The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) subgroup meetings on Wednesday, May 29, 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.

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

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

In-person attendees should RSVP to Michael.Prager@wisconsin.gov by noon on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

When:

• 10-11:30 a.m. – RR EAG Funding Sustainability Subgroup
  Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]
• Noon-1:30 p.m. – RR EAG NR 700 Subgroup
  Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]
• 2-3:30 p.m. – RR EAG Vapor Intrusion Subgroup
  Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

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

The NR 700 Rule Advisory Committee will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Thursday, May 30, 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.

When and where:
9 a.m. to noon – Continuing Obligations (RR-14-23)
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 Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

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.

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.

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 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.