Conferences and trainings

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Meeting And Back To Basics Training

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Upcoming Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) Meeting
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a meeting of the RR EAG on Oct. 29, 2025. The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin. RR EAG meetings are open to the public.

The agenda and meeting materials will be posted in advance on the DNR’s RR EAG webpage.

Registration Open For Third Session Of The Back To Basics Training Series
The Back to Basics training series will be presented in conjunction with the RR EAG meetings throughout 2025 and early 2026. Each session of the series provides information and practitioner perspectives on the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties.

Individuals involved in or affected by the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination and the redevelopment of contaminated properties are encouraged to attend, including environmental consultants, developers, attorneys, responsible parties, local governments, property owners and those affected by contamination in their communities.

The session on Oct. 29, Back to Basics: Planning for Remediation and Continuing Obligations, will explore the importance of planning and design for a successful project. The session will provide an overview of remedial action planning and design and discuss considerations when assessing the impact of continuing obligations on a project. Attendees will hear real-world stories presented by consultants and local government representatives. Topics and presenters include:

  • Beginning With The End: Remediation Planning – Jodie Thistle, DNR
  • Understanding Continuing Obligations & Selecting Remedial Actions – Tauren Beggs, DNR
  • Case Study: Remedial Action Planning – Harris Byers, Stantec
  • Case Study: Remedial Action Design – Leo Linnemanstons, AECOM
  • Case Study: Todd Schmidt, City of Waunakee
  • Case Study: Ramona Flanigan, City of Edgerton
  • Tips From RR Program Supervisors – Karen Campoli, DNR
  • Moderated Discussion With Presenters – Bill Nelson/Derek Punches, Godfrey & Kahn

Information and registration for the Back to Basics training sessions is posted on the RR Program Presentations & Trainings webpage.

Attending On Oct. 29
In-person and virtual attendance options are available for both the training and for the RR EAG meeting.

Schedule
8:30 to 9 a.m.: In person arrival and coffee with the DNR
9 to 11:30 a.m.: Back to Basics: Planning for Remediation and Continuing Obligations
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.: RR EAG Meeting

In-person attendees will have an opportunity to meet and greet regional DNR staff members from the RR Program; RSVP to Coreen Fallat at CoreenR.Fallat@wisconsin.gov by noon on Oct. 24, 2025.

Attend in-person in Madison, Milwaukee or Oshkosh:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Room G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Wisconsin DNR – Milwaukee Service Center
1027 West St. Paul Ave.
Harbor Room, Rm 107
Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin DNR – Oshkosh Service Center
Conference Room 1
625 E County Road Y, Ste 700
Oshkosh, WI

Attend via Zoom: Register to attend by Zoom [exit DNR]

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.   

KSU TAB Offers “Preparing For Brownfields Grants With Clean Energy Reuse In Mind” Workshop Series

Posted on by Christine Sieger

Kansas State University’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields program (KSU TAB) is offering a four-part workshop series starting Oct. 3, 2023: “Preparing for Brownfields Grants with Clean Energy Reuse in Mind.”

What Can You Expect?

  • Each virtual workshop will be interactive and engaging and is designed to build on each of the previous workshops; it is strongly encouraged participants attend all sessions.
  • Gain strategies for incorporating clean energy reuse into EPA brownfields grants due Nov. 13, 2023.
  • Learn about funding and financing options for clean energy projects.

This miniseries will start with general education and tips for grant preparation and then progress into more tailored feedback on specific plans and applications. The first three workshops will focus on preparing for the EPA brownfields grants and how to include clean energy as a reuse for some sites. The final workshop will be after the Nov. 13, 2023 EPA brownfields grant deadline and focus on broader funding and financing strategies for brightfields projects.

Who Is This For?
This cohort is specifically tailored to local governments and others interested in pursuing EPA brownfields grants and other state and federal funding for clean energy reuse. While it’s beneficial to have one or more sites in mind for assessment, cleanup and/or reuse, it’s not a requirement for participation. Participants must be from public or non-profit entities and located within EPA Regions 5, 6, 7 or 8 (Map of EPA Region) and Tribal communities.

