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.
General Program Announcements
Public meetings for input on proposed emergency rule RR-11-17E
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
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
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.
Continue reading “EPA Brownfields Awards to Three Wisconsin Communities”
Natural Resources Board Considers Emergency Rule May 27
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.
Continue reading “Natural Resources Board Considers Emergency Rule May 27”
DNR Solicitation of Economic Impacts on Proposed Revisions to chs. NR 700 to 799
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently developing revisions to Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700-799, Environmental Protection – Investigation and Remediation of Environmental Contamination, and seeks your feedback on the economic impacts of these proposed rule revisions.
The DNR is proposing these rule revisions to attain consistency with statutory revisions made by 2017 Wis. Act 70 and 2015 Wis. Act 204, including revisions relating to contaminated sediments, and to update references and clarify requirements and procedures as needed since the last set of rule revisions became effective in 2013.
Continue reading “DNR Solicitation of Economic Impacts on Proposed Revisions to chs. NR 700 to 799”
Wisconsin DNR Offers Environmental Compliance Roadmap – All state laws and regulations remain in effect
Wisconsin DNR Environmental Compliance Roadmap
Under Gov. Evers’ Safer at Home order the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will prioritize responding to imminent threats or complaints related to public health, safety and the environment over routine, on-site audits and inspections.
The regulated community can go here for a one-stop location to request case-by-case assistance due to likely compliance issues associated with COVID-19. All state laws and regulations remain in effect, unless otherwise suspended by the governor.
The DNR is committed to doing what we can to help those impacted by COVID-19 while continuing to protect environmental quality, public health and safety. The DNR is sensitive to the challenges posed to its regulated community, such as wastewater and air permittees and landfill license holders.
All entities should make every effort to comply with their environmental compliance obligations. Where full compliance may not be possible due to COVID-19, the DNR created an environmental compliance roadmap for regulated entities.
The DNR advises businesses or local governments having a spill or a compliance problem that poses an imminent or actual threat to health or the environment to report it immediately by calling toll free 1-800-943-0003 and selecting “1.” This number is monitored 24 hours a day.
For non-emergency situations, the DNR is providing this online process as a means for the regulated entities to request advance compliance assistance from the DNR. This process should be initiated by directly emailing the main DNR contact for the facility or by using the online web form to request case-by-case compliance assistance.
The DNR will monitor these systems daily during regular business hours. Where safe compliance alternatives are approved in advance by the DNR, regulated entities will be required to maintain records adequate to document implementation of authorized alternative compliance options.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to receive the most up-to-date information and will adjust operations as conditions change. Distance is key during this public health emergency.
Under the Safer at Home order, we must do all that we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Staying home as much as possible and limiting travel to your community is the best way to lower COVID-19 infection rates.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest updates, visit the DNR website or follow @WIDNR on Facebook, @wi_dnr on Instagram, or @WDNR on Twitter.
For specific information regarding the COVID-19 we encourage the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website.
COVID-19 update on Submittals and PECFA
As we continue operations under Gov. Evers’s COVID-19 Safer at Home order, please understand that most DNR staff are teleworking and may have limited access to files and delayed online connectivity. Additionally, all non-essential travel is prohibited. We strongly encourage customers to communicate with their DNR project manager via email.
Submit Electronically
Customers are strongly encouraged to submit reports electronically through the Submittal Portal. DNR is temporarily suspending the requirement to submit one paper copy of each plan or report under § NR 700.11 (3g), including hard copies of case closure packets.
Consultants’ Day 2020 Events Postponed
Due to Gov. Evers’s COVID-19 Safer at Home order, the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s Consultants’ Day 2020 conferences in Stevens Point and Pewaukee are postponed indefinitely. The health and safety of our customers, colleagues and staff is our top concern.
If you have already registered for either event – April 29 in Stevens Point or May 13 in Pewaukee – you will soon receive a full refund from our registration partners at UW-Stevens Point.
The RR Program is considering future dates or alternative delivery methods for these events. Information will be shared via the RR Report as soon as it becomes available.
DNR Seeks Hydrogeologist Program Coordinator for State Lead Projects
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources seeks a well-qualified candidate to fill a State Projects Manager (Hydrogeologist Program Coordinator) position in the Division of Environmental Management. This position will be stationed in the DNR’s Madison office, located at 101 S. Webster Street.
The deadline to apply for the position is March 22, 2020.
Continue reading “DNR Seeks Hydrogeologist Program Coordinator for State Lead Projects”