General Program Announcements

State Acknowledgement Letter for EPA Grants: State Deadline & New EPA Requirement

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting applications for FY23 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) & Cleanup (MARC) Grants. The deadline for applications is Nov. 22, 2022.

If your community or organization intends to apply for an FY23 MARC Grant, the EPA requires grant applicants – except tribal entities – to obtain a state acknowledgement letter from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The letter acknowledges that the state is aware of the community or organization’s application for a federal grant and intent to conduct brownfield assessment or cleanup activities.

New EPA Requirement for Cleanup Grants. A new EPA requirement for cleanup grant applicants affects the state acknowledgment letter for cleanup grants. Cleanup grant applicants must demonstrate that a proposed property was sufficiently characterized and is ready for the cleanup to begin (or will be ready to begin by June 15, 2023). For any requested state acknowledgement letters for cleanup grants, the DNR may describe:

  • The general status of a property in the state’s contaminated site cleanup process
  • The enrollment eligibility of the property in the voluntary party liability exemption program
  • The specific site characterization and remediation status of the property, as listed in BRRTS, as well as the status of submittals and any requested DNR technical reviews

Request a DNR Acknowledgement Letter by Nov. 4, 2022. Send written requests for state acknowledgement letters to Molly Schmidt at MollyE.Schmidt@Wisconsin.gov no later than Nov. 4, 2022, to allow adequate time to draft and receive the letter prior to the EPA’s application deadline of Nov. 22, 2022.

  • For all grants, include the following information:
    • Type of grant being applied for: multipurpose, assessment, cleanup or revolving loan fund
    • The name, title and mailing address of the person to whom the letter should be addressed (i.e., the representative of the entity applying for the grant)
    • A general description of the community concerns about the property related to brownfields, socioeconomic challenges and redevelopment needs
  • For assessment grants, include the following information:
    • The property address, a brief history of ownership, a brief history of site-specific land use and why the property is suspected of being contaminated; include DNR Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) identification number(s), if applicable
  • For cleanup grants, include the following information:
    • The property address, a brief history of ownership, a brief history of site-specific land uses and why the property is known to be contaminated; include BRRTS identification number(s), if applicable
    • A statement of whether the applicant and/or landowner intends to enroll the property in the voluntary party liability exemption program
    • The approximate timeframe to complete site investigation, begin cleanup at the property, submit reports required under Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 700-799 and estimated time for DNR staff review
  • For petroleum contamination cleanup or assessment grants, include the following information:
    • The current property owner, occupant and the immediate past-owner of the property
    • The date and method by which the current owner acquired the property (e.g., purchase, tax foreclosure)
    • Whether the applicant, the current owner, or immediate past-owner dispensed or disposed of petroleum on the property
    • Whether the applicant, the current owner, or immediate past-owner took reasonable steps to contain any known contamination
    • Whether there are any state or federal environmental judgments or orders, or third-party suits or claims against the current or immediate past-owner, and if the current or immediate past-owner has the financial means to comply
    • Reasons why any of the above information may not be available

Grants awarded by the EPA provide resources that can be used for various brownfield activities, with an opportunity to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes.

EPA Grant Information. For grant guidelines and application resources, visit the EPA’s FY23 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF and Cleanup Grant Resource webpage.

RR Program Seeks Hydrogeologists, Complex Projects Expert

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is recruiting two Hydrogeologists (entry or senior level) and a Complex Projects Expert (project position).

The Hydrogeologist positions will be stationed out of the Milwaukee, Green Bay or Oshkosh DNR office; however, telework may be available for up to 60% of the work week. The deadline to apply for the Hydrogeologist positions is Oct. 12, 2022.

The Complex Projects Expert position will be stationed out of a DNR office within the state based on applicant preference and space availability. This is a project position with an expected end date of July 31, 2026. The deadline to apply for the Complex Projects Expert is October 17, 2022.

The Hydrogeologist – Entry is a technical position in which the incumbent must have solid knowledge of geology and hydrogeology, well hydraulics, chemistry, soil science, environmental cleanups, and biological processes in subsurface soil and groundwater environments. The Hydrogeologist supports regional coordination of a major environmental program that affects other DNR programs, State agencies, local communities, and the public by providing technical advice and recommendations. Job duties include gathering data on potentially contaminated sites, analyzing and interpreting site data, applying State regulations and standards to cleanup efforts, and processing the submittals of documentation completed for all stages of a project.

A full position description for Hydrogeologist – Entry, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 7788).