Details:

  • What: Preparing for Brownfields Grants with Clean Energy Reuse in Mind, a series of four workshops
  • When: Starting Oct. 3, 2023 and ending December 2023
  • Where: All workshops will be hosted virtually via Zoom
  • Cost: None
  • Register: More details and registration links are available on the KSU TAB brightfields projects webpage.

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

Posted on by Christine Sieger

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.

ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Series On June 1 And June 6

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on June 1 and June 6, 2023.

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage.

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 up-to-date 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 – June 1, 2023 | Noon-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 – June 6, 2023 | Noon-2 p.m.
Topics Include:

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

 

Brownfields 2023 Conference Travel Scholarships Available

Posted on by Christine Sieger

Are you part of a community group, non-profit organization, environmental justice group or other organization that is interested in attending the 2023 National Brownfields Training Conference, Aug. 8-11, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan?

Travel scholarships might be available to you! Travel scholarships include registration fees and housing for four nights. Limited scholarships are available – the deadline to apply is May 17 at 11:59 p.m. Access the application and additional information on the Brownfields 2023 Travel Scholarship webpage.

What is the benefit of attending the 2023 National Brownfields Training Conference?

The brownfields conference is a platform to connect and learn best practices of cleanup and reuse of contaminated properties from a variety of industry stakeholders. The theme of this year’s conference is “Sustainable Communities Start Here,” which will cover topics such as financing, liability, community engagement, and the latest brownfields technologies and strategies. The 180 sessions, workshops, and networking events are curated to help you gain inspiration and strategies for revitalizing communities, catalyzing economic growth, restoring the environment and protecting the public health.

When: Aug. 8-11, 2023
Where: Hunting Place, Detroit, Michigan
More information available on the Brownfields 2023 website.

EPA Offers Brownfields 101 Training

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 will offer online training about Brownfields 101.

Brownfields 101 – April 11, 2023, 9:30-11 a.m. CST

This training will cover brownfields basics, assessing environmental conditions, and ownership and management. Register online.

Access additional information, resources, and materials about EPA Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) on the Brownfields and Land Revitalization in EPA Region 5 website.

Issues & Trends Webinar on April 12, 2023: Ready For Reuse Revolving Loan Funds Program

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from noon-1 p.m.

The scheduled presentation is the Ready for Reuse (RFR) Revolving Loan Funds Program.

The webinar will focus on the variety of ways to use RFR during the post-closure and redevelopment stage, as well as during the cleanup process. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

RFR loans are used for environmental cleanup of hazardous substances or petroleum at brownfields throughout Wisconsin. Learn more about RFR on the RR Program Wisconsin Ready For Reuse webpage.

Interested in learning what funding resources exist for cleaning up brownfields in your community? Watch this short overview on RR Program funding resources [00:04:58].

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.

ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Series On Feb. 14 And Feb. 21

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, 2023.

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 up-to-date 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 – Feb. 14, 2023, noon-2:00 p.m. CST
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 – Feb. 21, 2023, noon-2 p.m. CST
Topics Include:

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

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage.

The online sessions will repeat in June 2023. This training is also available on-demand at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation archive.

ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Sessions On Nov. 3 And Nov. 15

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer comprehensive vapor intrusion mitigation training over two sessions on Nov. 3 and Nov. 15, 2022.

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 up-to-date fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists. DNR staff participated in the development of both the technical resources and training.

  • Session 1 – Nov. 3, 2022, Noon-2:00 p.m. Topics Include:
    • Introduction & Overview of Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Team
    • Conceptual Site Models for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
    • Public Outreach During Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
    • Rapid Response & Ventilation for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
    • Remediation & Institutional Controls
  • Session 2 – Nov. 15, 2022, Noon-2 p.m. Topics Include:
    • Active Mitigation Approaches
    • Passive Mitigation Approaches
    • System Verification, OM&M, and Exit Strategies

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage.

The online sessions will repeat in 2023. This training is also available on-demand at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation archive.