General Program Announcements

RR Program Seeks Applicants for Emerging Contaminants Position

The Wisconsin DNR seeks to fill a position with the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) program in the downtown Madison office.

The deadline to apply is February 12, 2019. 

Technical Program Coordinator – Emerging Contaminants: The purpose of this position is to provide leadership in the development of statewide, science-related initiatives in the RR program, particularly related to emerging contaminants (EC), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This includes leading the RR program’s statewide EC team and co-chairing the EC external advisory group. This is a technical position in which the candidate must have detailed knowledge of geology and hydrogeology, chemistry, soil science, remedial system design, and biology relating to environmental remediation.

Please see the job announcement for additional information.

First Rule Development Meeting Scheduled for February 5, 2019

On February 5, 2019, the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) program will host the first meeting in a series of public meetings to provide information and seek input on the development of revisions to select provisions of Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700799, Environmental Protection – Investigation and Remediation of Environmental Contamination.

The RR program is initiating the rulemaking process following the Natural Resource Board’s approval on January 23, 2019, of two statements of scope that describe the proposed content of the rulemaking.  These scope statements are available online in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.

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Hold the Date: First Rule Development Meeting Tentatively Scheduled for February 5, 2019

On January 23, 2019, the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) program will seek the approval of the Natural Resource Board (NRB) to initiate the rulemaking process for revisions to select provisions of Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700799, Environmental Protection – Investigation and Remediation of Environmental Contamination. If this request is approved, the RR program will host a series of open meetings to seek input on the development of the proposed rules.

Pursuant to Wisconsin’s administrative rulemaking process, the RR program has prepared two statements of scope that describe the proposed content of the rulemaking.  These scope statements are available online in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.

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Requests for DNR “Acknowledgment Letter” Due January 18

If you plan to apply for an FY2019 EPA brownfield grant, you have until Friday, January 18 to request your letter of acknowledgment from the Wisconsin DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment Program as part of your federal grant application.

To learn how to get a DNR letter of acknowledgment, and other useful information, visit the DNR Federal brownfield grants web page.

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Reminder: Submitting Complete PECFA Claims in 2019

The Remediation and Redevelopment Program reminds claimants and agents that all PECFA claims should be complete and accurate when submitted for reimbursement.

This includes proof of payment for all invoices, properly detailed and itemized receipts, claims for eligible costs only, documentation of work performed (e.g. field notes, photographs, weigh tickets, phone logs, etc.), and proof of deductible, if applicable. All claims must also include 2019 tax documents.

Please remember to use current forms, guidance and invoices by visiting the DNR’s PECFA website.

Incomplete claims may result in delay in payment or be returned to the claimant or agent for revision and resubmittal.

NR 700 Semi-Annual Reporting Due Soon

Semi-annual reporting for the period of July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 is due February 1, 2019. 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 the DNR with your unique report identification number was sent during the first week of January 2019. 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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RR Program Requesting NR Board Approval to Initiate Rulemaking

On January 23, 2019, the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program will seek the approval of the Natural Resource Board (NRB) to initiate the rulemaking process for revisions to select provisions of Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700799, Environmental Protection – Investigation and Remediation of Environmental Contamination.

Pursuant to Wisconsin’s administrative rulemaking process, the RR Program has prepared two statements of scope that detail the proposed content of the rulemaking.  These scope statements have been approved by the governor are now available online in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.

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New Document Submittal Portal for RR Program

The Remediation and Redevelopment program’s new RR Program Submittal Portal is now live and available to use.

The new portal allows consultants and other customers to submit documents required by Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700-754 related to the assessment, investigation, cleanup, closure, or redevelopment of contaminated properties.

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NR 712 Consultant Qualification Guidance Posted

Following much collaboration and public comment, Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 712 Qualifications and Certifications (RR-081) is now available. In addition to the guidance being available on the Remediation and Redevelopment program’s Publications and Forms search page, it can also be found on the program’s web page for Environmental Professionals.

The document identifies the professional qualifications and certifications for performing and supervising work required by Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 712, and the requirement for certifying specific submittals for actions conducted under Wis. Stat. ch. 292 and Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700 – 754.

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Exempt Soil Guidance Available

Exempt Soil Management: A Self-Implementing Option for Soil Excavated During a Response Action under Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700 through NR 750 (RR 103) is now available.

This guidance provides an optional approach for responsible parties and their environmental consultants to use when soil is characterized and excavated as part of a response action (i.e., cleanup action), and the soil does not need to be managed at a licensed solid waste facility or through a site-specific exemption in Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 718 or the NR 500 rule series. The document provides responsible parties clarity on what types of substances – if identified in soil – could generally be managed as “exempt soil” in accordance with state law without the department’s pre-approval or tracking.

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