The Hydrogeologist – Senior provides geologic and hydrogeologic expertise and oversight for investigation and remediation of contamination sites. This is a technical position in which the incumbent must have a detailed knowledge of geology, hydrogeology, contaminate transport, chemistry, vapor intrusion, soil science, remedial system design, and biological processes in subsurface soil and groundwater environments. Specifically, this involves providing technical advice to responsible parties, their consultants, local government units and officials and other staff in the region for actions taken to address soil and groundwater contamination at Leaking Underground Storage Tank, Environmental Repair Program, Brownfield Redevelopment, Spill, Abandoned Landfill, Dry Cleaner Program and hazardous waste remediation sites throughout the region. The Hydrogeologist Senior provides interpretation and implementation advice on the rules, regulations and guidance documents concerning environmental investigations and cleanups as well as brownfield redevelopment efforts. Hydrogeologist Senior will evaluate and approve work on complex sites, often having program-wide policy impacts.

A full position description for Hydrogeologist – Senior, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 7788).

The Complex Projects Expert position requires application of specific knowledge of hydrogeology, geology and project management principles to provide services relating to the hydrogeologic and chemical principles controlling the fate and transport of contaminants in the environment at sites throughout Wisconsin. The Complex Projects Expert will be responsible for providing site-specific, hydrogeologic evaluations and complex project reviews for remediation sites, ensuring regulatory compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The work will include application of hydrogeologic and engineering concepts relating to the investigation and clean-up of contamination in soil, groundwater and sediment.

Among other duties, the Complex Projects Expert will provide hydrogeologic expertise to the RR Program in the areas of site investigation, groundwater flow analysis, contaminant migration, and remedial options analysis. This position focuses on the most technically complex program concerns from a site characterization and environmental restoration perspective. This position directly coordinates activities through intense oversight and/or provides focused assistance to RR Program staff with the development, implementation, and advanced technical analysis of complex long-term soil and groundwater remediation projects. The Complex Projects Expert functions as part of a project management team and serves as the project manager on assigned RR site investigation, remediation and operation & maintenance projects.

A full position description for Complex Projects Expert, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 7204).

Public Input Opportunity – Five-Year Review of the Campmarina Superfund Site Upland Operable Unit

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now seeking input on the Five-Year Review of the Campmarina Superfund Site Upland Operable Unit.

The public notice can be found at the Remediation and Redevelopment Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Public Notices” tab. Comments may be submitted through Oct. 31, 2022 to John Feeney at johnm.feeney@wisconsin.gov.

NAR Activities Now Available on RR Sites Map

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

DNR staff recently completed a project which added geographic information for No Action Required (NAR) activities on RR Sites Map.

NAR activities are sites where after notification of a hazardous substance discharge the DNR determined that the responsible party did not need to undertake an investigation or cleanup in response to that discharge because there was no or insignificant contamination.

This information is accessible as a new layer on RR Sites Map and the DNR GIS Open Data Portal. This layer provides users with direct access to over 11,000 additional activity locations on RR Sites Map.

Users can access map layers by selecting Navigate on the top menu bar. Select “Show Map Layers” and expand the “Additional Site Information” menu to check the “No Action Required (NAR) Activity” layer. This will populate the map with small yellow boxes with an activity number beginning with “09.” The prefix “09” is used for NAR activities in BRRTS on the Web (BOTW).

 

RR Program Seeks Vapor Intrusion Expert

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is recruiting a Vapor Intrusion Expert.

This position will be stationed out of a DNR office within the state based on the applicant preference and space availability. The deadline to apply is Sept. 7, 2022.

This is a Project position that will be expected to end on July 31, 2026. Project positions are eligible for benefits including health insurance, but the incumbent does not attain civil service status.

The Vapor Intrusion Expert provides geologic and hydrogeologic expertise and oversight for inventory, assessment and remediation of dry cleaner and vapor contamination sites. The position focuses on vapor intrusion risk assessment and reduction of volatile compound contamination statewide. The Vapor Intrusion Expert serves as a RR Program technical resource for agency staff and external parties on assessment of vapor intrusion, evaluation of mitigation plans, approval, notification and tracking methods, and long-term stewardship for locations with mitigation systems installed or other protective measures in place.

A full position description, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 7424).

RR Program Seeks Complex Projects Expert/Hydrogeologist Program Coordinator

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is recruiting a Complex Projects Expert/Hydrogeologist Program Coordinator.

This position will be located in a DNR office within the state based on the applicant preference and space availability. The deadline to apply is August 23, 2022.

The Complex Projects Expert position requires application of specific knowledge of hydrogeology, geology and project management principles to provide services relating to the hydrogeologic and chemical principles controlling the fate and transport of contaminants in the environment at sites throughout Wisconsin. The Complex Projects Expert will be responsible for providing site-specific, hydrogeologic evaluations and complex project reviews for remediation sites, ensuring regulatory compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The work will include application of hydrogeologic and engineering concepts relating to the investigation and clean-up of contamination in soil, groundwater and sediment.

