General Program Announcements

Register Today for the 2020 EPA Region 5 Brownfields Grant-writing Virtual Workshop

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Please join the Wisconsin DNR, U.S. EPA Region 5 state partners and representatives from the Technical Assistance for Brownfields (TAB) program at Kansas State University for a no-cost brownfields grant-writing webinar on August 25, 2020 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. (CST).

This reuse and redevelopment of abandoned, idled, or underutilized real property (a.k.a. brownfields) are both a challenge and an opportunity. Putting these sites back into productive use can serve as a catalyst for local economic revitalization.

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Issues & Trends – August PFAS Webinar Postponed

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Due to unforeseen circumstances, the August 18, 2020 Issues & Trends webinar, PFAS: Fate and Transport, Site Characterization and Remediation with Ginny Yingling from the Minnesota Department of Health has been postponed.

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program will share information regarding a reschedule date as soon as it has been determined.

Please visit the RR Program conference and training web page for the latest information and to register for any Issues & Trends webinars.

 

NR 700 Reporting Due July 30

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Semi-annual reporting for the period of January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 is due July 30, 2020. Semi-annual reporting is required of responsible parties (RPs) for all “open” sites, including those sites the DNR formerly classified as “conditionally closed” in the BRRTS online database. Consultants may submit these reports on behalf of the RPs.

An email from DNR with your unique report identification number was sent during the first week of July 2020. If you did not receive an email, you can request a Report ID number by submitting the Report ID Request Form. The Report ID number you will receive uniquely identifies the activity for which you wish to report, the reporting period, and verifies the person using the ID is authorized to submit the report. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Zeichert at (608) 266-5788.

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Public meeting for input on proposed emergency rule RR-11-17E

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The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program will host the second of two public meetings to seek input on the development of revisions to Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700–799, Environmental Protection – Investigation and Remediation of Environmental Contamination.

The meeting will focus on gathering input regarding proposed emergency rules (board order RR-11-17E). The proposed emergency rules implement statutory financial assurance requirements under 2015 Wis. Act 204 that apply to certain types of sites with contaminated sediment.

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Consultants’ Day 2020 Now Online Webinars Series; Issues & Trends Returns

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The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program to postpone in-person Consultants’ Day 2020 events in Stevens Point and Pewaukee. However, those same topics (and more) will be presented in a monthly webinar series, the first of which will be held on July 15th.

The new series is modeled after the RR Program’s Issues & Trends monthly conference calls and is now simply referred to as the new Issues & Trends.

The upcoming Issues & Trends presentations will be held using Zoom web conferencing. There is no cost to participate, but Zoom will request that you register for each event by supplying your name and email address.

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COVID-19 Update

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Thank you for your patience as state agencies continue their core operations in response to the COVID-19 health emergency.  As we all work together, please understand that most of our staff are continuing teleworking and may have limited access to files and on-line connectivity. The department is following the state of Wisconsin Badger Bounce Back plan’s phased approach to the resumption of activities that have been delayed or put on hold.

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Public meetings for input on proposed emergency rule RR-11-17E

Posted on by Mick

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program will host two public meetings to seek input on the development of revisions to Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700–799, Environmental Protection – Investigation and Remediation of Environmental Contamination.

These meetings will focus on gathering input regarding proposed emergency rules (board order RR-11-17E). The proposed emergency rules implement statutory financial assurance requirements under 2015 Wis. Act 204 that apply to certain types of sites with contaminated sediment.

  • The first meeting will be held via Skype from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
  • The second meeting will be held via Skype from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020.

If you plan to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Molly Schmidt and specify whether you will attend the first meeting, second meeting, or both meetings.

The Skype links and meeting materials for each meeting are available at: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Brownfields/RuleChanges.html, along with further information regarding this rulemaking effort.

Comment and Review of Statement of Scope Concerning Regulation of Fire Fighting Foam

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The Department of Natural Resources will hold a preliminary public hearing on Statement of Scope SS 015-20 related to the creation of chapter NR 159 to promulgate emergency and permanent rules concerning the regulation of firefighting foam that contains certain contaminants, at the time and place shown below.

Hearing Information

  • Date: June 4, 2020
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Online via Skype link

The public has the opportunity to testify at the hearing. Comments on the scope statement must be received on or before June 4, 2020. Written comments may be submitted by U.S. mail, E-mail, or through the internet and will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing.

Written comments and any questions on the scope statement should be submitted to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Kate Strom Hiorns – WA/5
P.O. Box 7921
101 S. Webster Street
Madison, WI 53707-7921

Or via email to: KathrynM.StromHiorns@wisconsin.gov

The Statement of Scope may be reviewed at: https://dnr.wi.gov/news/input/ProposedPermanent.html

 

EPA Brownfields Awards to Three Wisconsin Communities

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Three Wisconsin communities will receive a total of $2.1 million in brownfields awards. The grants come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ARC Grants Programs – Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup. Green Bay and Washington County both stand to receive $800,000; Brillion will receive $500,000.

The grants will provide those communities with needed assistance as they work to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes.

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Natural Resources Board Considers Emergency Rule May 27

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On May 27, 2020, the department will present proposed emergency rules to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for adoption. The proposed emergency rules implement statutory financial assurance requirements that apply to certain types of sites with contaminated sediment. When available, the proposed emergency rule board order RR-11-17E will be posted online as part of the NRB’s agenda.

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