Air Quality Compliance & Enforcement

Clean air is vitally important to the health of Wisconsin's citizens, its environment and its economy. The Air Management Program helps to protect human health and the environment by maintaining good air quality around Wisconsin. As part of this charge, the program enforces air pollution regulations found in the Wisconsin Statutes and the Wisconsin Administrative code.

Air Program compliance staff located in the DNR regional offices are responsible for determining whether air pollution sources are operating in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Compliance staff also assist staff at air pollution sources in understanding applicable air rules. Regional compliance staff inspect sources of air pollution on a regular basis. Some sources are required to undergo periodic emission testing which may be witnessed by compliance staff. In addition to this field surveillance work, compliance staff review plans and reports submitted to the Department by regulated facilities.

Violations

When a violation is found, compliance staff initiate enforcement to correct the violation. All violations are documented. DNR's stepped enforcement process determines the level of action taken against the facility. Steps in the enforcement process can range from a Letter of Noncompliance up through a referral for prosecution by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Regulatory programs

• Asbestos program
• Air toxics
• Clean fuel fleets
• Gasoline vapor recovery
• Inspection/Maintenance (IM/240)
• Low-sulfur fuel
• Reformulated gasoline
• Refrigerant recovery program

Compliance assistance

• Compliance forms
• Compliance resources
• Frequently asked questions
• Smoke reading / visible emissions
• Air permit and compliance policy and guidance

Complaints

If you have a complaint about a local air pollution problem, please contact Air Management staff in your local regional office or service center. However, if you want to remain anonymous, you should submit your information via the DNR Violation Hotline. Please indicate the municipality and county in which the problem is occurring, so we can direct your problem to the appropriate DNR staff. Followup on complaints is handled through our regional offices.