Wisconsin Cleanup Rules and Laws

• Cleanup Law Basics
• Wisconsin Adminstrative Rules Database
• Proposed Revisions to NR 700 Rule Series
• Rules Related to Remediation and Redevelopment
• NR 100 rule series [exit DNR]
• NR 700 rule series [exit DNR]
• Statutes Related to Remediation and Redevelopment
• All Wisconsin Administrative Codes and Statutes [exit DNR]

Cleanup Law Basics

Wisconsin law and liability -- who's responsible?

Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code govern the investigation and cleanup actions that are required after a discharge of a hazardous substance occurs or is discovered. In general, a person responsible for a discharge is required to report, investigate and clean up the contamination. The person responsible is defined by law as one who "causes", "possesses" or "controls" the contamination (e.g. owns property with a contaminant discharge or owns a container that has ruptured). These general requirements are established in Chapter 292, Wis. Stats., and Chapters NR 700 to 754, Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Limiting liability -- what liability exemptions are available?

292, Wis. Stats, establishes procedures for certain parties to obtain limited liability. This includes local governments, lenders, impacted neighbors and others who complete the investigation and cleanup of a contaminated property, under Wisconsin's Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program. Please see our "Liability" page for more information.

Official copies of Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Codes may be purchased from the Office for Document Sales, 608.266.3358, or 800.362.7253 (for Visa/MC orders only).

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WI Administrative Rules Database

This database can be used to find information on rules, status of rule making, documents associated with rulemaking (green sheets, pink sheets), submitting comments and other helpful information.

• Wisconsin Administrative Rules Database [exit DNR]

Proposed Revisions to NR 700 Rule Series - Investigation and Remediation of Environmental Contamination.

The Natural Resources Board has approved revision of these rules in order to make them consistent with statutes and with current practices. Public hearings will be scheduled. 

• Statement of Scope [exit DNR]
• Description of Proposed Changes (October 29, 2009) [PDF 36KB]
• Draft Rule Changes
• NR 169 [PDF 152KB] - Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Program
• NR 700 [PDF 155KB] - General Requirements
• NR 706 [PDF 60KB] - Hazardous Substance Discharge Notification and Source Confirmation Requirements
• NR 708 [PDF 52KB] - Immediate and Interim Actions
• NR 710 [PDF 23KB] - Site Discovery and Evaluation
• NR 712 [PDF 69KB] - Personnel Qualifications for Conducting Environmental Response Actions
• NR 714 [PDF 118KB] - Public Participation and Notification
• NR 716 [PDF 124KB] - Site Investigations
• NR 718 [PDF 150KB] - Management of Solid Wastes Excavated During Response Actions
• NR 722 [PDF 76KB] - Standards for Selecting Remedial Actions
• NR 724 [PDF 68KB] - Remedial and Interim Action Design, Implementation, Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring Requirements
• NR 725 [PDF 59KB] - Notification Requirements for Residual Contamination and Continuing Obligations
• NR 726 [PDF 94KB] - Case Closure
• NR 727 [PDF 34KB] - Continuing Obligation Requirements and Reopening Closed Cases
• NR 728 [PDF 31KB] - Enforcement and Compliance Authorities
• NR 746 [PDF 155KB] - Agency Roles and Responsibilities for Petroleum Contaminated Sites
• NR 749 [PDF 26KB] - Fees for Providing Assistance
• NR 750 [PDF 47KB] - Fees for Providing Oversight for the Contaminated Land Recycling Program

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Rules Related to Remediation and Redevelopment

Current Administrative Rules

• NR 100 Administrative Rules [exit DNR]
• NR 700 Administrative Rules [exit DNR]

Table: List of Staff Contacts for NR 700 Rules

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State Statutes Related to Remediation and Redevelopment

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For more information on this specific page, contact:

Laurie Egre