Public input

Public Comment Period: 5-year Review For Sauk County Landfill Superfund Site

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites the public to share information about the Sauk County landfill and the ongoing cleanup process as part of a 5-year review. The review, required under federal law, ensures the continued effectiveness of remedies at the site. This is the sixth review since the completions of construction work in the 1990s. The last 5-year review was competed in 2020.

The landfill operated from 1973 to 1983 and received municipal, commercial and industrial wastes. To address groundwater contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from materials disposed of in the landfill, the cleanup remedies included capping the landfill, landfill gas collection and testing of private water supply wells.

Today, Sauk County maintains the landfill cap and fencing to prevent direct contact to waste material. Monitoring of groundwater wells evaluate contaminant migration and groundwater use restrictions in the immediate area protect the public from using contaminated groundwater.

The DNR invites interested parties to provide information that might be important to the 5-year review of the Sauk County Landfill Superfund Site by May 16, 2025, to one of the contacts listed below.

  • Luke Lampo, DNR Hydrogeologist, Luke.Lampo@wisconsin.gov, 608-206-5809, 3911 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53711.
  • Nabil Fayoumi, EPA Remedial Project Manager, Fayoumi.Nabil@epa.gov, 312-886-6840, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.

To learn about the Sauk County Landfill site or see previous 5-year reviews, visit the Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) on the Web (BOTW) at dnr.wisconsin.gov and search for “BRRTS.” Launch BOTW and enter 02-57-001004 into the “BRRTS No.” field.

Additional information can be found on the EPA Sauk County Landfill webpage.

Preliminary Public Hearing On Statements Of Scope

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program will hold a preliminary public hearing on two statements of scope.

The statements of scope are subject to the approval of the Natural Resources Board. If approved, the statements of scope would allow the DNR to begin drafting administrative rule revisions affecting Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters NR 700-799.

  • Scope Statement for Board Order RR-14-23 (Continuing Obligations) – 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 (Soil Standards) – 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 under the “RR – Remediation and Redevelopment” row.

HEARING DETAILS
What: RR Program Preliminary Public Hearing on two Statements of Scope
When: Dec. 21, 2023, at 1 p.m.
Where: Online; To register and attend via Zoom, please view the Notice of Preliminary Hearing on Statement of Scope on the DNR’s Administrative Rules webpage for instructions.

The public has the opportunity to testify at the hearing. Comments on the proposed scope statements must be received on or before Dec. 21, 2023. Email written comments to DNRAdministrativeRulesComments@wisconsin.gov.

Public Input Opportunity – Guidance: DNR’s Superior Lien Authority and What It Means for Property Owners (RR-507) and Guidance: Environmental Liability Exemptions for Lenders and Representatives (RR-508)

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on two publications:

Guidance: DNR’s Superior Lien Authority and What It Means for Property Owners (RR-507)
This guidance is intended for property owners and mortgagees. It defines and explains a superior lien, which is a type of environmental lien that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) places on properties when the DNR cleans up contamination on a property and is not reimbursed. A superior lien allows the DNR to recover the public funds spent on the cleanup.

Guidance: Environmental Liability Exemptions for Lenders and Representatives (RR-508)
The purpose of this guidance is to provide information to lenders and representatives about environmental liability exemptions available for sites with hazardous substance discharges to the environment.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through Oct. 19, 2023, to Molly Schmidt at MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Public Input Opportunity – Guidance: Post-Closure Modifications (RR-982)

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication Guidance: Post-Closure Modifications (RR-982).

The purpose of this guidance is to aid in the preparation and review of post-closure modification (PCM) submittals to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Information about the types of PCMs, the process, fees and types of responses available from the DNR is provided. This guidance is for use by property owners, responsible parties, and environmental consultants. It is based on authority provided under Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) § 292.12(6) and Wisconsin Administrative Code (Wis. Admin. Code) ch. NR 727.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through Oct. 5, 2023 to Jenna Soyer at Jenna.Soyer@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Public Input Opportunity – Publication: Local Government Environmental Liability Exemptions and Responsibilities in Wisconsin (RR-055)

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication Local Government Environmental Liability Exemptions and Responsibilities in Wisconsin (RR-055).

The purpose of this guidance is to provide basic information about Wisconsin’s local government unit environmental liability exemption (LGU exemption). The method of property acquisition used by an LGU determines if the exemption is acquired or applicable. DNR brownfields staff can help LGUs understand the exemption before taking title to a contaminated property and provide liability clarification letters.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through June 7, 2023, to Michael Prager at Michael.Prager@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

Public Input Opportunity – Five-Year Review of the Onalaska Municipal Landfill Superfund Site

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now seeking input on the Five-Year Review of the Onalaska Municipal Landfill Superfund Site.

The public notice can be found at the Remediation and Redevelopment Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Public Notices” tab. Comments may be submitted through March 25, 2023, to BJ LeRoy at Bruce.LeRoy@wisconsin.gov.

Public Input Opportunity – Five-Year Review of the Stoughton City Landfill Superfund Site

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now seeking input on the Five-Year Review of the Stoughton City Landfill Superfund Site.

The public notice can be found at the Remediation and Redevelopment Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Public Notices” tab. Comments may be submitted through March 24, 2023, to BJ LeRoy at Bruce.LeRoy@wisconsin.gov.

Public Input Opportunity for DNR Publication Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124)

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124).

The purpose of this guidance is to outline approaches for investigating and remediating hazardous substances discharges that impact sediment to comply with the requirements in Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and the applicable provisions of Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700-799. This guidance explains the steps recommended for assessment of contaminated sediment, evaluation of remedial options and the selection, design, implementation and monitoring of remedial actions. This guidance will clarify closure requirements at sites with contaminated sediments, including continuing obligations, long term stewardship and financial assurance.

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

Public Input Opportunity for DNR Publications – Guidance: Voluntary Party Exemption Liability (RR-0141), Guidance: Registering and Removing Underground Storage Tanks (RR-627), Guidance: Environmental Contamination & Your Real Estate (RR-973)

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Remediation and Redevelopment Program is currently seeking input three publications:

Guidance: Voluntary Party Exemption Liability (RR-0141)
RR-0141 provides information about the voluntary party liability exemption (VPLE), which was created by the Wisconsin State Legislature in 1994 when Wisconsin Statutes § 292.15 was enacted to aid in the redevelopment of brownfield properties.

Submit comments to Michael Prager or to DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov by Dec. 7, 2022.

Guidance: Registering and Removing Underground Storage Tanks (RR-627)
RR-627 outlines responsibilities for underground storage tanks and suggests best practices for registering and removing them.

Submit comments to Barry Ashenfelter or to DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov by Dec. 7, 2022.

Guidance: Environmental Contamination & Your Real Estate (RR-973)
RR-973 provides information to help property owners understand the impact contamination may have on the market value of their property and the legal obligations they have should the property be sold in the future.

Submit comments to Barry Ashenfelter or to DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov by Dec. 7, 2022.

The documents may be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Program Guidance” tab.

Public Input Opportunity – Five-Year Review Of The Lauer 1 Landfill/Boundary Road Superfund Site

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now seeking input on the Five-Year Review of the Lauer 1 Landfill/Boundary Road (BRL) Superfund Site and the potential formation of a Community Advisory Group for the BRL Superfund site.

The public notice and a fact sheet with further details can be found at the Remediation and Redevelopment Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Public Notices” tab. Comments may be submitted through Aug. 31, 2022 to BJ LeRoy at BJ.LeRoy@wisconsin.gov.