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

Posted on by Mick

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 700–799, 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

Posted on by Mick

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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New Features Added to RR Sites Map

Posted on by Mick

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s web-based mapping system – RR Sites Map – provides information about contaminated properties and other activities related to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated soil or groundwater in Wisconsin.

RR Sites Map is available for both desktop and mobile devices and has undergone some recent improvements:

Hillshade Layer as Basemap: A raster image derived from LiDAR, portraying a grayscale 3D representation of the surface with the sun’s position taken into account for shading the image.

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Snapshot: December 2018 PECFA Financials

Posted on by Mick

The Remediation and Redevelopment Program provides a monthly update on the status of Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Award (PECFA) program claims and the overall PECFA program budget.

Below are the updated PECFA numbers for December 2018.

Number Value
Claims Received 97 $705,025
Claims Paid 79 $1,023,828
Claims in Audit Line (as of 12/31/2018) 61 $598,143
Total Paid Biennium to Date $10,410,615

Reminder: Submitting Complete PECFA Claims in 2019

Posted on by Mick

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.

PECFA Usual & Customary Schedule #25 Now Available Online

Posted on by Mick

The Usual & Customary (U&C) Cost Standardized Invoice #25 and Task Reference Guide #25 are now available for January 2019 through June 2019.

Both documents are available on the Remediation and Redevelopment Program’s PECFA webpage on the reimbursement tab.

Please note the following updates:

  • A 10 percent increase in the mobilization/demobilization rates compared to the previous schedule, and
  • All standard labor rates have increased by three percent over the U&C #24 rates, and
  • The following sub-tasks based wholly or partially on labor rates were increased:
    • WAB32 increased to $81.58 to reflect the new field professional rate, and
    • VIS05 increased to $510.26 to reflect the new staff professional rate.

For additional information, please review the Task Reference Guide #25.

NR 700 Semi-Annual Reporting Due Soon

Posted on by Mick

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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DNR Interim Decision on Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) Program and Emerging Contaminants

Posted on by barryashenfelter

Wisconsin’s Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program allows a person to clean up a property and receive an exemption from future liability for historic contamination. Once cleanup is complete, the VPLE Certificate of Completion (COC) provides liability protection for the owner of the property. It is also transferrable to future owners. Since 1995, the DNR has issued 186 COCs. Eighty-three voluntary parties are currently pursuing a VPLE COC.

Recent concerns over emerging contaminants, particularly per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) chemicals in Wisconsin and nationally have prompted the DNR to evaluate the potential for historical discharges of PFAS and other emerging contaminants at properties enrolled in the VPLE program that are pursuing a COC.

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RR Program Requesting NR Board Approval to Initiate Rulemaking

Posted on by barryashenfelter

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 700–799, 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

Posted on by Mick

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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