State Funded Response

• What is State Funded Response?
• How are Sites Chosen for State Funded Response?
• State Funded Response Activities
• State Funded Response Highlights

What is State Funded Response?

In a state funded response, DNR commits resources from the Environmental Repair Appropriations, 20.370(2)(dv) Wis. Stats., to take the lead in investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites. These are sites (1) where there is known or suspected contamination that is causing a threat to human health or the environment; and (2) where a responsible party (RP) is not cleaning up contamination because the RP is unknown, the department has not demonstrated the RP's responsibility, the RP does not acknowledge responsibility, or the RP is unable or unwilling to proceed. DNR must address cost recovery whenever state funds are used.

How are Sites Chosen for State Funded Response Projects?

A site can move into and out of the state fund response process anytime from site discovery through case closure. Sites are recommended by RR regional staff based on environmental and health concerns, regional and central office staffing availability, community priorities, partnership opportunities, and lack of alternative funding choices.

If you are a consultant or contractor interested in being considered for state funded work, please contact Bob Strous (608.267.3532).

Examples of State Funded Response Activities

The fund finances a variety of activities, including site investigations, design and installation of multimillion dollar landfill caps, provision of emergency water to residents with contaminated wells, installation of treatment systems to remove pollutants from groundwater, contracts for construction oversight, operation and maintenance of treatment facilities, and other remediation activities.

In 2001-02, $2.5 million in state funds helped fund investigations and cleanup of approximately 60 sites around the state.

State Funded Response Highlights

To learn about other RR program successes please see the RR success stories page. The page includes a chart that links to individual sucesss stories involving the RR Program. Included is a list of assistance received for each site (e.g. funding, liability, exemptions, etc.).

The Dwyer Fire

On February 22, 1990, a fire occurred in an out-building of the Dennis Dwyer Farm, located about 2.5 miles northwest of the City of Beloit in Rock County. The building, which was destroyed in the fire, was used for storage of pesticides, foam insulation supplies, and other equipment. Within a day or two of the fire, several homeowners in the area contacted the DNR because they noticed a strange taste in their drinking water. The department initiated sampling of wells in the area. They found that several of the wells had high levels of pesticides and some volatile organic compounds.

The owner of the farm was unable to pay for remedial action so the DNR took over cleanup of the site as a state funded response project after a site investigation. A remediation option was chosen and the groundwater was treated through ultraviolet oxidation and re-injection of the treated water into aquifer. By the end of August 1999, more than 12 million gallons of pesticide contaminated groundwater had been treated. Total cleanup cost was estimated at $1.5 million.

For more information on the Dwyer Fire Cleanup Project, please see the RR 1998-1999 Annual Report [PDF, 1,744KB], (pp. 12-13).

Davy Creek

Davy Creek is a small stream that meanders its way through Dodge County. Its course passes through the unincorporated community of Ashippun, home to the Oconomowoc Electroplating Company, Inc. (OECI), which closed in 1991. Throughout the company's history, wastewater containing heavy metals and cyanide was discharged directly into Davy Creek. In later years, even with the help of wastewater lagoons, some overflowed into the creek. Most of this site was cleaned up as a Superfund project, but a stretch of creek downstream that was contaminated with low-level contaminants remained.

Since OECI was no longer in existence and therefore there was no viable responsible party, the DNR used a state funded response contract to complete the cleanup in this area of the stream. Through two phases, the sediment in this area was cleaned-up in two phases and by May of 2000 the DNR had completed the project. Total cleanup cost of this project was just under $1 million.

For more information on the Davy Creek Cleanup Project, please see the RR 2000-2001 Annual Report [PDF, 582KB], (pp. 11-12).

For more information on the page contact :

Bob Strous