Among other duties, the Complex Projects Expert will provide hydrogeologic expertise to the RR Program in the areas of site investigation, groundwater flow analysis, contaminant migration, and remedial options analysis. This position focuses on the most technically complex program concerns from a site characterization and environmental restoration perspective. This position directly coordinates activities through intense oversight and/or provides focused assistance to RR Program staff with the development, implementation, and advanced technical analysis of complex long-term soil and groundwater remediation projects. The Complex Projects Expert functions as part of a project management team and serves as the project manager on assigned RR site investigation, remediation and operation & maintenance projects.

A full position description, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 7204).

E-Pay Now Available for NAR/NFA; Other Updates to 4400-225

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

Last November the Notification for Hazardous Substance Discharge form (4400-225) was made into a fillable online form on the DNR’s RR program Submittal Portal webpage. This form should be used to report discharges that are identified through laboratory analysis of soil, sediment, vapor, indoor air and water.

The form now allows for payments by credit card for the request of No Action Required (NAR) determination under Wis. Admin. Code § NR 716.05 or a request for No Further Action (NFA) determination under Wis. Admin. Code § NR 708.09.

The form also includes clickable tabs so you can easily navigate to completed tabs without clicking multiple “next” and “back” buttons. This is particularly useful when returning to submit lab reports and navigating to the lab result tab to upload your files.

When submitting a request for an NAR or NFA determination, we encourage you to include the Technical Assistance, Environmental Liability Clarification or Post-Closure Modification Request form 4400-237 and any additional appropriate report(s) with your submittal.

Interstate Technology Regulatory Council Soil Background And Risk Assessment Training Videos Available Now

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) Soil Background and Risk Assessment (SBR) training videos are now available on the ITRC’s YouTube Channel and showcase a new format for the ITRC short training videos. Two of the videos debuted in the June 2022 Internet-based training.

ITRC released four SBR training videos, which can be viewed in any order:

ITRC trainings help state environmental agencies and others to gain valuable technical knowledge and develop consistent regulatory approaches to protect human health and the environment.

 

Brownfield Fundamentals On-Demand Webinars Available; Registration for Brownfields Fundamentals Panel Discussions Open

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

Action by local communities is often the key to cleaning up and redeveloping brownfield sites. The DNR has new resources available for communities interested in revitalizing brownfields, but aren’t sure where to start or need financial resources to make it happen.

Brownfields Fundamentals On-Demand Webinars
Interested in learning how cleaning up brownfields can help your community? The DNR’s series of on-demand Brownfields Fundamentals webinars cover brownfields planning, cleanup, liability, and other topics as part of a well-rounded crash course in Wisconsin brownfields redevelopment. Topics include:

Brownfields Fundamentals on-demand webinars are available on the RR Program’s Presentations and Trainings webpage.

Brownfields Fundamentals Panel Discussions Sept. 15, 2022

9:30 – 11 a.m. Brownfields Assistance: Boosting Redevelopment with Fresh Funds A panel of experts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Kansas State University Technical Assistance for Brownfields program will join the DNR to discuss brownfields financial assistance available to Wisconsin local governments, with an emphasis on federal infrastructure funding.

1:30 – 3 p.m. Local Governments and Brownfields: Best Practices and Lessons Experienced staff from four Wisconsin communities – Calumet County and the cities of Prairie du Chien, Manitowoc, and Appleton – will share best practices and lessons learned while navigating brownfield redevelopment projects.

Register on the RR Program’s Presentations and Trainings webpage.

Now Available: Publication RR-0136, Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

Updated publication RR-0136, Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table, is now posted and available online.

The document can be found on the Vapor Intrusion for Environmental Professionals webpage. 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 document lists select volatile organic compounds frequently encountered at remediation sites; it is updated periodically based on updates to inhalation toxicity data. Consultants should compare vapor data for open sites to the updated table for potential additional actions and should routinely reference the webpage for the most recent version.

The basis for the U.S. EPA Regional Screening Levels were updated in May 2022; the update does not include revisions to action or screening levels.

Consultants should compare vapor data for chemicals not available on Wisconsin’s Vapor Quick Look-Up Table directly to the U.S. EPA’s Vapor Intrusion Screening Level Calculator; instructions are included on Wisconsin’s Vapor Quick Look-Up Table.

Site-specific questions regarding vapor intrusion in Wisconsin should be directed to the assigned DNR project manager. General questions can be directed to the contacts listed on the DNR’s Vapor Intrusion Resources for Environmental Professionals webpage.