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NR 700-799 Rule Changes

The DNR works with public and industry stakeholders, state agencies, the Wisconsin State Legislature, the governor and the general public to update its administrative rules.

Ch. 292, Wis. Stat. directs certain parties to clean up contaminated sites in Wisconsin; chs. NR 700-799, Wis. Adm. Code, provide the specific steps and standards for conducting cleanup activities. The DNR is developing changes to chs. NR 700-799, Wis. Adm. Code, through the permanent rulemaking process relating to the following topics:

  • Definitions, notifications, fees, agreements, reports and procedures for interim action and remedial action continuing obligations; and
  • Definitions, land use classifications, procedures for identifying environmental standards for soil and soil cleanup standards.

Rulemaking Process

 

Winter 2023/2024
  • Statement of Scope approved by DNR secretary, governor, NRB
We are here
Winter 2024 - Spring 2025
  • Rule Advisory Committee meetings- open to public
  • Preparation of proposed rules
  • Solicitation of information for economic impact analysis (i.e., request for input on the economic impacts of the proposed rules)
Summer 2025
  • Public hearings on proposed rule
  • Public comment period
Fall 2025/Winter 2025/2026
  • NRB meeting requesting adoption
  • Rule approved by governor
Spring 2026
  • Legislative review/hearings
Summer 2026
  • Rule signed by DNR secretary, rule published and becomes effective.

 

Economic Impact Analysis

Under s. 227.137, Wis. Stats., an economic impact analysis (EIA) must be prepared for every permanent proposed rule. The analysis must include information on the economic effect of the proposed rule on specific businesses, business sectors, public utility ratepayers, local governmental units and the state's economy as a whole.

Rule Advisory Committee

The DNR asked stakeholders to advise DNR staff during development of the proposed rules. The Rule Advisory Committee will begin advising the DNR on rule development at open public meetings beginning in Winter 2024.  All Rule Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public.

The Rule Advisory Committee is comprised of the following representatives from environmental consulting and law firms, local government groups, industry stakeholders, affected state agencies and environmental advocacy groups:

Representative Organization

Lanette Altenbach

AECOM

Frank Dombrowski

WEC Energy Group

Evan Feinauer & Paul Mathewson

Clean Wisconsin

Toni Herkert

League of Wisconsin Municipalities

Curtis Hedman

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Rob Lee

Midwest Environmental Advocates

Bill Nelson

Godfrey & Kahn

Susan Petrofske

Ramboll

Mat Reimer

Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee

Bill Scott

WP Scott Law

Sarah Slack

Foley & Lardner

Pat Stevens

Wisconsin Paper Council

Craig Summerfield

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce

Sharlene TeBeest

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Mark Thimke

Wisconsin Green Fire

Public Input

Public participation is an important component of rulemaking; opportunities to participate are provided below.

Public comments may be sent at any time to DNRRRNR700input@wisconsin.gov.

Upcoming Meetings

Meeting Date & Time Details
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
9-11 a.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RR-14-23 (Continuing Obligations)

State Natural Resources Building GEF 2
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Feb. 22, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
Noon - 2 p.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RR-15-23 (Soil Standards)

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Feb. 22, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

Friday, April 12, 2024
9-11 a.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RR-14-23 (Continuing Obligations) 

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on April 11, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD)

Friday, April 12, 2024, noon-2 p.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RR-15-23 (Soil Standards)

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on April 11, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD)
Tentative
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Time(s) TBD

Rule Advisory Committee Subgroup Meetings

Subgroup meetings may be scheduled on this date upon the direction of the Rule Advisory Committee. 
 

Friday, July 19, 2024
9 - 11 a.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
RR-14-23 (Continuing Obligations) 

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on July 18, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD) 
Friday, July 19, 2024
Noon - 2 p.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
Scope Statement RR-15-23 (Soil Standards)

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on July 25, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD) 
Friday, Sept. 20, 2024
9 - 11 a.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
Scope Statement RR-14-23 (Continuing Obligations) 

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Sept. 19, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD)
Friday, Sept. 20, 2024
Noon - 2 p.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
Scope Statement RR-15-23 (Soil Standards)

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Sept. 19, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD)
Tentative: 
Friday, Sept. 27, 2024
Time(s) TBD

Rule Advisory Committee Subgroup Meetings

Subgroup meetings may be scheduled on this date and between Sept. 25, 2024, and Oct. 4, 2024, upon the direction of the Rule Advisory Committee. 

