Meetings, Events & Trainings

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Subgroup Meetings

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) subgroup meetings on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.  

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.  

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG subgroup meetings are open to the public. Interested individuals may attend in-person or register to attend by zoom. 

Location:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Room G27A
101 S Webster St.
Madison, WI

In-person attendees should RSVP to Coreen Fallat by noon on Dec. 4, 2024, at CoreenR.Fallat@wisconsin.gov. Please check in at the security desk before taking the elevator.   

When: 
10 – 11:30 a.m. – RR EAG Funding Sustainability Subgroup;
Zoom attendance registration.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. – RR EAG NR 700 Subgroup;
Zoom attendance registration.  

2 – 3:30 p.m. – RR EAG Vapor Intrusion Subgroup;
Zoom attendance registration. 

3:45 – 4:30 p.m. – RR EAG Ad Hoc Meeting on Engagement;
Zoom attendance registration. 

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

Redevelopment Of Brownfield Properties: Learning Sessions For Local Governments: Assistance Available For Reuse Of Underused And Abandoned Properties

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host learning sessions for local governments on redevelopment of underused and abandoned properties, otherwise known as brownfields, on Nov. 12 in Whitewater, Nov. 15 in Dodgeville and Nov. 20 in Shawano. The sessions are free to attend and the same content will be covered in each location.

A brownfield is a property where real or perceived contamination complicates expansion, redevelopment or reuse. Brownfields may be found in many locations throughout the state and vary in size, age and past use.

The in-person sessions will share information about resources available to support local governments in redevelopment of properties into community assets. Participants will learn how to identify brownfield sites in their community and understand the liability considerations and due diligence recommended when acquiring brownfield properties. Highlights of the sessions include an overview of funding and other assistance available to support redevelopment efforts.

“I didn’t know what a brownfield was until the day before the event,” states Lisa Lien, clerk for the village of Clayton said after attending an event hosted by the DNR in Spooner in April 2024. “I learned a ton during the seminar and now have a great understanding of brownfield redevelopment.”

The learning sessions will also offer an opportunity for local governments to connect one-on-one with representatives from the DNR and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and ask questions about brownfield properties and redevelopment.

Session Information

Redevelopment from downtown brownfield into a fire station in the city of Amery

Redevelopment from downtown brownfield into a fire station in the city of Amery

Nov. 12, 2024
The Innovation Center
1221 Innovation Dr.
Whitewater
Time: 10 a.m. – noon

Nov. 15, 2024
Community Room
Iowa County Health & Human Services Bldg
303 W Chapel St.
Dodgeville
Time: 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Nov. 20, 2024
Community Room, City Hall
127 S Sawyer St.
Shawano
Time: 10 a.m. – noon

Local government officials interested in learning more about brownfield redevelopment in Wisconsin are encouraged to attend. To register for one of the sessions, contact Thomas.Coogan@wisconsin.gov by Nov. 7, 2024.

More information about DNR’s brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s brownfields webpage. The page provides access to a webinar series titled “Brownfields Fundamentals” for on-demand information on brownfield redevelopment topics.

DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and private individuals to discuss brownfield projects. Reach out to schedule a Green Team meeting.

Sept. 19, 2024 Meetings Of RR EAG Subgroups Canceled

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the Sept. 19, 2024 meetings of the Funding Sustainability, NR 700 and Vapor Intrusion subgroups of the Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) are canceled.

The full RR EAG will meet on Oct. 11, 2024. The RR EAG will discuss future plans for the subgroups in light of the announcement on Sept. 10, 2024 that administrative rulemaking efforts related to the investigation and cleanup of hazardous substance discharges to the environment are discontinued.

All meetings of the RR EAG and subgroups are open to the public. Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for registration information, meeting agendas and materials.

Subscribe to receive updates on future meetings.

Current NR 700 Rulemaking Efforts Discontinued

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it will discontinue current administrative rulemaking efforts related to the investigation and cleanup of hazardous substance discharges to the environment.

Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) Ch. 292 directs certain parties to clean up contaminated sites in Wisconsin; Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700-799 provide the specific steps and standards for conducting cleanup activities.

In January 2024, two scope statements were approved for rulemaking by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. The scope statements were related to continuing obligations (Board Order RR-14-23) and soil cleanup (Board Order RR-15-23). Rulemaking efforts are intended to provide clarification to existing statutes that are helpful to our external partners and customers as they work to investigate and clean up contamination in our state.

The DNR formed the NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee (RAC) to advise DNR staff during development of these proposed rules. Through meetings with the RAC, DNR recognized the need for and importance of taking additional time to conceptualize how best to revise the rules to meet the shared objectives of the DNR and external partners and customers.

The DNR will discontinue efforts on both scope statements and will allow the authority to work on rule revisions to expire. All meetings of the NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee (RAC) are cancelled.

The DNR would like to recognize and thank the RAC and many other members of the public who have provided us with valuable input on both draft rules. Our collaborative work is not lost. The DNR will consider the input we have received, will continue to work with the RR EAG, and will reintroduce scope statements in the future to restart work on the rules.

The DNR will continue to apply its authority under existing statutes and rules to serve our customers as they are accustomed and ensure protection of public health and the environment.

Sign up to receive future chs. NR 700-799 rulemaking updates and meeting announcements.

Rule Advisory Committee Meetings Sept. 20, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

The DNR formed the RAC to advise DNR staff during development of proposed rules. The RAC is comprised of representatives from environmental consulting and law firms, local government groups, industry stakeholders, affected state agencies and environmental advocacy groups. All RAC meetings are open to the public.

Meeting Information
Interested individuals can attend either virtually by Zoom or in-person.

