What's New

2005 Archive of What's New Announcements

Announcements, new pages, new publications, revisions and notices from 2005.

12/15/05 RE NEWS Volume 15 Number 4

The RR Program's quarterly newsletter for December, 2005 (RR-748) is now available. This issue highlights DNR's new brownfield grants to assess contamination in Milwaukee's 30th St. industrial corridor, the federal removals program, ReNews becoming an electronic-only newsletter, a successful brownfield redevelopment in Whitewater, and much more.

12/15/05 New on the Web - Urban Reinvestment Initiative

Milwaukee’s 30th Street Industrial Corridor is the first area of economic and environmental distress being targeted in the governor’s urban reinvestment initiative, aimed at clean up of urban neighborhoods in economically and environmentally distressed areas. The RR Program’s role is to alleviate fears of environmental contamination by partnering with Milwaukee in applying $400,000 of federal brownfield grant funds to assessment of contamination at brownfields in the corridor. Long term goals include a cleaner residential area and redevelopment of brownfields into new employers for local residents. This area on the north side of Milwaukee stretches for nearly five miles along a rail corridor and includes sections of Fond du Lac Avenue and Hopkins Street. For more information, please see the new 30th Street web page.

12/09/05 Brownfields SAG Program Nets 69 Applications Totaling $2.5 million

The RR Program's Brownfields SAG received 69 applications from 36 communities for funding, totaling $2.5 million, far more than the $1.7 million that is available for the current fiscal year. Of the 69 applications submitted, 58 were for small grants (requesting less than $30,000) and 11 were for large grants (requesting between $30,000 and $100,000). The SAG helps jump start the investigations and cleanups of brownfield properties across Wisconsin. more...

12/09/05 New Brownfield Site Assessment Grant (SAG) Highlights For Rounds 5 & 6

The RR Program unveils new summaries for each of the winners in SAG Rounds 5 and 6. Each site awarded SAG funding has a special write up, including property history, contamination issues and other significant facts. The SAG helps jump start the investigations and cleanups of brownfield properties across Wisconsin. more...

12/9/05 Phase I and II Trainings Available from DNR, ASTM

The DNR and the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) are cooperating to present training sessions on Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs).

Staff from ASTM and the RR Program will hold three sessions across Wisconsin for the following dates and locations:

November 29 – December 1, 2005 Eau Claire
January 30 – February 1, 2006 Appleton
February 6-8, 2006 Milwaukee

The three day course includes ASTM instructors, who will provide how-to training, and RR staff, who ill discuss how ESAs are used by the DNR. Each three-day session cost $895 per person. For more information, including a course description and agenda, please see the following links:

12/1/05 Time Again to Update Consultant List

Consultants may again update their information on our "Environmental Services Providers List". This "name, address, phone and fax number" listing is intended to help responsible parties locate consultants that do environmental investigation and cleanup in different parts of Wisconsin. It is not an endorsement or certification of those on the list. Consultants who need to add or amend a business entry on the list should contact Megan Clemens by December 14, 2005 to be included in the next version of this list.

11/3/05 Want to find waste disposal sites on the web?

DNR's Waste Program has just completed a searchable database that operates much like BRRTS on the Web and it's called SHWIMS on the Web (Solid and Hazardous Waste Information Management System). It includes licensed and unlicensed waste disposal sites, other solid waste processing facilities and a wide range of hazardous waste activities. BRRTS on the Web will automatically show you entries in SHWIMS on the Web when these activities are at the same location. Click on the location name in BRRTS on the Web and check the “Other activities at this location”. SHWIMS on the Web is at http://sotw.dnr.state.wi.us/sotw/Welcome.do.

10/17/05 Environmental Regulatory Update (New DNR Updates for Remediation) Meeting Scheduled

Working with Federation of Environmental Technologists (FET) the DNR has scheduled a meeting on November 10, 2005 in Milwaukee to update interested parties in environmental regulatory changes. Some highlights include a dry cleaner reimbursement program (DERF) update, brownfields update, and asbestos demolition recycling discussion. For more details and a agenda, please see the RR Calendar.

10/12/05 Brownfields SAG and Green Space Grant Schedule Announced

To assist local governments, consultants, and others with planning future brownfield projects, the RR program has determined a general schedule for future brownfields grants. These schedules are tentative and subject to change; and final application deadlines will be announced in the listserv and on the grant program web pages. To view the timelines, please see the following pages:

National Brownfields Conference in Denver

Registration has just begun for the Brownfields 2005 conference in Denver, November 2-4, 2005. Applications for travel scholarships will be accepted starting in March. For more information and a registration form, please see http://www.brownfields2005.org/en/index.aspx (exit DNR)

9/22/05 Round 7 SAG Applications Due in October!

Applications for Round 7 of the DNR's Brownfields Site Assessment Grant (SAG) Program are due on October 20, 2005. Communities can use these grants to investigate contamination and prepare brownfields for cleanup and redevelopment. Do you have the right property for a SAG grant? Please see the RR SAG web page for more information.

