AAI Rule requirements. It also allows the previous standard practice, ASTM Designation E1527-13, to be used for one year after publication of the rule.

More information about AAI requirements are available on the EPA Brownfields AAI webpage.

Review the Standards and Practices for AAI final rule on the Federal Register.

Vapor Mitigation Update: DNR To Present At DHS Wisconsin Radon Conference Sept. 28, 2022

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

DNR staff will present at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Wisconsin Radon Conference in Marshfield on Sept. 28, 2022. The DNR’s presentation will include information on the health risks from chemical vapor intrusion, including the similarities and differences between chemical vapor intrusion and naturally occurring radon.

Conference attendees will have an opportunity to refresh their knowledge base on indoor air quality and radon, gain understanding of current and emerging issues and network to improve statewide collaboration. This conference is intended for soil gas mitigators, state and local health departments, contractors, nonprofits and home inspectors.

Environmental consultants who hire soil gas mitigators for environmental cases are encouraged to share this continuing education opportunity with their contractors. There is overlap in both health risks and solutions to mitigate exposure from chemical vapor intrusion and naturally occurring radon.

The DNR values partnering with the DHS and local health departments regarding risks to human health from environmental contamination.

More information on the one-day conference and a pre-conference training opportunity is available here.