By Zoom:
9 – 11 a.m. – Continuing obligations (RR-14-23)
Register to attend via Zoom

Noon – 2 p.m. Soil standards (RR-15-23)
Register to attend via Zoom

In-person:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Room G-09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In-person attendees must register to enter the meeting location. To register, contact MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Sept. 19, 2024.

Visit the DNR’s NR 700 Rule Changes webpage to view meeting agendas, materials and the full Rule Advisory Committee meeting schedule.

About the Rule-making Efforts
On Jan. 24, 2024, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board granted approval for these rulemaking efforts through the approval of two statements of scope:

  • Scope Statement for Board Order RR-14-23. Proposes developing administrative rules that affect chapters NR 700, 708, 714, 722, 724, 725, 726, 727, and 749 related to definitions, notifications, fees, agreements, reports, and procedures for interim action and remedial action continuing obligations for environmental contamination.
  • Scope Statement for Board Order RR-15-23. Proposes developing administrative rules that affect chapters NR 700, 720, and 722 related to definitions, land use classifications, procedures for identifying environmental standards for soil, and soil cleanup standards used to investigate and remediate environmental contamination.

The statements of scope may be viewed on the DNR’s Administrative Rules webpage.

Subscribe for updates on future Rule Advisory Committee meetings.

DNR Sets Meeting Dates For Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) set dates for the next four quarterly meetings of the Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG). Dates are also scheduled for the RR EAG’s Funding Sustainability, NR 700 and Vapor Intrusion subgroups.

The DNR’s RR Program oversees the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination and the redevelopment of contaminated properties. The DNR has a business need to receive constructive and practical input from, and provide information to, interested parties on a wide variety of regulatory and policy issues. The RR EAG considers a broad range of technical and policy topics related to investigation and cleanup of contamination and redevelopment of properties.

Quarterly meetings of the RR EAG will be held virtually from 9 a.m. until noon on the following dates:

  • Oct. 11, 2024
  • Jan. 23, 2025
  • April 23, 2025
  • July 16, 2025

Meetings of the RR EAG’s subgroups will allow virtual and in-person attendance on:

  • Sept. 19, 2024
  • Dec. 5, 2024
  • Feb. 11, 2025
  • May 15, 2025

All meetings of the RR EAG and subgroups are open to the public. Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for registration information, meeting agendas and materials.

Subscribe to receive updates on future meetings.

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Meeting

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) meeting on Thursday, July 25, 2024.  

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin. 

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG meetings are open to the public.  

Where:
Milwaukee DNR Service Center 
Harbor Room 
1027 W. St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233 

Please check in at the security desk. 

When:
July 25, 2024
9 a.m. to noon 

Register to attend via Zoom. 

In-person attendees should RSVP to CoreenR.Fallat@wisconsin.gov by noon on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. 

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

Brownfield Redevelopment Open House For Local Governments On April 24, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a brownfield redevelopment open house for local governments on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. 

A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by real or potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use; they can be anything from a 500-acre former automobile assembly plant to a small, abandoned gas station.  

The open house will focus on resources available to local governments for redevelopment of brownfield properties into community assets, including funding, liability and other tools and assistance available from the DNR.    

Staff from the DNR and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will be available for questions and discussions on brownfield resources as well as due diligence in the acquisition of brownfield properties and how to locate information about contaminated sites.   

Local government officials interested in learning more about brownfield redevelopment in Wisconsin are encouraged to attend.   

When:
April 24, 2024
10 a.m. – noon 

Where:
DNR Spooner Service Center 
Community Room 112
810 W Maple St.
Spooner, WI   

Attendees should RSVP to Thomas.Coogan@wisconsin.gov by April 18, 2024.   

Unable to attend but interested in learning how cleaning up brownfields can help your community? The DNR’s series of on-demand Brownfields Fundamentals webinars cover planning, cleanup, liability, and other topics as part of a well-rounded crash course in Wisconsin brownfield redevelopment.   

The DNR has a wide range of financial and liability tools available to help local governments, businesses, lenders, and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin, including Ready for Reuse financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup. DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and private individuals to discuss brownfield projects through Green Team meetings.   

More information about the DNR’s brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s brownfields webpage.   

Rule Advisory Committee Meetings April 12, 2024

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday, April 12, 2024. 

The DNR formed the Rule Advisory Committee to advise DNR staff during development of proposed rules. The Rule Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from environmental consulting and law firms, local government groups, industry stakeholders, affected state agencies and environmental advocacy groups. All Rule Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

Where:

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.
In-person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
When:

Friday, April 12, 2024 
9 – 11 a.m. – Continuing Obligations (RR-14-23)
Register to attend via Zoom.

Noon – 2 p.m. Soil Standards (RR-15-23) 
Register to attend via Zoom.

Visit the DNR’s NR 700 Rule Changes webpage to register and view meeting agendas, materials and the full Rule Advisory Committee meeting schedule. Subscribe for updates on future Rule Advisory Committee meetings.

ITRC Comprehensive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training March 14 and 28

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on March 14 and March 28, 2024.

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage. While the documents are designed to assist state regulators, they also raise awareness with environmental consultants and other industry professionals.

The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion mitigation and presents information on how to utilize the ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Interactive Directory. The interactive directory includes fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists. DNR staff participated in the development of both the technical resources and training.

The training consists of a series of eight modules on the topics listed below and will be presented over two, two-hour sessions:

Session 1 – March 14, 2024, noon to 2 p.m.
Topics Include:

  • Introduction and overview of vapor intrusion mitigation training team
  • Conceptual site models for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Public outreach during vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Rapid response and ventilation for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Remediation and institutional controls

Session 2 – March 28, 2024, noon to 2 p.m.
Topics Include:

  • Active mitigation approaches
  • Passive mitigation approaches
  • System verification, OM&M and exit strategies

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