Cleanup

Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-606, Guidance on the Case Closure Process and Continuing Obligations: Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 725 to727

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The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication RR-606, Guidance on the Case Closure Process and Continuing Obligations: Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 725 to 727.

The purpose of the guidance is to guide users in preparing for a case closure request, particularly at sites where contamination remains after response actions are complete and continuing obligations are needed to address exposure pathways. This guidance document is intended for use by responsible parties, consultants or other interested parties, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection staff.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance web page under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through March 24, 2021 to Jane Lemcke at Jane.Lemcke@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-082, Guidance: NR 700 Semi-Annual Site Progress Report, Wis. Admin Code § NR 700.11(1)(a)

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The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication RR-082, Guidance: NR 700 Semi-Annual Site Progress Report, Wis. Admin Code § NR 700.11(1)(a).

The purpose of the guidance is to provide information regarding semi-annual progress reports, which are required of responsible parties for open remediation sites.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance web page under the “Program Guidance” tab.

Comments may be submitted through February 17, 2021 to Tim Zeichert at Timothy.Zeichert@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

NR 700 Reporting Due January 30

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Semi-annual reporting for the period of July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 is due by January 30, 2021. 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 RPs.

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Contaminated Sediments EAG to Meet Nov. 17 Regarding Financial Assurance

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The Remediation and Redevelopment Program will host an online meeting of the Contaminated Sediments External Advisory Group (EAG) on Tuesday, November 17th from 3:00 to 5:00.

This is an opportunity to provide feedback on proposed rules for calculating financial assurance when engineering controls are used to address contaminated sediment left in place.

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Updated VPLE Insurance Fees

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The Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) Insurance fee schedule (RR-661) is now updated and available on the DNR website.

The VPLE program allows a party to conduct an assessment and remedial action of an entire property with DNR oversight to obtain a liability exemption. Insurance is required for VPLE sites where groundwater contamination levels are above enforcement standards and the DNR determines that natural attenuation will restore groundwater quality.

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DNR Awards Brownfields Grant Valued up to $35,000 to Grant County

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An abandoned downtown property in Lancaster with a 25-year history of petroleum contamination is getting closer to being cleaned up and marketable to possible buyers with assistance from a brownfields grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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DNR Awards Brownfields Grant Valued up to $35,000 to City of Stoughton Redevelopment Authority

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A blighted riverfront property in Stoughton is on the way to being cleaned up with assistance from a brownfields grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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Monthly PECFA Financial Summaries: March – September, 2020

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

Please note that the PECFA program ended on June 30, 2020. The “sunset date” is found in Wis. Stat. § 292.63(3)(ac).

The DNR does not have statutory authority to unilaterally change or amend a deadline found in statute as that authority is exclusive to the state legislature.

The monthly financial summaries are as follows:

Month Claims Number Value
March
Claims Received 53 $258,848
Claims Paid 14 $84,777
Claims in Audit Line (as of 3/31/20) 86 $458,357
Total Paid FY20 $4,366,043
April
Claims Received 137 $745,336
Claims Paid 39 $187,274
Claims in Audit Line (as of 4/30/20) 185 $1,014,502
Total Paid FY20 $4,553,317
May Claims Received 81 $316,980
Claims Paid 114 $502,096
Claims in Audit Line (as of 5/31/20) 150 $797,012
Total Paid FY20 $5,055,413
June Claims Received 278 $3,006,690
Claims Paid 22 $89,254
Claims in Audit Line (as of 6/30/20) 356 $2,750,738
Total Paid FY20 $5,114,667
July Claims Received 38 $516,072
Claims Paid 173 $917,495
Claims in Audit Line (as of 7/31/20) 289 $3,457,844
Total Paid FY21 $917,496
August  Claims Received 0 $0
Claims Paid 131 $1,349,346
Claims in Audit Line (as of 8/31/20) 148 $1,939,423
Total Paid FY21 $2,266,824
Sept. Claims Received 0 $0
Claims Paid 126 $1,503,132
Claims in Audit Line (as of 9/30/20) 18 $361,784
Total Paid FY21 $3,769,956

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup Grant Applications Due October 28, 2020; EPA Region 5 Application Webinar on September 23

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for FY21 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment & Cleanup (MAC) Grants. All applications are due October 28, 2020.

Grants awarded by the EPA’s Brownfield Program provide communities across Wisconsin and the country with an opportunity to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes while taking advantage of existing infrastructure. In many cases, brownfields grants have been shown to not only increase local tax revenue, but to also have a positive impact on residential property values.

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EPA Brownfields Awards to Three Wisconsin Communities

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Three Wisconsin communities will receive a total of $2.1 million in brownfields awards. The grants come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ARC Grants Programs – Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup. Green Bay and Washington County both stand to receive $800,000; Brillion will receive $500,000.

The grants will provide those communities with needed assistance as they work to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes.

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