Wisconsin’s Environmental Compliance Audit Program

The Environmental Compliance Audit Program encourages audits by providing a voluntary program with substantially less financial risk and limited liability for violations disclosed as part of an environmental compliance audit. A one-page fact-sheet [PDF 73KB] and slideshow [PDF 41KB] provide a good place to start learning about the program. You may also want to check out the Frequently Asked Questions.

The law was modeled after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Audit Policy [exit DNR]. To participate in Wisconsin’s program you need to submit a simple 1-page audit notification [PDF 55KB] to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 30 days before you begin your audit. After you conduct your audit you will also need to submit an Environmental Audit Compliance Report to the DNR that identifies any violations and a commitment to correct them within a defined time-frame. You can use the compliance audit report template [PDF 55KB] or your own format to submit the audit report.

Collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities resulted in the first multi-facility agreement using Wisconsin'd Voluntary Environmental Compliance Audit Program.

• Wisconsin’s Private Colleges Launch Voluntary Environmental Health and Safety Inspections WAICU’s Green Initiative Includes Partnership With EPA and DNR [PDF 98KB]
• Voluntary environmental audits could be money-saver for state's private colleges [Exit DNR]
• Environmental Compliance Audit Agreement by and between the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Participating Institutions and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources [PDF 2.49MB]
• Audit Policy Agreement by and between the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universitties, Participating Institutions and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 [PDF 1.61MB]

The Department of Natural Resources has recently completed a biennial report to the Legislature [PDF 14MB].

For more about the program contact:

• Mark McDermid (608) 267-3125 mark.mcdermid@wisconsin.gov
• Kim McCutcheon (608) 275-3207 Kim.McCutcheon@wisconsin.gov