Contact(s): Christine Haag, DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Program Director, 608-266-0244, christine.haag@wisconsin.gov; DOJ Communications Office, dojcommunications@doj.state.wi.us, 608-266-1220
December 11, 2019 at 10:42:58 am
MADISON, Wis. - The Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul are hosting a listening session in Marinette on Wednesday, Dec. 18, to seek public input on PFAS contamination in the Marinette-Peshtigo area.
Attorney General Kaul as well as representatives from the DNR and Department of Justice (DOJ), will be on hand from noon-2 p.m. and again from 6-7:30 p.m. to answer questions and hear concerns from community members regarding PFAS cleanup and investigation. State agency staff will also be available from 2-3:30 p.m. to answer one-on-one questions from the public.
"I want to hear directly from Marinette and Peshtigo area residents about the impacts that PFAS contamination has had on them and about the steps they view as most important in remedying the harms that PFAS contamination has caused," said Attorney General Kaul.
PFAS contamination was detected in the soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, private drinking water wells and biosolids in the Marinette and Peshtigo area. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays, and certain types of firefighting foam.
These legacy contaminants have made their way into the environment through training with PFAS-containing firefighting foam, disposal of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and other activities.
In September, the DNR provided a letter to the mayors of the cities of Peshtigo and Marinette and the chairperson for the town of Peshtigo regarding upcoming public meetings and clarification on trust fund availability. A complete summary of recent PFAS actions by the DNR in the Marinette and Peshtigo area can be found here.
The Dec. 18 meeting is the fourth in a series of six meetings the DNR will hold in the area as part of the department's effort to provide open and ongoing communication via monthly, in-person forums, where residents can meet with DNR and other state agency staff.
All sessions will be held at the Community REC Center, 2501 Pierce Ave. Upcoming listening sessions include:
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