Friday, Nov. 22, 2024
9 - 11 a.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
Scope Statement RR-14-23 (Continuing Obligations) 

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Nov. 21, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD)
Friday, Nov. 22, 2024
Noon - 2 p.m.

Rule Advisory Committee Meeting
Scope Statement RR-15-23 (Soil Standards)

State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm G09
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In person attendees should RSVP to MollyE.Schmidt@wisconsin.gov by noon on Nov. 21, 2024.

Zoom attendance registration [exit DNR]

  • Agenda (TBD)

 

Past Meetings

Meeting Date & Time Location Resources
Oct. 16, 2020

Skype meeting

Meeting and background material

Submittal of written comments

  • Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before Oct. 23, 2020.
  • Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing.
  • Submit comments and any questions on the proposed rule by email or through the U.S. mail.
    • Emailed comments may be sent to DNRRRNR700input@wisconsin.gov
    • Mail comments to:
      Department of Natural Resources
      Attn: Molly Schmidt – RR/5
      P.O. Box 7921
      101 S. Webster Street
      Madison, WI 53707-7921

The proposed permanent rule is available on the DNR's Proposed Permanent Administrative Rules web page.

The emergency rule is available on the DNR's Proposed Emergency Administrative Rules web page.

July 6, 2020

Skype meeting

Meeting and background material

June 23, 2020

Skype meeting

Meeting and background material

Jan. 9, 2020 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room 513
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

Dec. 3, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G27
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

Nov. 6, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room 513
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

Oct. 1, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G27A
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

Sept. 5, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G27A
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

August 6, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G27A
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

  • Agenda
  • Meeting notes
  • Presentation
  • White paper on proposed rule revisions relating to the “continuing obligations” definition within ch. NR 714, Wis. Adm. Code;
  • White paper on proposed rule revisions needed following 2015 Wis. Act 204 changes related to continuing obligations for interim actions;
  • White paper on proposed rule revisions needed following 2015 Wis. Act 204 changes relating to the rights and responsibilities of owners and occupants at sites with continuing obligations;
  • First draft of proposed rules relating to 2015 Wis. Act 204 requirements for financial responsibility at sites where engineering controls are used to address contaminated sediment (new ch. NR 756, Wis. Adm. Code);
  • First draft of proposed rules relating to 2015 Wis. Act 204 requirements for insurance and other financial assurance requirements at Voluntary party Liability Exemption (VPLE) sites with contaminated sediment (new ch. NR 756, Wis. Adm. Code); and
  • Second draft of proposed rule revisions regarding soil standards.
July 9, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G09
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

June 4, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G27A
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

May 7, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G27A
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

  • Agenda [PDF]
  • Meeting Notes [PDF]
  • Presentation [PDF]
  • Introductory white paper [PDF] regarding draft rule revisions relating to: (1) financial responsibility for engineering control and structural impediment removal at sediment cleanup sites and related requirements, and (2) insurance or other forms of financial responsibility for Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) sediment cleanup sites.
  • Introductory white paper [PDF] regarding proposed rule revisions to ensure adequate guidance within code for sites with contaminated sediments (chapters NR 700, NR 708, NR 716, NR 722, NR 724, NR 725, NR 726, NR 727, and NR 750, Wis. Adm. Code).
  • First draft of proposed rule revisions [PDF] relating to 2017 Wisconsin Act 70 statutory changes regarding the use of the term "property" and property boundary changes at sites enrolled in the VPLE program (chapters NR 700, NR 750, NR 754, new chapter NR 758, Wis. Adm. Code).
April 18, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room 513
101 S Webster St

Subgroup discussion

The subgroup will discuss rules relating to new statutory requirements for financial responsibility and financial assurance at certain contaminated sediment sites.

Meeting and background material

April 9, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room 513
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

March 5, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room G27A
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material

  • Agenda [PDF]
  • Meeting Notes [PDF]
  • Introductory materials for drafting rules relating to (1) financial responsibility for engineering control and structural impediment removal at sediment cleanup sites and related requirements, and (2) insurance or other forms of financial responsibility for Voluntary Party Liability Exemption sediment cleanup sites:
  • Draft proposed rule changes [PDF] to address databased listings and notification requirements imposed by 2015 Wis. Act 204, and related fees and procedures
Feb. 5, 2019 Madison
State Natural Resources Building (GEF2)
Room 513
101 S Webster St

Meeting and background material