9/02/05 RE NEWS Volume 15 Number 3

The RR Program's quarterly newsletter Re News for September, 2005 (RR-738) is now available. Highlights include new changes to the NR 700 and Dry Cleaner rules, a successful brownfield redevelopment in West Milwaukee, and a special section on the program's web information for cleaning up contaminated properties.

8/24/05 Fall 2004 SAG Training Presentations Now on the Web!

The presentations that DNR staff gave at training to local governments and consultants in September 2004, are now available on the web to assist with preparing grant applications. Presentations were for Round 6 however material and information has been modified slightly for Round 7. Please see the Brownfields Site Assessment Grant Web Page to view these presentations.

8/19/05 Comprehensive Planning Grant Information Workshop

DNR will be hosting informational workshops in four locations around the state. These workshops will provide an overview of the grant process, explanation of the statutory and grant contract requirements and provide an opportunity to ask questions of staff. Although there is no registration fee we ask that you please notify us of your intent to attend by contacting us at (608) 261-6605 or Peter.Herreid@doa.state.wi.us. In your response please provide your name and which community you represent. For more information and training dates and times please see the RR Calendar.

8/15/05 New RR Success Story Web Page!

The RR Program has updated its "Accomplishments and Successes" web page, and created a new section on success stories. Included on the success story web page is a list of assistance received for each site (e.g. funding, liability, exemptions, etc.). To see the new web pages and highlights of successful cleanup and redevelopment projects involving the RR Program, please see the "Accomplishments and Successes" web page.

8/03/05 Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI)

BEDI program competition has re-opened As a result of difficulties applicants have had in submitting applications this year under the HUD SuperNOFA, the Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) program competition has re-opened; the new deadline is August 25, 2005. For this year's competition for a total of $24 million in grants, applicants may submit applications either electronically or on paper.

Please see the HUD website for links to re-opening announcements and application information for this program.

7/25/05 Round 7 SAG Applications Available!

Application materials for Round 7 of the DNR's Brownfields Site Assessment Grant (SAG) Program are now available. Grant applications are due on October 20, 2005. Communities can use these grants to investigate contamination and prepare brownfields for cleanup and redevelopment. Do you have the right property for a SAG grant? Please see the RR SAG web page for more information.

6/30/05 RE NEWS Volume 15 Number 1

RR Program's quarterly newsletter: March 2005 (RR-728) issue highlights the RR Program Audit of Institutional Controls, new and improved on-line databases, Air and Waste Division 2004 annual report, and much more.

6/15/05 Time Again to Update Consultant List

Consultants may again update their information on our "Environmental Services Providers List". This "name, address, phone and fax number" listing is intended to help responsible parties locate consultants that do environmental investigation and cleanup in different parts of Wisconsin. It is not an endorsement or certification of those on the list. Consultants who need to add or amend a business entry on the list should contact Megan Clemens by July 15, 2005 to be included in the next version of this list.

6/7/05 Round 7 SAG Applications Coming Soon!

The DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program expects application materials for the next round of Brownfields Site Assessment Grants (SAG) available in mid-July. Grant applications will be due in October 20, 2005. Local governments, often working with private partners, can use these grants to investigate environmental contamination and to prepare brownfield properties for cleanup and redevelopment.

The application form and instructions will be available on the RR's SAG web page. The final deadline for submitting applications will be announced soon, and will also be posted on the SAG web page.

5/11/05 EPA Brownfield Grants Awarded

Wisconsin DNR is the proud recipient of two EPA brownfields grants totaling $400,000. The grants were announced today by EPA as part of $75.0 million in national brownfield grant awards to communities in 44 states.

The DNR, in partnership with the city of Milwaukee and the 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation, applied for and received two site assessment grants -- a $200,000 grant for hazardous substances and another $200,000 for petroleum. The partnership group is the first created by Wisconsin’s Reinvestment Initiative, which will assist with redevelopment in targeted economically and environmentally distressed areas of the state.

For more information:

4/29/05 Waterfront Conference Web Link

The April 13 Waterfront Revitalization conference in Sheboygan attracted almost 200 attendees. The conference proceedings are now available as a web cast on the Great Lakes Commission: Wisconsin Waterfront Revitalization Conference Web page (exit DNR).

4/22/05 Wisconsin State Assembly Public hearing

Committee on Natural Resources
Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.
Room 415 Northwest, State Capitol
Clearinghouse Rule 04-128 - Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Program
For more information, please see the RR Wisconsin Rules and Regulations Page.

4/20/05 NBA Inaugural Reception

National Brownfields Association Wisconsin Chapter will be holding it's Inaugural Reception May 18, 2005 in West Allis. For more information please see the RR Calendar.

4/14/05 BRRTS on the web upgrade is here!

