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Wisconsin Ready for Reuse Loan and Grant Program

New! Governor Signs Brownfields Legislation Making Ready for Reuse Loan Easier to Use

On Thursday, March 27, Governor Doyle signed Senate Bill 202/Assembly Bill 706 into law, which authorizes local governments to more easily issue debt for public brownfields projects.

This new law grants specific authority to local units of government, including cities, villages, towns, counties, metropolitan sewerage districts, and town sanitary districts, to issue municipal obligations in anticipation of receiving proceeds from brownfields revolving loan program loans or grants. Such obligations must be repaid within 10 years or, if refinanced once, within 15 years. The 15 year or less note does not count as municipal debt, per the new statute. The bill also specifies that local units of government may issue promissory notes, which must be repaid within 20 years, for public purposes related to the brownfields revolving loan program.

Program Basics

Ready for Reuse funds are used for environmental cleanup of hazardous substances or petroleum at brownfields throughout Wisconsin. Up to 60% of the total funds are available for zero-interest loans. Up to 40% of the total funds are available for grants.

For specific program information, project selection preferences, and eligibility criteria, please read:

For federal information about brownfields liability, please visit the following links:

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First Steps

The Ready for Reuse program is only appropriate for sites that are ready to begin remediation activities. If you feel that you have a project that fits this program, take the following steps as soon as possible:

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Application Materials

If you are interested in applying to the Ready for Reuse program, we recommend that you set up a meeting with the DNR first to discuss the project. Bring a completed draft copy of Application Part I: Eligibility Determination to this meeting. To set up a meeting, contact Jessica Milz (608.267.6743).

Application Process & Forms

Step 1. Fill out Application Part I: Eligibility Determination (Form 4400-238)

Step 2: Fill out Application Part II: Project Scoring & Financial Details (Form 4400-239) only if DNR approves Part I.

Grant Applicants - Model Documents

In additional to the two-part application, applicants may need the following model document:

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State and Federal Requirements During Loan and Grant Work

Many requirements are dictated by the source of the federal funding, EPA's Brownfields Program. Thus, federal requirements include a fair amount of governmental reporting and public participation.

Upon being awarded a grant or loan, the local government or tribe must:

  • Develop a cleanup plan and project budget, and provide a written notice in a paper of general circulation for the public to comment on.
  • Go through step-by-step DNR review and approval of cleanup plans and actions. The associated fees are eligible costs that must be paid to the DNR by the awardee.
  • Develop a public notification plan that provides an opportunity for public comments on the cleanup plan.
  • Make site documents available at a local repository.
  • Develop a final decision document and respond to public comments.
  • Comply with all Federal Terms and Conditions [PDF, 113KB], including those covering:
    • Lobbying and litigation;
    • Fair share in contracting;
    • Public accommodation;
    • Reporting;
    • Small business in rural areas;
    • Procurement of recycled products;
    • Debarment and suspension;
    • Recycled paper;
    • Worker protection; and
    • The Uniform Relocation Act.

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Materials for Borrowers and Grantees

The following model documents are available for borrowers and grantees to use during the Ready for Reuse program:

Required Documents For Public Comment Period

Due to federal rules, every community that is awarded a Ready for Reuse grant or loan must go through a 30-day public comment period for the work being funded by this program. The following four documents need to be placed in a publically-accessible administrative record. This 30-day public comment period, and a DNR-issued record of decision memo following the 30 days, has to be completed before any remediation can begin on a grant or loan site. Contact Jessica Milz (608.267.6743) with questions about this process.

Payment Request Form

Payment claims can be filled out no more than once per month during the loan or grant period. Please fill out the following form completely, and submit it to:

Jessica Milz - RR/8
DNR
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707

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Wisconsin Brownfields Coalition

The Wisconsin Brownfields Coalition (WBC) was created in 2003 in order to obtain federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for brownfields cleanup. Members include the departments of Administration, Commerce and Natural Resources, as well as all 8 Regional Planning Commissions in Wisconsin.

2007 WBC Revolving Loan Funding Application to EPA

The WBC applied for a $3 million Hazardous Substance Revolving Loan Fund grant from EPA on October 12, 2007. This grant was not awarded to the WBC.

2006 WBC Revolving Loan Funding Application to EPA

The WBC applied for a $3 million Hazardous Substance Revolving Loan Fund grant from EPA on December 8, 2006. This grant was not awarded to the WBC.

2004 WBC Revolving Loan Fund Application to EPA

The WBC applied for a $3 million Hazardous Substance Revolving Loan Fund grant and a $1 million Petroleum Substances Revolving Loan Fund grant from EPA on December 4, 2003. The WBC was awarded the $4 million, and these funds are used in Wisconsin as the Ready for Reuse Loan and Grant Program.

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Additional Information

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For more information about this program or this page, contact:

Jessica Milz
608.267.6743

Last Revised: Thursday April 10 2008