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Wisconsin DNR Update on WMC and Leather Rich, Inc. v. DNR

On March 6, 2024, Dist. II Court of Appeals  issued an opinion in WMC and Leather Rich, Inc. v. DNR, affirming a circuit court ruling regarding DNR’s authority to regulate “emerging contaminants” (including PFAS compounds) as hazardous substances under the Spills Law. The department will be petitioning for review by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The court’s decision is stayed until the conclusion of all appeals. The stay allows the department to continue under the Spills Law to work with responsible parties whose sites are contaminated by PFAS. The stay also means that Wisconsinites with private wells contaminated with PFAS who are currently receiving emergency bottled water may continue to receive a source of safe drinking water while the department appeals the order.

Given that the case remains pending in litigation, the DNR has no further comment.

Roxanne Chronert Named RR Policy And Program Operations Director

Roxanne ChronertRoxanne Chronert will take on a new management role with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Remediation and Redevelopment Program.

Chronert recently accepted a new position as the Policy and Program Operations Director for the Remediation and Redevelopment Program and will be stationed in the Green Bay office.

Chronert joined the RR Program in 1994 as a limited-term employee and has served as the Northeast Region Team Supervisor for the last 12 years.

She replaces Jenna Soyer, who took a new position in the DNR’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Division last fall. Chronert will begin her new role on Feb. 11, 2024.

Rule Advisory Committee Meetings Feb. 23, 2024

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Friday, Feb. 23, 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 Molly Schmidt at MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

When:

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.

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.

RR Program Seeks Policy and Program Operations Director

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is recruiting a Policy and Program Operations Director. This position may be located in either the DNR’s Madison, Milwaukee or Green Bay offices. The deadline to apply is December 13, 2023.

This position serves as the lead policy and program operations position in assisting the Director of the Remediation and Redevelopment Program. In the absence of the Program Director and in conjunction with the Program’s Field Operations Director, this position represents the Department in external contacts with the Governor’s Office, the legislature, local government leaders, federal agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regional and national remediation and redevelopment-related organizations, and a wide variety of public groups, private businesses, and associations. The Policy and Program Operations Director provides day-to-day supervision of the Program’s section chiefs and Program Support staff throughout the state. This position oversees the implementation of all policy, planning, personnel and database oversight activities associated with the RR program’s policy and program operations activities. This position serves on the Remediation and Redevelopment Management Team and plays a key role in facilitation.

A full position description, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 12491).

Issues & Trends Webinar On Oct. 25, 2023: Vapor Intrusion In Wisconsin – 2023 Updates

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, from noon-1 p.m.

The scheduled presentation is titled Vapor Intrusion in Wisconsin – 2023 Updates and will be followed by time for questions.

  • Active Alarms – Overview of long-term stewardship of vapor mitigation systems in Wisconsin
  • Vapor Intrusion Resources for Local Governments – Debut of a new vapor intrusion webpage resource for local governments
  • Technical Updates on Passive Sampling, Sewers, Cracks and other Pathways – Updates and lessons learned on topics including result variability, passive sorbent sampling, conduit VI and other preferential pathways, real-time sampling, investigation at new and renovated buildings in contaminated settings, rapid response mitigation and state funded vapor investigations.

A Zoom web conferencing registration link may be found on the RR Program’s Conferences and Training webpage.

Recordings of previous Issues & Trends webinars may be found in the RR Program’s Training Library.

Public Input Opportunity – Publication Brownfields Redevelopment in Wisconsin (RR-933)

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication Brownfields Redevelopment in Wisconsin (RR-933).

The purpose of the guidance is to provide a definition of brownfield and provide essential steps and resources for successful redevelopment of brownfield properties.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through May 11, 2023, to Michael Prager at Michael.Prager@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

DNR To Hold Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group Meeting

UPDATE (1/17/2023): This post has been updated to reflect that the meeting is online only.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host its quarterly Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) meeting from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

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 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.

The RR EAG meetings are open to the public.

EVENT DETAILS
What: Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group Meeting
When: 9 a.m. – noon on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023
Where: Register here to join the meeting via Zoom.

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

RR EAG subgroup meetings notes and assignments for the Dec. 9, 2022, meetings are now available on the DNR’s RR EAG webpage.

RR Program Seeks Publications and Web Coordinator

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is recruiting a Publications and Web Coordinator.

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. 14, 2022.

The RR Publications and Web Coordinator designs, implements, and evaluates content for internet and intranet webpages; develops content for and leads publication of internal and external guidance, outreach and information documents; develops, writes, and edits news releases, articles, and feature stories, and assists in the development and implementation in communication strategies.

The position serves as the RR program representative and liaison to the division and department web governance and document management bodies and may participate on division level communication groups as requested.

A full position description, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 7531).

DNR To Hold Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group Meeting

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host its quarterly Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group meeting from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

The DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment 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 Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group 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.

The Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group meetings are open to the public. RSVP by noon on Thursday, September 22, 2022 to attend in person; email jody.irland@wiscsonsin.gov to RSVP.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group Meeting

When: 9 a.m. – noon Friday, Sept. 23, 2022

Where: Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

833 E. Michigan Street, Suite 1800, Milwaukee, WI 52303

Check-in with the reception desk.

Register here to join the meeting via Zoom.

Visit the DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe here for updates on future meetings.