If you are one of our many customers who uses our database of contaminated sites, the Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS), you’ll be pleased to see that the wait is over. Our new, improved version of BRRTS on the Web is now available on our RR Program main page (lower left corner). If you experience any problems with BRRTS on the web, please use our feedback link built into the system. Also, the system may be slow at first if lots of users log on at the same time to take a look. New features that are now available include:

an improved search engine with "fuzzy" searching that helps you find activities even when you're not sure of the exact name or address. Simply type in a word that you expect to be included, such as "Jones" or " Main" and the search engine will do the rest.
a list of search results that identifies each activity's current status (e.g. open, closed),
a display of all activities present at a single location (e.g. spills, LUST, VPLE, waste management licenses) when you click on the “location name”, and
a direct link to our GIS Registry of Closed Sites (for sites that are in the Registry).

In about a month we’ll add more new search features that will allow users to search by specific actions, dates and more.

4/11/05 NER Office Moves!

he Northeast Region DNR office have moved. Please see the staff page for the new address and RR staff phone numbers.

3/24/05 Revised Web Page on State Budget

We’ve set up a web page highlighting RR program-related items in the 2005-2007 State Biennial Budget. At this time it includes Governor Doyle's budget recommendations for the RR Program, links to other state budget information, and information about previous state budget impacts on the RR Program. As the Legislature acts on the state budget, we’ll continue to provide updates.

RR State Budget web page

3/22/05 March RE NEWS Available

RR Program's quarterly newsletter: March 2005 (RR-727, PDF ) issue highlights highlights the RR Program Audit of Institutional Controls, new and improved on-line databases, Air and Waste Division 2004 annual report, and much more.

3/10/05 List of Round 6 Brownfield Site Assessment Grants Available

The list of large and small grants for Round 6 of the DNR's Brownfields Site Assessment Grants (SAGs) are now available on the RR Program's Web site on the Site Assessment Grant Page.

3/10/05 BRRTS on the Web "Freeze" Starts March 10

Our Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) upgrade is almost here! We think you'll like the new features coming for BRRTS on the Web, but in order to make the transition we need to "freeze" the system for about a week assuming we don't experience any delays, starting March 10, to install the upgrade. During this time BRRTS on the Web will operate normally, but no new information will be added. If you absolutely need new information about a site during the freeze, please contact the regional project manager or program assistant.

Our upgrade will provide an improved search engine with "fuzzy" capability that automatically finds activities when you are uncertain of the exact name or address. Simply type in "Jones" or "Main" and the search engine does the rest. You'll also find the current status (open, closed) of each activity on your list of search results.

3/9/05 Modest Increases in Insurance Fees for VPLE Sites Using Natural Attenuation

The RR program has extended the insurance policy for Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) sites using natural attenuation. As part of the policy extension, the insurance fees have increased. The current fee schedule can be found in Fact Sheet 13 , "Insurance for Voluntary Party Liability Exemption Sites Using Natural Attenuation: Information and Fee Schedule" (RR-661)

2/9/05 Waterfront Revitalization Conference April 13

The Great Lakes Commission and the Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, Commerce and Administration are hosting a Wisconsin Waterfront Revitalization Conference on April 13 in Sheboygan. The deadline for registration is April 1, 2005. This conference, at the Blue Harbor Resorts (a former brownfield) focuses on Wisconsin success stories. Mayors, city redevelopment staff and others will describe the tools they are using to convert their waterfront brownfield sites into new development. The conference will include panel discussions and exhibits from government, non-profit and commercial organizations with experience in waterfront revitalization.

To attend the conference or register as an exhibitor, please visit the conference web site at http://www.glc.org /wiconference (exit DNR)

2/8/2005 The "State Brownfields and Voluntary Response Programs: An Update from the States" is now available

The "State Brownfields and Voluntary Response Programs: An Update from the States" explores the evolving landscape of state environmental, financial, and technical programs, including the incentives designed to promote brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. This user-friendly tool looks at multiple components of state brownfields and voluntary response program(s), and provides a synopsis of each state's response program(s) and contact information.

Please see the EPA Brownfields Page (exit DNR), to view the report.

2/2/05 2005 Legislative Fiscal Bureau Informational Papers Available

The LFB provides these comprehensive papers in order to provide background on issues that may come before legislators.

For more information and a complete list of the 2005 Informational Papers, please see the Legislative Fiscal Bureau Web Site (exit DNR)

2/1/05 Air & Waste Division Annual Report

In January the DNR’s Air & Waste Division issued its Annual Report for 2004. Highlights in the 49-page report include the receipt of the largest EPA brownfields grant in the nation; elimination of the federal Air Operations Permits backlog; implementation of the "Green Tier" law; and streamlining regulation of waste facilities. To view the report please see our RR Accomplishments and Success Story Page.

For more information on this specific page, contact:

Andrew Savagian

Last Revised: Wednesday February 13 2008